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http://www.archive.org/details/portraitbiograph02geof 



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Portrait and ^ 

-^^^i BIOGRAPHICAL 



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OF 



QUEENS COUNTY 



(LONG ISLAND) 

NEW YORK 






o 






Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 
and Representative Citizens of the Gounty. 



Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents 

of the United States. 



NEW YORK AND CHICAGO: 
CHAPMAN PUBLISHING CO. 
I 



1:6250 





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:, 

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PRKKACE 



'HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of the 

present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its 

y,^ people." In conformity with this idea, the Portrait and Biographicai, Record of this 

county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical 

matter that can be appreciated by but few, our corps of writers have gone to the people, the men 

and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none 

among those comprising this great and noble state, and from their lips have the story of their life 

struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. 

In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming 

generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have 

accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with hmited advantages for securing an education, have 

become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of 

the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and 

whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to 

succeed, and records how tha:t success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 

many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," 

content to have it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy—' 'They have 

done what they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left 

the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's ofEce and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, 

and at their country's call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the 

Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the Ufe of every man and of every 

woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the 

fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would 

otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work, and every 

opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and 

the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. 

In addition to the biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some and biographical sketches of many, will be missed m this volume. For this 

the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give 

the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some 

member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of 

the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though 

repeated calls were made at their residences or places of business. 
^ Chapman Publishing Co. 

June, 1896. 



Portraits and Biographies 



OF THE 



PR§SlDgNT; 



OF THE 



UNITKD STATKS 









»\" 



iim 



'>9 





GKORGE WASHINGTON. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



' HE Father of our Country was born in "West- 
moreland County, Va., February 22, 1732. 
His parents were Augustine and Mary (Ball) 
Washington. The family to which he belonged 
has not been satisfactorily traced in England. 
His great-grandfather, John Washington, emi- 
grated to Virginia about 1657, and became a 
prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence 
and John. The former married Mildred Warner, 
and had three children, John, Augustine and 
Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, 
two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his second mar- 
riage, George was the eldest, the others being 
Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and 
Mildred. 

Augustine Washington, the father of George, 
died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. 
To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an 
estate on the Potomac, afterwards known as Mt. 
Vernon, and to George he left the parental resi- 
dence. George received only such education as 
the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a 
short time after he left school, when he received 
private instruction in mathematics. His spelling 
was rather defective. Remarkable stories are 
told of his great physical strength and develop- 
ment at an early age. He was an acknowledged 
\eader among his companions, and was early 
noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and 
iferacity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was fourteen years old he had a 
desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant 
was secured for him, but through the opposition 
of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two 



years later he was appointed surveyor to the im- 
mense estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business 
he spent three years in a rough frontier life, 
gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only nineteen 
years of age, he was appointed Adjutant, with the 
rank of Major, in the Virginia militia, then being 
trained for active service against the French and 
Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West 
Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there 
to restore his health. They soon returned, and 
in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a 
large fortune to an infant daughter, who did not 
long survive him. On her demise the estate of 
Mt. Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia 
was reorganized, and the province divided into 
four military districts, of which the northern was 
assigned to Washington as Adjutant-General. 
Shortly after this a very perilous mission, which 
others had refused, was assigned him and ac- 
cepted. This was to proceed to the French post 
near Lake Erie, in northwestern Pennsylvania. 
The distance to be traversed was about six hun- 
dred miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey 
was to be made without military escort, through 
a territory occupied by Indians. The trip was a 
perilous one, and several times he nearly lost his 
life, but he returned in safety and furnished a full 
and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of three hundred men was raised in Virginia and 
put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Maj. 
Washington was commissioned Lieutenant- Colo- 
nel. Active war was then begun against the 
French and Indians, in which Washington took 



20 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



a most important part. In the memorable event 
of July 9, 1755, known as "Braddock's defeat," 
Washington was almost the only officer of dis- 
tinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. 

Having been for five years in the military serv- 
ice, and having vainly sought promotion in the 
royal army, he took advantage of the fall of Ft. Du- 
quesne and the expulsion of the French from the 
valley of the Ohio to resign his commission. Soon 
after he entered the Legislature, where, although 
not a leader, he took an active and important 
part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha 
(Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John 
Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the 
port of Boston, the cry went up throughout the 
provinces, " The cause ot Boston is the cause of 
us all! " It was then, at the suggestion of Vir- 
ginia, that a congress of all the colonies was 
called to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 
1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably 
if possible. To this congress Col. Washington 
was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
congress re-assembled, when the hostile inten- 
tions of England were plainly apparent. The 
battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought, 
and among the first acts of this congress was the 
election of a commander-in-chief of the Colonial 
forces. This high and responsible office was con- 
ferred upon Washington, who was still a member 
of the congress. He accepted it on June 19, but 
upon the express condition that he receive no sal- 
ary. He would keep an exact account of ex- 
penses, and expect congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch 
to trace the military acts of Washington, to whom 
the fortunes and liberties of the people of this 
country were so long confided. The war was 
conducted by him under every possible disadvan- 
tage; and while his forces often met with reverses, 
yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven 
years of heroic devotion and matchless skill he 
gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. 
On December 23, 1783, Washington, in a parting 
address of surpassing beauty, resigned his com- 
mission as Commander-in-Chief of the army to the 



Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mt. Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning 
all connection with public life. 

In Februar}', 1789, Washington was unani- 
mously elected President, and at the expiration 
of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. 
At the end of this term many were anxious that he 
be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third 
nomination. On March 4, 1797, at the expiration 
of his second term as President, he returned to his 
home, hoping to pass there his few remaining 
years free from the annoyances of public life. 
Later in the year, however, his repose seemed 
likely to be interrupted by war with France. At 
the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the army, but he chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command, he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these prepara- 
tions his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2 
he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, 
which, settling in his throat, produced inflamma- 
tion, and terminated fatally on the night of the 
14th. On the i8th his body was borne with mili- 
tary honors to its final resting-place, and interred 
in the family vault at Mt. Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible 
to speak but in terms of the highest respect and 
admiration. The more we see of the operations 
of our government, and the more deeply we feel 
the difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common 
interest, the more highly we must estimate the 
force of his talent and character, which have been 
able to challenge the reverence of all parties, 
and principles, and nations, and to win a fame as 
extended as the limits of the globe, and which we 
cannot but believe will be as lasting as the exist- 
ence of man. 

In person, Washington was unusually tall, erect 
and well proportioned, and his muscular strength 
was great. His features were of a beausiful sym- 
metry. He commanded respect without any ap- 
pearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious 
without being dull. 




JOHN ADAMS. 



JOHN ADAMS. 



(tOHN ADAMS, the second President and the 
I first Vice-President of the United States, was 
(2/ born in Braintree (now Quincy) Mass. , and 
about ten miles from Boston, October 19, 1735. 
His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated 
from England about 1640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of 
John were John and Susannah (Boylston) 
Adams. His father, who was a farmer of limited 
means, also engaged in the business of shoe- 
making. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical 
education at Harvard College. John graduated 
in 1755, and at once took charge of the school at 
Worcester, Mass. This he found but a ' ' school 
of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain 
relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. 
He had thought seriously of the clerical profes- 
sion, but seems to have been turned from this by 
what he termed ' ' the frightful engines of ecclesi- 
astical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvin- 
istic good nature, ' ' of the operations of which he 
had been a witness in his native town. He was 
well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a 
clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of 
speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He 
graduall}^ gained a practice, and in 1764 married 
Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a 
lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, in 1765, the attempt at parliamentary i 
taxation turned him from law to politics. He 
took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, 
and the resolutions he offered on the subject be- 
came very popular throughout the province, and 
were adopted word for word by over forty differ- 
ent towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and 
became one of the most courageous and promi- 
nent advocates of the popular cause, and was 
chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
islature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first dele- 



gates from Massachusetts to the first Continent- 
al Congress, which met in 1774. Here he dis- 
tinguished himself by his capacity for business 
and for debate, and advocated the movement for 
independence against the majority of the mem- 
bers. In Maj-, 1776, he moved and carried a res- 
olution in Congress that the Colonies should 
assume the duties of self-government. He was a 
prominent member of the committee of five ap- 
pointed June 1 1 to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, 
but on Adams devolved the task of battling it 
through Congress in a three-days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independ- 
ence was passed, while his soul was yet warm 
with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter 
to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to 
have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. 
"Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question 
was decided that ever was debated in America; 
and greater, perhaps, never was or will be de- 
cided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, 'that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and in- 
dependent states.' The day is passed. The 
Fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch 
in the history of America. I am apt to believe it 
will be celebrated by succeeding generations as 
the great anniversary festival. It ought to be 
commemorated as the day of deliverance by 
solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It 
ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, 
sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from 
this time forward forever. You will think me 
transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I 
am well aware of the toil and blood and treas- 
ure that it will cost to maintain this declaration 
and support and defend these States; yet, through 
all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and 
glory. I can see that the end is worth more than 
all the means, and that posterity will triumph, 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



although you and I may rue, which I hope we 
shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed 
a delegate to France, and to co-operate with Ben- 
jamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then 
in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in 
arms and money from the French government. 
This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it 
separated him from his home, compelled him to 
cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him to 
great peril of capture by the British cruisers, who 
were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was 
again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold him- 
self in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and 
of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the 
British cabinet might be found willing to listen 
to such proposals. He sailed for France in No- 
vember, and from there he went to Holland, where 
he negotiated important loans and formed im- 
portant commercial treaties. 

Finally, a treat}^ of peace with England was 
signed, January 2 1 , 1783. The re-action from the 
excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. 
Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After 
suffering from a continued fever and becoming 
feeble and emaciated, he was advised to go to 
England to drink the waters of Bath. While in 
England, still drooping and desponding, he re- 
ceived dispatches from his own government urg- 
ing the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health 
was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and 
through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he 
made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. 
Adams envoj' to the Court of St. James. Here 
he met face to face the King of England, who 
had so long regarded him as a traitor. As Eng- 
land did not condescend to appoint a minister to 
the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he 
was accomplishing but little, he sought permis- 
sion to return to his own country, where he ar- 
rived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, 
John Adams, rendered illustrious bj? his signal 
services at home and abroad, was chosen Vice- 



President, 
ington as 



Again, at the second election of Wash- 
President, Adams was chosen Vice- 
President. In 1796, Washington retired from 
public life, and. Mr. Adams was elected President, 
though not without much opposition. Serving 
in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr. 
Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice-President the 
great French Revolution shook the continent of 
Europe, and it was upon this point that he was 
at issue with the majority of his countrymen, led 
by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy 
with the French people in their struggle, for he 
had no confidence in their power of self-govern- 
ment, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist 
philosophers who, he claimed, caused it. On the 
other hand, Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence 
originated the alienation between these distin- 
tinguished men, and the two powerful parties were 
thus soon organized, with Adams at the head of 
the one whose sj^mpathies were with England, 
and Jefferson leading the other in sympathy with 
France. 

The Fourth of July, 1826, which completed the 
half-century since the signing of the Declaration 
of Independence, arrived, and there were but 
three of the signers of that immortal instrument 
left upon the earth to hail its morning light. 
And, as it is well known, on that day two of 
these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coinci- 
dence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For 
a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly 
failing, and on the morning of the Fourth he 
found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On 
being requested to name a toast for the cus- 
tomary celebration of the day, he exclaimed 
"Independence forever!" When the day was 
ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing 
of cannons, he was asked by one of his attend- 
ants if he knew what day it was ? He replied, 
' ' O yes, it is the glorious Fourth of Jul}' — God 
bless it — God bless you all!" In the course of 
the day he said, "It is a great and glorious 
day." The last words he uttered were, " Jefie:.- 
son sui-vives." But he had, at one o'clock, 
resigned his spirit into the hands of his God. 




THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON 



'HOMAS JEFFERSON was born April 2, 
1743, at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Va. 
His parents were Peter and Jane (Ran- 
dolph) Jefferson, the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Eondon. To them were 
born six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas 
was the elder. When fourteen 5'ears of age his 
father died. He received a most liberal educa- 
tion, having been kept diligently at school from 
the time he was five years of age. In 1760 he 
entered William and Marj' College. Williams- 
burg was then the seat of the Colonial court, and 
it was the abode of fashion and splendor. Young 
Jefferson, who was then seventeen years old, lived 
somewhat expensively, keeping fine horses, and 
going much into gay society; yet he was ear- 
nestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachable in 
his morals. In the second year of his college 
course, moved by some unexplained impulse, he 
discarded his old companions and pursuits, and 
often devoted fifteen hours a day to hard study. 
He thus attained very high intellectual culture, 
and a like excellence in philosophy and the lan- 
guages. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued 
in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly, 
and distinguished himself by his energy and 
acuteness as a lawyer. But the times called for 
greater action. The polic\^ of England had awak- 
ened the spirit of resistance in the American Col- 
onies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had 
ever entertained soon led him into active politi- 
cal life. In 1 769 he was chosen a member of the 
Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772 he mar- 



ried Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful, 
wealthy, and highly accomplished young widow. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important com- 
mittees, and was chairman of the one appointed 
for the drawing up of a declaration of independ- 
ence. This committee consisted of Thomas Jef- 
ferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger 
Sherman and R^obert R. Livingston. Jefferson, 
as chairman, was appointed to draw up the paper. 
Franklin and Adams suggested a few verbal 
changes before it was submitted to Congress. On 
June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by 
Congress, and it was passed and signed July 4, 
1776. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry as Governor of Virginia. At one 
time the British ofiicer Tarleton sent a secret 
expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor. 
Scarcely five minutes elapsed after the hurried 
escape of Mr. Jefferson and his family ere his 
mansion was in possession of the British troops. 
His wife's health, never very good, was much 
injured by this excitement, and in the summer 
of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1785. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to France. Returning to the United 
States in September, 1789, he became Secretary 
of State in Washington's cabinet. This position 
lie resigned January i, 1794. In 1797, he was 
chosen Vice-President, and four years later was 
elected President over Mr. Adams, with Aaron 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



Burr as Vice-President. In 1804 he was re- 
elected with wonderful unanimity, George Clin- 
ton being elected Vice-President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second ad- 
ministration was disturbed b}' an event which 
threatened the tranquillity and peace of the Union; 
this was the conspiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated 
in the late election to the Vice-Presidency, and 
led on by an unprincipled ambition, this extraor- 
dinary man formed the plan of a military ex- 
pedition into the Spanish territories on our south- 
western frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This was generall}' supposed 
to have been a mere pretext; and although it has 
not been generalh^ known what his real plans 
were, there is no doubt that they were of a far 
more dangerous character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term 
for which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he de- 
termined to retire from political life. For a period 
of nearly forty years he had been continually be- 
fore the public, and all that time had been em- 
ployed in offices of the greatest trust and respon- 
sibility. Having thus devoted the best part of 
his life to the service of his country, he now felt 
desirous of that rest which his declining years re- 
quired, and upon the organization of the new ad- 
ministration, in March, 1809, he bade farewell for- 
ever to public life and retired to Monticello, his 
famous country home, which, next to Mt. Vernon, 
was the most distinguished residence in the land. 

The Fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth an- 
niversary of the Declaration of American Inde- 
pendence, great preparations were made in every 
part of the Union for its celebration as the nation' s 
jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to 
the solemnity of the occasion, invited Mr. Jeffer- 
son, as the framer and one of the few surviving 
signers of the Declaration, to participate in their 
festivities. But an illness, which had been of 
several weeks' duration and had been continually 
increasing, compelled him to decline the invita- 
tion. 

On the 2d of July the disease under which he 
was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was 



perfectl}' sensible that his last hour was at hand. 
On the next day, which was Monday, he asked 
of those around him the day of the month, and 
on being told it was the 3d of July, he ex- 
pressed the earnest wish that he might be per- 
mitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth anniver- 
sary. His prayer was heard — that day whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our 
land burst upon his eyes, and then they were 
closed forever. And what a noble consummation 
of a noble life! To die on that day — the birth- 
day of a nation — the day which his own name 
and his own act had rendered glorious, to die 
amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole 
nation, who looked up to him as the author, un- 
der God, of their greatest blessings, was aU that 
was wanting to fill up the record of his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the cham- 
pions of freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark 
and desperate struggle of the Revolution, they 
had cheered and animated their desponding coun- 
trymen; for half a century they had labored to- 
gether for the good of the country, and now hand 
in hand they departed. In their lives they had 
been united in the same great cause of liberty, 
and in their deaths they were not divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair, originally red, in after life be- 
came white and silvery, his complexion was fair, 
his forehead broad, and his whole countenance 
intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great 
fortitude of mind as well as personal courage, and 
his command of temper was such that his oldest 
and most intimate friends never recollected to 
have seen him in a passion. His manners, though 
dignified, were simple and unaffected, and his 
hospitality was so unbounded that all found at 
his house a ready welcome. In conversation he 
was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic, and his 
language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writ- 
ings is discernible the care with which he formed 
his style upon the best models of antiquity. 




JAMES MADISON. 



JAMES MADISON. 



(Tames MADISON, "Father of the Consti- 

I tution," and fourth President of the United 
G) States, was born March i6, 1757, and died 
at his home in Virginia June 28, 1836. The 
name of James Madison is inseparably connected 
with most of the important events in that heroic 
period of our country during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubHc were laid. He was 
the last of the founders of the Constitution of the 
United States to be called to his eternal reward. 

The Madison family were among the early emi- 
grants to the New World, landing upon the shores 
of the Chesapeake but fifteen years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison 
was an opulent planter, residing upon a very fine 
estate called Montpelier, in Orange County, Va. 
It was but twenty -five miles from the home of Jef- 
ferson at Monticello, and the closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illustri- 
ous men from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was con- 
ducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At 
the age of eighteen he was sent to Princeton Col- 
lege, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to 
study with themost imprudent zeal, allowing him- 
self for months but three hours' sleep out of the 
twenty-four. His health thus became so seriously 
impaired that he never recovered any vigor of 
constitution. He graduated in 1 77 1 , with a feeble 
body, but with a character of utmost purity, and 
a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with 
learning, which embellished and gave efiiciency 
to his subsequent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study 
of law and a course of extensive and systematic 
reading. This educational course, the spirit of 
the times in which he lived, and the society with 
which he associated, all combined to inspire him 
with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for 
his life-work as a statesman. 

In the spring of 1776, when twenty-six years of 



age, he was elected a member of the Virginia Con- 
vention to frame the constitution of the State. The 
next year (1777) , he was a candidate for the Gen^ 
eral Assembly. He refused to treat the whisky-lov- 
ing voters, and consequent!}' lost his election; but 
those who had witnessed the talent, energy and 
pubhc spirit of the modest young man enlisted 
themselves in his behalf, and he was appointed to 
the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison re- 
mained member of the Council, and their apprecia- 
tion of his intellectual, social and moral worth 
contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. 
In the year 1780 he was elected a member of the 
Continental Congress. Here he met the most il- 
lustrious men in our land, and he was immediately 
assigned to one ot the most conspicuous positions 
among them. For three years he continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential mem- 
bers. In 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiencj' of the old confederacy, with no 
national government, and no power to form trea- 
ties which would be binding, or to enforce law. 
There was not any State more prominent than 
Virginia in the declaration that an efficient na- 
tional government must be formed. In January, 
1786, Mr. Madison carried a resolution through 
the General Assembly of Virginia, inviting the 
other States to appoint commissioners to meet in 
convention at Annapolis to discuss this subject. 
Five States only were represented. The conven- 
tion, however, issued another call, drawn up by 
Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the 
place of the Confederate League. The delegates 
met at the time appointed. Every State but 
Rhode Island was represented. George Washing- 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



ton ^35 chosen president of tlie convention, and the 
present Constitution of the United States was then 
and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind 
and no pen more active in framing this immortal 
document than the mind and the pen of James 
Madison. 
The Constitution, adopted by a vote of eighty-one 
to seventy-nine, was to be presented to the several 
States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was 
felt. Should it be rejected, we should be left but a 
;onglomeration of independent States, with but 
little power at home and little respect abroad. Mr. 
Madison was elected by the convention to draw up 
an address to the people of the United States, ex- 
pounding the principles of the Constitution, and 
urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but at length it triumphed over all, 
and went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became 
the avowed leader of the Republican party. While 
in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. 
Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fas- 
cination, whom he married. She was in person 
and character queenly, and probaby no lady has 
thus far occupied so prominent a position in the 
very peculiar society which has constituted our 
republican court as did Mis. Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of 
war. British orders in council destroyed our com- 
merce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult. 
Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in 
his taste, retiring in his disposition, war had no 
charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be 
roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to 
think of an American ship brought to upon the 
ocean by the guns of ar. English cruiser. A 
young lieutenant steps on boa'-'? ani orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great non- 
chalance he selects any number whom he may 
please to designate as British subjects, orders them 
down the ship's side into his boat, and places them 
an the gundeck of his man-of-war, to fight, by 
compulsion, the battles of England. This right 



of search and impressment no efforts of our Gov- 
ernment could induce the British cabinet to re- 
linquish. 

On the 1 8th of June, 181 2, President Madison 
gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring 
war against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the 
bitter hostility of the Federal party to the war, the 
country in general approved; and Mr. Madison, 
on the 4th of March, 18 13, was re-elected by a 
largemajoritj', and entered upon his second term 
of of&ce. This is not the place to describe the 
various adventures of this war on the land and on 
the water. Our infant navy then laid the found- 
ations of its renown in grappling with the most 
formidable power which ever swept the seas. The 
contest commenced in earnest by the appearance 
of a British fleet, early in February, 1813, in 
Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole coast 
of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as 
mediator. America accepted; England refused. 
A British force of five thousand men landed on the 
banks of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into 
Chesapeake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of 
Bladensburg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was 
thrown into consternation. The cannon of the 
brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the 
streets of the metropolis. The whole population 
fled from the city. The President, leaving Mrs. 
Madison in the White House, with her carriage 
drawn up at the door to await his speedy return, 
hurried to meet the officers in a council of war. 
He met our troops utterly routed, and he could not 
go back without danger of being captured. But 
few hours elapsed ere the Presidential Mansion, 
the Capitol, and all the public buildings in Wash- 
ington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and 
on February 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was 
signed at Ghent. On the 4th of March, 18 17, his 
second term of office expired, and he resigned the 
Presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe. 
He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier, and 
there passed the remainder of his days. On June 
28, 1836, at the age of eighty-five years, he fell 
asleep in death. Mrs, Madison died July 12, 1849. 




JAMES MONROE. 



JAMES MONROE. 



(lAMllS MONROE, the fifth President of the 
I United States, was born in Westmoreland 
(2) County, Va., April 28, 1758. His early life 
was passed at the place of his nativity. His an- 
cestors had for many years resided in the province 
in which he was born. When he was seventeen 
years old, and in process of completing his educa- 
tion at William and Mary College, the Colonial 
Congress, assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate 
upon the unjust and manifold oppressions of Great 
Britain, declared the separation of the Colonies, 
and promulgated the Declaration of Independence. 
Had he been born ten years before, it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the 
signers of that celebrated instrument. At this 
time he left school and enhsted among the pa- 
triots. 

He joined the army when everything looked 
hopeless and gloomy. The number of deserters 
increased from day to day. The invading armies 
came pouring in, and the Tories not only favored 
the cause of the mother country, but disheartened 
the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified 
at the prospect of contending with an enemy 
whom they had been taught to deem invincible. 
To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went 
right onward undismayed through difficulty and 
danger, the United States owe their political 
emancipation . The young cadet j oined the ranks 
and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die in her 
strife for liberty. Firmly, yet sadly, he shared in 
the melancholy retreat from Harlem Heights 
and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited 
army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. 
In four months after the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the patriots had been beaten in seven 
battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the van- 
guard, and in the act of charging upon the enemy 
he received a wound in the left shoulder. 



As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was 
promoted to be captain of infantry, and, having re- 
covered from his wounds, he rejoined the army. 
He, however, receded from the line of promotion 
by becoming an officer on the staff of Lord Ster- 
ling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, 
in the actions of Brandywine, Germantown and 
Monmouth, he continued aide-de-camp; but be- 
coming desirous to regain his position in the 
army, he exerted himself to collect a regiment for 
the Virginia line. This scheme failed, owing to 
the exhausted condition of the State. Upon this 
failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued with consid- 
erable ardor the study of common law. He did 
not, however, entirely lay a.side the knapsack for 
the green bag, but on the invasion of the enemy 
served as a volunteer during the two years of his 
legal pursuits. 

In 1782 he was elected from King George 
County a member of the Legislature of Virginia, 
and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the 
Executive Council. He was thus honored with 
the confidence of his fellow-citizens at twenty- 
three years of age, and having at this early period 
displayed some of that ability and aptitude foi 
legislation which were afterward employed with 
unremitting energy for the public good, he was 
in the succeeding year chosen a member of the 
Congress of the United States. 

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of 
the old Confederacy, he was opposed to the new 
Constitution, thinking, with many others of the 
Republican party, that it gave too much power to 
the Central Government, and not enough to the 
individual States. Still he retained the esteem 
of his friends who were its warm supporters, and 
who, notwithstanding his opposition, secured its 
adoption. In 1789 he became a member of the 
United States Senate, which office he held for 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



four years. Every month the line of distinction 
between the two great parties which divided the 
nation, the Federal and the Republican, was 
growing more distinct. The differences which 
now separated them lay in the fact that the Repub- 
lican party was in sympathy with France, and 
also in . favor of such a strict construction of the 
Constitution as to give the Central Government as 
little power, and ihe State Governmtnts as much 
power, as the Constitution would warrant; while 
the Federalists sympathized with England, and 
were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could pos- 
sibly authorize. 

Washington was then President. England had 
espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the 
principles of the French Revolution. All Europe 
was drawn into the conflict. We were feeble and 
far away. Washington issued a proclamation of 
neutrality between these contending powers. 
France had helped us in the struggles for our 
liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now 
combined to prevent the French from escaping 
from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that 
which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more mag- 
nanimous than prudent, was anxious that,, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a gener- 
ous and noble nature, and Washington, who could 
appreciate such a character, showed his calm, se- 
rene, almost divine, greatness, by appointing that 
very James Monroe who was denouncing the pol- 
icy of the Government, as the minister of that 
Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Conven- 
tion in France with the most enthusiastic dem- 
onstration. 

Shortly after his return to this countrj', Mr. 
Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia, and 
held the office for three years. He was again 
sent to France to co-operate with Chancellor Eiv- 
ingston in obtaining the vast territory then known 
as the province of Louisiana, which France had 
but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their 
united efforts were successful. For the compara- 
tively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the 



entire territory of Orleans and district of Loui- 
siana were added to the United States. This was 
probably the largest transfer of real estate which 
was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to 
obtain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against 
those odious impressments of our seamen. But 
England was unrelenting. He again returned to 
England on the same mission, but could receive 
no redress. He returned to his home and was 
again chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon 
resigned to accept the position of Secretary of 
State under Madison. While in this office war 
with England was declared, the Secretary of War 
resigned, and during these trying times the 
duties of the War Department were also put upon 
him. He was truly the armor-bearer of President 
Madison, and the mo.st efficient business man in 
his cabinet. Upon the return of peace he re- 
signed the Department of War, but continued in 
the office of Secretary of State until the expira- 
tion of Mr. Madison's administration. At the 
election held the previous autumn, Mr. Monroe 
himself had been chosen President with but little 
opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, he was in- 
augurated. Four years later he was elected for 
a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presi- 
dency were the cession of Florida to the United 
States, the Missouri Compromise, and the famous 
" Monroe doctrine." This doctrine was enun- 
ciated by him in 1823, and was as follows: " That 
we should consider any attempt on the part of 
European powers to extend their system to any 
portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our 
peace and safety," and that " we could not view 
any interposition for the purpose of oppressing or 
controlling American governments or provinces 
in any other light than as a manifestation by 
European powers of an unfriendly disposition 
toward the United States. ' ' 

At the end of his second term, Mr. Monroe re- 
tired to his home in Virginia, where he lived un- 
til 1830, when he went to New York to live with 
his son-in-law. In that city he died, on the 4th 
of July, 1 83 1. 






^^■^!. 




«W , v' 



JOHN OUINCY ADAMS. 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



(John QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth President 
I of the United States, was born in the rural 
C) home of his honored father, John Adams, in 
Quincy, Mass., on the nth of July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over 
his childhood during the almost constant ab- 
■ sence of his father. When but eight years of 
age, he stood with his mother on an eminence, 
listening to the booming of the great battle on 
Bunker's Hill, and gazing out upon the smoke 
and flames billowing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he took a tearful 
adieu of his mother, to sail with his father for Eu- 
rope, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. 
The bright, animated boy spent a year and a-half 
in Paris, where his father was associated with 
Franklin and Lee as Minister Plenipotentiary. 
His intelligence attracted the notice of these dis- 
tinguished men, and he received from them flat- 
tering marks of attention. 

John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. 
Again John Quincy accompanied his father. At 
Paris he applied himself to study with great dil- 
igence for six months, and then accompanied his 
father to Holland, where he entered first a school 
in Amsterdam, then the University at Leyden. 
About a year from this time, in 178 1, when the 
manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was 
selected by Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Rus- 
• sian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of ennobl- 
ing culture he spent fourteen months, and then 
returned to Holland, through Sweden, Denmark, 
Hamburg and Bremen. This long journey he 
took alone in the winter, when in his sixteenth 
year. Again he resumed his studies, under a pri- 
vate tutor, at The Hague. Then, in the spring of 
1782, he accompanied his father to Paris, travel- 
ing leisurely, and forming acquaintances with the 
most distinguished men on the continent, examin- 



ing architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he 
again became associated with the most illustrioua 
men of all lands in the contemplation of the 
loftiest temporal themes which can engross the 
human mind. After a short visit to England he 
returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies 
to study until May, 1785, when he returned to 
America to finish his education. 

Upon leaving Harvard College at the age of 
twenty, he studied law for three years. In Jnne, 
1794, being then but twenty-seven years of age, 
he was appointed by Washington Resident Min- 
ister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in 
July, he reached London in October, wheie he 
was immediately admitted to the deliberations oi 
Messrs. Jay & Pinckney, assisting them in nego- 
tiating a commercial treaty with Great Britain. 
After thus spending a fortnight in London, he 
proceeded to The Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Por- 
tugal as Minister Plenipotentiar}'. On his way to 
Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with 
despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, bul 
requesting him to remain in London until he 
should receive his instructions. While waiting 
he was married to an American lady, to whom he 
had been previously engaged — Miss Louisa Cath- 
erine Johnson, a daughter of Joshua Johnson, 
American Consul in London, and a lady en- 
dowed with that beauty and those accomplish- 
ments which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. He 
reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797, 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, hav- 
ing fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he so 
licited his recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen 
to the Senate of Massachusetts from Boston , and 
then was elected Senator of the United States for 
six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His rep- 
utation, his ability and his experience placed 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



him immediately among the most prominent and 
influential members of that body. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the 
Presidential chair, and he immediately nominated 
John Quincy Adams Minister to St. Petersburgh. 
Resigning his professorship in Harvard Col- 
lege, he embarked at Boston in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense 
student. He devoted his attention to the lan- 
guage and historj' of Russia; to the Chinese trade; 
to the European system of weights, measures and 
coins; to the climate and astronomical observa- 
tions; while he kept up a familiar acquaintance 
With the Greek and Latin classics. In all the 
universities of Europe, a more accomplished 
scholar could scarcely be found. All through 
life the Bible constituted an important part of his 
studies. It was his rule to read five chapters 
every daJ^ 

On the 4th of March, 18 17, Mr. Monroe took 
the Presidential chair, and immediately appointed 
Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of 
his numerous friends in public and private life in 
Europe, he sailed in June, 1819, for the United 
States. On the i8th of August, he again crossed 
the threshold of his home in Ouincy. During the 
eight years of Mr. Monroe's administration, Mr. 
Adams continued Secretary of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's 
second term of office, new candidates began to be 
presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. 
Adams brought forward his name. It was an 
exciting campaign, and party spirit was never 
more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral 
votes were cast. Andrew Jackson received ninety- 
nine; John Quincy Adams eighty-four; William 
H. Crawford fort3'-one; and Henry Clay thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, 
the question went to the House of Representa- 
tives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to 
Mr. Adams, and he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates 
now combined in a venomous and persistent as- 
sault upon Mr. Adams. There is nothing more 
disgraceful in the past history of our country than 
the abuse which was poured in one uninterrupted 
stream upon this high-minded, upright and pa- 



triotic man. There never was an administration 
more pure in principles, more conscientiously de- 
voted to the best interests of the country, than 
that of John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, 
was there an administration more unscrupulously 
and outrageousljr assailed. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by An- 
drew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected 
Vice-President. The slavery question now be- 
gan to assume portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams . 
returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he 
pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not 
long permitted to remain in retirement. In No- 
vember, 1830, he was elected Representative in 
Congress. For seventeen years, or until his death, 
he occupied the post as Representative, towering 
above all his peers, ever ready to do brave battle 
for freedom, and winning the title of "the Old 
Man Eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the 
House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never 
was a member more devoted to his duties. He 
was usually the first in his place in the morning, 
and the last to leave his seat in the evening. 
Not a measure could be brought forward and es- 
cape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams 
fought, almost singly, against the pro-slavery 
party in the Government was sublime in its 
moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, 
he was threatened with indictment by the grand 
jury, with expulsion from the House, with assas- 
sination; but no threats could intimidate him, and 
his final triumph was complete. 

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on the 
floor of Congress with a paper in his hand, to 
address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again 
stricken by paralysis, and was caught in the arms 
of those around him. For a time he was sense- 
less, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the ro- 
tunda. With reviving consciousness, he opened 
his eyes, looked calmly around and said "This 
is the end of earth;" then after a moment's pause 
he added, " I am content. ' ' These were the last 
words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 




ANDREW JACKSON. 



ANDREW JACKSON, 



aNDREW JACKSON, the seventh President 
of the United States, was born in Waxhaw 
settlement, N. C, March 15, 1767, a few 
days after his father's death. His parents were 
poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up their 
abode in Waxhaw settlement, where they lived 
in deepest poverty. 

Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, 
grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form ungainly, and there 
was but very little in his character made visible 
which was attractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the 
volunteers of Carolina against the British invasion. 
In 1 78 1, he and his brother Robert were captured 
and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British 
officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered 
boots. "lam a prisoner of war, not your serv- 
ant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. 

Andrew supported himself in various waj'S, such 
as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school, 
and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when 
he entered a law office at Sahsbury, N. C. He, 
however, gave more attention to the wild amuse- 
ments of the times than to his studies. In 1788, 
he was appointed soHdtorfor the Western District 
of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was then 
a part. This involved many long journeys amid 
dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jackson never 
knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to re- 
peat a skirmish with "Shai-p Knife." 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman 
who supposed herself divorced from her former 
husband. Great was the surprise of both parties, 
two years later, to find that the conditions of the 
divorce had just been definitely settled by the 
first husband. The marriage ceremony was per- 
formed a second time, but the occurrence was 
often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson 
into disfavor. 



In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee 
then containing nearly eighty thousand inhabi- 
tants', the people met in convention at Knoxville 
to frame a constitution. Five were sent from 
each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson 
was one of the delegates. The new State was 
entitled to but one member in the National House 
of Representatives. Andrew Jackson was chosen 
that member. Mounting his horse, he rode to 
Philadelphia, where Congress then held its ses- 
sions, a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party, and Jefferson was his idol. He ad- 
mired Bonaparte, loved France, and hated Eng- 
land. As Mr. Jackson took his seat, Gen. Wash- 
ington, whose second term of office was then 
expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. 
A committee drew up a complimentary' address in 
reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the 
address, and was one of the twelve who voted 
against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. 
Washington's administration had been "wise, 
firm and patriotic. ' ' 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned 
home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the 
Supreme Court of his State, which position he 
held for six years. 

When the War of 181 2 with Great Britain com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there 
was an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jack- 
son, who would do credit to a commission if one 
were conferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. 
Jackson offered his services and those of twenty- 
five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted, 
and the troops were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make 
an attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wil- 
kinson was in command, he was ordered lo de- 



44 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



scend the river with fifteen hundred troops to aid 
Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez, 
and after a delay of several weeks there without 
accomplishing anything, the men were ordered 
back to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jack- 
son had displayed, and his entire devotion to the 
comfort of his soldiers, won for him golden opin- 
ions, and he became the most popular man in the 
State. It was in this expedition that his tough- 
ness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip 
Col. Thomas Benton for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking part as second in a duel 
in which a younger brother of Benton's was en- 
gaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. 
While he was lingering upon a bed of suffering, 
news came that the Indians, who had combined 
under Tecumseh from Florida to the I^akes to ex- 
terminate the white settlers, were committing the 
most awful ravages. Decisive action became nec- 
essary. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone 
just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and 
unable to mount his horse without assistance, 
gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Ala. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong 
fort on one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, 
near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles be- 
low Ft. Strother. With an army of two thousand 
men. Gen. Jackson traversed the pathless wilder- 
ness in a march of eleven daj's. He reached their 
fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th 
of March, 1814. The bend of the river enclosed 
nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and 
wild ravine. Across the narrow neck the Indians 
had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs 
and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, with 
an ample supply of arms, were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly 
desperate. Not an Indian would accept quarter. 
When bleeding and dying, they would fight those 
who endeavored to spare their lives. From ten 
in the morning until dark the battle raged. The 
carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw 
themselves into the river; but the unerring bul- 
lets struck their heads as they swam. Nearly 
every one of the nine hundred warriors was 



killed. A few, probably, in the night swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. 

This closing of the Creek War enabled us to 
concentrate all our militia upon the British, who 
were the allies of the Indians. No man of less 
resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have con- 
ducted this Indian campaign to so successful an 
issue. Immediately he was appointed Major- 
General. 

Ivate in August, with an army of two thousand 
men on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson went to 
Mobile. A British fleet went from Pensacola, 
landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the 
little fort, and from both ship and shore com- 
menced a furious assault. The battle was long 
and doubtful. At length one of the ships was 
blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his 
little army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
and the battle of New Orleans, which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This 
won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. 
Here his troops, which numbered about four 
thousand men, won a signal victory over the 
British army of about nine thousand. His loss 
was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was 
twentj^-six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be 
mentioned in connection with the Presidency, 
but in 1824 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. 
He was, however, successful in the election of 
1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 
1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins 
of government, he met with the most terrible 
affliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom 
he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps 
never been surpassed. From the shock of her 
death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most mem- 
orable in the annals of our country — applauded 
by one party, condemned by the other. No man 
had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. At 
the expiration of his two terms of oflice he retired 
to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. The 
last years of Mr. Jackson's life were those of a de- 
voted Christian man. 




MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



jV yiARTlN VAN BUREN, the eighth Presi- 
ly dent of the United States, was born at Kin- 
|y derhook, N. Y., December 5, 1782. He 
died at the same place, Jul}' 24, 1862. His body 
rests in the cemetery' at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft, fifteen feet high, bearing a 
simple inscription about half-way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded 
by shrub or flower. 

There is but Httle in the life of Martin Van 
Buren of romantic interest. He fought no battles, 
engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life 
was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts, 
and he gained many signal victories, his days 
passed uneventful in those incidents which give 
zest to biography. His ancestors, as his name indi- 
cates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the 
earliest emigrants from Holland to the banks of 
the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing 
in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also 
of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing 
unusual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At 
the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic 
studies in his native village, and commenced the 
study of law. As he had not a collegiate educa- 
tion, seven years of study in a law-office were re- 
quired of him before he could be admitted to the 
Bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and con- 
scious of his powers, he pursued his studies with 
indefatigable industry. After spending six years 
in an office in his native village, he went to the city 
of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the 
seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years 



of age, commenced the practice of law in his na- 
tive village. The great conflict between the Federal 
and Republican parties was then at its height. 
Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a politi- 
cian. He had, perhaps, imbibed that spirit while 
listening to the many discussions which had been 
carried on in his father' s hotel. He was in cordial 
sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestly and elo- 
quently espoused the cause of State Rights, though 
at that time the Federal party held the supremacy 
both in his town and State. 

His success and increasing reputation led him 
after six years of practice to remove to Hudson, 
the county seat of his county. Here he spent 
seven years, constantly gaining strength by con- 
tending in the courts with some of the ablest men 
who have adorned the Bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, a victim of con- 
sumption, leaving her husband and four sons to 
weep over her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. 
Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous 
lawyer. The record of those years is barren in 
items of public interest. In 18 12, when thirty 
years of age, he was chosen to the State Senate, 
and gave his strenuous support to Mr. Madison's 
administration. In 181 5, he was appointed At- 
torney-General, and the next year moved to Al- 
bany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 
the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that ' 'universal suffrage' ' which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the righv 



48 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



of governing the State. In true consistency with 
his democratic principles, he contended that, while 
the path leading to the privilege of voting should 
be open to every man without distinction, no one 
should be invested with that sacred prerogative 
unless he were in some degree qualified for it by 
intelligence, virtue, and some property interests in 
the welfare of the State. 

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate, and in the same year he took a 
seat in the convention to revise the Constitution of 
his native State. His course in this convention 
secured the approval of men of all parties. No 
one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to 
promote the interests of all classes in the com- 
munity. In the Senate of the United States, he 
rose at once to a conspicuous position as an active 
and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected 
to the Senate. He had been from the beginning 
a determined opposer of the administration, adopt- 
ing the "State Rights" view in opposition to what 
was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 
Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governor 
of the State of New York, and accordingly resigned 
his seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the 
United States contributed so much towards eject- 
ing John Q. Adams from the Presidential chair, 
and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin 
Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation 
or not, he certainly was regarded throughout the 
United States as one of the most skillful, sagacious 
and cunning of politicians. It was supposed that 
no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret 
springs of action, how to pull all the wires to 
put his machinery in motion, and how to organize 
a political army which would secretly and stealth- 
ily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these 
powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, Mr. 
Olay, and Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
;ew then thought could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President 
he appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretarj^ of State. 
This position he resigned in 1831, and was im- 
mediately appointed Minister to England, where 
he went the same autumn. The Senate, however. 



when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and 
he returned home, apparently untroubled. Eater 
he was nominated Vice-President in the place of 
Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson , 
and with smiles for all and frowns for none, he 
took his place at the head of that Senate which had 
refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. 
His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal 
of President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated 
favorite; and this, probably, more than any other 
cause secured his elevation to the chair of the 
Chief Executive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. 
Van Buren received the Democratic nomination 
to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United 
States. He was elected by a handsome majority, 
to the delight of the retiring President. ' 'Eeaving 
New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Parton, 
' 'the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency 
was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though 
the Constitution had conferred upon him the power 
to appoint a successor. ' ' 

His administration was filled wi'th exciting 
events. The insurrection in Canada, which 
threatened to involve this country in war with 
England, the agitation of the slavery question, 
and finally the great commercial panic which 
spread over the country, all were trials of his wis- 
dom. The financial distress was attributed to 
the management of the Democratic party, and 
brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election, and on the 4th of March, 
1 841, he retired from the presidency. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of 
frugal habits, and, living within his income, had 
now fortunately a competence for his declining 
years. From his fine estate at Eindenwald, he 
still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, 
on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty 
years, he resided at Eindenwald, a gentleman of 
leisure, of culture and wealth, enjoying in a 
healthy old age probably far more happiness than 
he had before experienced amid the stormy scenes 
of his active life. 




WILLIAM H. HARRISON. 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



pQlLLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth I 
\A/ Piasidentof the United States, was born j 
YV at Berkeley, Va., February 9, 1773. His | 
father, Benjamin Harrison, was in comparatively 1 
opulent circumstances, and was one of the most 
distinguished men of his day. He was an inti- 
mate friend of George Washington, was early 
elected a member of the Continental Congress, 
and was conspicuous among the patriots of Vir- 
ginia in resisting the encroachments of the British 
crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Ben- 
jamin Harrison and John Hancock were both 
candidates for the office of Speaker. 

Mr. Harrison was subsequently chosen Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected. His 
son William Henry, of course, enjoyed in child- 
hood all the advantages which wealth and intel- 
lectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school educa- 
tion, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where 
he graduated with honor soon after the death of 
his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia to 
study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush 
and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of 
whom were, with his father, signers of the Dec- 
laration of Independence. 

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and 
notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, 
he abandoned his medical studies and entered the 
army, having obtained a commission as Ensign 
from President Washington. He was then but 
nineteen years old. From that time he passed 
gradually upward in rank until he became aide 
to Gen. Wayne, after whose death he resigned 
his commission. He was then appointed Secre- 
tary of the Northwestern Territory. This Terri- 
tory was then entitled to but one member in Con- 



gress, and Harrison was chosen to fill that position. 
In the spring of 1800 the Northwestern Terri- 
tory was divided by Congress into two portions. 
The eastern portion, comprising the region now- 
embraced in the State of Ohio, was called "The 
Territory northwest of the Ohio." The western 
portion, which included what is now called Indi- 
ana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called "the Indi- 
ana Territory." William Henry Harrison, then 
twenty -seven years of age, was appointed by John 
Adams Governor of the Indiana Territory, and 
immediately after also Governor of Upper Loui- 
siana. He was thus ruler over almost as exten- 
sive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. 
He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and 
was invested with powers nearly dictatorial over 
the then rapidly increasing white population . The 
ability and fidelity with which he discharged 
these responsible duties may be inferred from the 
fact that he was four times appointed to this 
office — first by John Adams, twice by Thomas 
Jefferson, and afterwards by President Madison. 

When he began his administration there were 
but three white settlements in that almost bound- 
less reo"ion, now crowded with cities and resound- 
ing with all the tumult of wealth and traffic. 
One of these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly 
opposite Louisville; one at Vincennes, on the 
Wabash; and the third was a French settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. 
About the year 1806, two extraordinary men, 
twin brothers of the Shawnee tribe, rose among 
them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or 
"the Crouching Panther;" the other OUiwa- 
checa, or "the Prophet." Tecumseh was not 
only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagac- 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



ity, far-reaching, foresight and indomitable perse- 
verance in any enterprise in which he might en- 
gage. His brother, the Prophet, was an orator, 
who could sway the feelings of the untutored In- 
dians as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath 
which they dwelt. With an enthusiasm unsur- 
passed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the 
crusades, he went from tribe to tribe, assuming 
that he was specially sent by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to con- 
ciliate the Indians, but at last war came, and at 
Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great 
slaughter. October 28, 18 12, his army began its 
march. When near the Prophet's town, three 
Indians of rank made their appearance and in- 
quired why Gov. Harrison was approaching them 
in so hostile an attitude. After a short confer- 
ence, arrangements were made for a meeting the 
next day to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted 
with the Indian character to be deceived by such 
protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his 
night's encampment, he took every precaution 
against surprise. His troops were posted in a 
hollow square and slept upon their arms. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock 
in the morning, had risen, and was sitting 
in conversation with his aides by the embers 
of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning, 
with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the In- 
dians had crept as near as possible, and just then, 
with a savage yell, rushed, with all the despera- 
tion which superstition and passion most highly 
inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply pro- 
vided with guns and ammunition by the English, 
and their war-whoop was accompanied by a 
shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as 
the light aided the Indians in their aim, and 
Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as 
the rocks around them until day dawned, when 
they made a simultaneous charge with the bayo- 
net and swept everj'thing before them, completely 
routing the foe. 

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British, descending from the 



Canadas, were of themselves a very formidable 
force, but with their savage allies rushing like 
wolves from the forest, burning, plundering, scalp- 
ing, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into 
a state of consternation which even the most vivid 
imagination can but faintly conceive. Gen. Hull 
had made an ignominious surrender of his forces at 
Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances. 
Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madi- 
son Commander-in-Chief of the Northwestern 
Army, with orders to retake Detroit and to protect 
the frontiers. It would be difiicult to place a man 
in a situation demanding more energy, sagacity 
and courage, but he was found equal to the 
position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet 
all the responsibilities. 

In 1 8 16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member 
of the National House of Representatives, to rep- 
resent the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved 
an active member, and whenever he spoke it was 
with a force of reason and power of eloquence 
which arrested the attention of all the members. 

In 18 1 9, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presidential Elec- 
tors of that State, he gave his vote for Henry 
Clay. The same year he was chosen to the Uni- 
ted States Senate. In 1836 his friends brought 
him forward as a candidate for the Presidency 
against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the 
close of Mr. Van Buren 's term, he was re-nom- 
inated by his party, and Mr. Harrison was unani- 
mously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler 
for' the Vice-Presidency. The contest was very 
animated. Gen. Jackson gave all his influence to 
prevent Harrison's election, but his triumph was 
signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Web- 
ster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of 
the most briUiant with which any President had 
ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects 
of an administration more flattering, or the hopes 
of the country more sanguine. In the midst of 
these bright and joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison 
was seized by a pleurisy-fever, and after a few 
days of violent sickness died, on the 4th of April, 
just one month after his inauguration as President 
of the United States. 


























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JOHN TYLER 



JOHN TYLER. 



(TOHN TYLER, the tenth President of the 
I United States, and was born in Charles 
G) City County, Va., March 29, 1790. He was 
the favored child of affluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered 
William and Mary College, and graduated with 
much honor when but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted himself with great assi- 
duity to the study of law, partly with his father 
and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the 
most distinguished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, he commenced the 
practice of law. His success was rapid and as- 
tonishing. It is said that three months had not 
elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the 
docket of the court in which he was not retained. 
When but twenty-one years of age, he was almost 
unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legis- 
lature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and wannly advocated the measures 
of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive 
years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving 
nearly the unanimous vote of his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was 
elected a Member of Congress. Here he acted ear- 
nestly and ably with the Democratic partj^ oppos- 
ing a national bank, internal improvements by 
the General Government, and a protective tariff; 
advocating a strict construction of the Constitu- 
tion and the most careful vigilance over State 
rights. His labors in Congress were so arduous 
that before the close of his second term he found 
it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in 
Charles City County to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in 
the State Legislature, where his influence was 
powerful in promoting public works of great 
utility. With a reputation thus constantly in- 
creasing, he was chosen by a very large majority 
of votes Governor of his native State. His ad- 
ministration was a signally successful one, and his 
popularity secured his re-election. 



John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of 
the United States. A portion of the Democratic 
party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's way- 
'ward course, and brought forward John Tyler as 
his opponent, considering him the only man in 
Virginia of sufficient popularity to succeed 
against the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr. 
Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon tak- 
ing his seat in the Senate he joined the ranks of 
the opposition. He opposed the tariff, and spoke 
against and voted against the bank as unconsti- 
tutional; he strenuously opposed all restrictions 
upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal im- 
provements by the General Government, and 
avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view 
of nullification; he declared that Gen. Jackson, 
by his opposition to the nuUifiers, had abandoned 
the principles of the Democratic party. Such 
was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress — a record in 
perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice 
of his profession. There was a split in the Demo- 
cratic party. His friends still regarded him as a 
true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and show- 
ered compliments upon him. He had now at- 
tained the age of forty-six, and his career had been 
very brilliant. In consequence of his devotion to 
public business, his private affairs had fallen into 
some disorder, and it was not without satisfac- 
tion that he resumed the practice of law, and de- 
voted himself to the cultivation of his plantation. 
Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for 
the better education of his children, and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the southern Whigs he was sent to the 
national convention at Harrisburg in 1839 to nom- 
inate a President. The majority of votes were 
given to Gen Harrison, a genuine Whig, much 
to the disappointment of the South, which wished 



56 



JOHN TYLER. 



for Henrj' Clay. To conciliate the southern 
Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention 
then nominated John Tyler for Vice-President. 
It was well known that he was not in sympathy 
with the Whig- party in the North; but the Vice- 
President has very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to 
preside over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it 
happened that a Whig President and, in reality, 
a Democratic Vice-President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice- 
President of the United States. In one short 
month from that time, President Harrison died, 
and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own 
surprise and that of the whole nation, an occu- 
pant of the Presidential chair. Hastening from 
Williamsburg to Washington, on the 6th of 
April he was inaugurated to the high and re- 
sponsible office. He was placed in a position of 
exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his long 
life he had been opposed to the main principles of 
the party which had brought him into power. 
He had ever been a consistent, honest man, with 
an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had se- 
lected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, 
and thus surround himself with counselors whose 
views were antagonistic to his own ? or, on the 
other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him, and select a cabinet in 
harmony with himself and which would oppose 
all those views which the Whigs deemed essen- 
tial to the public welfare ? This was his fearful 
dilemma. He invited the cabinet which Presi- 
dent Harrison had selected to retain their seats, 
and recommended a day of fasting and prayer, 
that God would guide and bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for 
the incorporation of a fiscal bank of :he United 
States. The President, after ten days' delay, re- 
turned it with his veto. He suggested, however, 
that he would approve of a bill drawn up upon 
such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was ac- 
cordingly prepared, and privately submitted to 
him. He gave it his approval. It was passed 
without alteration, and he sent it back with his 
veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is 
said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 



ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who se- 
verely touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the 
President into their arms. The party which 
elected him denounced him bitterly. All the 
members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, 
resigned. The Whigs of Congress, both the 
Senate and the House, held a meeting and issued 
an address to the people of the United States, 
proclaiming that all political alliance between the 
Whigs and President Tyler was at an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs 
and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong 
party men. Mr. Webster sDon found it necessary 
to resign, forced out by the pressure of his Whig 
friends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tyler's un- 
fortunate administration passed sadly awav. No 
one was satisfied. The land was filled with mur- 
murs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats 
alike assailed him. More and more, however, he 
brought himself into sympathy with his old 
friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his 
term he gave his whole influence to the support 
of Mr. Polk, the Democratic candidate for his 
successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, President Tyler re- 
tired from the harassments of office, to the regret 
of neither party, and probably to his own unspeak- 
able relief The remainder of his days were 
passed mainly in the retirement of his beautiful 
home — Sherwood Forest, Charles City County, 
Va. His first wife, Miss lyctitia Christian, died 
in Washington in 1842; and in June, 1844, 
he was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia 
Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and 
intellectual accomplishments. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the 
State Rights and nullifying doctrines of John C. 
Calhoun had inaugurated. President Tyler re- 
nounced his allegiance to the United States, and 
joined the Confederates. He was chosen a mem- 
ber of their Congress, and while engaged in 
active measures to destroy, by force of arms, the 
Government over which he had once presided, he 
was taken sick and soon died. 







JAMES K. POLK. 



JAMES K. POLK. 



(Tames K. polk, the eleventh President of 
I the United States, was born in Mecklenburgh 
C2/ County, N. C, November 2, 1795. His 
parents were Samiiel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the 
former a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 
1735. In 1806, with his wife and children, and 
soon after followed b}' most of the members of the 
Polk family, Samuel Polk emigrated some two or 
three hundred miles farther west, to the rich val- 
ley of the Duck River. Here, in the midst of the 
wilderness, in a region which was subsequently 
called Maury County, they erected their log huts 
and established their homes. In the hard toil of 
a new farm in the wilderness, James K. Polk 
spent the early years of his childhood and youth. 
His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to 
that of a farmer, gradual!}' increased in wealth, 
until he became one of the leading men of the 
region. His mother was a superior woman, of 
strong common sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life James developed a taste for 
reading, and expressed the strongest desire to ob- 
tain a liberal education. His mother's training 
had made him methodical in his habits, had taught 
him punctuality and industry, and had inspired 
him with lofty principles of morality. His health 
was frail, and his father, fearing that he might not 
be able to endure a sedentarj^ life, got a situation 
for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for 
commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his aaily tasKS 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few w'ieks, when, 
at his earnest solicitation, his fanner removed 
him and made arrangements for him to pros- 
ecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Mur- 
freesboro Academy. With ardor which could 
scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his 



studies, and in less than two and a-half years, in 
the autumn of 18 15, entered the sophomore class 
in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allow- 
ing himself to be absent from a recitation or a 
religious service. 

Mr. Polk graduated in 1818, with the highest 
honors, being deemed the best scholar of his class, 
both in mathematics and the classics. He was 
then twenty-three years of age. His health was 
at this time much impaired by the assiduity with 
which he had prosecuted his studies. After a 
short season of relaxation, he went to Nashville, 
and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to study 
law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance 
with Andrew Jackson, who resided on his planta- 
tion, the "Hermitage," but a few miles from 
Nashville. They had probably been slightly ac- 
quainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican 
and James K. adhered to the same political faith. 
He was a popular public speaker, and was con- 
stantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such 
that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the 
stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, 
genial and courteous in his bearing, and with that 
sympathetic nature in the joys and griefs of oth- 
ers which gave him hosts of friends. In 1823, 
he was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee, 
and gave his strong influence toward the election 
of his friend, Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of 
the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married MissSarah 
Childress, of Rutherford County, Tenn. His 
bride was altogether worthy of him — a lady of 
beauty and culture. In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk 
was chosen a member of Congress, and the satis- 
faction he gave his constituents may be inferred 



6o 



JAMES K. POLK. 



from the fact, that for fourteen successive years, 
or until 1839, he was continued in that of&ce. He 
then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might 
accept the Gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In 
Congress he was a laborious member, a frequent 
and a popular speaker. He was always in his 
seat, always courteous, and whenever he spoke 
it was always to the point, without any ambitious 
rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were 
roused and stormj' scenes were witnessed, but he 
performed his arduous duties to a very general 
satisfaction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to 
him was passed by the House as he withdrew on 
the 4th of March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, 
as a candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. 
He was elected by a large majority, and on Octo- 
ber 14, 1839, took the oath of ofiice at Nashville. 
In 1 841 his term of office expired, and he was 
again the candidate of the Democratic party, but 
was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was in- 
augurated President of the United States. The 
verdict of the country in favor of the annexation 
of Texas exerted its influence upon Congress, 
and the last act of the administration of President 
Tyler was to affix his signature to a joint resolu- 
tion of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, ap- 
proving of the annexation of Texas to the Union. 
As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her 
provinces, the Mexican Minister, Almonte, im- 
mediately demanded his passports and left the 
country, declaring the act of the annexation to be 
an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be 
received into the Union on the same footing with 
the other States. In the mean time, Gen. Taylor 
was sent with an army into Texas to hold the 
country. He was first sent to Nueces, which the 
Mexicans said was the western boundary of Tex- 
as. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles 
further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected 
batteries which commanded the Mexican city of 
Matamoras, which was situated on the western 



banks. The anticipated collision soon took place, 
and war was declared against Mexico by President 
Polk. The war was pushed forward by his ad- 
ministration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, 
whose army was first called one of ' ' observation, ' ' 
then of "occupation," then of "invasion," was 
sent forward to Monterey. The feeble Mexicans 
in every encounter were hopelessly slaughtered. 
The day of judgment alone can reveal the misery 
which this war caused. It was by the ingenuity 
of Mr. Polk's administration that the war was 
brought on. 

"To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico 
was prostrate before us.- Her capital was in our 
hands. We now consented to peace upon the 
condition that Mexico should surrender to us, in 
addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of 
Upper and L,ower California. This new demand 
embraced, exclusive of Texas, eight hundred 
thousand square miles. This was an extent of 
territory equal to nine States of the size of New 
York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen ma- 
jestic States to be added to the Union. There 
were some Americans who thought it all right; 
there were others who thought it all wrong. In 
the prosecution of this war we expended twenty 
thousand lives and more than $100,000,000. Of 
this money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired 
from office, having served one term. The next 
day was Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was 
inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to 
the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Tay- 
lor, and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he 
commenced his return to Tennessee. He wa.'; 
then but fifty-four years of age. He had always 
been strictly temperate in all his habits, and his 
health was good. With an ample fortune, a 
choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic 
ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as though 
long years of tranquillity and happiness were be- 
fore him. But the cholera — that fearful scourge 
— was then sweeping up the Valley of the Missis- 
sippi, and he contracted the disease, dying on the 
15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth year of his 
age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




ZACHARY TAYIX)R. 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



^ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth President of 
1. the United States, was born on the 24th of 
/^ November, 1784, in Orange County, Va. 
His father. Col. Taylor, was a Virginian of 
notti, and a distinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary was an infant, 
his father, with his wife and two children, emi- 
grated to Kentucky, where he settled in the path- 
less wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In 
this frontier home, away from civilization and all 
its refinements, young Zacharj' could enjoy but 
few social and educational advantages. When 
six years of age he attended a common school, 
and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of 
character. He was strong, fearless and self-reli- 
ant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the 
army to fight the Indians, who were ravaging the 
frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the 
aneventful years of his childhood on his father's 
large but lonely plantation. 

In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for 
him a commission as Lieutenant in the United 
States army, and he joined the troops which were 
stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. 
Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, 
a young lady from one of the first families of 
Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with 
England, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then 
been promoted to that rank) was put in command 
of Ft. Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles 
above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the 
wilderness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to 
Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of at- 
tack by the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garri- 
son consisted of a broken company of infantry, 
numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 181 2, the Indians, 
stealthily, and in large nnmbers, moved upon the 



fort. Their approach was first indicated by the 
murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. 
Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to 
meet the anticipated assault. On the 4th of Sep- 
tember, a band of fortjr painted and plumed sav- 
ages came to the fort, waving a white flag, and 
informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their 
chief would come to have a talk with him. It 
was evident that their object was merely to ascer- 
tain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, 
kept them at a distance. 

Tlie sun went down; the savages disappeared; 
the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour 
before midnight the war-whoop burst from a 
thousand lips in the forest around, followed by 
the discharge of musketry and the rush of the 
foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his 
post. Every man knew that defeat was not 
merely death, but, in the case of capture, death by 
the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No 
pen can describe, no imagination can conceive, the 
scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in 
setting fire to one of the block-houses. Until six 
o'clock in the morning this awful conflict con- 
tinued, when the savages, baffled at every point 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. 
Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defense, was pro- 
moted to the rank of Major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, Maj. Taylor was 
placed in such situations that he saw but little 
more of active service. He was sent far away 
into the depths of the wilderness to Ft. Craw- 
ford, on Fox River, which empties into Green 
Bay. Here there was little to be done but to 
wear away the tedious hours as one best could. 
There were no books, no society, no intellectual 
stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful years 
rolled on. Gradually he rose to the rank of 
Colonel. In the Black Hawk War, which re- 



H 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



suited in the capture of that renowned chieftain, 
Col. Taylor took a subordinate, but a brave and 
efficient, part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged 
in the defense of the frontiers, in scenes so re- 
mote, and in employments so obscure, that his 
name was unknown beyond the limits of his own 
immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he 
was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indi- 
ans to vacate that region, and retire beyond the 
Mississippi, as their chiefs by treat}^ had prom- 
ised they should do. The services rendered here 
secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government, and as a reward he was ele- 
vated to the high rank of Brigadier- General by 
brevet, and soon after, in May, 1838, was ap- 
pointed to the chief command of the United 
States troops in Florida. 

After two years of wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the Peninsula, Gen. Tay- 
lor obtained, at his own request, a change of 
command, and was stationed over the Department 
of the Southwest. This field embraced I^ouisiana, 
Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing 
his headquarters at Ft. Jessup, in Louisiana, he 
removed his family to a plantation which he pur- 
chased near Baton Rouge. Here he remained 
for five years, buried, as it were, from the world, 
but faithfully discharging every duty imposed 
upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the 
land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the 
latter river being the boundary of Texas, which 
was then claimed by the United States. Soon 
the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won 
brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank 
of Major-General by brevet was then conferred 
upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received 
with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the na- 
tion. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista, in which he won signal victories 
over forces much larger than he commanded. 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena 
Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the 
country. The name of Gen. Taylor was on 
every one's lips. The Whig party decided to 



take advantage of this wonderful popularity in 
bringing forward the unpolished, unlettered, hon- 
est soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. 
Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announce- 
ment, and for a time would not listen to it, de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such 
an office. So little interest had he taken in poli- 
tics, that for forty years he had not cast a vote. 
It was not without chagrin that several distin- 
guished statesmen, who had been long years in 
the public service, found their claims set aside in 
behalf of one whose name had never been heard 
of, save in connection with Palo Alto, Resaca de 
la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. It is said 
that Daniel Webster, in his haste, remarked, " It 
is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a 
fine writer. His friends took poissession of him, 
and prepared such few communications as it was 
needful should be presented to the public. The 
popularity of the successful warrior swept the 
land. He was triumphantly elected over two 
opposing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-Presi- 
dent Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an 
excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself 
in a very uncongenial position, and was at times 
sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental suf- 
ferings were very severe, and probably tended to 
hasten his death. The pro-slavery party was 
pushing its claims with tireless energy; expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba; California 
was pleading for admission to the Union, while 
slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. 
Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington 
to be far more trying to the nerves than battles 
with Mexicans or Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but 
little over a year, took cold, and after a brief 
sickness of but little over five days, died, on the 
9th of July, 1850. His last words were, "I am 
not afraid to die. I am read}^ I have endeav- 
ored to do my duty." He died universally re- 
spected and beloved. An honest, unpretending 
man, he had been steadily growing in the affec- 
tions of the people, and the Nation bitterh' la- 
mented his death. 




MILLARD FILLMORK. 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



^ /jIIvLARD FILLMORE, thirteenth President 
y of the United States, was born at Summer 
y Hill, Cayuga County, N. Y., on the 7th of 
January, 1800. His father was a farmer, and, owing 
to misfortune, in humble circumstances. Of his 
mother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of 
Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she pos- 
sessed an intellect of a high order, united with 
much personal loveliness, sweetness of disposi- 
tion, graceful manners and exquisite sensibilities. 
She died in 1831, having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished promise, though she 
was not permitted to witness the high dignity 
which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender 
advantages for education in his early years. The 
common schools, which he occasionally attended, 
were very imperfect institutions, and books were 
scarce and expensive. There was nothing then 
in his character to indicate the brilliant career 
upon which he was about to enter. He was a 
plain farmer's boy— intelligent, good-looking, 
kind-hearted. The sacred influences of home 
had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid 
the foundations of an upright character. When 
fourteen years of age, his father sent him some 
hundred miles from home to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small village, where 
some enterprising man had commenced the col- 
lection of a village library. This proved an in- 
estimable blessing to young Fillmore. His even- 
ings were spent in reading. Soon every leisure 
moment was occupied with books. His thirst for 
knowledge became insatiate, and the selections 
which he made were continually more elevating 
and instructive. He read history, biography, 
oratory, and thus gradually there was enkindled 



in his heart a desire to be something more than a 
mere worker with his hands. 

The young clothier had now attained the age 
of nineteen years, and was of fine personal appear- 
ance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hap- 
pened that there was a gentleman in the neigh- 
borhood of ample pecuniary means and of benev- 
olence, — ^Judge Walter Wood, — who was struck 
with the prepossessing appearance of young Fill- 
more. He made his acquaintance, and was so 
much impressed with his ability and attainments 
that he advised him to abandon his trade and de- 
vote himself to the study of the law. The young 
man replied that he had no means of his own, 
no friends to help him, and that his previous edu- 
cation had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood 
had so much confidence in him that he kindly 
offered to take him into his own office, and to 
lend him such money as he needed. Most grate- 
fully the generous offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion 
about a collegiate education. A young man is 
supposed to be liberally educated if he has gradu- 
ated at some college. But many a boy Vv'ho loi- 
ters through university halls and then enters a 
law office is by no means as well prepared to 
prosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fill- 
more when he graduated at the clothing-mill aJ 
the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted tc 
intense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he 
was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. 
He then went to the village of Aurora, and com- 
menced the practice of law. In this secluded, 
quiet region, his practice, of course, was hmited, 
and there was no opportunity for a sudden rise in 
fortune or in fame. Here, in 1826, he married a 
lady of great moral worth, and one capable of 



68 



Mir^IvARD FILLMORE. 



adorning anj- station she miglit be called to fill, — 
Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character; his untiring industr}', 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advo- 
cate, graduall_v attracted attention, and he was 
invited to enter into partnership, under highly ad- 
vantageous circumstances, with an elder member 
of the Bar in Buffalo. Just before removing to 
Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of 
Assembly of the State of New York, as a Repre- 
sentative from Erie County. Though he had 
never taken a verj^ active part in politics, his vote 
and sympathies were with the Whig part}?. The 
State was then Democratic, and he found himself 
in a helpless minority in the Legislature; still the 
testimony comes from all parties that his courtesy, 
ability and integrit}^ won, to a verj' unusual de- 
gree, the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a 
seat in the United States Congress. He entered 
that troubled arena in the most tumultuous hours 
of our national history, when the great conflict 
respecting the national bank and the removal of 
the deposits was raging. 

His term of two years closed, and he returned 
to his profession, which he pursued with increas- 
ing reputation and success. After a lapse of two 
years he again became a candidate for Congress; 
was re-elected, and took his seat in 1837. His 
past experience as a Representative gave him 
strength and confidence. The first term of service 
in Congress to anj^ man can be but little more 
than an introduction. He was now prepared for 
active duty. All his energies were brought to 
bear upon the public good. Every measure re- 
ceived his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, 
and his popularity filled the State. In the year 
1847, when he had attained the age of forty- 
seven years, he was elected Comptroller of the 
State. His labors at the Bar, in the Legisla- 
ture, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given 
him very considerable fame. The Whigs were 
casting about to find suitable candidates for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President at the approaching elec- 
tion. Far away on the waters of the Rio Grande, 
there was a rough old soldier, who had fought 



one or two successful battles with the Mexicans, 
which had caused his name to be proclaimed in 
trumpet-tones all over the land as a candidate for 
the presidency. But it was necessary to associate 
with him on the same ticket some man of repu- 
tation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
names of Zacharj' Taylor and Millard Fillmore 
became the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their 
candidates for President and Vice-President. The 
Whig ticket was signally triumphant. On the 
4th of March, 1849, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President, 
of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the 
Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus be- 
came President. He appointed a verj^ able cabi- 
net, of which the illustrious Daniel Webster was 
Secretary of State; nevertheless, he had serious 
difficulties to contend with, since the opposition 
had a majority in both Hou.ses. He did all in his 
power to conciliate the South; but the pro-slavery 
party in the South felt the inadequacy of all 
measures of transient conciliation. The popula- 
tion of the free States was so rapidly increasing 
over that of the slave States, that it was inevitable 
that the power of the Government should soon 
pass into the hands of the free States. The fa- 
mous compromise measures were adopted under 
Mr. Fillmore's administration, and the Japan ex- 
pedition was sent out. On the 4th of March, 
1853, he, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Know-Nothing" party, but 
was beaten by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. 
Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terri- 
ble conflict of civil war, he was mostly silent. It 
was generahy supposed that his sympathies were 
rather with those who were endeavoring to over- 
throw our institutions. President Fillmore kept 
aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words 
of cheer to one party or the other. He was thus 
forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe old age, 
and died in Bufialo, N. Y., March 8, 1874. 




FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



[~RANKLTN PIERCE, the fourteenth Presi- 
ri) dent of the United States, was born in Hills- 
I * borough, N. H., November 23, 1804. His 
father was a Revolutionary soldier, who with his 
own strong arm hewed out a home in the wilder- 
ness. He was a man of inflexible integrity, of 
strong, though uncultivated, mind, and was an un- 
compromising Democrat. The mother of Frank- 
lin Pierce was all that a son could desire — an in- 
tehigent, prudent, affectionate. Christian woman. 
Frankhn, who was the sixth of eight children, 
was a remarkably bright and handsome boy, 
generous, warm-hearted and brave. He won 
alike the love of old and young. The boys on 
the play-ground loved him. His teachers loved 
him. The neighbors looked upon him with pride 
and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman, 
always speaking kind words, and doing kind 
deeds, with a peculiar, unstudied tact which 
taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar, and in 
body and mind a finely developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, 
he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. 
He was one of che most popular young men in 
the college. The purity of his moral character, 
the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank 
as a scholar, and genial nature, rendered him a 
universal favorite. There was something pe- 
culiarly winning in his address, and it was evi- 
dently not in the slightest degree studied— it was 
the simple outgushing of his own magnanimous 
and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin 
Pierce commenced the study of law in the office 
of Judge Woodbury, one of the most distinguished 



lawyers of the State, and a man of great private ' 
worth. The eminent social qualities of the young 
lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man, 
and the brilliant political career into which Judge 
Woodbury was entering, all tended to entice Mr. 
Pierce into the fascinating yet perilous path of 
political life. With all the ardor of his nature he 
espoused the cause of Gen. Jackson for the Presi- 
dency. He commenced the practice of law in 
Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent 
the town in the State Legislature. Here he 
served for four years. The last two years he was 
chosen Speaker of the House by a very large 
vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was 
elected a member of Congress. In 1837, being 
then bui thirty-three years old, he was elected to 
the Senate, taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren 
commenced his administration. He was the 
youngest member in the Senate. In the year 
1834, he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a 
lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one 
admirably fitted to adorn every station with which 
her husband was honored. Of the three sons who 
were born to them, all now sleep with their par- 
ents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing 
fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up 
his residence in Concord, the capital of New 
Hampshire. President Polk, upon his accession 
to office, appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-General 
of the United States; but the offer was declined 
in consequence of numerous professional engage- 
ments at home, and the precarious state of Mrs. 
Pierce's health. He also, about the same time, 
declined the nomination for Governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called 



72 



FRANKI^IN PIERCE. 



Mr. Pierce into the army. Receiving the appoint- 
ment of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a 
portion of his troops at Newport, R. I., on the 
27th of May, 1847. He took an important part 
in this war, proving himself a brave and true sol- 
dier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his na- 
tive State, he was received enthusiastically by the 
advocates of the Mexican War, and coldly, by his 
opponents. He resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, very frequently taking an active part in 
political questions, giving his cordial support to 
the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic party. 
The compromise measures met cordially with his 
approval, and he strenuously advocated the en- 
forcement of the infamous Fugitive Slave I^aw, 
which so shocked the religious sensibilities of the 
North. He thus became distinguished as a 
" Northern man with Southern principles." The 
strong partisans of slaverj- in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safeljr trust in ofhce to carry out their plans. 

On the 12th of June, 1S52, the Democratic con- 
vention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate 
for the Presidency. For four days they contin- 
ued in session, and in thirtj^-five ballotings no one 
had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus 
far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the 
Virginia delegation brought forward his name. 
There were fourteen more ballotings, during which 
Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at 
the forty-ninth ballot, he received two hundred 
and eighty-two votes, and all other candidates 
eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig can- 
didate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great una- 
nimity. Only four States — ^Vermont, Massachu- 
setts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their elec- 
toral votes against him. Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
State,s on the 4th of March, 1853. 

His administration proved one of the most 
stormy our countrj^ had ever experienced. The 
controversy between slavery and freedom was 
then approaching its culminating point. It be- 
came evident that there was to be an irrepressible 
conflict between them, and that this nation 
could not long exist " half slave and half free." 



President Pierce, during the whole of his admin- 
istration, did everything he could to conciliate the 
South; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the disso- 
lution of the Union were borne to the North on 
every Southern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when Presi- 
dent Pierce approached the close of his four- 
years term of office. The North had become 
thoroughl}' alienated from him. The anti-slavery 
sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been 
rapidly increasing; all the intellectual ability and 
social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in 
deep reprehension of his administrative acts. The 
slaveholders of the South also, unmindful of the 
fidelitj^ with which he had advocated those meas- 
ures of Government which they approved, and 
perhaps feeling that he had rendered himself 
so unpopular as no longer to be able to accepta- 
bly serve them, ungratefully dropped him, and 
nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
turned to his home in Concord. His three chil- 
dren were all dead, his last surviving child hav- 
ing been killed before his eyes in a railroad acci- 
dent; and his wife, one of the most estimable and 
accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in 
consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon 
came, and he was left alone in the world without 
wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth which 
divided our country into two parties, and two 
only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the prin- 
ciples which he had always cherished, and gave 
his sympathies to that pro-slavery party with 
which he had ever been allied. He declined to 
do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen 
the hand of the National Government. He con- 
tinued to reside in Concord until the time of his 
death, which occurred in October, 1869. He was 
one of the most genial and social of men, an hon- 
ored communicant of the Episcopal Church, and 
one of the kindest of neighbors. Generous to a 
fault, he contributed liberally toward the allevia- 
tion of suffering and want, and many of his 
towns-people were often gladdened by his material 
botmty. 




JAMES BUCHANAN. 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



(Tames BUCHANAN, the fifteenth President 
I of the United States, was born in a small 
0/ frontier town, at the foot of the eastern ridge 
of the Alleghanies, in Franklin Countj^, Pa., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place where the 
humble cabin home stood was called Stony Bat- 
ter. His father was a native of the north of Ire- 
land, who had emigrated in 1783, with little prop- 
erty save his own strong arms. Five years after- 
ward he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter 
of a respectable farmer, and, with his young bride, 
plunged into the wilderness, staked his claim, 
reared his log hut, opened a clearing with his 
axe, and settled down thereto perform his obscure 
part in the drama of life. When James was eight 
years of age, his father removed to the village of 
Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school, 
and commenced a course of study in English, 
Latin and Greek. His progress was rapid, and 
at the age of fourteen he entered Dickinson Col- 
lege, at Carlisle. Here he developed remarkable 
talent, and took his stand among the first scholars 
in the institution. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the high- 
est honors of his class. He was then eighteen 
years of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, 
fond of athletic sports, an unerring shot, and en- 
livened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits. 
He immediately commenced the study of law in 
the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to the 
Bar in 1812, when he was but twenty-one years 
of age. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower 
House. During the vacations of Congress, he 



occasionally tried some important case. In 1831 
he retired altogether from the toils of his profes- 
sion, having acquired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presi- 
dency, appointed Mr. Buchanan Minister to Rus- 
sia. The duties of his mission he performed 
with ability, and gave .satisfaction to all parties. 
Upon his return, in 1833, he was elected to a seat 
in the United States Senate. He there met as 
his associates Webster, Clay, Wright and Cal- 
houn. He advocated the measures prcpo.sed by 
President Jackson, of making reprisals against 
France to enforce the payment of our claims 
against that country, and defended the course of 
the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the 
supporters of his administration. Upon this 
question he was brought into direct collision with 
Henry Clay. He also, with voice and vote, ad- 
vocated expunging from the journal of the Senate 
the vote of censure against Gen. Jackson for re- 
moving the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the 
abolition of slaverj' in the District of Columbia, 
and urged the prohibition of the circulation of 
anti-slavery documents by the United States 
mails. As to petitions on the subject of slavery, 
he advocated that they should be respectfully re- 
ceived, and that the reply should be returned 
that Congress had no power to legislate upon the 
subject. "Congress," said he, "might as well 
undertake to interfere with slavery under a for- 
eign government as in any of the States where it 
now exists. ' ' 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, 
Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as 
such took his share of the responsibility in the 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed 
that crossing the Nueces by the American 
troops into the disputed territory was not wrong, 
but for the Mexicans to cross the Rio Grande 
into Texas was a declaration of war. No candid 
man can read with pleasure the account of the 
course our Government pursued in that movement. 
Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly 
with the party devoted to the perpetuation and 
extension of slavery, and brought all the energies 
of his mind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. 
He gave his cordial approval to the compromise 
measures of 1850, which included the Fugitive 
Slave lyaw. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the 
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mis- 
sion to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic Con- 
vention nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presi- 
dency. The political conflict was one of the most 
severe in which our country has ever engaged. 
All the friends of slavery were on one side; all 
the advocates of its restriction and final abolition 
on the other. Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the 
enemies of slavery, received one hundred and 
fourteen electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
one hundred and seventy-four, and was elected. 
The popular vote stood 1,340,618 for Fremont, 
1,224,750 for Buchanan. On March 4, 1857, 
the latter was inaugurated. . 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only 
four years were wanting to fill up his three-score 
years and ten. His own friends, those with 
whom he had been allied in political principles 
and action for years, were seeking the destruc- 
tion of the Government, that they might rear 
upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation 
whose corner-stone should be human slavery. In 
this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly 
bewildered. He could not, with his long-avowed 
principles, consistently oppose the State Rights 
party in their assumptions. As President of the 
United States, bound by his oath faithfully to 
administer the laws, he could not, without per- 
jury of the grossest kind, unite with those en- 
deavoring to overthrow the Republic. He there- 
fore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administra- 



tion nominated Abraham Lincoln as their stand- 
ard-bearer in the next Presidential canvass. 
The pro-slavery party declared that if he were 
elected and the control of the Government were 
thus taken from their hands, they would secede 
from the Union, taking with them as they retired 
the National Capitol at Washington and the 
lion's share of the territory of the United States. 
As the storm increased in violence, the slave- 
holders claiming the right to secede, and Mr. 
Buchanan avowing that Congress had no power 
to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions 
of governmental imbecility was exhibited that the 
world has ever seen. He declared that Congress 
had no power to enforce its laws in any State 
which had withdrawn, or which was attempting 
to withdraw, from the Union. This was not the 
doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand 
upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed: ' 'The Union 
must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860, 
nearly three months before the inauguration of 
President I^incoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in 
listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in 
Charleston; Ft. Sumter was besieged; our forts, 
navy-yards and arsenals were seized; our depots 
of military stores were plundered, and our cus- 
tom-houses and post-offices were appropriated by 
the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels and the mibecility of 
our Executive were alike marvelous. The na- 
tion looked on in agony, waiting for the slow 
weeks to glide away and close the administration, 
so terrible in its weakness. At length the long- 
looked-for hour of deliverance came, when Abra- 
ham Lincoln was to receive the scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends can not recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his 
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled 
its billows of flame and blood over our whole 
land, no word came from his lips to indicate his 
wish that our country's banner should triumph 
over the flag of the Rebellion. He died at his 
Wheatland retreat, June i, li 




ABRAHAM LINCOI^N. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



Gl BRAHAM LINCOIvN, the sixteenth Presi- 
Ll dent of the United States, was born in Hardin 
/ I County, Ky., February 12, 1809. About 
the year 1780, a man by the name of Abraham 
I<incoln left Virginia with his family and moved 
into the then wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, and while still a young man, 
he was working one day in a field, when an Indian 
stealthily approached and killed him. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five little chil- 
dren, three boys and two girls. Thomas, the 
youngest of the boys, and the father of President 
Abraham lyincoln, was four years of age at his 
father's death. 

When twenty-eight years old, Thomas Lincoln 
built a log cabin, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky 
emigrants, who had also come from Virgniia. 
Their second child was Abraham Lincoln, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was 
a noble woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created 
to adorn a palace, but doomed to toil and pine, and 
die in a hovel. "All that I am, or hope to be," 
exclaimed the grateful son, "I owe to ray angel- 
mother. ' ' When he was eight years ot age, his 
father sold his cabin and small farm and moved 
to Indiana, where two years later his mother died. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly 
family was the usual lot of humanitj-. There 
were joys and griefs, weddings and funerals. 
Abraham's sister Sarah, to whom he was tenderly 
attached, was married when a child of but four- 
teen years of age, and soon died. The family 
was gradually scattered, and Thomas Lincoln 
sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, and emi- 
grated to Macon County, 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years 
of age. With vigorous hands he aided his father 
in rearing another log cabin, and worked quite 
diligently at this until he saw the family com- 
fortably settled, and their small lot of enclosed 
prairie planted with corn, when he announced to 



his father his intention to leave home, and to gc 
out into the world and seek his fortune. Littk 
did he or his friends imagine how brilliant that 
fortune was to be. He saw the value of educa- 
tion and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. Religion he 
revered. His morals were pure, and he was un- 
contaminated by a single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired 
laborer among the farmers. Then he went to 
Springfield, where he was employed in building 
a large flat-boat. In this he took a herd of swine, 
floated them down the Sangamon to Illinois, and 
thence by the Mississippi to New Orleans. What- 
ever Abraham Lincoln undertook, he performed 
so faithfully as to give great satisfaction to his 
employers. In this adventure the latter were 
so well pleased, that upon his return they placed 
a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk 
War, he enlisted and was chosen Captain of a 
company. He returned to Sangamon County, 
and, although only twentj'-three years of age, was 
a candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated. 
He soon after received from Andrew Jackson the 
appointment of Postmaster of New Salem. His 
only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there, ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and 
soon made this his business. In 1834 he again 
became a candidate for the Legislature and was 
elected. Mr. Stuart, of Springfield, advised him 
to study law. He walked from New Salem to 
Springfield, borrowed of Mr. Stuart a load oi 
books, carried them back, and began his legal 
studies. When the Legislature assembled, he 
trudged on foot with his pack on his back one 
hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1S36 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here 
it was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 
he removed to Springfield and began the practice 
of law. His success with the jury was so great 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOIvN. 



that he was soon engaged in almost every noted 
case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincohi and Mr. Douglas on the slavery ques- 
tion. In the organization of the Republican party 
in Illinois, in 1856, he took an active part, and at 
once became one of the leaders in that party. 
Mr. Lincoln's speeches in opposition to Senator 
Douglas in the contest in 1858 for a seat in the 
Senate, form a most notable part of his history. 
The issue was on the slavery question, and he 
took the broad ground of the Declaration of In- 
dependence, that all men are created equal. Mr. 
I^incoln was defeated in this contest, but won a 
far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chi- 
cago on the 1 6th of June, i860. The delegates 
and strangers who crowded the city amounted to 
twenty-five thousand. An immense building 
called "The Wigwam," was reared to accommo- 
date the convention. There were eleven candi- 
dates for whom votes were thrown. William H. 
Seward, a man whose fame as a statesman had 
long filled the land, was the most prominent. It 
was generally supposed he would be the nomi- 
nee. Abraham Dincoln, however, received the 
nomination on the third ballot. 

Election day came, and Mr. Tincoln received 
one hundred and eighty electoral votes out of two 
hundred and three cast, and was, therefore, con- 
stitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this 
good and merciful man, especially by the slave- 
holders, was greater than upon any other man 
ever elected to this high position. In February, 
1861, Mr. Lincoln started for Washington, stop- 
ping in all the large cities on his way, making 
speeches. The whole journey was fraught with 
much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassi- 
nation were afterward brought to light. A gang 
in Baltimore had arranged upon his arrival to 
"get up a row," and in the confusion to make 
sure of his death with revolvers and hand-gren- 
ades. A detective unravelled the plot. A secret 
and special train was provided to take him from 
Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an unexpected 



hour of the night. The tram started at half-past 
ten, and to prevent any possible communication 
on the part of the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train 
had started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. 
Lincoln reached Washington in safety and was 
inaugurated, although great anxiety was felt by 
all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to 
other prominent opponents before the convention 
he gave important positions; but during no other 
administration had the duties devolving upon the 
President been so manifold, and the responsibilities 
so great, as those which fell to his lot. Knowing 
this, and feeling his own weakness and inability 
to meet, and in his own strength to cope with, 
the difficulties, he learned early to seek Divine 
wisdom and guidance in determining his plans, 
and Divine comfort in all his trials, both personal 
and national. Contrary to his own estimate of 
himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the most cour- 
ageous of men. He went directly into the rebel 
capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, with 
no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had 
been made for his assassination, and he at last 
fell a victim to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, 
with Gen. Grant, was urgently invited to attend 
Ford's Theatre. It was announced that they 
would be present. Gen. Grant, however, left the 
city. President Lincoln, feeling, with his char- 
acteristic kindliness of heart, that it would be a 
disappointment if he should fail them, very re- 
luctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play, an actor by the name of John Wilkes 
Booth entered the box where the President and 
family were seated, and fired a 'bullet into his 
brain. He died the next morning at seven 
o'clock. 

Never before in the history of the world was 
a nation plunged into such deep grief by the death 
of its ruler Strong men met in the streets and 
wept in speechless anguish. His was a hfe which 
will fitly become a model. His name as the 
Savior of his country will live with that of Wash- 
ington's, its Father. 




ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



Gl NDREW JOHNSON, seventeenth President 
O of the United States. The early life of An- 
/ I drew Johnson contains but the record of pov- 
erty , destitution and friendlessness. He was born 
December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, N. C. His par- 
ents, belonging to the class of "poor whites" 
of the South, were in such circumstances that they 
could not confer even the slightest advantages of 
education upon their child. When Andrew was 
five years of age, his father accidentally lost his 
life, while heroically endeavoring to save a friend 
from drowning. Until ten 3'ears of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by 
the labor of his mother, who obtained her living 
with her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one 
daj', and being unable either to read or write, was 
apprenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gen- 
tleman was in the habit of going to the tailor's 
shop occasionall)', and reading to the boys at 
work there. He often read from the speeches of 
distinguished British statesmen. Andrew, who 
was endowed with a mind of more than ordinary 
ability, became much interested in these speeches; 
his ambition was roused, and he was inspired with 
a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, 
and with the assistance of some of his fellow- 
workmen learned his letters. He then called upon 
the gentleman to borrow the book of speeches. 
The owner, pleased with his zeal, not only gave 
him the book, but assisted him in learning to com- 
bine the letters into words. Under such difficul- 
ties he pressed onward laboriously, spending usu- 
ally ten or twelve hours at work in the shop, and 
then robbing himself of rest and recreation to de- 
vote such time as he could to reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 



Greenville, where he married a young lady who 
possessed some education . Under her instructions 
he learned to write and cipher. He became 
prominent in the village debating societ}', and a 
favorite with the students of Greenville College. 
In 1828, he organized a working man's party, 
which elected him Alderman, and in 1830 elected 
him Mayor, which position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in 
political affairs, identifying himself with the work- 
ing-class, to which he belonged. In 1835, he 
was elected a member of tjie House of Represent- 
atives of Tennessee. He was then just twenty- 
seven years of age. He became a very active 
member of the Legislature, gave his support to 
the Democratic party, and in 1840 "stumped the 
State," advocating Martin Van Buren's claims to 
the Presidency, in opposition to those of Gen. 
Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, 
he was elected a Member of Congress, and by suc- 
cessive elections held that important post for ten 
years. In 1853, he was elected Governor of Tenn- 
essee, and was re-elected in 1855. In all these 
responsible positions, he discharged his duties 
with distinguished ability, and proved himself the 
warm friend of the working classes. In 1857, Mr. 
Johnson was elected United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating, however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would 
probably prove ' 'to be the gateway out of which 
the sable sons of Africa are to pass from bondage 
to freedom, and become merged in a population 
congenial to them.selves." In 1850, he also sup- 
ported the compromise measures, the two essen- 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



tial features of which wer.e, that the white people 
of the Territories should be permitted to decide 
for themselves whether they would enslave the 
colored people or not, and that the free States of 
the North should return to the South persons who 
attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly 
origin: on the contrary, he often took pride in 
avowing that he owed his distinction to his own 
exertions. "Sir," said he on the floor of the 
Senate, "I do not forget that I am a mechanic; 
neither do I forget that Adam was a tailor and 
sewed fig-leaves, and that our Savior was the son 
of a carpenter. ' ' 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860, 
he was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for 
the Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of 
the Southern Democracy became apparent, he took 
a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held 
that "slavery must be held subordinate to the 
Union at whatever cost." He returned to Tenn- 
essee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to 
protect the Unionists of that State. Tennessee 
having seceded from the Union, President L,incoln , 
on March 4, 1862, appointed him Military Gov- 
ernor of the State, and he established the most 
stringent military rule. His numerous proclama- 
tions attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was 
elected Vice-President of the United States, and 
upon the death of Mr. I^incoln, April 15, 1865, 
became President. In a speech two days later he 
said, ' 'The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime 
and must be punished; that the Government will 
not always bear with its enemies; that it is strong 
not only to protect, but to punish. * * The 
people must understand that it (treason) is the 
blackest of crimes, and will surely be punished. ' ' 
Yet his whole administration, the history of which 
is so well known, was in utter inconsistency with, 
and in the most violent opposition to, the princi- 
ples laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress, and he 
characterized Congress as a new rebellion, and 
lawlesslj' defied it in everything possible to the ut- 
most. In the beginning of 1868, on account of 



"High crimes and misdemeanors," the principal 
of which was the removal of Secretary Stanton in 
violation of the Tenure of Office Act, articles of 
impeachment were preferred against him, and the 
trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was 
at length submitted to the court for its action. It 
was certain that as the court voted upon that ar- 
ticle so would it V ote upon all . Thirty -four voices 
pronounced the President guilty. As a two-thirds 
vote was necessary to his condemnation, he was 
pronounced acquitted, notwithstanding the great 
majority against him. The change of one vote 
from the not guilty side would have sustained the 
impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, 
was but little regarded. He continued, though 
impotently, his conflict with Congress. His own 
party did not think it expedient to renominate 
him for the Presidency. The Nation rallied with 
enthusiasm, unparalleled since the days of Wash- 
ington, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew 
Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin 
introduced him to the President's chair. Not- 
withstanding this, never was there presented to a 
man a better opportunity to immortalize his name, 
and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed 
utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville, 
Tenn., taking no very active part in politics until 
1875. On January 26, after an exciting struggle, 
he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee 
United States Senator in the Forty-fourth Congess, 
and took his seat in that body, at the special ses- 
sion convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-Presi- 
dent made a visit to his daughter's home, near 
Carter Station, Tenn. When he started on his 
journey, he was apparently in his usual vigorous 
health, but on reaching the residence of his child 
the following day, he was stricken with paralysis, 
which rendered him unconscious. He rallied oc- 
casionally, but finally passed away at 2 a. m., 
July 3 1 , aged sixty-seven years. His funeral was 
held at Greenville, on the 3d of August, with 
every demonstration of respect. 




U. S. GRANT. 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



I.YSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth Presi- 
'3 dent of the United States, was born on the 
^ 29th of April, 1822, of Christian parents, in 
a humble home at Point Pleasant, on the banks 
of the Ohio. Shortly after, his father moved to 
Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses received a common- 
school education. At the age of seventeen, in 
the year 1839, he entered the Military Academj'- 
at West Point. Here he was regarded as a solid, 
sensible young man, of fair ability, and of sturdy, 
honest character. He took respectable rank as a 
scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as Lieutenant of 
Infantry to one of the distant military posts in the 
Missouri Territory. Two j^ears he passed in these 
dreary solitudes, watching the vagabond Indians. 
The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His 
first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no 
chance here for the exhibition of either skill or 
heroism, nor at Resaca de la Palma, his second 
battle. At the battle of Monterey, his third en- 
gagement, it is said that he performed a signal 
service of daring and skillful horsemanship. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant 
returned with his regiment to New York, and 
was again sent to one of the military posts on the 
frontier. The discover^' of gold in California 
causing an immense tide of emigration to flow to 
the Pacific shores, Capt. Grant was sent with a 
battalion to Ft. Dallas, in Oregon, for the protec- 
tion of the interests of the immigrants. But life 
was wearisome in those wilds, and he resigned 
his commission and returned to the States. Hav- 
ing married, he entered upon the cultivation of a 
small farm near St. Louis, Mo., but having little 



skill as a farmer, and finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering 
into the leather business, with a younger brother 
at Galena, 111. This was in the year i860. As 
the tidings of the rebels firing on Ft. Sumter 
reached the ears of Capt. Grant in his counting- 
room, he said: "Uncle Sam has educated me 
for the army; though I have served him through 
one war, I do not feel that I have yet repaid the 
debt. I am still ready to discharge my obliga- 
tions. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and 
see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of 
volunteers, and led them as their Captain to 
Springfield, the capital of the State, where their 
services were offered to Gov. Yates. The Gov- 
ernor, impressed by the zeal and straightforward 
executive ability of Capt. Grant, gave him a desk 
in his office to assist in the volunteer organiza- 
tion that was being formed in the State in behalf 
of the Government. On the 15th of June, 1861, 
Capt. Grant received a commission as Colonel of 
the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. 
His merits as a West Point graduate, who had 
served for fifteen j^ears in the regular army, were 
such that he was soon promoted to the rank of 
Brigadier- General, and was placed in command at 
Cairo. The rebels raised their banner at Padu- 
cah, near the mouth of the Tennessee River. 
Scarcely had its folds appeared in the breeze ere 
Gen. Grant was there. The rebels fled, their 
banner fell, and the Stars and Stripes were un- 
furled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determina- 
tion and immediately began active duty. This 
was the beginning, and until the surrender of 
Lee at Richmond he was ever pushing the enemy 



88 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



witli great vigor and effectiveness. At Belmont, 
a few days later, he surprised and routed the 
rebels, then at Ft. Henry won another victory. 
Then came the brilliant fight at Ft. Donelson. 
The nation was electrified by the victory, and the 
brave leader of the boys in blue was immediately 
made a Major- General, and the military district 
of Tennessee was a.ssigned to him. 

Like aU great captains, Gen. Grant knew well 
how to secure the results of victory. He imme- 
diately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then 
came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, 
Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. 
Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of 
the city with over thirty thousand men and one 
hundred and seventy -two cannon. The fall of 
Vicksburg was by far the most severe blow which 
the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened 
up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown 
from his horse, and received severe injuries, from 
which he was laid up for months. He then 
rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas 
at Chattanooga, and by a wonderful series of 
strategic and technical measures put the Union 
army in fighting condition. Then followed the 
bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Moun- 
tain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him 
unbounded praise in the North. On the 4th of 
February, 1864, Congress revived the grade of 
lieutenant-general, and the rank was conferred 
on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to 
receive his credentials and enter upon the duties 
of his new office. 

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge 
of the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed 
National troops for an attack upon Richmond, 
the nominal capital of the rebellion, and endeavor 
there to destroy the rebel armies which would be 
promptly assembled from all quarters for its de- 
fense. The whole continent seemed to tremble 
under the tramp of these majestic armies, rushing 
to the decisive battle-field. Steamers were crowd- 
ed with troops. Railway trains were burdened 



with closely -packed thousands. His plans were 
comprehensive, and involved a series of cam- 
paigns, which were executed with remarkable 
energy and ability, and were consummated at the 
surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. 
The almost unanimous voice of the nation de- 
clared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent in- 
strument in its salvation. The eminent services 
he had thus rendered the country brought him 
conspicuously forward as the Republican candi- 
date for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated 
for the Presidency, and at the autumn election 
received a majority of the popular vote, and two 
hundred and fourteen out of two hundred and 
ninety-four electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican 
party , which met at Philadelphia on the 5th 01 
June, 1872, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for 
a second term by a unanimous vote. The selec- 
tion was emphatically indorsed by the people five 
months later, two hundred and ninety-two elect- 
oral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. 
Grant started upon his famous trip around the 
world. He visited almost every country of the 
civilized world, and was everywhere received 
with such ovations and demonstrations of respect 
and honor, private as well as public and official, 
as were never before bestowed upon any citizen 
of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before 
the Republican National Convention in 1880 for 
a renomination for President. He went to New 
York and embarked in the brokerage business 
under the firm name of Grant & Ward. The 
latter proved a villain, wrecked Grant's fortune, 
and for larceny was sent to the penitentiarj'. 
The General was attacked with cancer in the 
throat, but suffered in his stoic-like manner, never 
complaining. He was re-instated as General of 
the Army, and retired by Congress. The cancer 
soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 1885, 
the nation went in mourning over the death ot 
the illustrious General. 




RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, the nineteenth 
President of the United States, was born in 
Delaware, Ohio, October 4, 1822, almost 
three months after the death of his father, Ruther- 
ford Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and 
maternal sides was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 
1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two 
Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both 
families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive 
estates, and had a large following. Misfortune 
overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland 
in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, 
married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of 
his marriage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. 
Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was 
a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. 
Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather 
of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in 
August, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith and 
tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an 
unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he 
established a hotel. Here his son, Rutherford 
Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was born. 
He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors 
emigrated thither from Connecticut, they having 
been among the wealthiest and best families of 
Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side is 
traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the 
principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grand- 
fathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industri- 
ous, frugal, yet open-hearted man. He was of a 



mechanical turn of mind, and could mend a plow, 
knit a stocking, or do almost anything else that 
he chose to undertake. He was a member of the 
church, active in all the benevolent enterprises 
of the town, and conducted his business on Chris- 
tian principles. After the close of the War of 
1812, for reasons inexplicable to his neighbors, he 
resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, or rail- 
ways, was a verj^ serious affair. A tour of in- 
spection was first made, occupying four months. 
Mr. Hayes decided to move to Delaware, where 
the family arrived in 181 7. He died July 22, 
1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three 
months before the birth of the son of whom we 
write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement, 
found the support she so much needed in her 
brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from 
Vermont, and in an orphan girl, whom she had 
adopted some time before as an act of charity. 

Rutherford was seven j-ears old before he went 
to school. His education, however, was not neg- 
lected. He probably learned as much from his 
mother and sister as he would have done at 
school. His sports were almost wholly within 
doors, his playmates being his sister and her asso- 
ciates. These circumstances tended, no doubt, to 
foster that gentleness of disposition and that del- 
icate consideration for the feelings of others which 
were marked traits of his character. 

His uncle, Sardis Birchard, took the deepest 
interest in his education; and as the boy's health 
had improved, and he was making good progress 
in his studies, he proposed to send him to college. 
His preparation commenced with a tutor at home; 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



but he was afterwards sent for one year to a pro- 
fessor in the Wesleyan University in Middletown, 
Conn. He entered Kenyon College in 1838, at 
the age of sixteen, and was graduated at the head 
of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, 
Esq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities 
for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he de- 
termined to enter the Law School at Cambridge, 
Mass. , where he remained two years. 

In 1845, after graduating at the l,aw School, he 
was admitted to the Bar at Marietta, Ohio, and 
shortly afterward went into practice as an at- 
torney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fre- 
mont. Here he remained three years, acquiring 
but a limited practice, and apparently unambitious 
of distinction in his profession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his am- 
bition found a new stimulus. For several years, 
however, his progress was slow. Two events 
occurring at this period had a powerful influence 
upon his subsequent life. One of these was his 
marriage with Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter 
of Dr. James Webb, of Chillicothe; the other was 
his introduction to the Cincinnati Literary Club, 
a body embracing among its members such men 
as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, Gen. John 
Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many others 
hardl}-- less distinguished in after life. The mar- 
riage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of 
our Presidents was more universally admired, 
reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Ha3'es, and 
no one did more than she to reflect honor upon 
American womanhood. The Literary' Club brought 
Mr. Hayes into constant association with young 
men of high character and noble aims, and lured 
him to display the qualities so long hidden by his 
bashfulness and modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas, but he declined to 
accept the nomination. Two 3'ears later, the of- 
fice of City Solicitor becoming vacant, the City 
Council elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was 
at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at 



the Bar was among the first. But the news of 
the attack on Ft. Sumter found him eager to 
take up arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. 
In October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant- Colo- 
nel, and in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of 
the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but he refused 
to leave his old comrades and go among strangers. 
Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of 
his old regiment At the battle of South Moun- 
tain he received a wound, and while faint and 
bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that 
won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, 
after his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, 
and placed in command of the celebrated Kanawha 
division, and for gallant and meritorious services 
in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and 
Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier- General. 
He was also breveted Major- General, ' 'for gallant 
and distinguished services during the campaigns 
of 1864, in West Virginia." In the course of his 
arduous services, four horses were shot from un- 
der him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress 
from the Second Ohio District, which had long 
been Democratic. He was not present during the 
campaign, and after the election was importuned 
to resign his commission in the army; but he fi- 
nally declared, ' ' I shall never come to Washing- 
ton until I can come by way of Richmond." He 
was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen. Hayes was elected Governor of 
Ohio, over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular 
Democrat, and in 1869 was re-elected over George 
H. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the 
third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard-bearer of the Re- 
publican party in the Presidential contest, and 
after a hard, long contest was chosen President, 
and was inaugurated Monda}^ March 5, 1877. 
He served his full term, not, however, with satis- 
faction to his part}^ but his administration was an 
average one. The remaining years of his life 
were passed quietly in his Ohio home, where he 
passed away January 17, 1893. 




JAMES A. GARFIEIvD. 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



^AMES A. GARFIELD, twentieth President 
I of the United States, was born November 19, 
G) 1 83 1, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio. His parents were Abram and 
EHza (Ballou) Garfield, both of New England 
ancestry, and from families well known in the 
early history of that section of our countn,', but 
who had moved to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, 
early in its settlement. 

The house in which James A. was born was 
not unlike the houses of poor Ohio farmers of 
that day. It was about 20 x 30 feet, built of logs, 
■with the spaces between the logs filled with clay. 
His father was a hard-working farmer, and he 
soon had his fields cleared, an orchard planted, 
and a log barn built. The household comprised 
the father and mother and their four children, 
Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and James. In May, 
1823, the father died from a cold contracted in 
helping to put out a forest fire. At this time 
James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, 
can tell how much James was indebted to his 
brother's toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty 
years succeeding his father's death. He now 
lives in Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 
Ohio, near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Gar- 
field enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the 
most of them. He labored at farm work for 
others, did carpenter work, chopped wood, or did 
anything that would bring in a few dollars to aid 
his widowed mother in her struggles to keep the 
little family together. Nor was Gen. Garfield 
ever ashamed of his origin, and he never forgot 
the friends of his struggling childhood, youth and 
manhood; neither did they ever forget him. 
When in the highest seats of honor, the humblest 
friend of his boyhood was as kindly greeted as 
ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the sym- 
pathy of one who had known all the bitterness of 



want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, 
plain, modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until 
he was about sixteen years old was to be cap- 
tain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious 
to go aboard a vessel, but this his mother strongly 
opposed. She finally consented to his going to 
Cleveland, with the understanding, however, that 
he should try to obtain some other kind of em- 
ployment. He walked all the way to Cleveland. 
This was his first visit to the city. After making 
many applications for work, and trying to get 
aboard a lake vessel and not meeting with suc- 
cess, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. 
He remained at this work but a short time, when 
he went home, and attended the seminary at 
Chester for about three years. He then entered 
Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few 
terms of school in the mean time, and doing other 
work. This school was started by the Disciples 
of Christ in 1850, of which body he was then a 
member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in 
order to help pay his way. He then became both 
teacher and pupil. Soon " exhausting Hiram," 
and needing a higher education, in the fall of 1854 
he entered Williams College, from which he grad- 
uated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of 
his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram Col- 
lege as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian, or Disciples, Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous 
member, often preaching in its pulpit and places 
where he happened to be. 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage, Novem- 
ber II, 1858, with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who 
proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom 
all the world loved. To them were born sevec 
children, five of whom are still living, four boys 
and one girl. 



96 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



Mr. Garfield made his first political speeclies in 
1856, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and 
three years later he began to speak at county 
mass-meetings, and became the favorite speaker 
wherever he was. During this j'ear he was 
elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to 
study law at Cleveland, and in 1861 was admitted 
to the Bar. The great Rebellion broke out in the 
early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once 
resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted to 
defend the Old Flag. He received his commission 
as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Forty-second Regi- 
ment of Ohio Infantry August 14, 1861. He 
was immediately put into active service, and be- 
fore he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was 
placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the able 
rebel officer, Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky. 
This work was bravely and speedily accomplished, 
although against great odds, and President Lin- 
coln commissioned him Brigadier-General, Janu- 
ary 10, 1862; and "as he had bee.i the youngest 
man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now 
he was the youngest General in the army." He 
was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its 
operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of 
the general court martial for the trial of Gen. 
Fitz-John Porter. He was next ordered to re- 
port to Gen. Rosecrans, and was assigned to the 
" Chief of Staff. " The military history of Gen. 
Garfield closed with his brilliant services at Chick- 
amauga, where he won the rank of Major-General. 
Without an effort on his part, Gen. Garfield 
was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862, from 
the Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of 
Ohio had been represented in Congress for sixty 
years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and 
Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a strug- 
gle that he resigned his place in the army. At 
the time he entered Congress he was the youngest 
member in that body. There he remained by 
successive re-elections until he was elected Presi- 
dent, in 1880. Of his labors in Congress, Senator 
Hoar says: "Since the year 1864 you cannot 
think of a question which has been debated in 



Congress, or discussed before a tribunal of the 
American people, in regard to which you will not 
find, if you wish instruction, the argument on 
one side stated, in almost every instance better 
than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings 
by Mr. Garfield." 

Upon January 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elect- 
ed to the United States Senate, and on the 8th of 
June, of the same year, was nominated as the 
candidate of his party for President at the great 
Chicago Convention. He was elected in the fol- 
lowing November, and on March 4, 1881, was 
inaugurated. Probably no administration ever 
opened its existence under brighter auspices than 
that of President Garfield, and every day it grew 
in favor with the people. By the ist of July 
he had completed all the initiatory and prelimi- 
nary woA: of his administration, and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Will- 
iams College. While on his way and at the 
depot, in companj^ with Secretary Blaine, a man 
stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired 
directly at his back. The President tottered and 
fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second 
shot, the bullet cutting the left coat sleeve of his 
victim, but inflicting no further injury. It has 
been very truthfully said that this was "the shot 
that was heard around the world. ' ' Never before 
in the history of the nation had anything occur- 
red which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment as this awful deed. He was 
smitten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his 
life, at the summit of his power and hope. For 
eighty days, all during the hot months of July 
and August, he lingered and suffered. He, how- 
ever, remained master of himself till the last, and 
by his magnificent bearing taught the country 
and the world one of the noblest of human les- 
sons — how to live grandly in the very clutch of 
death. Great in life, he was surpassingly great 
in death. He passed serenely away September 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of 
the ocean, where he had been taken shortly be- 
fore. The world wept at his death, as it rarely 
ever had done on the death of any other great 
and noble man. 




CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



E HESTER A. ARTHUR, twenty-first Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born in Frank- 
lin County, Vt., on the 5th day of October, 
1830, and was the eldest of a family of two sons 
and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. 
William Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who emi- 
grated to this country fi-om County Antrim, Ire- 
land, in his eighteenth year, and died in 1875, in 
Newtonville, near Albany, after a long and suc- 
cessful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at Union College, 
Schenectady, where he excelled in all his studies. 
After his graduation he taught school in Ver- 
mont for two years, and at the expiration of that 
time came to New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex -Judge E. D. Culver 
as a student. After being admitted to the Bar, he 
formed a partnership with his intimate friend and 
. room-mate, Henry D. Gardiner, with the inten- 
tion of practicing in the West, and for three 
months they roamed about in the Western States 
in search of an eligible site, but in the end re- 
turned to New York, where they hung out their 
shingle, and entered upon a successful career al- 
most from the start. Gen. Arthur soon after mar- 
ried the daughter of Lieut. Herndon, of the 
United States Navy, who was lost at sea. Con- 
gress voted a gold medal to his widow in recog- 
nition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. 
Arthur's nomination to the Vice- Presidency, leav- 
ing two children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celeb- 
rity in his first great case, the famous Lemmon 
suit, brought to recover possession of eight slaves 
who had been declared free by Judge Paine, of 
the Superior Court of New York City. It was in 



1852 that Jonathan Lemmon, of Virginia, went 10 
New York with his slaves, intending to ship them 
to Texas, when they were discovered and freed. 
The Judge decided that they could not be held by 
the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl 
of rage went up from the South, and the Virginia 
Legislature authorized the Attorney-General of 
that State to assist in an appeal. William M. 
Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to 
represent the people, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the 
United States. Charles O' Conor here espoused 
: the cause of the slaveholders, but he, too, was 
I beaten by Messrs. Evarts and Arthur, and a long 
step was taken toward the emancipation of the 
black race. 

Another great service was rendered by Gen. 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jen- 
nings, a respectable colored woman, was put o£F 
a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had 
paid her fare. Gen. Arthur sued on her behalf, 
and secured a verdict of $500 damages. The next 
day the company issued an order to admit colored 
persons to ride on their cars, and the other car 
companies quickly followed their example. Be- 
fore that the Sixth Avenue Company ran a few 
special cars for colored persons, and the other lines 
refused to let them ride at all. 

Gen. Arthur was a delegate to the convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge- Advocate of 
the Second Brigade of the State of New York, 
and Gov. Morgan, of that State, appointed him 
Engineer-in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was 
made Inspector-General, and soon afterward be- 
came Quartermaster-General. In each of these 
offices he rendered great service to the Govern- 



lOO 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



ment during the war. At the end of Gov. Mor- 
gan's term he resumed the practice of law, form- 
ing a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then 
Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney of New York, 
was added to the firm. The legal practice of this 
well-known firm was very large and lucrative, 
as each of the gentlemen composing it was an able 
lawyer, and possessed a splendid local reputa- 
tion, if not, indeed, one of national extent. 

Mr. Arthur always took a leading part in State 
and city politics. He was appointed Collector of 
the Port of New York by President Grant, No- 
vember 21, 1872, to succeed Thomas Murphy, 
and he held the office until July 20, 1878, when 
he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the 
famous National Republican Convention held at 
Chicago in June, 1880. This was perhaps the 
greatest political convention that ever assembled 
on the continent. It was composed of the lead- 
ing politicians of the Republican party, all able 
men, and each stood firm and fought vigorously 
and with signal tenacity for his respective can- 
didate that was before the convention for the 
nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield received the 
nomination for President, and Gen. Arthur for 
Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the his- 
tory of our country. Gen. Hancock, the stand- 
ard-bearer of the Democratic party, was a popular 
man, and his party made a valiant fight for his 
election. 

Finally the election came, and the country's 
choice was Garfield and Arthur. They were in- 
augurated March 4, 1881, as President and Vice- 
President. A few months only had passed ere 
the newly-chosen President was the victim of the 
assassin's bullet. Then came terrible weeks of 
suffering — those moments of anxious suspense, 
when the hearts of all civilized nations were 
throbbing in unison, longing for the recovery of 
the noble, the good President. The remarkable 
patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible 
suffering man has ever been called upon to en- 
dure, was seemingly more than human. It was 



certainly godlike. During all this period of 
deepest anxiety Mr. Arthur's every move was 
watched, and, be it said to his credit, that his every 
action displayed only an earnest desire that the 
suffering Garfield might recover to serve the re- 
mainder of the term he had so auspiciously be- 
gun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested in 
deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President 
Garfield from further suffering, and the world, as 
never before in its history over the death of any 
other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the 
duty of the Vice-President to assume the respon- 
sibilities of the high office, and he took the oath 
in New York, September 20, 1881. The position 
was an embarrassing one to him, made doubly so 
from the fact that all eyes were on him, anxious 
to know what he would do, what policy he would 
pursue, and whom he would select as advisers. 
The duties of the office had been greatly neglected 
during the President's long illness, and many im- 
portant measures were to be immediately decided 
by him; and to still further embarass him he did 
not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many 
on this point. Under these trying circumstances. 
President Arthur took the reins of the Govern- 
ment in his own hands, and, as embarrassing as 
was the condition of affairs, he happily surprised 
the nation, acting so wisely that but few criticized 
his administration. He served the nation well 
and faithfully until the close of his administra- 
tion, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate 
before his party for a second term. His name 
was ably presented before the convention at Chi- 
cago, and was received with great favor, and 
doubtless but for the personal popularity of one 
of the opposing candidates, he would have been 
selected as the standard-bearer of his party for 
another campaign. He retired to private life, car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American 
people, whom he had served in a manner satisfac- 
tory to them and with credit to himself. One 
year later he was called to his final rest. 




GROVER CLEVELAND. 



STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND. 



0TEPHEN GROVER CEEVEEAND, the 
Nk twenty-second President of the United States, 
Q) was born in 1837, in the obscure town of 
Caldwell, Essex County, N. J., and in a little 
two-and-a-half-story white house, which is still 
standing to characteristically mark the humble 
birthplace of one of America's great men, in 
striking contrast with the Old World, where all 
men high in ofEce must be high in origin and 
born in the cradle of wealth. When the subject 
of this sketch was three years of age, his father, 
who was a Presbyterian minister with a large 
family and a small salary, moved, by way of the 
Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, N. 
Y., in search of an increased income and a larger 
field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles 
from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour 
was born. 

At the last-mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the good, old-fashioned 
way, and presumably distinguished himself after 
the manner of all village boys — in doing the 
things he ought not to do. Such is the dis- 
tinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent 
thinkers. When he arrived at the age of four- 
teen years, he had outgrown the capacity of the 
village school, and expressed a most emphatic de- 
sire to be sent to an academy. To this his fa- 
ther decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money ; besides, his father wanted him 
to become self-supporting by the quickest pos- 
sible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville 
seemed to be a position in a country store, where 
his father and the large family on his hands had 



considerable influence. Grover was to be paid 
$50 for his services the first year, and if he proved 
trustworthy he was to receive $100 the second 
year. Here the lad commenced his career as 
salesman, and in two years he had earned so good 
a reputation for trustworthiness that his employ- 
ers desired to retain him for an indefinite length 
of time. 

But instead of remaining with this firm in 
Fayetteville, he went with the family in their re- 
moval to Clinton, where he had an opportunity 
of attending a High School. Here he industri- 
ously pursued his studies until the family re- 
moved with him to a point on Black River known 
as the "Holland Patent," a village of five or six 
hundred people, fifteen miles north of Utica, N. Y. 
At this place his father died, after preaching but 
three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City t) accept, 
at a small salary, the position of under-teacher 
in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully 
for two years, and although he obtained a good 
reputation in this capacity, he concluded that 
teaching was not his calling in life, and, revers- 
ing the traditional order, he left the city to seek 
his fortune, instead of going to the city. He first 
thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some 
charm in that name for him ; but before proceed- 
ing to that place he went to Buffalo to ask advice 
of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock- 
breeder of that place. The latter did not speak 
enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply "Good gracious!" remarked 
the old gentleman; " do you, indeed? Whatever 



I04 



STEPHEN GROVER CEEVELAND. 



put that into your head ? How much money 
have 3'ou got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I 
haven't got anJ^" 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him 
a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at 
$50 a year, while he could look around. One 
day soon afterward he boldly walked into the of- 
fice of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and 
told them what he wanted. A number of 3'oung 
men were already engaged in the office, but Gro- 
ver's persistency won, and he was finally per- 
mitted to come as an office boy and have the use 
of the law library, receiving as wages the sum of 
j§3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his 
board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair, and as for his overcoat he 
had none; yet he was, nevertheless, prompt and 
regular. On the first day of his service there, his 
senior employer threw down a copy of Black- 
stone before him, with a bang that made the dust 
fly, saying "That's where the3' all begin." A 
titter ran around the little circle of clerks and 
students, as they thought that was enough to 
scare young Grover out of his plans; but in due 
time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleve- 
land exhibited a talent for executiveness rather 
than for chasing principles through all their 
metaphysical possibilities. "Let us quit talking 
and go and do it, ' ' was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland 
was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie County, 
N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated; and in such 
capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punish- 
ment upon two criminals. In 1881 he was 
elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the 
Democratic ticket, with especial reference to bring- 
ing about certain reforms in the administration 
of the municipal affairs of that city. In this of- 
fice, as well as in that of Sheriff, his performance 
of duty has generally been considered fair, with 
possibly a few exceptions, which were ferreted 
out and magnified during his Presidential cam- 
paign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an 



iniquitous street-cleaning contract: "This is a 
time for plain speech, and my objection to your 
action shall be plainly stated. I regard it as the 
culmination of a most bare-faced, impudent and 
shameless scheme to betray the interests of the 
people and to worse than squander the people's 
money." The New York Sun afterward very 
highly commended Mr. Cleveland's administra- 
tion as Mayor of Buffalo, and thereupon recom- 
mended him for Governor of the Empire State. 
To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and 
his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, 
if any, were made very public throughout the na- 
tion after he was nominated for President of the 
United States. For this high office he was 
nominated July 11, 1884, by the National Demo- 
cratic Convention at Chicago, when other com- 
petitors were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell P, 
Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F. 
Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc. ; and he was 
elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Re- 
pviblican statesman, James G. Blaine. President 
Cleveland resigned his office as Governor of New 
York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for 
his duties as the Chief Executive of the United 
States, in which capacity his term commenced at 
noon on the 4th of March, 1885. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coinage and those who were op- 
posed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, 
even before his inauguration. 

On Jinie 2, 1886, President Cleveland married 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and part- 
ner, Oscar Folsom, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of two daugh- 
ters. In the campaign of 1888, President Cleve- 
land was renominated b}' his party, but the 
Republican candidate. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nominations of 1892 
these two candidates for the highest po.sition in 
the gift of the people were again pitted against 
each other, and in the ensuing election President 
Cleveland was victorious by an overwhelming 
majority. 



up^s. 








'^-■*- -.^v- ^ 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



QENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third 
JrS President, is the descendant of one of the 
£j historical families of this country. The first 
known head of the family was Maj .-Gen. Harrison, 
one of Oliver Cromwell's trusted followers and 
fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell' s power it be- 
came the duty of this Harrison to participate in 
the trial of Charles I., and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subsequently 
paid for this with his life, being hung October 13, 
1660. His descendants came to America, and 
the next of the family that appears in history is 
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, great-grandfa- 
ther of the subject of this sketch, and after whom 
he was named. Benjamin Harrison was a mem- 
ber of the Continental Congress during the years 
1774, 1775 and 1776, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was three times elected Governor of Virginia. 

Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the 
distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a 
successful career as a soldier during the War of 
1812, and with a clean record as Governor of the 
Northwestern Territory, was elected President of 
the United States in 1840. His career was cut 
short by death within one month after his in- 
auguration. 

President Harrison was born at North Bend, 



Hamilton County, Ohio, August 20, 1833. His 
life up to the time of his graduation from Miami 
University, at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful 
one of a country lad of a family of small means. 
His father was able to give him a good education, 
and nothing more. He became engaged while at 
college to the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of 
a female school at Oxford. After graduating, he 
determined to enter upon the study of law. He 
went to Cincinnati and there read law for two 
years. At the expiration of that time young Har- 
rison received the only inheritance of his life — his 
aunt, dying, left him a lot valued at $800. He 
regarded this legacy as a fortune, and decided to 
get married at once, take this money and go to 
some Eastern town and begin the practice of law. 
He sold his lot, and, with the money in his pocket, 
he started out with his young wife to fight for a 
place in the world. He decided to go to Indian- 
apolis, which was even at that time a town of 
promise. He met with slight encouragement at 
first, making scarcely anything the first year. 
He worked diligently, applying himself closely to 
his calling, built up an extensive practice and 
took a leading rank in the legal profession. 

In i860, Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can- 



vo8 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by 
a handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 
Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its 
Colonel. His regiment was composed of the raw- 
est material, but Col. Harrison employed all his 
time at first in mastering military tactics and drill- 
ing his men, and when he came to move toward 
the East with Sherman, his regiment was one of 
the best drilled and organized in the army. At 
Resaca he especiallj^ distinguished himself, and 
ioT his bravery at Peachtree Creek he was made 
a Brigadier-General, Gen. Hooker speaking of 
him in the most complimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the 
field, the Supreme Court declared the office of 
Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another 
person was elected to the position. From the 
time of leaving Indiana with his regiment until 
the fall of 1864 he had taken no leave of absence, 
but having been nominated that year for the same 
office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and 
during that time made a brilliant canvass of the 
State, and was elected for another term. He then 
started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was 
stricken down with scarlet fever, and after a most 
trying attack made his way to the front in time to 
participate in the closing incidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined a re-election 
as Reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 
1876 he was a candidate for Governor. Although 
defeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for 
him a national reputation, and he was much sought 
after, especially in the East, to make speeches. 
In 1880, as usual, he took an active part in the 
campaign, and was elected to the United States 
Senate. Here he served for six years, and was 
known as one of the ablest men, best lawyers and 
strongest debaters in that body. With the ex- 
piration of his senatorial term he returned to the 
practice of his profession, becoming the head of 
one of the strongest firms in the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. 
The convention which assembled in Chicago in 
June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief stmd- 
ard-bearer of the Republican party was great in 
every particular, and on tiis account, and the at- 



titude it assumed upon the vital questions of the 
day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a 
deep interest in the campaign throughout the 
nation. Shortly after the nomination , delegations 
began to visit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his 
home. This movement became popular, and from 
all sections of the country societies, clubs and 
delegations journej^ed thither to pay their re- 
spects to the distinguished statesman. 

Mr. Harrison spoke daily all through the sum- 
mer and autumn to these visiting delegations, 
and so varied, masterly, and eloquent were his 
speeches that they at once placed him in the fore- 
most rank of American orators and statesmen. 
Elected by a handsome majority, he ser\'ed his 
country faithfully and well, and in 1892 was nom- 
inated for re-election; but the people demanded a 
change and he was defeated by his predecessor 
in office, Grover Cleveland. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and 
his power as a debater. Gen. Harrison was called 
upon at an early age to take part in the dis- 
cussion of the great questions that then began to 
agitate the country. He was an uncompromising 
anti-slavery man, and was matched against some 
of the most eminent Democratic speakers of his 
State. No man who felt the touch of his blade 
desired to be pitted with him again. With all 
his eloquence as an orator he never spoke for ora- 
torical effect, but his words always went like bul- 
lets to the mark. He is purely American in his 
ideas, and is a splendid type of the American 
statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logi- 
cal mind and a ready tongue, he is one of the 
most distinguished impromptu speakers in the 
nation. Many of these speeches sparkled with the 
rarest eloquence and contained arguments of great 
weight, and many of his terse statements have 
already become aphorisms. Original in thought, 
precise in logic, terse in statement, yet withal 
faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as the 
sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day. 
During the last days of his administration Presi- 
dent Harrison suffered an irreparable loss in the 
death of his devoted wife, Caroline (Scott) Har- 
rison, a lady of many womanly charms and vir- 
tues. They were the parents of two children. 



QUBKNS COUNTY 

(LONG ISLAND) . 

NKW YORK 



INTRODUCTORY 



■he time has arrived when it becomes the duty of the people of this county to perpetuate the 
names of their pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlement, and relate the story of 
v-/ their proo-ress The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and the duty that 
men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, demand that a 
record of their lives and deeds should be made. In biographical history is found a power to instruct 
man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe 
vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this country from_ its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the great and aged men, who m their prime 
entered the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their graves 
The number remaining who can relate the incidents of the first days of settlement is becoming small 
indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of events without delay, 
before all the early settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be for-otten has been the great dread of mankind from remotest ages. All will be forgotten 
soon enough in spite of their be.st works and the most earnest efforts of their friends to preserve the 
memorv of their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion and to perpetuate their memory 
have been in proportion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. The pyramids of Egypt were 
built to perpetuate the names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhumations made by the 
archceoloeists of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people to perpetuate the 
memory- of their achievements. The erection of the great obelisks was for the same purpose 
Coming down to a later period, we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and 
monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements and carry them down the 
a^es It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but 
this idea-to leave something to show that they had lived. All these works, though many of them 
costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and character of those whose memory they 
were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of the people that then lived. The 
great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; the mausoleums, 
monuments and statues are crumbling into dust. _ ,^ . ^c 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaymg, immutable method of 
perpetuating a full history-immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent and perpetual m its 
action; and this is through the art of printing. r .^ a ■ u: 

To the present generation, however, we are indebted for the introduction of the admirable 
svstem of local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world 
calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of the physical man is left. The monument which 
his children or friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass 
away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomphshed, which otherwise would be 
forgotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind. ,.,.,, 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we engrave their portraits; for the same reason 
we collect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we think it necessary,, as we speak only 
Lth of them, to wait until they are dead, or until those who know them are gone; to do this we 
are ashamed only to publish to the world the history of those whose lives are unworthy of public 
record. 




REV. J. CARPENTER SMITH, S. T. D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



REV. J. CARPENTER SMITH, S. T. D. 
During the long period in which Dr. Smith 
has officiated as rector of St. George's 
Episcopal Church at Flushing, he has gained the 
love of the members of his congregation, the ad- 
miration of his co-laborers in the clergy and the 
respect of all with whom he has come in contact. 
Though now in the twilight of his life, age has 
dealt kindly with him, and both health in body 
and vigor in mind abide with him. Time, which 
has taken somewhat from the elasticity of his step, 
has not been able to diminish in any degree his 
deep interest in the spiritual welfare of his parish- 
ioners, nor roh his heart of its active sympathy 
for his fellow-men. 

St. George's Church has an interesting history. 
With two exceptions, it is the oldest congregation 
of this denomination in Queens County, and Dr. 
Smith has in his possession the old church char- 
ter of 1760, as well as a photograph of the orig- 
inal house of worship, erected in 1743. The sec- 
ond edifice was built in 1821 and enlarged in 1840, 
while the present commodious stone structure was 
erected in 1850-51 and later enlarged and re- 
modeled in the interior. The seating capacity is 
large and the building, notwithstanding its age, 
still substantial and imposing. The congrega- 
tion is the strongest in Flushing, and to assist the 
rector in the work he has an associate. Rev. H. 
D. Waller. At this writing Dr. Smith is en- 
gaged in the compilation of a history of the parish 
of St. George's, and for this purpose he has se- 
cured, from various sources, a most interesting 
collection of historical data, including every fact 
of interest in connection with the church. For 
many years, during the eighteenth century, one 
of the most active workers in the congregation 
was Francis Lewis, a man of national reputation 
and one of the signers of the Declaration of In- 
dependence. 

In Bethpage, town of Oyster Bay, October 28, 



1816, the subject of tiiis record was born. The 
family was first represented in this country by two 
brothers from England, one of whom settled in 
Hempstead South on property bought from the 
Indians. Our subject is a lineal descendant of a 
distinct race of Smiths known as the "Smith 
Rock'' famil}^ who were originally members of 
the Church of England, but during the time of 
Fox allied themselves with the Quakers, and 
afterward returned to their first faith. Dr. 
Smith's grandfather, Benjamin, who was of the 
Quaker belief, was born on the ancestral home- 
stead, in the town of Hempstead, but later went 
to Brooklyn, where he died when about fifty-five 
years old. 

The father of our subject, John Smith, was born 
in the town of Hempstead, Queens County, in 
1776, and at the age of eighteen went to Canada, 
where he helped to survey and lay out Little York, 
near Toronto. For some time he sojourned in 
Spain and visited other parts of Europe. On his 
return to the United States he settled in Beth- 
page, where he engaged in farming many years, 
then sold his farm and moved to Brooklyn, where 
his death occurred when nearly seventy. He was 
a lifelong member of the Society of Friends. To 
the advantages derived from a splendid education, 
he added the versatiHty and knowledge gained 
through close observation of peoples and customs 
in different countries, and was one of the most 
cultured men of the community in which he lived. 

Dr. Smith's mother bore the maiden name of 
Martha Carpenter Gedney and was born in Rye, 
Westchester County. Much of her Hfe was spent 
on Long Island and her death occurred in Brook- 
lyn when she was almost eighty years of age. Her 
mother was a member of the Carpenter family, of 
French Huguenot origin, but later members of 
the Church of England. The lineage is traced back 
through many generations to one of that name 
who was architect for Henry of Navarre, and who 



ii8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



escaped the fate that fell to many Huguenots at 
the time the Edict of Nantes was revoked. His 
sons sought a refuge in America, settling, one on 
the Hudson, in Westchester County, another in 
South Carolina. 

The youngest and only survivor of four chil- 
dren, Dr. Smith spent his childhood years in Beth- 
page, where he attended a private school. The 
boys and girls of this generation, were they 
obliged to gain their schooling in a primitive, illy- 
constructed building, such as he attended, would 
consider themselves most unfortunate indeed, but 
children of the early part of the century, being 
less accustomed to luxuries, never dreamed of ut- 
tering a protest concerning the slab benches and 
other inconveniences of the school rooms of those 
days. While the quality of the instruction was 
inferior, yet our subject made rapid strides in his 
books and was considered one of the most prom- 
ising boys in the school. At the age of ten he ac- 
companied the family to Brooklyn and afterward 
had the best advantages that city afforded. In 
1833 he went to Ohio with the family of Bishop 
Mcllvane and soon afterward entered Kenyon 
College, at Gambler, Ohio, where he received his 
diploma and the degree of A. B.,- though ill health 
prevented him from completing his senior year. 
After a short time he entered the General Theo- 
logical Seminary of New York City, from which 
he graduated in 1842, being ordained to the min- 
istry July 2 of the same year. 

The first charge of the young minister was at 
Wooster, Ohio, where he was rector of St. James' 
Church for eighteen months. In 1844 he accept- 
ed the pastorate of Trinity Church at Rockaway, 
N. Y., and in November, 1847, accepted a call to 
St. George's Church at Flushing, where he has 
since remained. In 1869 he was granted the de- 
gree of S. T. D. from Columbia College, being 
the third rector to whom that degree has been 
given by the college. He is a member of the 
standing committee and also of the board of trus- 
tees of the property of the diocese. Fraternally 
he is identified with Cornucopia Lodge No. 653, 
F. & A. M., and has taken the Royal Arch degree. 
In early years he was a Whig, but upon the dis- 
integration of that party he identified himself with 
the newly-organized Republican party, to which 
he has since adhered with unswerving loyalty. 
His life has been a most active and useful one. 
It has been his labor to uplift and elevate others 
and promote their spiritual welfare. His heart 
has been the consecrated temple of the true and 



the good, and his daily life has been the living 
exemplification of that worship. The friend of 
the friendless, the helper of the helpless, it has 
been his privilege to lift up the fallen, encourage 
the weak and relieve the needy. In his charac- 
ter he combines those qualities of mind and heart 
that endear him tO' all and that will render his 
memory sacred after he shall have gone hence. 



RICHARD ARMSTRONG. In the follow- 
ing sketch is strikingly illustrated the 
force of well directed energy, steadfast 
purpose and never-ceasing effort for the accom- 
plishment of noble ends and the successful over- 
throw of those obstacles which beset the prog- 
ress of every young man who starts out to com- 
bat with life's stern realities. As a business man 
Mr. Armstrong is prompt, energetic and strictly 
upright, and eminently qualified for the position 
of superintendent of the Edward Smirh & Co. 
Varnish Works, and Color and Coach Paint 
Manufacturing Company of Long Island City. 

Richard Armstrong, Sr., the father of our sub- 
ject, is a native of the Emerald Isle, where the 
grandfather, John Robert Armstrong, was a far- 
mer, and passed his entire life. The members of 
this family were Episcopalians in their religious 
views. The father came to America when nine- 
teen years old and first worked on a farm in Con- 
necticut. During the Civil War he volunteered, 
but was not in the service. He was sent as ship- 
ping clerk to a station at Long Island City, but 
later embarked in the manufacture of varnish 
for Edward Smith & Co., thus learning that busi- 
ness. For three years, or until his death, he 
remained with that company as superintendent. 
His death occurred September 15, 1890, when 
only forty-eight years old. There are few men 
of the present day who are more worthy of hon- 
orable mention or whose history affords a better 
example of what may be accomplished by per- 
severance and strict integrity than this worthy 
man. Were his good deeds recorded they them- 
selves would furnish material for a volume. 

For a time the father was police commis- 
sioner under Mayor De Bevan, but he resigned, 
and in 1886 ran for the office of mayor on the 
regular Democratic ticket, but was defeated. He 
married Miss Eliza M. Lawrence, a native of New 
York City, and daughter of George Lawrence 
of England. She died in the year 1876. Of the 
five children born to them our subject was sec- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



ond in order of birth and is now the only one 
living. He was born in Long Island City, in 
the oldest brick building there outside of Brook- 
lyn, October 29, 1869, and received his educa- 
tion in the First Ward School and later in the 
grammar school. 

When fifteen years old young Armstrong be- 
gan learning the varnish-making business under 
his father, and after the latter's death was made 
superintendent of the works of Edward Smith 
& Co., a position he holds at the present time. 
This is the largest manufacturing establishment 
of colors and varnish in the country and was estab- 
lished in 1827, the first varnish being made in a 
kettle under a tree in New York City, at the corner 
of Fifth Avenue and Fourteenth Street. A plant 
was subsequently built in Astoria, Long Island 
City, but was not allowed to go on with the 
business on account of the odor. In 184.0 it was 
moved to Hunter's Point, Long Island City, 
where it has since remained. 

Mr. Armstrong resides at No. 103 Jackson 
Avenue, a house his father built, and was here 
married to Miss EUen Mahoney, a native of 
Brooklyn. They have one child, Robert J. Mr. 
Armstrong is a member of Long Island City 
Lodge F. & A. M., and is a Royal Arch Mason. 
In national politics he is Democratic. 



JOHN ANDREWS, a contractor, painter and 
decorator, is one of the most popular busi- 
ness men of Long Island City, and his repu- 
tation has extended far and wide. He was born 
in New York City, October 28, 1859, ^^^ comes 
of an old and prominent family. In that city 
he received a thorough education, standing at 
the head of his class, and the third year he took 
the O. Gorman medal. When fifteen years old 
he was obliged to leave school and was appren- 
ticed to learn painting under Mr. Wilson, at No. 
67 West Twenty-first street, New York City, and 
was with him several years. During this time 
young Andrews was not resting contented with 
the education he had already received, but at- 
tended evening high school. He took the first 
prize in the bookkeeping class and received a di- 
ploma. 

In 1879 Mr. Andrews went South to Jackson- 
ville, Fla., where he continued for a time en- 
gaged in business with Jones & Verril, painters 
and decorators. He then returned to Long 
Island City, where he advised and assisted his 



father in conducting the present business, and 
has been here ever since. The business is con- 
ducted under the firm name of L. Andrews, but 
our subject is the sole proprietor. His father, 
L. Andrews, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1826, 
and comes of old Scotch stock. His ancestors 
rebelled against the British crown and his great- 
great-grandfather, James Andrews, was promi- 
nent in defending the uprising in Ireland for lib- 
erty and republicanism. The grandfather, Will- 
iam Andrews, was a prominent man in Ireland 
and a civil engineer in Dublin. 

When thirteen and a half years old the father 
learned the painter's trade in DubHn, Ireland, 
under his brother-in-law, and in 1848, for political 
reasons, came to America, where he followed his 
trade, becoming foreman of a shop, and holding 
that position until 1875. He then started his 
present business in Long Island City and has 
been a resident and a prominent citizen of that 
place ever since. He has been interested in edu- 
cational and religious matters all his life, and also 
takes a deep interest in the temperance move- 
ment. He is a trustee in St. Mary's Catholic 
Church. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth 
O'Donnell, was born in Ireland and is a niece of 
the late Very Rev. John McKeon, D. D., V. G., a 
linguist of remarkable ability, at one time Pro- 
fessor of Philosophy in the College of Salamanca, 
Spain, later Dean of the Diocese of Ardagh and 
Papal Legate for Ireland ; also of Miles and Peter 
McKeon, who were respectively a Major and 
Captain in the British army prior to the War of 
1812, but then resigned their commissions and, 
coming to America, fought nobly in defense of 
their adopted country. Mrs. Andrews died Oc- 
tober 31, 1889. Our subject, who was the only 
child of her marriage, has many relics of the fam- 
ily, which he prizes highly. 

Since 1876 Mr. Andrews has resided in Long 
Island City, where he owns considerable real es- 
tate. Flere he married Miss Mary Moran, daugh- 
ter of Daniel Moran, who was employed by the 
Hartford & New Hampshire Railroad for over 
forty-four years. Mrs. Andrews was born, 
reared and educated in this city. Their only child 
is a daughter named Mary. In politics our sub- 
ject is an adherent of Republican principles, and 
has been delegate to county conventions, served 
as commissioner and is clerk of the Board of 
Plumbers. For three years he was president of 
the Athletic Club of Long Island City, of which 
he is still a member and in which he has held va- 



I20 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rious offices for fifteen years. He is a charter 
member of the Lincoln Club of Long Island City, 
of the Order of American Firemen and several 
other societies. He has also been instrumental 
in securing free lectures for the people and a free 
library, and is now agitating the introduction of 
a free recreation ground for athletic exercises in 
Long Island City. He is a successful and pop- 
ular business man, and has had men in his em- 
ploy since 1875. 



CHARLES A. WILLEY. Youth is the 
great stimulator, the feeder, the tonic of 
the mighty system and network of com- 
mercial and financial enterprise; whilst age fur- 
nishes the trunk of the tree, youth is the verdure 
that causes the leaves to burst forth and instill 
the industrial paths with new vim and energy. 
This is especially felt in the manufacturing world, 
where one of the youngest and most active work- 
ers is C. A. Willey, color grinder and manufac- 
turer of specialties in carriage and car paints, 
colors, etc., at No. gi West Avenue, Hunter's 
Point, Long Island City. Mr. Willey under- 
stands every feature of his business and this is 
no doubt the secret of his success. A native of 
Vermont, born at Cabot, Washington County, in 
1859, full of the keen, pulsing spirit of the East, 
Mr. Willey has been identified with his business 
for many years and has distinguished himself as 
a master of his calling. 

The father of our subject, Curtis A. Willey, was 
born in the province of Quebec, Canada, but the 
grandfather, Jerrod Willey, was a native of Ver- 
mont and came of a prominent old family of that 
state. The latter married a Miss Lindsey, of Ver- 
mont, whose brothers, three in number, were in 
the Revolutionary War and fought at Bunker 
Hill. The Willey family is of English-Welsh 
origin, and the first member to leave that country 
for this, took passage at Leeds, England, and 
settled at Ryegate, Vt. Grandfather Willey, who 
located in Quebec, Canada, at an early date, was 
engaged in the millwright business for some time 
and established mills in every direction. Curtis A. 
learned the trade of his father and soon after his 
marriage to Miss Caroline Williamson, a native 
of Canada and daughter of Eben Williamson, who 
was a farmer of Quebec, he returned to Vermont, 
where he actively engaged in milling. This he 
followed for many years, but now, at the age of 
sixty-five, is retired from the active duties of life. 



Both he and his wife are worthy members of the 
Congregational Church. 

Our subject, the third in order of birth of six 
children, three of whom are now living, spent his 
boyhood days in Vermont, where he received a 
good practical education. When fourteen years 
old he was apprenticed as a coach painter in his 
native village and was thus occupied for four 
years, or until 1877, when he went to Merfimac, 
Mass., and was master coach painter there for 
three years. In 1880 he came to New York City 
and traveled one year as salesman for John W. 
Masury & Son, color grinders of Brooklyn. From 
there he went to Boston, Mass., where he was 
painter for a firm for about three years and then 
became traveling salesman for another firm, 
going West as far as the Missouri River. 

Two years later Mr. Willey came to New York 
City as master coach painter for R. M. Stivers of 
that cit)', and remained with him for about three 
years. In November, 1890, he started in business 
for himself and located in Long Island City. 
Later he put in the machinery for color grinding 
and has made a decided success of his enterprise. 
He has secured the trade from the best sources 
and is an expert in his particular line. His ma- 
chinery is run by steam and he has an engine of 
twenty-five horse-power and a boiler of fifty horse- 
power. Mr. Willey manufactures and makes a 
specialty of the finest goods, hundreds of differ- 
ent kinds, and operates eight grinding machines. 

In Fitchburg, Mass., Mr. Willey was married 
to Miss Julia A. Perkins, a native of Royalston, 
that state. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason, 
a member of Merrimac Blue Lodge and of Bos- 
ton Commandery, and politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 



FREDERICK C. TROWBRIDGE, a real 
estate dealer of Astoria, Long Island City, 
has been established in this business for a 
number of years and is recognized as one of her 
best posted and most enterprising business men. 
He is a native of this place and was born Novem- 
ber 14, 1859, to Henry and Anna E. (Blackwell) 
Trowbridge, the former a native of New York 
City and the latter of Astoria. 

The grandfather, Henry Trowbridge, was also 
a native of the metropolis and was a woolen mer- 
chant in that city for many years. Later he re- 
moved to Astoria and here passed the remainder 
of his days. His son Henry, father of our sub- 




HON. MORRIS FOSDICK. 




LEWIS L. FOSDICK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



12'- 



ject, succeeded him in the woolen merchandising 
■business and continued this until about 1885, when 
he retired from that and turned his attention 
to the real estate business, which he has con- 
ducted very successfully since. He now has 
charge of the Chesebrough estate and is a promi- 
nent and progressive citizen. He married Miss 
Anna E. Blackwell, a native of Astoria, and the 
•daughter of Robert M. Blackwell, who was also 
torn in Astoria. The great-great-grandfather and 
the great-great-great-grandfather were large 
property owners, and the latter owned a large 
place, "Ravenswood," and was the original owner 
of Blackwell's Island. This is one of the oldest 
and most prominent families of Long Island. 
(See sketch of the Blackwell family.) To the par- 
ents of our subject were born six children, four of 
whom survive at the present time: Robert, B., of 
Astoria; Frederick C, our subject; Ahce B., at 
home, and Adell, now Mrs. Harris, of Astoria. 

Frederick C. Trowbridge was reared and edu- 
cated in Astoria, and graduated from Columbia 
■Grammar School in 1876. After that he was with 
the Celluloid Brush Company, in New York, for 
ten years, from 1877 to 1887, being head clerk 
from the start. In the month of January, 1890, 
he became a partner in the firm, of Trowbridge & 
Stevens, real estate dealers and insurance agents. 
Mr. Trowbridge served as one of three commis- 
sioners to appraise property on Vernon Avenue 
and Boulevard and is prominently identified with 
every movement of importance in the city. In 
politics he is a stanch advocate of Republican 
principles, and in religion he is a Primitive Meth- 
odist. Mr. Trowbridge is a charter member of 
Astoria Athletic Club and has been a member of 
the governing committee several times. 



HON. MORRIS FOSDICK. On the 26th 
of June, 1892, there died at his home in 
Jamaica a man whose career was marked 
by enterprise, honesty and industry — one of whom 
it could be said with the greatest fitness that 
"He bore without abuse 
The grand old name of gentleman.'' 
He was a man of great strength of character 
and wielded an influence in public affairs that is 
still felt throughout the community. The son of 
poor parents, and starting in life without the pres- 
tige of fortune or influential friends, he yet 
achieved a success that was noteworthy and 
gained a name that was the synonym of personal 
and judicial integrity. 



Born in Springfield, town of Jamaica, Queens 
County, November 7, 1814, our subject was a son 
of Morris Fosdick, Sr., who at the time of his 
birth was a teacher in the Springfield school. The 
family was first represented in America by Steph- 
en Fosdick, who settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 
1635, coming, it is believed, from Lincolnshire, 
England. One of his descendants was Samuel 
Fosdick, who was born in New London in 1710, 
and about 1730 removed to Oyster Bay, where 
he made his permanent home. He was a soldier 
of the Revolution. 

Morris, son of Samuel, and father of our sub- 
ject, was born November 21, 1770. At the early 
age of eighteen he commenced to teach school, 
being thus engaged first on the Hudson River, 
then in Oyster Bay until 1792, later in Far Rock- 
away for sixteen years, and from there in 1808 
went to Springfield, where he engaged in teaching 
for twenty-five years, being thus occupied until 
his death in 1833. He was also a land surveyor. 
While living at Far Rockaway he married Jane 
Doughty, a Quakeress, descended from Rev. 
Francis Doughty, an early settler on Long Island. 
Of their children John D. lived in New York City 
and Charies in Jamaica; Seaman was a resident 
of Springfield and held local offices, includ- 
ing those of justice of the peace and town trus- 
tee; his son Stephen was in the Union Army m 
the' Civil War and died from wounds received in 
the service; Solomon made his home in New 
York City. Alexander, a son of the last-named, 
was a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth 
New York Regiment (Zouaves), holding the rank 
of Sergeant; he was wounded in an attack on 
Port Hudson and, with other wounded soldiers, 
was sent to New Orleans, and thence to New 
York. He arrived in Brooklyn July 31, 1863, and 
died a few hours aftenvard. 

Judge Fosdick was the youngest of his father's 
large family, and at the time of the latter's death 
he was a youth of nineteen. He succeeded his 
father as teacher of the Springfield school, and for 
seventeen years continued to teach in that school, 
making forty-two years that it was under the 
charge of his' father and himself. During this time 
he also followed his profession of land surveyor 
and conveyancer. He resigned his school upon 
his election to the office of county judge in 1849 
Previous to this he had held many local offices 
In 1838 he was appointed commissioner of deeds^ 
three years later was elected justice of the peace 
to which office he was re-elected in 1845 and 1849 



126 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He was appointed judge of the court of common 
■pleas in 1846 by Governor Wright, and three 
years later became county judge and surrogate. 
So satisfactory were his services that he was re- 
elected in 1853 and again in 1857, and when the 
offices of judge and surrogate were separated he 
was elected to tlie latter ofHce, which he held 
until 1866. In 1856 he became a member of the 
Board of Education, and in 1863 was made a trus- 
tee of Union Hall Academy. He was one of the 
founders of the Jamaica Savings Bank, of which 
he was treasurer from the time of its organization 
until his decease. 

Under all circumstances Judge Eosdick was 
recognized as one of those public-spirited citizens 
who could be relied upon to aid in every worthy 
enterprise, and although he was quiet and unos- 
tentatious in dispensing charity, he did so in that 
practical way that experience taught him accom- 
plished the best results. His knowledge of men 
was of a broad character, and he was always Hb- 
eral and charitable in his views. The confidence 
reposed in him by the people — a confidence that 
showed itself in the fact that thousands of dollars 
were placed in his care — ^was never betrayed, and 
throughout his long life he retained the esteem of 
all with whom he had business or social relations. 
His legal knowledge, accompanied by broad ex- 
perience, was large and comprehensive, and his 
rulings on the bench were invariably just and ac- 
cording to the law. 

In 1836 Judge Eosdick married Miss Catherine 
J. Baylis, daughter of John and Mary Baylis, and 
a lineal descendant of Elias Baylis, who was chair- 
man of the Jamaica committee acting in conjunc- 
tion with the Continental Congress during the 
Revolutionary War. Mrs. Eosdick, who was 
born November 4, 1817, still resides at the old 
homestead, which was the residence of herself and 
husband for forty-two years and which is said to 
be the oldest house now standing in Jamaica. 
Their children are: Lewis L., Eannie C, Caroline 
B. and John B. The older daughter, born in 
1843, became the wife of George L. Peck of Ja- 
maica, and died in 1875. CaroHne B. married 
Frank W. Gale, son of the late Hon. M. D. Gale 
of New York, and they make their home in Ja- 
maica. 

Lewis L., the judge's oldest child, was born July 
21, 1837. He prepared for college at Union Hall 
Academy, and graduated from the University of 
New York City in 1858. His legal readings were 
carried on in the office of Judge Armstrong, and 



after his admission to the bar he became a member 
of the law firm of Armstrong & Eosdick. Since 
the death of Judge Armstrong, in 1886, Mr. Eos- 
dick has practiced alone. Erom 1871 to 1873 he 
was a member of the board of village trustees. 
He was secretary of the Jamaica Savings Bank 
from 1874 until 1892, then succeeded his father as 
treasurer, but resigned in October of that year, 
to give his attention to his legal practice. 
In politics he is a Democrat. In 1861 he married 
Julia Emma Bennett, who died in 1873, leaving 
twO' children: Morris M., born November 25, 
1862, now a searcher of records and conveyancer, 
having his office with his father; and Ella L., wife 
of William H. Mills. In 1878 Mr. Eosdick mar- 
ried M. Eloise Terry, of Sag Harbor. They are 
members of the Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 
of which he has been an officer since 1864. 

The younger son, John B., was born November 
II, 1855. He married Leonora G., daughter of 
Isaac B. Remsen, of Jamaica, and their children 
are: Carrie Estelle, John Sheldon, Lewis R., 
Leonora R. and M. Le Roy. He is a surveyor 
and conveyancer, is a Democrat, and has held the 
offices of trustee of the village and of the town. 
He is now a trustee of the Jamaica Savings Bank. 
Possessing a love for sports of all kinds, he is 
especially interested in yachting and owns a fine 
yacht, in which he takes much pleasure. He owns 
a cottage on the bay, and there he and his wife 
entertain their hosts of personal friends. 



JOHN EOLEY is one of the most worthy 
Irish-American citizens of Long Island 
City, having been engaged in business here 
since 1878. He is a gentleman of more than 
usual financial ability, and during the years in 
which he has been engaged as a grocer here has 
built up a wide reputation for superior goods and 
excellent business methods. He has a good loca- 
tion in Hunter's Point, by whose residents he is 
held in the highest esteem. 

Mr. Eoley was born in County Clare, Ireland, 
in 1 85 1. His father, John Eoley, Sr., was also a 
native of that portion of the Emerald Isle, there 
spending his entire life. He married Bridget Kiers, 
who still makes her home in County Clare, and 
who became the mother of three children, of 
whom two are residing in America. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the sec- 
ond born, remained in his native land until at- 
taining his majority, in the meantime acquiring 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



127 



a good education in the public schools of his na- 
tive town. In 1872 he determined to come to 
America, and, bidding relatives and friends good- 
bye, set sail in the old steamer "City of New 
York," and in due time was landed on the shores 
of the New World. 

At first Mr. Foley made his home in Brooklyn, 
where he obtained employment, but a short time 
thereafter we find him conducting a grocery of 
his own in Williamsburg. In 1878 he sold out 
his stock of goods, and, coming to Hunter's 
Point, embarked in the same Hne of business here, 
putting in a new supply of staple and fancy gro- 
ceries. He has been remarkably successful and 
owns considerable property in the city, including 
two residences on Fourth Street. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Cath- 
erine O'Laughlin occurred in Long Island City 
in 1874. Mrs. Foley was also born in County 
Clare, Ireland, and has become the mother of a 
son, John. Both our subject and his wife be- 
long- to St. Mary's Cathohc Church. In 1893 
Mr. Foley returned to his old home in Ireland, 
spending two months in visiting relatives and 
friends, whom he found to be greatly delighted at 
the success which has been his since coming to 
America. In politics he always casts a ballot in 
favor of Democratic candidates. 



WILLIAM POST AMBERMAN. Of 
the various enterprises that have made 
Queens County one of the commercial 
centers of the state, the oyster business has always 
held an important place, employing large cap- 
ital in its management, and giving to cognate in- 
dustries a decided impetus by the energy and 
ability displayed in its development. In every 
department the enterprise characteristic of its 
leading exponents has been abundantly shown 
and their success amply demonstrates their judg- 
ment, vigor and prudence. Among those who 
have gained prosperity in this occupation, men- 
tion belongs to William P. Amberman, of Spring- 
field, who is regarded as one of the prosperous 
oyster planters and prominent men of the county. 
A native of the place where he still resides, 
the subject of this notice was born July 21, 1857, 
being a son of Cornelius and Mary Ann (Valen- 
tine) Amberman, of whom further mention is 
made in the biographical sketch of his brother, 
Charles B., presented on another page. His boy- 
hood years were uneventfully passed in the ac- 



quirement of a practical education that would 
fit him for the successful conduct of business af- 
fairs. For a time he was a pupil in the Spring- 
field schools, and later was a student at Jamaica. 
At the age of about twenty years he started out 
for himself as an oyster planter, choosing the 
calling to which he has since adhered and in which 
he has met with success. 

The marriage of WilHam P. Amberman and 
Miss Hannah S., daughter of John G. H. Bedell 
of Springfield, occurred November 12, 1884, and 
four children bless their union, namely: John B., 
Hattie R., George H. and Mary Alice. Since 
1894 Mr. Amberman has been a member of the 
School Board in the capacity of collector, was 
one of the prime movers in the erection of the 
new school building, one of the most substantial 
structures of the kind in the county, and which 
was erected at a cost of $15,000. Not alone in 
educational affairs, but in all matters pertaining 
to the welfare of the people, he takes an active 
interest, supporting local enterprises by his con- 
tributions and sympathetic co-operation. His 
opinions in political matters are as decided as in 
other things; he has always voted the Republican 
ticket and adhered with loyalty to the principles 
of that party. Socially he is connected with the 
Royal Arcanum and is the present secretary of 
the Good Templar's Lodge. He is one of the 
leading members of the Methodist Church, to 
which he belongs, and in which he has held the 
office of recording steward. The various societies 
connected with the church receive his cordial sup- 
port, especiaUy the Sunday-school, in which he 
is serving as superintendent, and the Epworth 
League, of which he is president. He has an 
intelligent conception of the duties of citizenship 
and has held various local offices with credit, in- 
cluding the position of inspector of elections, m 
which capacity he has served for years. 



O 



TTO ANDERSON, proprietor of the 
largest fish market in Long Island City, 
has met with success in almost all of his 
ventures since starting in Hfe for himself. He 
is a native of Norway, and was born in Stavan- 
ger, January 7, 1863. His father, Andreas An- 
derson, was likewise a native of that place, and 
was a 'carpenter and builder in Stavanger until 
his death, which occurred in 1894. Mrs. Marian 
(Jacobson) Anderson, the mother of our subject, 
is still living and makes her home in Long Is- 



128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



land City. Her father was a shipbuilder and 
architect. The parental family included three 
sons and two daughters, all of them residents of 
this city. 

Otto Anderson, who was the eldest member 
of the family, attended the public schools in Nor- 
way until a lad of thirteen years, when he was 
apprenticed to a brick mason in Stavanger in 
order that he might learn the trade. He worked 
thus for four years, and in 1880 decided to come 
to America. After landing in New York City he 
worked at his trade, but only remained there a 
short time, when he changed his place of resi- 
dence to Hunter's Point. Four years after com- 
ing to the United States young Anderson made 
his way across the western continent to San 
Francisco, Cal, and for one year worked at his 
trade. On his return to New York he stopped 
for a time in Baltimore, Md., and for one season 
ran an oyster boat. Later he again went to the 
metropolis and was made foreman in the docks 
of the Anchor Steamship Line, holding this po- 
sition for one year. His health being greatly 
impaired at this time, he was obliged to resign 
his position and for twelve months was not en- 
gaged in active work of any kind. 

In 1888 Mr. Anderson made permanent loca- 
tion in Long Island City, establishing the fish 
and oyster market of which he is now the pro- 
prietor at No. 109 Fulton Avenue. He has for 
sale in their season every variety of fish and 
oyster, and it is but his just due to say that he 
transacts a larger business than all the other mar- 
kets of this kind put together. The first venture 
of Mr. Anderson in this line was in catching lob- 
sters at Hell Gate. These he tried to dispose of 
to the markets in Long Island City, but as he 
was not able to do this he opened an establish- 
ment of his own and has been remarkably suc- 
cessful in its management ever since. As soon 
as his business was large enough so that it re- 
quired all his time and attention he abandoned 
fishing and devoted his energies to his market. 
His trade is such that it requires three wagons 
to deliver goods. 

The marriage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Sarah 
Gun was solemnized in New York City in 1889. 
This estimable and well-educated lady is of Irish 
descent. She has become the mother of three 
children, Alfred, Otto, Jr., and Edward. Mr. 
Anderson is one of the most enthusiastic and 
influential Republicans in Long Island City, and 
is the present candidate on that ticket for the po- 



sition of overseer of the poor. He belongs to 
the Union League, a Republican club of Astoria, 
and is active as a member of the General Repub- 
lican Committee, serving on the executive com- 
mittee in the latter. He is a man whose entire 
course in life has been in every respect honora- 
ble and upright and he is justly entitled to the 
respect of his associates and the esteem of all 
who know him. 



WILLIAM AHRENS, of Blissville, is 
chief engineer of the Eastern Distill- 
ing Company. He was born near 
Reading, Pa., January 28, 1832, the son of Jacob 
Ahrens, also a native of that place, while the 
grandfather, Henry Ahrens, was born in Bremen, 
Germany. The latter on emigrating to America 
made his home in the Keystone State, where he 
passed the remaining years of his life. In re- 
ligious matters he was a member of the Lutheran 
Church. 

The father of our subject was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and in addition to cultivating the soil, 
was engaged for some time as a carpenter and 
builder near Reading. At the time of his death 
he was seventy-nine years and eight months old. 
He married Miss Barbara, daughter of Abram 
Koenig, a farmer. The latter, with his wife, was 
one of the old settlers of Pennsylvania and was 
of the Omish faith. Mrs. Ahrens Hved to be 
seventy-eight years of age. 

The parental family included nine children, of 
whom William, of this history, was the fifth in 
order of birth. When he could be spared from 
farm work he attended the schools of his district 
and in this manner gained a fair education. In 
1857 he left home, and, going to Alleghany Coun- 
ty, Va., found employment on a railroad. In 
1 861, however, at the outbreak of the Civil War, 
he was obliged to leave, and, going to Indiana, 
he took up millwrighting at Vincennes. His stay 
in that city was of short duration, as he contracted 
ague. Later he visited Cincinnati and was given 
a position in the machine and millwrighting es- 
tablishment of I. & E. Greenwalt. remaining in 
their employ for a period of twelve years. His 
duties were to erect machines for the customers, 
and in this way he traveled through the states 
of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, 
Mississippi, Virginia and Ohio. 

In 1870 Mr. Ahrens became connected with the 
Eastern Distilling Company, erecting their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



129 



works in Cincinnati. One year later he was 
transferred to their Long Island City branch, but 
only remained here at that time about a year, 
when he returned to the Queen City. In 1873, 
however, he again came East, and has been lo- 
cated in this city most of the time since. Up to 
1884 he had charge of the machine and building 
department, but since that time has been chief 
engineer. Since he entered the employ of this 
company all their old buildings have given place 
to larger ones, the only familiar object left to 
Mr. Ahrens being the old brick chimney. The 
works have eighteen engines in all, the largest 
being one hundred and forty horse-power. 

The lady to whom our subject was married 
near Reading, Pa., in 1854, was Miss Kate, daugh- 
ter of John Pottieger, who at one time was sher- 
iff of Berks County. Their union resulted in the 
birth of nine children, seven of whom are living 
at the present time. James, a millwright and 
carpenter, is in the employ of the Eastern Dis- 
tilling Company; George is a mechanical engi- 
neer in the Queens County Oil Works; Sarah 
is now Mrs. Kester of Blissville; Monroe is a 
wheelwright, also in the employ of the Eastern 
Distilling Company; Barbara is a stenographer 
in New York, and Jacob is a machinist doing 
business in Greenpoint; William died in 1892, 
when twenty-eight years of age; Eliza is de- 
ceased, as is also an infant unnamed. The fam- 
ily are members of the Lutheran Church. In poli- 
tics our subject is an ardent Republican and on 
this account was driven out of the South during 
the late war. 



PROF. W. J. BALLARD, principal of the 
Jamaica schools, was born in the County of 
Kent, England, February 26, 1846. The 
family of which he is a member has resided in 
England as far back as the genealogy can be 
traced. His father, John, who was a shoemaker 
by trade, came to America in 1852 and settled 
near Cooperstown, Otsego County, N. Y., mak- 
ing his home on a farm until his death in 1881. 
Some years prior tO' leaving England he married 
Miss Mary Ottaway, a native of Kent County, 
and an estimable woman, to whose affectionate 
ministrations he owed much of his comfort and 
happiness. She is still living (1896), and though 
eighty years of age, is as bright and active, both 
mentally and physically, as many women twenty 
or thirty years her junior. She makes her home 
with a daughter in Otsego County, N. Y. 



Eight children were born to John and Mary 
Ballard, of whom seven are living, all in com- 
fortable circumstances in life. The subject of 
this sketch was reared to manhood on a farm, 
where, by outdoor work, he gained a robust 
physique, and at the same time, by attendance at 
the public schools, laid the foundation of the 
broad knowledge he afterward acquired. For a 
short time his studies were conducted in a pri- 
vate school, but his advantages were few, com- 
pared with those now extended to boys and girls. 
However, diligent application brought favorable 
results, and at the age of seventeen he began to 
teach school, and while instructing others, his 
own mind was broadened and his intellect rip- 
ened. Teaching in the winter and working on 
a farm in the summer, the years passed by, hap- 
pily, busily and usefully. 

In 1868, feeling the need of higher educational 
advantages and having saved from his earnings 
a sufficient amount to render such an undertak- 
ing possible. Professor Ballard entered the State 
Normal School at Albany. There he continued 
for two years, though his funds running short, 
he was obliged to incur an inc]ebtedness of $600. 
After graduating in 1870, he went to New Ham- 
burg, Dutchess County, where for four years he 
filled the position of principal of the schools, 
demonstrating in that responsible position the 
fact that he was fitted for the calling he had 
chosen. While at that place he was largely in- 
sti-umental in securing the erection of a school- 
house, which cost $7,000. From that place he 
came to Jamaica, where for five years he served 
as principal. Through his efforts the school was 
reorganized and its usefulness largely enhanced, 
but some contention arose in the board of educa- 
tion regarding his salary and the expediency of 
continuing him in the position, it being the opin- 
ion of some that a less expensive man could con- 
duct the schools to their satisfaction ; and it was 
so decided. 

For a year Professor Ballard devoted his time 
to travel, visiting England, Ireland, Scotland, 
Wales, the Isle of Wight, France and Switzer- 
land. Flis travels were made largely on foot, 
which gave him a better chance to see the coun- 
try and acquaint himself with the customs of the 
people. After his return to America he again 
taught two years in New Hamburg and in other 
places. In 1880, to his surprise, and without 
solicitation on his part, the Jamaica board of edu- 
cation tendered him the position they had asked 



I30 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



him to vacate three years before. He accepted 
the call and has since remained at the head of 
the schools, having held the position for twenty 
years altogether. 

During his incumbency of this place Professor 
Ballard has brought the schools to a high degree 
of efficiency and has been instrumental in secur- 
ing the erection of several new school-houses, 
including the high school building now being 
erected, and which, when completed, will be one 
of the finest in the state. As an educator and in- 
structor he is patient, thorough, interested in the 
advancement of his pupils, and devoted to their 
welfare. A man of broad and liberal views, he 
has been a promoter of public enterprises, ever 
ready to do his full share in matters pertaining 
to the welfare of the people. 

Socially Professor Ballard is prominent among 
the Masons and Odd Fellows, to which orders 
he belongs. He is also connected with the 
School Masters- Club of New York City. In 1891 
he married Miss Julia Deming Wickes, daugh- 
ter of William E. Wickes of New Hamburg, N. 
Y., and one of his pupils while he was principal of 
the schools at that place. They are the parents of 
one child, Wilfred. 



LOUIS BRESLOFF has become widely 
known as a maker of choice cigars, his 
place of business being located at No. 13 
Borden Avenue, Hunter's Point, Long Island 
City. He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, 
December 24, 1843, to Elias and Mary (Savolof) 
BreslofT, also natives of the land of the Czar, the 
former being a quartermaster in the Russian ar- 
my. He came of a prominent old family, well 
known even in the time of Peter the Great, and 
as far back as known they have been members of 
the Greek Catholic Church. Tlie mother is still 
living in the la:nd of her birth. The home of 
Louis Bresloff continued to be in St. Petersburg 
until he was nine years of age, when he was sent 
to Hamburg, Germany, and there apprenticed to 
a cigarmaker until he had reached the age of thir- 
teen. America had for some time been the goal 
of his ambition and thither he came in 1856, and 
for one year thereafter lived in Boston. He then 
came to New York City, where he worked at his 
trade until the opening of the Civil War, when he 
volunteered in Major CHne's regiment of militia 
for three months. In August of that year he vol- 
unteered in a company made up mostly of Rus- 



sians, called the First United States Lancers, and 
was stationed at Staten Island, but at the end of 
three months he volunteered in the Fourth New 
York Cavalry, Company I, with which he served 
the country of his adoption for three years. He 
was a participant in all the battles of the Army 
of the Potomac up to September, 1863, and while 
his command was located at a ford on the Rapidan 
and he was serving on picket duty, he received 
a severe cut on the back of the head by a sabre, 
was knocked senseless and taken prisoner. He 
was sent to Libby Prison and there endured all 
the horrors of Southern prison life for six weeks, 
although his wound was dressed by the prison 
surgeon. He was finally sent to Annapolis, Md., 
on parole, and there remained until his wound was 
well and he was exchanged. He rejoined his 
regiment in Virginia and took part in the en- 
gagement at Winchester, when the Union forces 
were rallied by the resolution and courage of 
General Sheridan. Mr. Breslofif was mustered 
out of the service November 25, 1864, but on 
the 2d of January, 1865, his patriotic spirit led 
him to again enlist in the Union service, and he 
became a member of Company I, Sixth New 
York Cavalry, and was with the Army of the 
Potomac in its numerous raids, his commander 
being General Sheridan. He was in front of 
Petersburg and was at Appomattox Court House 
when Lee surrendered. Soon after the war closed 
he was sent to Louisville, Ky., as a mejnber of the 
Second New York Provisioned Cavalry, to quell 
the election riots there, remaining some two 
weeks, after which he returned home and for 
eighteen months worked at his trade. 

Our subject first engaged in the manufacture 
of cigars at No. 180 Essex Street, New York City, 
later at No. 194 Avenue A, in 1888 at No. 151 
Avenue A and in January, 1892, he took up his 
residence in Long Island City, at No. 13 Borden 
Avenue, where he still holds forth. He has been 
a very successful cigar manufacturer and his best 
brands are the "Park View," the "Clear Valleys" 
and the "Cupido." In connection with this es- 
tablishment he has a confectionery and ice cream 
parlor, which is patronized by the best people of 
the city. He is a very prominent Mason and is a 
member of the Veteran Association of the Fourth 
New York Cavalry. 

Mr. Bresloff was married in New York City to 
Miss Margaretta Dall, a native of Bavaria, Ger- 
many, and daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Dall, 
who came with their family to the United States 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



131 



when Mrs. Bresloff was but two years old. Here 
the father died six months later and his widow 
reared her^ family in New York. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bresloff have eight children: John Louis, who 
is in the cigar business with his father; Mary, 
Mrs. Goepfert of Lebanon, Ohio; Philip, who is a 
confectioner of New York City; Charles, who is 
successfully engaged in the insurance business; 
August H., who is a druggist of Astoria; Carrie, 
Georgie and Josie. 



GEORGE J. TURNER, a member of the 
firm of Turner Brothers, is a gentleman 
whose sound judgment and progressive 
methods have contributed much towards the suc- 
cess of the firm. Although for many years he 
has been a worthy resident of the United States, 
he was born in London, England, December 6, 
1855. On the 9th of July, 1869, he came to this 
country and has here made his home up to the 
present time, being now a most loyal citizen of 
the states. While in London young Turner at- 
tended the private schools, but after coming here 
he turned his attention to making a living. He 
was first employed as clerk by his cousin, Mr. 
Dalmore, who owned a large grocery in Long 
Island City, but a short time afterwards he en- 
tered the employ of others and for a year was 
in the sash and blind factory here. In 1872 he 
began working for George Petry in the manufac- 
ture of assorted tin work, and was with that gen- 
tleman for about a year. 

Later Mr. Turner began clerking in a grocery 
for Joseph New, remaining with him about three 
years, and then returned to the employ of George 
Petry, who was then in the hardware business, 
and who was also engaged in the manufacture of 
varnish cans. For eighteen months Mr. Turner 
was in the manufacturing department, and after 
that was on the Long Island Railroad for about 
three years as a tinsmith. Returning to the em- 
ploy of Mr. Petry, he continued with him for 
some time and then was with William Brodie for 
five years. In November, 1891, he and his broth- 
er, Richard T., formed the partnership of Turner 
Brothers, which has continued up to the present 
time. He and his brother are both geniuses in 
their calling; they are upright and conscientious 
in business matters and merit the success to which 
they have attained. 

On the 29th of March, 1888, Mr. Turner was 
married in Hoboken, N. J., to Miss Clara Godden, 



a native of that place, and daughter of Henry 
Godden. Three children have blessed this un- 
ion, Clara G., Grace H. and Beatrice. In spite 
of his many business enterprises Mr. Turner has 
not lost sight of his duties as a citizen and has 
held numerous offices in the city. He is secretary 
of the Fifth District Republican Association in 
the first ward, has been a delegate to city conven- 
tions, and in pohtics adheres firmly to the princi- 
ples of the Republican party. He is a member of 
Long Island City Council No. 17, Order of 
American Firemen, of which he is a charter mem- 
ber. For one year he was also foreman of the 
Franklin Engine Company and assistant foreman 
for the same length of time. Mr. Turner is a 
Mason, a member of Island City Lodge, in which 
he is past junior deacon. Since 1881 he has been 
a charter member of Charles W. Havemeyer 
Lodge No. 321, A. O. U. W., at Brooklyn, and 
was its master one year, financier for four years 
and is noAv recorder, serving his third term. For 
five years in succession he was a delegate to the 
Grand Lodge of the above-mentioned order. He 
is one of the city's most reliable citizens and rep- 
resentative business men. 



ISAAC B. STRANG is one of the oldest living 
residents and native-born citizens of Astoria, 
and it is a pleasure to chronicle here the 
events that mark his life as one of usefulness. 
Material wealth should not exclude the riches of 
character in recounting the life work of any man, 
and he who has by his intelligence and eminence 
in the higher walks of life, assisted in raising the 
standard of morality and thought in the com- 
munity in which he lives, is a benefactor to man- 
kind. No one has probably done more in this 
line than Isaac B. Strang, whose long residence 
in Queens County lias been marked by a love of 
his fellow-man and a desire to be in every way 
a model citizen. He was born in Astoria, L. I., 
in the house now owned by P. Bartlett, January 
17, 1820, to Garrett S. and Susan (Bragaw) 
Strang, natives of Astoria also. The paternal 
grandfather, Solomon Strang, was a native 
American, of French extraction, his parents hav- 
ing come to this country from France a number 
of years prior to his birth. He became a loyal 
American citizen, and when the great struggle 
with the mother country came up in 1775 he 
joined the American forces and fought bravely 
for the freedom of his native land. In after years 



IT,2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he became an honest tiller of the soil, and by the 
sweat of his brow accumulated a competency. 
He became the owner of the old Brill farm, which 
he later sold and afterwards purchased a farm m 
Astoria, where he closed his eyes in death. This 
farm was subsequently purchased by his son. 

Garrett S. Strang followed in the footsteps of 
his worthy father and became a tiller of the soil, 
his farm lying in what is now the heart of As- 
toria. This land he sold in 1835 for $6,000, after 
which he bought land four miles from Newtown 
and there made his home until his death, at the 
age of seventy-eight years. For many years he 
had been a Jacksonian Democrat. His wife was 
the daughter of Isaac Bragaw, who owned a 
farm of eighty acres between what is now Broad- 
way and Jamaica Avenue, Astoria. He was of 
HoUand-Dutch descent and passed from life on 
this farm. The earthly career of Mrs. Strang 
was closed in 1825, after she had become the 
mother of three sons, all of whom reached hon- 
orable manhood: Solomon, a blacksmith and car- 
riage manufacturer, died in Jamaica; Isaac B. is 
our subject, and Charles, who became a con- 
tractor and builder, died on the old home place. 
After the death of their mother the father married 
again, and to his second union four children were 
given, two daughters and one son of whom 
reached maturity, but all are now passed to that 
bourne whence no traveler returns. 

In the town where he first saw the light of day 
Isaac B. Strang was reared and educated, his 
schooling being acquired in the subscription 
schools in vogue at that time. Up to the age of 
fifteen years he was made familiar with farm labor 
on the old home place, and then was apprenticed 
to learn the carpenter's trade under a Mr. Daboll 
in Astoria. After some years thus spent, he be- 
gan work on his own account. He continued 
contracting and building until about 1861, when 
he turned his business over to his brother Charies 
and for some time devoted his attention to the 
manufacture of packing boxes for the Govern- 
ment. Subsequently he invested his savings^ in 
a farm in the vicinity of Jamaica, and after tilhng 
the land for eight years returned to Astoria, al- 
though he still owns the farm of eighty acres, 
which he rents. 

While Mr. Strang was engaged in contracting 
and building he put up many residences in Long 
Island City, among which were those of R. M. 
Blackwell, Mr. Freeman and General Hopkins. 
He also built his own residence, a beautiful and 



stately one, prior to coming here. In Brooklyn, 
November 26, 1846, he was first married to Miss 
Ann Bragaw, a daughter of John Bragaw, who 
was a farmer in the vicinity of Long Island City. 
She died December 3, 1885, leaving one child, 
Charles G., who was educated here and in the 
City of New York. He is farming near Chat- 
ham, N. J., is married and has a family of three 
children. 

Mr. Strang's second marriage occurred in 
Lockwood Street, Astoria, November 15, 1887, 
uniting him with Mrs. Mary J. (Rowland) New- 
ton, who Avas born in New York City, a daugh- 
ter of William Rowland, a native of Huntington, 
L. I. Her grandfather, John Rowland, was a 
native of Connecticut, and at Middle Island, L. 
I., was a carpenter, blacksmith and farmer. He 
was in the American navy during the War of 181 2. 
William Rowland was an attorney-at-law and 
died in Brooklyn at the age of seventy-two years, 
a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Politically he was an enthusiastic old- 
line Whig. His wife, Mary Worsham, was born 
in New York City, a daughter of John Worsham, 
who was born in England, and who became an 
engraver in New York City. He was prominent 
in Masonic circles. Mary (Worsham) Rowland 
died in Brooklyn at the age of sixty-seven years, 
having become the mother of eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, seven of whom reached 
maturity. Two sons and two daughters are still 
living, the former of whom-, Sidney L. and John, 
reside in Brooklyn. 

Mrs. Strang was educated in Patchogue, L. I., 
and at the early age of fifteen years began teach- 
ing school, following this occupation at Ball 
Hills, Corham and New York City, where she 
first taught three years and was then principal of 
a primary school four years. For eleven years 
thereafter she was principal of the primary de- 
partment of the Astoria schools, after which she 
lived in Brooklyn five years and then returned to 
Astoria; She was first married in New York in 
1850 to William Newton, a native of England, 
who came with his mother to New York when a 
boy and became a salesman in different stores. 
He died in Astoria February 16, 1884, leaving 
a widow and three children, one of the latter sur- 
viving, Anna A., wife of William A. Peel. She 
was educated here and in Brooklyn and is the 
mother of seven children. In 1880 Mrs. Strang 
was elected a member of the board of school trus- 
tees from the fourth ward on the Republican tick- 




REV. EDMUND D. COOPER, D. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



135 



et, and she has been re-elected every three years 
■ since that time, the last time being elected on the 
Democratic ticket. She has taken a prominent 
part in educational matters and was the first and 
■only woman ever elected to an office in Long 
Island City. She is remarkably well informed 
and has done much to raise the standard of the 
city schools. She has been secretary of the 
fourth ward board all this time and has also kept 
the minutes of the meeting. During her term of 
office there have been erected the new first ward, 
second ward, fourth ward and fifth ward school 
houses and the high school building, the latter of 
which she was very active in building up. 

Mr. Strang is a charter member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows of Astoria, also 
belongs to the Sons of Temperance and has long 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he has been trustee, steward and 
class-leader, besides superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school. He is a Republican politically. Mrs. 
Strang is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
of Astoria, has been treasurer of the Ladies' So- 
ciety for twenty-three years and also of the Mis- 
sionary Society. Mr. Strang is the oldest living 
settler of Astoria and can remember many inter- 
esting events connected with its early history. 
He has always been a useful citizen, and now in 
the autumn of his life is surrounded by a host 
of warm friends. if- 



R 



EV. EDMUND DRURY COOPER, D.D., 
the able and distinguished rector of the 
Church of the Redeemer as Astoria, and 
archdeacon of Queens County, is one of the most 
prominent pastors of Long Island City. Pie is 
well educated, possesses a fine and original mind, 
and is a fluent and eloquent speaker. As a pastor 
he keeps in close touch with his people, and has 
ever sought to develop the highest type of social 
life of the church. He was born near Hastings, 
England, about the year 1834, and is a son of 
Edmund and grandson of Edmund Cooper, Sr., 
who came of an old and prominent English fam- 
ily. Both the father and grandfather were iron 
mongers by trade. 

From his native place, near Hastings, England, 
our subject's father came to America about 1840, 
accompanied by his family, and settled in Albany, 
N. Y., where he carried on business until his death. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Drury, 
was born at Cranbrook, Kent, England, and 



passed away in that country. The only child of 
this union, except a babe that died soon after 
birth, was the subject of this article, who as a 
young lad came to America with his father. He 
was reared in Albany and began his education in 
the schools there. Early in life he evinced a 
strong desire to enter the ministry and took a 
preparatory course for college in a private insti- 
tution in Albany. In 1847 he went to a church 
school in Wisconsin and there prepared himself 
for the General Theological Seminary, New York, 
which he entered in the fall of 1851, graduating 
three years later. In July, 1854, he was ordained 
in Trinity Church, New York, by Rt. Rev. Dn 
Wainwright, Bishop of New York, Bishop Mun- 
tain, of Quebec, preaching the ordination sermon. 
Soon after his ordination Rev. Mr. Cooper be- 
came rector of St. John's Church, Essex, N. Y., 
and after two years there was induced to go to 
Cal'ifornia as rector of Trinity Church, Nevada 
City. He remained there and at Marysville for 
three years, after which he returned to the East. 
In 1859 he became rector of Trinity Church, 
Sharon Springs, N. Y., and three years later re- 
signed that pastorate to return to his first charge 
at Essex. In 1865 he resigned, having decided 
to spend a year abroad on account of throat trou- 
ble. The most of the year he spent in France and 
Italy, and after returning to this country was 
called to Astoria, in 1866, as the first rector of 
the Church of the Redeemer, which had just been 
organized by some of the prominent men of the 
city. They worshiped first in Mr. Umschlag's 
store, but soon afterward the present church was 
built, to which additions have been made as 
deemed necessary. This is a fine building, of 
dark granite, and is one of the best in the city. 
From a charter membership of about seventeen 
it has increased to about three hundred and fifty, 
with a Sunday-school of seven hundred scholars. 
The church has a fine organ and a chime of ten 
bells, the latter being a bequest from the late 
Cornelius Rapelye TrafTord, whose remains lie 
interred in the church yard. 

"His earth-day work is over, he takes his evening rest. 
Light lie the turf that covereth his true and kindly 

breast, 
His memory cannot perish; it must pass to future 

times, 
And who can tell what souls in heaven will bless the 

Traiford chimes." 

Dr. Cooper devotes his entire time to his 
church and congregation and is rich in the love 



136 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of his people. He has an excellent vested choir 
of thirty members under the directorship of 
Charles Serbert, of New York, the organist. For 
eighteen months this choir received instruction 
from that master of his profession, Professor 
Stubbs, of St. Agnes Chapel, New York City. For 
twenty-six years Dr. Cooper has been assistant 
secretary of the convention of the diocese, and at 
the convention of 1895 the folio-wing resolutions 
were passed: 

Whereas, The Rev. Edmund Drury Cooper, D. 
D., has served this convention as its assistant sec- 
retary for twenty-six successive years, or from the 
date of our diocesan organization, and has done 
so with conspicuous faithfulness and unvarying 
courtesy to all; therefore. 

Resolved, That this convention hereby grate- 
fully recognize Dr. Cooper's official and valuable 
services, and beg to assure him of its best wishes 
for his health and happiness during many years 
to come. 

Resolved, That the unanimous expression of the 
gratitude and affection of the convention towards 
Dr. Cooper be suitably engrossed and presented 
to him, duly signed by our president and secre- 
tary. 

On motion these resolutions were unanimously 
adopted by a rising vote. 

Dr. Cooper is chairman of the diocesan church 
building fund commission, trustee of the general 
church building fund of the Episcopal Church of 
the United States, trustee of the General Theo- 
logical Seminary, member of the ecclesiastical 
court of the diocese, and one of the managers 
of the Church Charity Foundation of Brooklyn. 
In 1882 he received the degree of D. D. from the 
University of the South, at Sewanee, Tenn. His 
genial disposition makes him a general favorite 
and he is one of the most charitable and kind- 
hearted of men, sincere in his friendships and de- 
votedly attached to the church with which he is 
connected. He never forgets a kindness and never 
stoops to resent an injury. 

In St. John's Church, Essex, N. Y., June 20, 
1861, Dr. Cooper married Miss Susanna McLean 
Ross, a native of Salem, N. Y., but who was reared 
in Essex, that state. She Avas a daughter of Judge 
McLean, of Salem, and an adopted daughter of 
Gen. Henry H. Ross, of Essex. She died May 
14, 1893. In 1894 Dr. Cooper made his second 
trip to Europe and was absent about four months, 
visiting England, Ireland, Scotland, France, 
Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Belgium and 
other countries. October 23, 1895, his brethren. 



both of the clergy and laity, conferred upon him 
the distinguished honor of nominating him to the 
bishop as archdeacon of Queens County, which 
nomination was immediately confirmed by the 
bishop, and he is now the incumbent of that of- 
fice. He is active in all good work, and of him 
it may truly be 'said, "Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant." 



PAUL C. BRENNAN is superintendent of 
machinery and head of the drafting de- 
partment of the Barber Asphalt Paving 
Company of Long Island City. He is one of the 
best posted engineers of the country and a man 
who stands in the front rank among his associ- 
ates in the business world, being noted for his 
ability, both technical and practical. He was 
born in Greenport, Suffolk County, April 5, 1865, 
to the marriage of Paul and Mary (Magee) Bren- 
nan, both natives of Ireland. At one time the 
father was in the employ of the Long Island Rail- 
road as track foreman, afterwards was with the 
Erie Railroad in the same capacity, and for some 
time was on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad 
as assistant roadmaster. After returning to Long- 
Island he purchased a brick yard at Pipes Cove, 
in the town of Southold, where he remained until 
1878. He then bought a farm at Pipes Cove 
mid made his home there until 1881, when he 
gave up agricultural pursuits and became fore- 
man in the park department of New York City, 
and held that position in four or five different 
parks. Later he became night watchman for the 
Long Island Railroad Company, and is now with 
the Barber Asphalt Paving Company. 

To the marriage of Paul and Mary (Magee) 
Brennan were born ten children, seven of whom 
survive at the present time. The sons are: John, 
a business man of this county; Paul C, our sub- 
ject; James, an engineer on the Long Island Rail- 
road; Joseph, an engineer in the paving depart- 
ment of this company at Newark, and Frank, a 
graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, who is 
located in Long Island City. The daughters are: 
Sarah, at home, and Frances, now Mrs. Philips 
of Brooklyn. Our subject remained in Green- 
port, L. I., until 1881, and attended the public 
schools and Southold Academy, graduating from 
the latter institution. Later he came to New 
York as foreman on a steam yacht and was thus 
occupied until 1884, when he was licensed as an 
engineer and subsequently served in that capacity 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



137 



on the "Fra Diavolo." He passed his examina- 
tion as constructing engineer in Bridgeport and 
afterwards was assistant instructor in the Nation- 
al Institute of Steam Engineers in New York 
City, where he remained for one year. 

In the spring of 1886 Mr. Brennan came to 
Long Island City to construct the plant for the 
Barber Asphalt Paving Company, being chief en- 
gineer of construction, and continued in that ca- 
pacity until 1891. In April of that year he was 
made superintendent of the works. This is the 
largest plant of the kind in the United States, 
giving employment to from one hundred and for- 
ty-three to one hundred and fifty men, and is 
ably superintended by Mr. Brennan, who is a 
genius and the inventor of numerous appliances. 
He is frequently called on to inspect and adjust 
engines and valves and to perform other neces- 
sary and difficult undertakings. 

Mr. Brennan was married to Miss Alice T. 
Wright, a native of Suffolk County, L. I., and 
daughter of Robert Wright, a general railroad 
contractor residing in Long Island City. One 
child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, 
Paula. Mr. Brennan is a member of the Na- 
tional Association of Engineers, and in politics 
is a Democrat. 



HE. QUINN & SONS. In Long Island 
City one cannot help noting that it has 
• proved a fruitful field for the exercise 
of the highest order of talent in the line of mod- 
ern architecture, for the evidences of that skill, 
talent and energy that have reared premanent 
monuments of constructive effort are to be seen. 
In reviewing the progress of architecture in this 
vicinity the firm of H. F. Ouinn & Sons will at 
once suggest itself to hundreds of citizens. The 
members of this firm are known as prominent 
men in the field, and in a city that is progressing 
as rapidly and growing as fast as Long Island 
City, the business of building and contracting oc- 
cupies a leading place. This firm, consisting of 
H. F. Quinn and his two sons, James W. and 
Joseph, has met with unusual success and is one 
of the leading ones of the city. 

H. F. Quinn was born in County Longford, 
Ireland, and there learned the carpenter's trade. 
While still single he came to the United States, 
settled in New York City and there worked at 
his trade for some time. Later he engaged in 
contracting and remained there until 1871, when 



he located in Long Island City, which has since 
been his home. However, he carried on business 
in New York City until 1885, when he joined his 
sons in contracting and building in Long Island 
City, under the firm name of H. F. Quinn & Sons. 
Though now sixty years old, Mr. Quinn is active 
and hearty. He married Miss Mary Biglin, a 
native of Queens County, L. I., who died about 
1883. She was related to Burnett Biglin, the 
New York Republican politician, as is also Mr. 
Quinn. Of their seven children three are now 
living: James W., the eldest, and Joseph H., 
the second in order of birth, are partners in the 
above mentioned firm, and Mary E. is a resident 
of Long Island City. 

James W. Quinn was born in New York City, 
September 25, i860, and graduated from the 
Christian Brothers School when sixteen years 
old. After that he began learning the carpen- 
ter's trade under his father and was connected 
with him in business until he was twenty years 
old. In 1881 he started out as contractor for 
himself and continued alone until 1885, when he 
and his brother and father joined together under 
the above-mentioned title. They have erected 
some of the most prominent residences in the city, 
viz. : St. Mary's Church, the First and Third Ward 
school buildings, Kelly's Block, Hettner's resi- 
dence, Michael Kane's residence, Daniel McCar- 
ty's residence, and many others too numerous to 
mention. From thirty to forty hands are em- 
ployed during the busy season. They manufac- 
ture their own finishing material in their shops 
and are doing an excellent business. James W. 
was president of the Tammany Society of Long 
Island City during its existence, and in politics 
has always been a Democrat. Religiously he is 
identified with St. Mary's Church. 



WILLIAM MUTHER. In presenting a 
biographical sketch of this gentleman 
it is but fair to say that he is one of 
the representative men of the county and that he 
is a man of sound judgment and unimpeachable 
honesty. His life has had many thrilling experi- 
ences, and during his seafaring days he visited 
almost every port in the world, where, being a 
man of quick and close observation, he gained an 
insight into the customs of the people. While 
his education was limited, he has in the school 
of experience gained a knowledge broader and 
deeper than that possessed by many a college- 



138 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bred man. Since leaving the sea he has given 
his attention to the occupation of a contractor 
and builder, in which he has met with deserved 
success. 

The Miithers are an old Prussian family. 
David, the grandfather of William, was a hunter 
and for the most of his life was employed as 
gamekeeper for Prince Putbus. Ludwig and 
Dorothea (Haes) Miither, parents of our subject, 
were natives of the province of Pommern, Prus- 
sia, and there both died, the former at the age 
of fifty-six and the latter when ninety-one. In 
religious views they were devoted Lutherans. 
They were the parents of four children, all sons, 
of whom the two survivors are in America, Wil- 
Ham and Julius, the latter being a resident of 
Mississippi. 

October 23, 1836, was the date, and Pommern, 
Prussia, the land, of our subject's birth. At the 
age of fourteen he was confirmed, and soon after- 
ward went to sea on a sailing vessel, devoting his 
summers to that occupation, while in the winter 
he was employed as a ship carpenter. His voy- 
ages took him to almost every port in Europe, 
America and Africa, his first visit to America 
being in 1852, when he landed at Brooklyn. Four 
times he saw the midnight sun around North 
Cape, and on one occasion his ship was lodged 
in the ice for six weeks. Twice the vessel was 
wrecked in the North Sea off the coast of Scot- 
land, and at one time he narrowly escaped with 
his life. From a very humble position he worked 
his way up until he became second mate, his pro- 
motion being the result of his faithful sei-vice for 
many years. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Miither retired from a seafaring life 
and came to America, determined to make this 
his home. He settled at Hunter's Point, Long Is- 
land City, and built up a trade as carpenter in 
that vicinity. Two years after he came his pros- 
pects seemed so flattering that he brought his 
family, and they continued to live on the Point 
until 1884, when he built and located at No. 15 
Prospect Street, Dutch Kills. For a time he 
worked in the employ of Hugh Thomas, after 
which he was for ten years carpenter for the 
Standard Oil Company, and was then with Mr. 
Smith one year. In 1887 he began contracting, 
and has since built many residences for others, 
also five for himself on Prospect Street, of which 
he still owns three. 

While still in Prussia Mr. Miither married Miss 
AVilhelmina Handt, daughter of Joachim Handt, 



and a native of that country. She was a woman 
of industrious, kindly disposition, devoted to her 
husband and children, and her death, January 12, 
1891, at the age of fifty years, was a heavy be- 
reavement to the family. Of her seven children, 
only three attained years of maturity. They are 
Emma, wife of Harry V. Ackerman, and mother 
of three children; William, who resides on Free- 
man Avenue, and is interested in carpentering 
with his father; Alexander, also a carpenter with 
his father. 

In regard to politics our subject is independ- 
ent, giving his ballot to the best man for any given 
office. Socially he is connected with Long Island 
City Lodge No. 395, I. O. O. F., and is also a 
member of the Dutch Kills Maennerchor. He 
follows the faith of his forefathers religiously, and 
is a member of the Lutheran Church. By his 
upright and honorable business career he has 
won the respect of his fellow citizens and he is 
esteemed as an honest man and an accommodat- 
ing friend. 



C 



HARLES B. AMBERMAN. It would 
be difficult to find among the farming 
population of the town, of Jamaica, a man 
who has greater personal popularity or who wields 
a more potent influence than the gentleman whose 
name introduces this sketch. His life is being 
spent in the peaceful pursuits of his calling as a 
farmer and in a share of the local affairs. He is 
known not only as a first-class farmer, but he 
also has a high reputation as a man of upright 
character, earnest and public spirited, and cordial 
in his associations with his fellow-men. 

The farm which Mr. Amberman operates is 
situated on the Rockaway road — about two and 
one-half miles from Jamaica. Our subject is a 
native of Springfield, L. I., and was born July 
29, 1 86 1, being one of seven children (all of whom 
survive), comprising the family of Cornelius and 
Mary (Valentine) Amberman. His father, also 
a native of Springfield, was born about 1824 and 
grew to manhood in his native place. Selecting 
as his calling the occupation of a farmer, he con- 
tinued thus engaged until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1893. Interested in educational mat- 
ters, he served with efficiency as a member of 
the Board of School Trustees. He was the son 
of Nicholas Amberman, also a native of Spring- 
field, and for many years a general merchant, but 
later an agriculturist. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



139 



After having spent a number of years in attend- 
ance upon the common schools, our subject at 
the age of sixteen engaged on a coasting vessel 
plying between Freeport and New York. A few 
months of that Hfe was, however, sufficient to 
gratify any craving he may have had for the sea, 
and he returned to land, content to live the quiet 
existence of a farmer. He found 'employment, 
after a short period devoted to farm work, in the 
hardware factory of Grosjean, at Woodhaven, 
where he worked for five months. Tlie confine- 
ment of factory work proved detrimental to his 
health, so he resigned his position and resumed 
agricultural work, which he has since followed. 
November 18, 1885, Mr. Amberman married 
Miss Ida M. Martin, and unto them were born 
five children, Phoebe, Edna and William, Mabel 
and Charlie, the two latter deceased. Well in- 
formed on political questions, Mr. Amberman 
is a firm Republican in principle, but has not 
taken an active part in elections and has never 
been an office-seeker, preferring to give his at- 
tention to his personal affairs. 



JOHN F. NESBETT. The names of those 
who, during the dark days of the Rebellion, 
offered their services and imperiled their 
lives that the unity of the states might be pre- 
served, deserve to be placed upon the nation's 
deathless roll of honor. Among the many thou- 
sand heroes who fought valiantly through the 
long and weary struggle may be mentioned the 
name of John F. Nesbett, who, though a mere 
youth at the time of the opening of the war, gave 
up his business aspirations and the society of 
loved ones and friends, to assist in a glorious 
cause. He has lived to see peace reigning 
throughout the land, the nation reunited and free- 
dom established forever. 

A record of the life of this war veteran will be 
of interest to our readers. He was born in the 
village of Old Town, Penobscot County, Me., Au- 
gust 30, 1844, being a son of John F. and Eliza- 
beth (Symonds) Nesbett. The family originated 
in Scotland, whence a number went to Ireland 
during the religious persecutions in that country 
and later emigrated to America. Grandfather 
Nesbett owned a farm near Woodstock, Me., on 
the line between Maine and the British provinces. 
Our subject's father lived on a farm, which he 
assisted in cultivating, and in addition he was a 
mechanic, having a shop on his farm, and also 



followed the occupation of a millwright. Later 
he moved to Biddeford, where he became inter- 
ested in the manufacture of carriages. During 
the Civil War he enlisted in the Union service and 
held the rank of lieutenant. Captured by the Con- 
federates, he perished in a Rebel prison and was 
buried in New Orleans. 

The boyhood days of our subject were spent 
principally in Biddeford, where he attended the 
public schools. April 21, 1861, when little more 
than sixteen, he enlisted in Company B, Fifth 
Maine Infantry, for three years, and was pro- 
moted from the ranks to be Corporal. Among 
his first engagements were those at Bull Run, 
West Point, Yorktown, the Peninsular campaign, 
the second battle of Bull Run, and Gaines Mill, 
where he was slightly wounded in the left leg. At 
Rappahannock Station he was injured in the 
right leg by a bayonet thrust. After having 
served for three years, he re-enlisted at Brandy 
Station under a call for veteran volunteers, and 
was Sergeant in Company B, First Maine Veter- 
an Volunteers. With his regiment he took part 
in all the battles of the Wilderness, also the en- 
gagements at Fredericksburg, Meyer's Heights, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Shenan- 
doah Valley, Stephen's Fort (just outside of 
Washington), Gettysburg, Berryville, Winches- 
ter. Fisher's Hill, Leesburg, going from there 



through the valley to Harrisonburg, returning 
and going into quarters at Cedar Creek, where 
the enemy was held in check until General Sheri- 
dan made his famous ride. 

The regiment to which our subject belonged 
formed the extreme left wing of the Union army 
and was stationed on the turnpike; it was to their 
efforts that the enemy was held in check and the 
day won. After devastating the valley they re- . 
turned to Petersburg, where they witnessed the 
surrender of the Confederate troops, our subject 
being only about two hundred yards from the 
principal participants in the surrender. The last 
battle in which he took part was that at Sailors' 
Creek, after which he was sent to Danville and 
put in charge of the patrol of a portion of the 
city. Not being able to reach Washington in 
time for the grand review, his regiment was re- 
viewed later, after which he was sent home and 
mustered out of the service. He had enlisted 
from Biddeford, Me., and was mustered out at 
Portland, having served throughout the entire 

war. 

After a short visit at home Mr. Nesbett went 



I40 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to Boston, where he worked in a pork packing 
establishment for two years, after which he came 
to New York and engaged in the same line of 
business. In 1881 he entered business for him- 
self, and continued thus engaged until failing 
health induced him to turn the management of 
his affairs over to his son. August i, 1871, he 
married Miss Lizzie E. Doyle, who was born on 
Prince Edward Island, but at the time of her mar- 
riage was living in New York. They have three 
children, Mabel C, John F., and Addie B., all 
born in New York, but now living in Corona, to 
which village the family came in 1891. Mrs. 
Nesbett and the children are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Nesbett was 
elected Assessor for the town of Newtown and has 
held other local offices. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of Americus Lodge No. 535, F. & A. M., New 
York City. As would be expected, he is a Grand 
Army man. He organized the A. S. Williams 
Post No. 394, G. A. R., in which he served as 
senior vice-commander and was also commander 
for two terms. His membership has since been 
transferred to a post in Newtown. For five years, 
while in New York City, he served as marshal, 
and was also a staff officer of the national and 
department staff. 



DANIEL MURRAY. Among the many 
productive and extensive farms in Queens 
County, the one of which Daniel Mur- 
ray is the owner is one of the most valuable, and 
under his intelligent care its broad acres yield 
abundant harvests. Mr. Murray was born in 
Springfield, Queens County, on the anniversary 
of George Washington's birthday, February 22, 
1835, and has spent his entire life in this vicinity. 
An energetic farmer, his career has been both 
honorable and upright. He is a son of Daniel 
Murray (see sketch of Isaac Murray), and re- 
mained under the parental roof until his mar- 
riage, which occurred in the year 1861, to Miss 
Caroline Foster, of Springfield. 

After this union Daniel purchased a farm of 
his father, the place where he now lives, and en- 
tered actively upon his career as an agriculturist. 
His marriage resulted in the birth of four chil- 
dren, three of whom survive at the present time : 
Robert, who is married and has two children, is 
farming with his father; Eugenia became the 
wife of E. H. Thompson, and Nettie became the 



wife of William A. White, who is employed by 
the wholesale grocery house of Austin Nichols & 
Co. They have one child. 

Mr. Murray is an ardent supporter of Repub- 
lican principles and 1ms ever been active in his 
support of that party. In religion he is a Metho- 
dist and is one of the trustees of the church. For 
some time he has been a member of the Royal 
Arcanum Lodge and is one of the well known 
and highly esteemed men of the county. He 
takes a deep interest in all the affairs of the 
county that are of moment, and is stirring and 
progressive. 



AUGUST MAASS is well known in musical 
circles, as he has been for some time presi- 
dent of the Harmonic Singing Society of 
Steinway, Long Island City, and he is also a prom- 
inent and successful business man, being engaged 
in the wholesale tea and coffee business in New 
York City. He was bom in Germany in 1855, 
and his father, Anton, was also a native of that 
country. The latter was a musician of note and 
was director of the military band of the Ninety- 
first Regiment, German army, until his death, 
which occurred when he was fifty-six years old. 
He was a soldier for thirty years and was in the 
Revolutions of 1848 and '66. In religion he was 
of the Lutheran belief. His wife, formerly Miss 
Wilhelmina Maass, is now a resident of New York 
City. Of their six children all are living and three 
make their homes in America. 

The youthful days of August Maass were 
passed in the land of his birth, and until fourteen 
years of age he attended the public schools. Soon 
after he took passage in the ship "Columbus" 
and went to Italy, where he remained some time, 
and then iriade several trips to America, being 
on the ocean about three years. At the age of 
seventeen he entered the German army, being 
in the same regiment with his father, and served 
his country faithfully from 1874 to 1881. He 
was Sergeant of the Tenth Company, but resigned 
to come to America in the last named year. 

After reaching New York City our subject was 
employed as salesman for a large wholesale gro- 
cery house for one year and afterwards was with 
a distilling company as salesman for about ten 
years. After this he resigned and engaged in the 
wholesale coffee and tea business, but in the mean- 
time, in May, 1885, he located at Steinway, Long 
Island City, where he has made his home since. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



141 



He is a farseeing, wide awake business man and 
has met with excellent success. 

In the year 1884 Mr. Maass was married to 
Miss Fredreka Petre, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
many, and daughter of Frederick Petre, who was 
a prominent mason and builder. Mrs. Maass' 
mother, Margaret Petre, died in the old coun- 
try. Mr. and Mrs. Petre were the parents 
of five children, three of whom are living and 
all in America. Mrs. Maass was the oldest of 
these children and came to America in 1883. 
Four children have been born to our subject and 
wife, as follows: William, Freddie, Freda and 
Henry. 

Since the year 1893 Mr. Maass has been presi- 
dent of the Harmonic Singing Society, and, being 
a fine baritone singer, often leads the society. 
He is also identified with Hermann Lodge No. 
341, A. O. U. W., and Bowery Bay Benefit 
Society, besides numerous other organizations. 



JULIUS BLECKWENN is busily and profit- 
ably engaged in the real estate business in 
Astoria. His father, Frederick W. Bleck- 
wenn, is one of the most influential and promi- 
nent residents of Long Island City, which he rep- 
resented as treasurer and receiver of taxes 
from October, 1882, until January, 1895, being 
elected to this office on the Democratic ticket. 

The father of our subject was born in Hanover, 
Germany, in 1839. In 1858, when about nine- 
teen years of age, he determined to try his for- 
tune in the New World and accordingly took 
passage on a vessel bound for America. On ar- 
riving in New York City he found employment 
with William Radde & Son, publishers, and dur- 
ing the twenty-two years he remained with them 
worked his way up from the lowliest position in 
the office to a responsible post, where he com- 
manded good wages. In the spring of 1866, how- 
ever, he came to Long Island City and made his 
home in Astoria, although retaining his position 
with Radde & Son until some time in 1880. He 
was then employed by Keuffel & Esser, also of 
New York, and it was while in their employ, in 
1882, that he was appointed city treasurer to 
fill a vacancy. Election occurring that same fall, 
he was retained in office and elected three times 
thereafter, serving in all a period of twelve years 
as city treasurer. He was exceedingly popular 
with the people and on one occasion had no oppo- 
nent in the field. 



Julius Bleckwenn was born in Long Island City 
July I, 1868. He first attended the third ward 
school here, and was graduated from the school 
in the fourth ward in June, 1883. Being anxious 
to begin life for himself he entered the employ of 
a grocer at Hunter's Point, remaining with him 
as clerk for four or five years. About this time 
he became an employe in the city treasurer's 
department, acting as his father's clerk from 1889 
to 1894. At the expiration of his twelfth year of 
office holding the elder Mr. Bleckwenn retired 
and with our subject engaged in the real estate 
and insurance business, which they are carrying 
on in a successful manner under the firm name 
of F. W. Bleckwenn & Son. They liandle prop- 
erty in Long Island City, and those who have 
property to sell or wish to purchase never fail to 
call at their office in Astoria before deciding. 
They are agents for the German-American and 
Lancashire Fire Insurance Companies, giving 
considerable time and attention to building up 
this department of their business. 

JuHus Bleckwenn was married in Long Island 
City in 1891, to Miss Mamie E. Korfman, the 
sister of Henry C. Korfman, the present super- 
visor of the city, and whose sketch will appear in 
detail on another page in this volume. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bleckwenn reside at No. 198 Lockwood 
Street. Our subject is a member of the Arion 
Singing Society of this city, and in religious 
affairs belongs to the German Second Reformed 
Church. He is a Jeffersonian Democrat in poH- 
tics and takes an active part in the meetings of 
the Jefferson Club of this city. 



JOHN REDLEFSEN. By a most thorough 
knowledge of his trade, gained step by step 
under one of the most reliable of workmen, 
and through his own experience, John Redlefsen 
has made one of the widest reputations and has a 
patronage of very satisfactory proportions. He 
is one of the most successful contractors and 
builders of Long Island City, where he has re- 
sided many years, and where he has seen the re- 
markable growth that has taken place in the last 
quarter of a century. Like many of the represen- 
tative men of this city he is a native of Germany, 
born Augusts, 1839; a son of Professor Redlefsen, 
who was a well-known educator in the old coun- 
try for many years, but who subsequently retired 
to a farm. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Catherine Souksen, was born in Germiiny, and 



142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



both parents were members of the Lutheran 
Church. Of their five children, three sons and 
two daughters, two sons and two daughters are 
living at the present time, and the two sons are 
in America. 

Of these children John Redlefsen was third 
in order of birth. He received his education under 
the tuition of his father until sixteen years old, 
after which he was apprenticed to learn the car- 
penter's trade, and was thus occupied for four 
years. When twenty-one years old he entered 
the army and . participated in the war between 
Germany and Denmark, serving in all about three 
years. After this he spent two years at home, and 
in 1867 came to America and began working at 
his trade in New York City. In the year 1873 he 
located in Astoria, the flourishing suburb of Long 
Island City, and has erected some of the finest 
residences here. He has also built many fine 
houses in New York City and has an established 
reputation. 

Mr. Redlefsen was married in New York City 
to Miss Ida Noack, a native of Dresden, Saxony, 
and daughter of August Noack, a successful lum- 
ber merchant, who came of an old and prominent 
German family. Mr. Redlefsen's mother, Mary 
Smimgen, was a native of Saxony, and died there. 
Both parents were members of the Lutheran 
Church. Of their five children, two daughters 
are living in America. To Mr. and Mrs. Red- 
lefsen were born four children: Richard, an en- 
gineer and machinist in New York City, makes 
his home in Long Island City; Jennie is at home; 
Martha became the wife of G. T. Raabe, who is in 
the United States mail service; and George is a 
machinist of New York City but a resident here. 
In politics Mr. Redlefsen is a Repubhcan, but he 
attends strictly to business and does not care to 
hold office. He was one of the first to buy land 
and locate where he now resides. Socially he is 
a member of Astoria Lodge, K. of P., and also 
belongs to Arion Singing Society. 



EDWARD STEINER, of Hunter's Point, 
is the capable and efficient superintendent 
of the Emil Caiman Varnish Works, a po- 
sition which has been gained by personal worth 
and unquestioned integrity. He is a native of 
Germany, born in the eastern part of Prussia in 
1830, but his ancestors came from Austria, being 
driven out of that country on account of their 



religious views, and settling in Germany. They 
were Protestants. 

Michael Steiner, father of Edward, and his 
ancestors were prominent people in Germany, 
and Michael was an agriculturist by vocation. 
Our subject, next to the youngest of seven chil- 
dren born to his parents, is the only one of the 
family in America. He was reared and educated 
in his native country and when fifteen years old 
was apprenticed in a wholesale grocery in Welou. 
In the year 1853 he decided that he could better 
his condition in the New Worid, and, taking pas- 
sage on the sailing vessel "Robert Kelley," he 
reached New York City after a five-months' trip. 
During this trip the ship was wrecked ofif the coast 
of Ireland and the crew was taken oS in fishing- 
smacks and sent to Liverpool, England. Later 
Mr. Steiner took passage on the "John Wright" 
and reached New York in safety. 

For two years following this he was engaged 
in various business enterprises in that city, and in 
1855 entered the employ of Fred Vanderpool, 
manufacturer of varnish, and soon became a prac- 
tical varnish maker. Subsequently for thirteen 
years he was in the same business with the Min- 
ette Company, in New Jersey, as varnish maker, 
and for three years after this was with Parker & 
Gellispie, New York. In 1874 he came to Long 
Island City as foreman, and has served in tliat 
capacity and as superintendent for twenty-one 
years. He is a worthy example of the self-made 
American citizen and a grand exemplification of 
the progress that ambitious foreigners can make 
m this country of unbounded opportunities. 

Mr. Steiner's fine residence at No. 6y Fifth 
Street is presided over by his excellent wife, for- 
merly Miss Rosanna Berry, a native of Utica, 
N. Y. Seven children have blessed this union. 
Louisa married George Dryden and resides in 
Jersey City; Alice is now Mrs. Stehl of Long Is- 
land City; George is a varnish maker of Chicago; 
Edward, Jr., and Henry, also varnish makers, 
are in their father's employ; Mary is Mrs. Mornsy 
of Long Island City, and Nellie completes the 
list. 

Socially Mr. Steiner is a Mason and has been 
Treasurer of Long Island City Lodge for nine 
years. He is a member of Hermit Lodge I. O. O. 
F. of New York, of which he is Past Noble Grand, 
and is a charter member and Past Master of the 
Red Men, organized in 1878. For seventeen 
years he has been Treasurer of Pocahontas Lodge 
F. O. R. M., and Past Grand Sachem of the 




^^v ,.~ 







JUDGE WILLIAM HANDY ONDERDONK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



145 



United States Grand Lodge for two years. He 
is also Past Sachem of the Grand Lodge of the 
State of New York, and for ten years has been 
Grand Treasurer of the same. During the Civil 
War, in 1865, he was a volunteer in the United 
States navy, and is a member of Ringold Post, 
G. A. R. 



JUDGE WILLIAM HANDY ONDER- 
DONK. To become distinguished at the 
bar requires not only capacity, but also 
sound judgment and persevering industry. These 
qualifications were combined in no gentleman at 
the Queens County bar to a greater extent than 
in William H. Onderdonk. A careful adviser and 
an earnest and conscientious advocate, his suc- 
cess at the bar was achieved by the improvement 
of opportunities, untiring diligence and by close 
study and correct judgment of men and motives. 
He was born probably in New York City, March 
5, 1820, and his boyhood days were spent there 
and on Long Island. He attended Trinity School, 
and after preparing for college, entered the law 
•office of Joseph Blunt in New York City when but 
sixteen years old. In due time he was admitted 
to the bar, and afterwards remained in Mr. Blunt's 
office and in the city until his marriage June 7, 
1843, to Miss Harriet S. Mott, of North Hemp- 
-stead, who was born at Lloyd's Neck, L. I. About 
1846 he moved to the old residence now occupied 
b)y his widow, which commands one of the most 
beautiful views on the sovmd and bay. He iden- 
tified himself with the interests of Queens County, 
and served as district attorney a number of 
terms. Later he was elected as surrogate, serving- 
one term in that capacity. To him and his wife 
were born two children, Harriet Cogswell and 
Robert Mott, the latter of whom died when eleven 
years old. After the daughter had become old 
•enough to attend school, Mr. Onderdonk and fam- 
ily spent their winters in New York City, but al- 
ways considered Long Island their home. 

The daughter, Harriet, married Samuel Vernon 
Mann, of Flushing, and became the mother of 
three children, Edith, Alice (deceased), and S. 
Vernon. Edith married Francis M. Simmonds 
and resides in Flushing. She has two children, 
Eleanor Hearn and Francis May. S. Vernon 
resides in Flushing. Judge Onderdonk was a 
member of the old Whig party and in war times 
was a firm believer in and supporter of the Un- 
ion. In poHtics he was independent. 

Judge Onderdonk had a great love for his pro- 



fession and was honored and respected by all the 
members of the same. He was noted for always 
winning the friendship of opposing parties before 
he would take a case. As a citizen no man stood 
higher in the estimation of the people. For manv 
years he was a member of Christ Episcopal 
Church at Manhasset and for some time was ves- 
tryman of the same. In his death, which occurred 
December 11, 1882, the county lost a most worthy 
citizen and the bar one of its brightest lights. The 
following testimonials of respect were tendered 
Mrs. Onderdonk : 

"The members of the Bar Association of 
Queens County have heard with feelings of pro- 
found sorrow the announcement of the death of 
the Honorable William H. Onderdonk, one of 
its members, and one of the oldest and most re- 
spected practitioners at the bar of this county. 
With bowed heads and sad hearts the members of 
this association accept the decree of that Provi- 
dence which has stricken down from among us 
one who was devoted to his chosen profession, 
faithful to the interests of his clients, safe and wise 
in council, and loyal always to the obligations of 
duty. 

"Sadly recognizing the great loss the whole 
people of this county have sustained in the death 
of an eminent citizen who discharged faithfully 
and fully large and important public trusts, we rc- 
aHze with a nearer and deeper grief the more per- 
sonal loss to be sustained by this association in 
the removal from it of one of its best loved mem- 
bers, whose unaffected frankness, deep sincerity 
and abiding- gentleness had bound him warmly 
and closely to the hearts of his professional as- 
sociates. 

"Our circle has again been invaded, and the 
place is vacant now of one who was not only a 
wise and conscientious advocate, but who was 
also a faithful friend and an honorable, genial 
gentleman. Our late associate was very tolerant 
and considerate of the feelings and opinions of 
others. He was not unduly moved by his many 
and well deserved professional successes. He 
fought the greater battle of hfe manfully and 
bravely, while all its lesser duties had from him 
full and patient performance. 

"Such was William H. Onderdonk, who, in his 
life, was respected for his manly qualities and 
loved for his gentle virtues, and whose death the 
Bar Association of Queens County most sincerely 
and most deeply deplores. The members of this 
association send to the broken family circle of 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



our late associate — to those who loved him best 
of all — the expression of our deepest sympathy, 
in this, the season of their supremest sorrow. 
Gently as we may, we desire to remind them, as 
we are ourselves i-eminded, that the great mystery 
of death, and the deeper and sometimes sadder 
mystery of life, are alike in the keeping of that 
God, who, while He wounds at times most griev- 
ously, yet always His mercy wounds tO' heal. Re- 
solved, that the Court of Sessions and the ap- 
proaching Circuit Court be requested to cause this 
memorial to be placed upon their minutes and that 
the president and secretary cause the sanie to be 
engrossed and transmitted to the family of our 
late associate. 

"John Fleming, President.'' 

"Robert Townsend, Secretary." 

"Mrs. H. S. Onderdonk: 

"Madam — I herewith send you the resolutions 
of the Bar Association upon the death of your 
husband. They extol his learning and his worth, 
but in no degree beyond what the members of 
the bar sincerely felt were due to him who ranked 

us all. 

"Believe me, very respectfully, 

"John- Fleming.'' 

Mrs. Onderdonk answered as follows; 

"John Fleming, Esq. 

"My Dear Sir — The gratitude and sad pleasure 
with which I receive the gift of your association 
are only equaled by my own sense of what I have 
lost, and of all the modest virtues and noble traits 
possessed by 3^our friend and my husband. He 
did strict and impartial justice, loved mercy with 
his whole nature, and ever walked humbly with his 
God. Permit me to say that your generous 
tribute to him reflects honor upon yourselves. 
"Very respectfully, 
"Harriet S. Onderdonk." 



FR.A.NCIS H. VAN VECHTEN. No citizen 
of Jamaica is better known throughout 
Queens County than the subject of this 
article, who, in addition to a large legal practice 
here, also has an ofiPice at No. 108 Fulton Street, 
New York City. With but limited means when 
a young man, and with no influence to assist him, 
he nevertheless, by indefatigable energy and tire- 
less determination, has gained a position of prom- 
inence among the professional men of the local- 



ity and occupies an influential place in the legal 
fraternity of the county. 

Before presenting in detail the events that have 
given character to the life of Mr. Van Vechten, 
some mention of his ancestors may be appropri- 
ately made. The family has been identified with 
the history of America for a number of genera- 
tions, the first representative here having come 
from Holland in 1631, and its members have in- 
variably been patriotic and honest men. In the 
court of appeals in Albany hangs a Hfe-size por- 
trait of one ancestor, Abraham Van Vechten, who 
was known as the "father'' of the Albany bar; he 
was district attorney of Albany County, served 
as State Senator and as Attorney-General of the 
state two terms, and was a Regent of the State 
University. For generations the ancestors have 
adopted the legal profession, the only exception 
being in the case of our subject's father, who chose 
a business career. 

Jacob Ten Broeck, a son of Abraham Van 
Vechten, was a native of Albany County, where 
he was a prominent attorney; at the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1837, he was Grand Mas- 
ter for the state of New York in the Masonic 
order. His son, Junius Roorbach Van Vechten, 
was born at Albany, N. Y., and was engaged in 
commercial pursuits during the greater part of 
his Hfe, being for many years connected with the 
New York Custom House. He married Helen 
C. Roorbach, daughter of Oiwille A. and Ann E. 
Roorbach, and a native of New York City. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Brooklyn 
July 26, 1856, and received his education in the 
public schools and Brooklyn Polytechnic. He 
fitted for college, but the financial reverses of his 
father rendered it necessary that he should be- 
come self-supporting. Entering a law office in 
New York as office boy, he worked his way up- 
ward until he became managing clerk, and 
through the exercise of strict economy was en- 
abled to attend the law department of Columbia 
College, his legal studies being carried on at night. 
In 1878 he passed the general term examination 
in New York City and was admitted to the bar, 
his high standing being evidenced by the fact 
that, of a class of seventeen, he was one of five 
who successfully passed the examination. Re- 
maining- in New York he became a reporter and 
for nearly seven years was engaged in the news- 
paper business, holding various positions from 
police court reporter to managing editor. At the 
age of twenty-three he was managing editor of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



147 



the "Xew York Truth,'' and had fort)^ men under 
his direction. On leaving the newspaper work 
he returned to the practice of law and has since 
built up a large clientage. 

In 1886 ZSlr. A"an Vechten came to Queens 
County, where he has since resided. For three 
years he was attorney for the Queens County 
Board of Super^-isors, retiring in the spring of 
1895. During that time the county had some of 
the most important cases in its histon,-, aggre- 
gating more than $200,000, and it is a noteworthy 
fact that he never lost but one case during the 
entire period of his sendee. He is attorney for 
Mayor Patrick J. Gleason, of Long Island, in all 
his important cases. For three years he was 
associated in practice with Supreme Court Justice 
Roger A. Pryor, but with that exception was 
alone until recenth", when he became senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Van Vechten, Youngs & Dela- 
van. 

IMr. A'an \'echten was one of the incorporators 
of the Holland Society of the State of Xew York 
and takes a great mterest in its welfare. He is 
a member of the Masonic order and the Royal 
Arcanum. His home in Hollis is one of the 
finest residences in the village. May 25, 1880, be 
married IMiss Jennie H. !Murray, member of an 
old Long Island family: they have four children, 
Elva, Howard, Eunice and Roger A. Pr}-or. 



M.; 



REIDY. The success which IMr. 
Reidy has achieved as a contractor 
and builder is the logical sequence of 
talent rightty used, together with energj' and in- 
dustry never misapplied. He is one who im- 
presses even those who meet him in a casual way 
as thoroughly understanding his business and 
who is thoroughly at home in the position which 
he occupies. Mr. Reid)- was born in Astoria, 
Long Island Cit)-, in 1857, and no doubt has the 
push and energy- of his Irish ancestors in his 
blood. His father, Maurice Reidy, was born on 
the Emerald Isle, and after crossing the Atlantic 
to America, settled in Canada, where he followed 
his trade as contractor and buUder. About the 
year 1840 he came to Astoria, Long Island Cit)-, 
and continued his trade until his death, in 1888, 
when seventj^-four years old. He was married in 
his native country to Miss I\lars- Donnelly, also 
a native of Ireland, and she is now a resident 
and an old settler of Astoria. Their six children 
are now hving and of these, Z\I. J. was third in 



order of birth. One son, Peter, is on the police 
force, and another son, Maurice, is in the post- 
office department of Long Island Cit\'. 

During his youth, spent in his native cit}-, our 
subject attended the Fourth Ward School until 
the age of sixteen and then entered the govern- 
ment employ at Hell Gate during the blasting out 
of Hallett's Point, and was employed for about 
three years as drill boy, measurer and machine 
hand. Later he gave this up and engaged as car- 
penter in the emploj' of various contractors until 
1 891, when he started in business for himself in 
partnership with WilUam Couch, the firm being 
known as Couch & Reidy, general contractors 
and builders. They erected a new t%vo-stor}- shop 
on Main and ^^'oolsey Streets and have since had 
all the work they could manage. They built the 
^larks & Kaleski building, Jacob Baab building 
on Boulevard and Fulton Street, private resi- 
dences for Fred Hallett, William Smith and Ed 
Foster; also four residences for Mrs. Emily ]SIen- 
singer, and the carpenter work on the new Fourth 
Ward School building. 

I\lr. Reidy was married in Xew York City to 
'Sliss Helen Burke, a native of that city, and to 
them were born five children, viz. : Thomas, Lucy, 
Adelaide, Helen and Anna. The family resides 
at Xo. 76 Hoyt Avenue, in a modern residence 
erected by ^Ir. Reidy. For eight years he served 
on the Jackson, or Old Hickor\- Engine Com- 
pany Xo. I, and was foreman for one and secre- 
tary' for three years. Mr. Reidy was one of the 
organizers of the Veteran Firemen's Association 
and -ivas a member of the first board of trustees. 
At present he is chairman of the board and has 
also held the position of secretarj-. He is a char- 
ter member of the American Firemen, Long 
Island City Council Xo. 17, and is a worthy mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church. He is Democratic 
in national politics, but is not radical. 



CHARLES E. TWOMBLY'. :Many a man 
who is now prosperous and successful be- 
gan life as did the subject of our sketch, 
without capital, and with no endowments except 
those of his o-\vn personalit}-. In boyhood Mr. 
Twombly was the possessor of sturdy health, in- 
domitable energy, pluck and perse^-erance ; and 
with these characteristics he has achieved a suc- 
cess which is an honor to himself. He is one of 
the well-known residents of Jamaica and at pres- 
ent holds the position of president of the board 



14.8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of village trustees, in which capacity he has been 
instrumental in advancing the welfare of his fel- 
low citizens. 

A native of New Hampshire, Mr. Twombly was 
born in Durham, August 15, 1848. His educa- 
tion was such as could be obtained in the village 
schools of his home town, but while his knowledge 
of text books was limited, he gained a broad 
knowledge through experience and observation. 
At the age of fifteen he started out in life for him- 
self, and going to Maine, secured work on a farm. 
The tilling of the soil, however, was an occupa- 
tion not entirely congenial to him, and he used 
it but as a stepping stone to other lines of work. 

From Maine Mr. Twombly went to Massachu- 
setts, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 
1869 he became connected with the Long Island 
Railroad as foreman, which position he held for 
about four years. Having gained a thorough 
knowledge of every detail of the trade and having 
saved a sufficient amount of money to render 
such a project feasible, he embarked in business 
for himself, and has since made a specialty of con- 
tracting for the construction of public roads. The 
macadamized roads which lend so much to the 
convenience of the people and the value of prop- 
erty are largely his work. During the past few 
years Queens County has expended $400,000 in 
the building of these roads, and the results are a 
source of pride to every citizen. Since 1891 Mr. 
Twombly has been in partnership with John H. 
Eldert, and in addition to their large business on 
Long Island they have extensive stone quarries 
in Pennsylvania which they are operating. 

It might be supposed that with such important 
business matters in hand Mr. Twombly would 
take little interest in public matters, but not so; 
no citizen is more interested than he in all mat- 
ters pertaining to the welfare of the village of 
Jamaica. In local politics he is a leader and a 
stanch adherent of Republican principles. For 
some years he has served on the board of trustees 
and in the spring of 1895 he was unanimously 
chosen president of that body. He assisted in 
the organization of the Chub Club of Jamaica, 
of which he is still a leading member. Socially he 
is identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in the lodge 
at Jamaica. 

The home of Mr. Twombly, pleasantly located 
in the western part of the village, and surrounded 
by grounds covering an entire block, forms an 
agreeable center of social Hfe. It is presided over 



by his wife, formerly Miss Susan A. Smith, and a 
native of the town of Hempstead. The family con- 
sists of nine children, of whom Sarah is the wife 
of W. A. Shipley, chief of the Jamaica fire depart- 
ment. 



BERGEN R. CARMAN. Many of the most 
influential citizens of Long Island are 
members of families early established here 
and long identified with the history of this section. 
Such is the case with the subject of this sketch, 
whose forefathers for successive generations were 
honorably and intimately associated with the de- 
velopment and prosperity of the island. From 
them he inherited the qualities of energy, thrift 
and perseverance that characterized his entire bus- 
iness career. Now retired from active labors, he 
still, however, retains his interest in pubHc events 
and gives his sympathetic co-operation to meas- 
ures projected for the benefit of the people. His 
home is in Hempstead, where he is surrounded by 
the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances 
and by the comforts which enhance the pleasures 
of life. 

A native of Long Island, Mr. Carman was born 
abFreeport, August 14, 1846. His father, Samuel 
S., was born in the same place as himself and there 
he spent his active life, engaged in business pur- 
suits. He was a prominent citizen of the place 
and his death in 1891 was regarded as a public 
loss. The wife and mother was Eliza (Raynor) 
Carman, who was born in Freeport, and still 
makes that village her home. There were only 
three children in the family, a son and two daugh- 
ters. The former, who forms the subject of this 
notice, was given good educational advantages in 
the public schools and at Union Hall Academy, 
Jamaica, acquiring a broad fund of information 
through diligent use of his opportunities. 

The abiht}' of Mr. Carman as a financier is 
abundantly proved by his long and successful 
connection with the old Atlantic Bank in Brook- 
lyn. Finally, having accumulated an ample for- 
tune, he closed out his business interests and has 
since given his attention to the oversight of his 
personal investments. While he has never dis- 
played any partisan spirit, yet he is firm in his 
allegiance to the RepubHcan party, and always 
votes that ticket. At one time he held the posi- 
tion of village trustee and is now a member of the 
Board of Education. He aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Building and Loan Association of 
Hempstead and is serving as one of its directors. 



PCRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



140 



In St. George's. Church, of which he is an active 
member, he holds the ofEce of treasurer. 

The marriage of Mr. Carman took place Sep- 
tember 19, 1870, and united him with Miss Jean- 
nette Davis, daughter of B. W. and L. A. (Philip) 
Davis, of Brooklyn. They are the parents of one 
son, Charles W., a graduate of St. Paul's, at Gar- 
den City. He also spent two years at Cornell 
University and is now at home. Mr. Carman and 
his family occupy a cc mmodious residence on Ful- 
ton Street, surrounded by beautiful and well-kept 
grounds, and containing within evidences of the 
refined tastes and culture of the inmates. 



GEORGE McAllister GOSMAN. The 
Gosman family is very well known in 
Queens County, as ancestors of the pres- 
ent generation settled here prior to the Revolu- 
tionary War, when, besides a few white settlers, 
Indians were the inhabitants of Long Island. 
From that time until the present they have been 
actively engaged in the upbuilding and progi-ess 
of their county. The subject of tliis narrative 
owns and occupies a fine place which is located 
near Bl-issville, Long Island City. 

Mr. Gosman was born in Long Island City, ni 
Skillman Avenue, while his father, William Gos- 
man, was born at No. 2 Cortlandt Street, New 
York. Grandfather George Gosman was a na- 
tive of Glasgow, Scotland, whence he emigrated 
to America in 1760, locating in the metropolis. 
He was a mason by trade, working at this from 
the time he came to America until Revolutionary 
times, when he abandoned his trade and entered 
the service, fighting bravely and well until the 
establishment of peace. He made his home in 
New York until his death, which occurred when 
he was three score years and ten. Religiously he 
was of the Presbyterian faith and left his native 
land on account of religious persecution. 

William Gosman was married in Long Island 
City in 1822, after which he located upon a tract 
of land in the town of Newtown, this county. Later, 
however, he purchased a tract of land formerly 
owned by Andrew Bragaw, and from 1849 until 
1872, the year of his death, lived on that place. 
The wife of William Gosman was Margaret, 
daughter of Richard Bragaw, both of whom were 
born in Skillman Avenue, Long Island City. 
While driving cattle on the plains of Hempstead 
during the Revolutionary War, the father of Mrs. 
Gosman was captured by the Hessians and im- 



prisoned on the ship "Jersey," where he was near- 
ly starved to death. Through the assistance of 
a Tory friend he effected his escape, and, making 
his way to New Jersey, found the American army, 
which he joined and served tmtil the close of the 
war. His eldest son, brother of Mrs. Gosman, 
later served in the War of 1812 with the rank' of 
Major. The latter lived to the advanced age of 
ninety years. The Bragaws are French Hugue- 
nots and the first settlers came to America in 1675. 
They made their home for a time at Bushwick, 
L. I., and later, in 1688, settled at Dutch Kills. 
The mother of our subject departed this life in 
1850, at the age of sixty-one years. She reared 
a family of eight children, of whom Elizabeth A. 
resides in Long Island City; Janet D. is Mrs. 
Richard Bragaw, and makes her home in Brook- 
lyn; Richard died in May, 1892, at Dutch Kills, 
where he was engaged in farming; Johanna M. 
is now Mrs. Van Alst of Newtown; Hester B. mar- 
ried J. M. De Bevodse of Queens County; Maria 
L. became the wife of A. Vanderveer of Brook- 
lyn; Henrietta B. is Mrs. Schoonmacker of Flat- 
bush, L. I., and George McA. is the subject of 
this sketch. 

The youngest member of the above family was 
reared in Long Island City and first attended 
school at Cook's Academy in Newtown. Later he 
carried on his studies in what is now the Fourth 
Ward school-house in Astoria under Professor 
Mason. He remained at home until the out- 
break of the late war and in August, 1862, vol- 
unteered and was mustered in as a member of 
Company B, Fifteenth New York Engineers. 
With his company he was ordered South, and 
formed a part of the Army of the Potomac during 
his entire period of enlistment. Among the im- 
portant battles in which he participated were 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and 
the siege of Richmond. Our subject was offered 
a commission, but refused to accept such honors, 
as he very much preferred fighting with the boys. 
During the last years of his service, however, he 
was made Dispatch Orderly under the Adjutant- 
General at brigade headquarters. In discharging 
the duties of this position he was obliged to work 
very hard, and was also placed in many danger- 
ous positions in order to convey messages to and 
froin his superior. On the close of the war he 
was warmly congratulated for his brave conduct, 
and after participating in the grand review at 
Washington, was honorably discharged and re- 
turned home. In the year 1894, when the old vet- 



150 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



erans all over the country returned to the capita] 
and took part in the second grand review, Mr. 
Gosman formed one of the eighty thousand in 
line. 

After his return to the peaceful pursuits of farm 
life, our subject continued to reside on the farm 
of. his father until 1879, when he purchased 
the property which forms his present es- 
tate. It was known in former years as 
the old De Bevoise farm, and comprised six- 
teen lots on Hill Street and Anable Avenue, 
Mr. Gosman has made many improvements in the 
place, which is one of the oldest on the island, 
and is therefore very valuable. In addition to 
this property he owns a portion of the old Bragaw 
homestead and is the owner of considerable prop- 
erty in Skillman Avenue. In the year 1879 Mr. 
Gosman completed arrangements with a real es- 
tate firm in New York City whereby he was to 
look after their interests in this section, and al- 
though his own affairs occupy a great deal of his 
time and attention, he has transacted business for 
this firm ever since. 

The marriage of Mr. Gosman with Miss Jennie 
E. De Bevoise occurred in Long Island Citv. 
Mrs. Gosman was born here and is the daughter of 
Andrew De Bevoise, deceased, formerly a well-to- 
do farmer of this locality. Grandfather John De 
Bevoise was also a substantial farmer of this part 
of Queens County for many years. The De Be- 
voise family is of Holland extraction and the first 
representative who came to America very many 
years ago located in Bushwick and later moved 
to Long Island City. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Gosman were born three sons, 
George D. and Andrew D., who died in infancy, 
and Richard H., a wide-awake young man, who 
completed his studies in the Polytechnic School 
of Brooklyn. Richard H. is a member of Com- 
pany D, Twenty-third Regiment, National Guard. 
He was called out with his regiment during the 
recent strike in Brooklyn and manifested that 
true patriotism which has appeared in every gen- 
eration from his great-grandfather to the present 
time. 

George McA. Gosman served as collector of 
school taxes for the town of Newtown for one year 
and when his friends wished him to accept the sec- 
ond nomination he refused to do so. In the year 
1893 he was appointed a member of the Water and 
Fire Commission, but in 1895 resigned his posi- 
tion and has since that time given his undivided 
attention to his private affairs. He is a member 



of the Exempt Fireman's Association and takes 
great interest in the meetings of Sheridan Post 
No. 628, G. A. R., department of New York. He 
is past commander of this body and for two terms 
was president of the Memorial and Executive 
Committee of Queens County. In 1894 he at- 
tended the National Encampment at Washington. 
In politics he is a stanch and enthusiastic Repub- 
lican, having voted that ticket ever since 1864, 
when he cast his ballot for Lincoln. 



DIEDERICH THIELBAHR, who has 
been engaged in the grocery business at 
Steinway, Long Island City, since 1888, 
is a native of Germany, born in Hanover in 1858. 
He is the youngest of four children, whose par- 
ents, Diederich and Annie (Lampke) Thielbahr, 
were natives of Hanover and members of old 
German families. The father, who was a mer- 
chant in Ritterhude, died there at the age of forty- 
six, and the mother, who was a farmer's daughter, 
still makes her home in that place. 

Until fourteen years of age the subject of this 
sketch attended the schools of his native place, and 
then, in 1872, he took passage on the steamer 
"Lloyd" at Bremerhaven and landed in New 
York after an uneventful voyage. Without trou- 
ble he secured employment in a grocery as errand 
boy, beginning at the bottom and working his 
way up. In 1874 he went to California and for 
seven years was clerk in a bakery in San Francisco, 
meantime making several trips into the mountain 
regions. On his return to New York City in 1881 
he started in business, opening a grocery on 
Wooster Street, which he conducted for a num- 
ber of years. 

Selling out his New York store in 1888, Mr. 
Thielbahr came to Steinway and bought a grocery 
business, which he has since carried on, enlarging 
the store and increasing the trade. To accom- 
modate his patrons, he rtms two delivery wagons. 
He has a neat and commodious store, situated on 
Theodore Street and Old Bowery Bay road, and 
in his establishment he carries a iuU line of every- 
thing pertaining to the trade. Besides his private 
patronage, he supplies the majority of the large 
hotels on North Beach. 

In New York City Mr. Thielbahr married Miss 
Annie Wittschen, a native of Oldenburg, Ger- 
many, and they have two children, Annie and 
Harry. During 1894 Mr. Thielbahr spent three 
months in Europe visiting his old home and re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



151 



newing the associations of childhood, also spend- 
ing a short time in other places of historic interest 
and importance. Socially he is connected with 
the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He takes a 
warm interest in religious work and is a deacon 
in the German Reformed Church of Long Island 
City, to the support of which he is a regular con- 
tributor. 

HON. ABRAM D. DITMARS. It is the 
men of broad and comprehensive views 
who give life to communities— men who 
have foresight and energy, pluck and push to 
forward their enterprises and still retain an untar- 
nished reputation through it all. Such a man 
is Abram D. Ditmars, ex-mayor of Long Island 
City and now an eminent legal practitioner of 
New York City, with office at No. 61 William 
Street, his residence being in the city of Brook- 
lyn. He was born in Newtown, February 14. 

1822. 

The Ditmars came from Holland, but are sup- 
posed to have been of Scandinavian lineage. 
The paternal grandfather, Abram Ditmars, was 
born in Jamaica, and here his son Dow (or 
Douwe), father of the subject of this sketch, 
.vas also born, June 20, 1771- The latter was 
reared in the town that gave him birth, but 
was principally educated in the schools of Hack- 
ensack, N. T-, and finally graduated from the 
well-known Princeton College. After teaching 
school for a time he began the study of medi- 
cine under Dr. Ledyard, after which he went to 
Demerara and there practiced his profession 
from 1804 to 1816, when he returned to Long 
Island and located at Hell Gate, where the re- 
mainder of his life was devoted to farming. He 
died in i860, at the advanced age of ninety years. 
Religiously he was a worthy member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church at Newtown, of which place 
his wife was a native and of which church she 
was also a member. She was known before her 
marriage as Anna E. Riker, and was a daughter 
of Samuel Riker, who was successfully engaged 
in tilling the soil at Newtown. He was a soldier 
of the Revolutionary war, as were several of his 
sons. Mrs. Ditmars was born May 16, 1785, and 
passed from life in August, i860. Of a family of 
four children born to this worthy couple, only one 
is now living and he is the last one of his gen- 
eration. 

Abram D. Ditmars was reared in Newtown, in 
the public schools of which place he received a 



practical education. In early manhood he began 
the study of law under John L. Riker, and was 
admitted to the New York bar in 1844, since 
which time he has been a successful practitioner 
in that city. Learned in the principles of the law, 
he never appeals to men's passions, but always 
to their intellect and reason, and whether in at- 
tack or defense, has proved himself a ready de- 
bater, full of resources. In connection with his 
practice he is a real estate dealer and in this has 
also been successful. Up to 1876 he lived on the 
Shore Road, then removed to Brooklyn, where he 
has since made his home. In 1870 he was elect- 
ed the first mayor of Long Island City, a posi- 
tion he held successfully for three years, and in 
1875 he was again elected to this office, but 
resigned in the fall of the same year. He was an 
able and honest supporter of justice and right, 
did all in his power to prevent boodling and other 
evils, and his administration stands out promi- 
nently as one of the very best in the history of 
Long Island City. In 1871 be was very active in 
securing the amendment of the charter of Long 
Island City and since that time it has had one of 
the best charters in the state of New York. 

In Newtown, in 1876, Mr. Ditmars married 
Miss Lavinia Riker. She was born in that vil- 
lage and is a daughter of John L. Riker, under 
whom her husband first studied law, and who was 
a brother of Richard Riker. Mrs. Ditmars died 
in Brooklyn in November, 1886, having become 
the mother of four children. John R. resides in 
Orange, N. J.; Anna M. makes her home with 
her father; Edward W., who is a graduate of 
a well-known educational institution of New 
York, also graduated from the Columbia Law 
School in 1884 with the degree of LL.B., and is 
now practicing law in the Morse Building, No. 
140 Nassau Street, New York. He is a member 
of the Holland Society, the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion and the Crescent Athletic Club of Brooklyn. 
Samuel R. is a ranchman of Colorado. Their 
father, A. D. Ditmars, belongs to the Holland 
Society, and politically has always supported the 
men and measures of the Democratic party. 



Smith: N. decker. Of recent years 
there has been a great development in the 
ice business throughout Long Island, and 
those who have taken up this industry have al- 
most invariably gained a fair measure of success 
in its prosecution. The first impetus to this oc- 



152 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cupation was probably given by Isaac Remsen, 
but there have not been wanting others to follow 
in its successful management, among whom 
stands the name of Smith N. Decker, of Far Rock- 
away. May I, 1888, he succeeded Isaac Remsen 
in the business at this point, and in favorable sea- 
sons has put up as high as seven hundred thou- 
sand tons of Remsen Lake ice. He is now identi- 
fied with the Queens County Ice Company as 
president and manager. 

Mention is made of the Decker family in the 
sketch of our subject's brother, which is present- 
ed on another page of this volume. Smith N. 
was born in Springfield, L. I., October 25, i860, 
and received a good education in the public 
schools of that village and Jamaica, supplerpented 
by a course in a business college. After working 
in his father's employ for a time, he commenced for 
himself, at the age of nineteen, being first em- 
ployed in the sewing machine business, and after- 
ward for seven years in a wholesale grocery, since 
which time he has been dealing in the Remsen 
Lake ice. 

By his marriage to J. Estelle, daughter of Isaac 
B. Remsen, Mr. Decker has three children, name- 
ly: Smith Irving, Isaac B. Remsen and James 
Howard. Socially he is identified with Olympia 
Lodge of Masonry, while ni politics he votes the 
Democratic ticket in national issues, but pre- 
serves an independence of thought and action in 
local matters. He is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, which he is now serving as an 
elder and trustee. Local improvements receive 
his interested assistance, and he is now one of 
the directors in the electric light company. In 
addition to his ice business, he buys and sells 
horses, handling about one hundred each season. 



HENRY A. FRANCE, M. D. The medical 
profession in this county is ably repre- 
sented by the subject of our sketch, who 
came to Far Rockaway from Herkimer County in 
1886 and has since conducted a general practice 
in the village and surrounding country. In edu- 
cational matters, too, he has been deeply inter- 
ested and has contributed not a little to promoting 
the standard of education in the village school. 

The France family is of German origin and 
preceding generations, of former centuries, 
spelled the name Franz. Our subject's father, 
Jacob, was born in Schoharie County, but re- 
moved thence to Herkimer Cotmty, where he en- 



gaged in farming until his death, at seventy-six 
years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy 
Robinson, was born of English extraction in 
Schoharie County, and died at the age of fifty-six 
years. Their family consisted of four sons and 
one daughter, namely: Theodore W., who lives in 
San Francisco; Spencer S., deceased; Henry A.; 
Mary EHzabeth, wife of Albert Gay, of Far Rock- 
away, and Luther G., a resident of Napa, Cal. 

In Herkimer County, where he was born De- 
cember 24, 1834, the subject of this notice passed 
his boyhood years upon a farm and early in Hfe 
became familiar with the work incident to that 
occupation. His prehminary education was ob- 
tained in the district schools and under his father's 
instruction; his practical education was obtained 
by teaching, which was his work for eight years. 
During that time he also took a course in Fairfield 
Academy. He had a natural inclination for the 
study of medicine, and his work was directed 
with that end in view. After reading medicine 
with Dr. S. R. Milling, he attended a course of 
lectures, but his plans were disarranged by the 
outbreak of the rebellion. 

With the enthusiasm of a patriot, our subject 
in 1862 enlisted in the Union army, becoming a 
member of Company B, First Regiment, Berdan's 
Sharpshooters, and serving for seven months. 
When near Fredericksburg, and while he was suf- 
fering with typhoid fever, during extreme cold 
weather, he was obliged to sleep three nights on 
the ground, the consequence being that he froze 
his feet. His .illness, with its subsequent under- 
mining of the constitution, rendered him unfit 
for duty, and he was honorably discharged on ac- 
count of disability. For a time he was hospital 
steward and assistant surgeon. 

Returning to Herkimer County, as soon as re- 
cuperated our subject resumed the study of medi- 
cine, and in 1864 graduated from the Albany Med- 
ical College. The following year he commenced 
active practice in his native county, where he 
was alone for five years and in partnership with 
his former preceptor for three years, after which 
he was again alone until he removed from the 
county. His practice extended over a large ter- 
ritory. The work was hard and severe, the trips 
long and frequent, and these reasons caused him 
to establish his office in Far Rockaway, where the 
settlements are more compact. 

By his marriage to Betsy D. Gilbert, of Massa- 
chusetts, Dr. France had one child, Lydia Alice, 
now the wife of S. S. Prentice, of Vernon, Oneida 




JACOB HUNTER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



155 



County. His second marriage united him witli 
Ella Munn, of Herkimer County, and resulted in 
the birth of one child, Henry J., now in Far Rock- 
away. His present wife bore the maiden name of 
Jennie C. Evans and is a lady of amiable disposi- 
tion and hospitable manners. Politically a Re- 
publican, the Doctor cast his first vote for John 
C. Fremont. He is a charter member of Olympia 
Lodge No. 808, F. & A. M., and belongs to Sea- 
side Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Order of Foresters, 
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In 
former years he was a Methodist, but there being 
no church of that denomination in Far Rockaway, 
he identified himself with the Presbyterian 
Church. For twenty years he was school trustee. 
He was elected president of the board at a time 
when the increase of the population demanded 
additional school facilities, and to his labors, to- 
gether with those of other public-spirited men, 
is due the erection of the commodious and well- . 
constructed school building. Wishing to get all 
the information possible, he investigated the 
school buildings elsewhere and eventually recom- 
mended the plan that was, with slight alterations, 
adopted. Having accomplished this result, and 
seeing that the school was on a good footing, he 
refused to further serve in that capacity, and a 
worthy successor was chosen in the person of 
Archibald Mutch. However, he still maintains 
his interest in educational work, as in every good 
cause for the benefit of the people. 



JACOB HUNTER. The scythe of time cuts 
down all; nothing of the physical man is 
left. The monument which his children or 
friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery 
will crumble into dust and pass away ; but his life, 
his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which would otherwise be forgotten, is perpet- 
uated by a record of this kind. A man who has 
fulfilled his destiny and is now no more was Jacob 
Hunter, one of Queens County's most honored 
and respected citizens. He was the last represen- 
tative of the original family line associated with 
Hunter's Point, Long Island City, and was a quiet, 
unassuming, but genial man, who possessed ex- 
cellent business acumen and a soundness of judg- 
ment which were the foundations of his prosper- 
ous career. In personal appearance he was fine 
looking and his dignity of manner proclaimed him, 
a gentleman of the old school. He was singu- 
larly fortunate in all his undertakings and at the 
3 



time of his death, which occurred September 30, 
1875. he was the possessor of a large amount of- 
real estate in the city of New York. Honorable 
and benevolent in his intercourse with mankind, 
his popularity was often shown by the earnest- 
ness with which his friends sought to place him in 
positions of trust and honor. These positions he 
always declined, not because he did not appreciate 
the high esteem in which he was held, but from 
native modesty peculiar to his nature, he deem- 
ing the official mantle better suited for other 
shoulders than his own. The only office he was 
ever induced to accept was a position in the 
Eleventh Regiment, New York State Artillery, of 
which he became commander at an early period 
of his life. He seems thus to have been the only 
one of his family who inherited the peculiarities of 
his ancestor, Capt. Peter Praa. 

Mr. Hunter was born in 1791 and when scarcely 
out of his boyhood was a soldier in the War of 
1812. After the war closed he continued to be- 
long to the military^ corps, serving in an official 
capacity with such men in his rank as Prosper M. 
Welmore, Thomas M. Adriance and Joseph Hop- 
kins, who continued together until the close of Mr. 
Hunter's life. The latter became Commander- 
General of all the forces of New York City. In 
1 82 1 the requirements of his business obliged him 
to resign his position as Captain in the Eleventh 
Regiment of Artillery, which was later merged 
into Company D, Seventh New York. His sin- 
cere regret at leaving it was expressed in a letter 
which has been carefully preserved, viz.: "Cir- 
cumstances over which I have no control oblige 
me to take this step, while inclination strongly" 
pleads to detain me in the ranks. But rest as- 
sured that while absent from my accustomed post 
I shall still watch with interest from the distance, 
and should any emergencies occur I can only add 
that when my country, calls it will ever find me 
ready to follow." That pressing hour of need came 
not again until the War of the Rebellion, when 
Mr. Hunter was seventy years, old, and conse- 
quently too far advanced in life to take any ac- 
tive part in the contest. Thus the antique sword 
rusted in its scabbard, watched over and cared for 
as a family reHc, until recently, when it was placed 
in the relic room of the New York Seventh Regi- 
ment, at Sixty-seventh Street and Fourth Avenue. 

In 181 5 Mr. Hunter married Miss Charlotte 
Lahy, of an ancient and noble family, her father 
being the nephew and adopted son of General 
Gwynne, who was aide-de-camp in the courtly 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRARHICAL RECORD. 



retinue of King George III. Outliving his wife 
ten years, Mr. Hunter passed away at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-four years, leaving four chil- 
dren. Of these Miss Louise O. Hunter resides at 
No. 47 West Ninety-fourth Street, New York 
City, and is a lady of unusual literary ability. Mr. 
Hunter was the son of Capt. George Hunter, 
who was born in England and married Miss 
Annie Bennett, a daughter of Jacob Bennett, who 
was the son of Mrs. Annettie (Praa) Bennett. 
The latter was the daughter of the celebrated 
Capt. Peter Praa, who purchased the Hunter's 
Point farm, then known as "Dominie's Hook." 
This farm became the property of Mrs. Annie 
Hunter, the wife of Capt. George Hunter. The 
former was born on the farm and died there March 
ID, 1833. For a number of years they had made 
their home in New York City, where Captain 
Hunter breathed his last in 1825. They left a fam- 
ily of eight children ; and three sons, Jacob, John 
B. and Richard B., were appointed by Mrs. Hunt- 
er's will executors of her estate. The old home had 
long been known as tlunter's Point, and it was 
finally sold through Gen. J. Johnson to Dr. Eli- 
phalet Nott, president of Union College, Schenec- 
tady. Captain Hunter was a man much loved 
and admired. After his marriage he gave up the 
sea and became a shipping merchant in New 
York, and no name stood higher than his among 
the mercantile interests of the community. 



EDGAR DUBS SHIMER, A. M., Ph.D., 
Professor of Psychology in the University 
of New York. It being generally con- 
ceded that heredity has much to do with the form- 
ation of character and that our lives are influenced 
by our progenitors, an account of the ancestors 
of Professor Shimer may serve as an index to the 
impulses that mark his character and that have 
won for him his place in the world of thought and 
action. 

The founder of the family in America was Jacob 
Scheimer, whose name appears first in a Low- 
Dutch manuscript memorandum found among 
the "Rittenhouse Papers," dated 1722, in Ger- 
mantown. Pa., and later appears in a list of sub- 
scribers to Ax's Lutheran burying ground at 
Germantown in 1724. According to the Colo- 
nial Records, he was naturalized in 1730 and, 
prior to 1734, paid quit rent to the English gov- 
ernment on one hundred acres "situate in the 
township of Germantown, Pa.," and conveyed 



to "John Ashmeed, blacksmith, of Philadel- 
phia, on the fifth day of March, in the year 
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
twenty-eight." As no records of immigrants was 
kept until 1727, the date of his arrival is not 
known, nor whence he came; but as his auto- 
graph signature to his will is in German, and as 
many or nearly all the early German settlers of 
Germantown came from the Rhine Province, the 
latter was most likely his native place. 

The first wife of Jacob Scheimer was Margaret, 
the fourth daughter of Heivert Papen and Eliza- 
beth Rittenhouse, only daughter of William Riit- 
tinghuysen. The exact date of their marriage is 
not known. He was an ardent adherent of the 
Augsburg Confession of Faith, as his subsequent 
religious history shows. Rev. Dr. Mann, of the 
Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, 
in a historical discourse, says: "Two hundred 
years ago the first German emigrants came to our 
beautiful Pennsylvania; they were few in 
number. * * ''' They came as Christians 
:;c !|t * ^^^^ being unprovided with churches, 
they united with the Quakers and Mennonites, 
and worshipped with them ; but all historians 
agree that the Mennonites kept no church books 
from 1 710 to 1770, or they were lost." Prior to 
1735-40 no Lutheran denomination had been or- 
ganized except the Zion Lutheran Church of Phil- 
adelphia, and the record of that church does not 
contain the names of Jacob Scheimer and Mar- 
garet Rittenhouse Papen in its marriage list; but 
othet documents prove that they were married 
between the years 1720 and 1722. Mar- 
garet's signature appears on the deed above 
referred to, dated March 5, 1728, show- 
ing that she was alive at that date; but 
she died between that year and 1732. The 
exact date of her death and the place of inter- 
ment cannot be determined. They had six 
children, namely: Abraham, who was married 
March 3, 1749, to Lena Westbroeck, daughter of 
a large landed proprietor of Northern New Jer- 
sey; Anthony; Mrs. Elizabeth Vickeson, Mrs. 
Mary Shoemaker, Mrs. Catharine Young and 
Sarah. 

His wife, Margaret, having died, Jacob Schei- 
mer married again, and his second wife's Chris- 
tian name, Elizabeth, only is known. Their oldest 
child, Jacob, was born in Skippack, Pa., June 
4, 1734. In 1740 he removed to a planta- 
tion which he had purchased, situated on the 
northern slope of the Lehigh hills, bordering on 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



157 



the southern banks of the Lehigh River, below 
Bethlehem, Pa., where he died September 17, 
1757, aged seventy-eight years. His will, pro- 
bated October 15, 1757, is on file in the regis- 
ter's office, Philadelphia, Pa. He was twenty years 
the senior of his first wife and thirty years older 
than his second wife, and was seventy years old 
when his youngest son was born. 

Willem Riittinghuysen, grandfather of Jacob 
Scheimer's first wife, came from Broig, Holland, 
and settled in Germantown, Pa., in 1689. He 
was the first American Mennonite bishop and 
the great-grandfather of the celebrated astron- 
omer, David Rittenhouse. His name became fa- 
mous on account of his having established, on the 
Wissahickon, the first paper mill in America. He 
owned over three hundred acres of land on the 
west side of Main Street, Germantown. Heivert 
Papen, father-in-law of Jacob Scheimer, came 
from Papenburg, on the bank of the river Ems, 
which flows into the North Sea. He settled in 
Germantown in 1685, and married EHzabeth, only 
daughter of Willem Riittinghuysen. By religious 
profession he was a Quaker. He owned over 
■ three hundred acres of land on the east side of 
Main Street, Germantown, adjoining his father- 
in-law's tract. (Recorder of deed's office, Phil- 
adelphia, Germantown Book, p. 219, I. 4, p. 30.) 
In 1689 he built a house which was demolished 
only about 1884. In Westcott's History of Phil- 
adelphia appears the following notice of it: "A 
mansion built by Heivert Papen, on the north- 
east corner of Main and Johnson Streets, in 1689, 
drawn expressly to illustrate Westcott's History 
of Philadelphia." Heivert Papen died in 1708, 
leaving five daughters, but no sons; hence his 
name became extinct. 

The names of "Jacob Scheimer and his wife 
Elizabeth" appear frequently in the old Lutheran 
Church book of that denomination in Lower 
Saucon Township, as communicants and as spon- 
sors at the baptism of infants of well-known fam- 
ilies. Their place of burial has not been discov- 
ered. They had issue: Jacob, born June 4, 
1734, died June 6, 1 764; Conrad, died in De- 
cember, 1760; Samuel; Edward, born February 
28, 1741, died February 16, 1815; Peter, died 
prior to 1764; Isaac, born August 6, 1749, died 
April 10, 1838; and John, died prior to 1764. 

Edward Shimer, the fourth son of Jacob 
Scheimer, married in 1765 Rosina Seip, widow of 
his brother Jacob. They had three sons and one 
daughter: Jacob, born January i, 1767, died 



October 5, 1845; Isaac, born May 6, 1769, died 
January i, 1838; a son that died in infancy; and 
Susanna, born February 22, 1776, died August 
16, 1863. Rosina Seip was born in Odenwald, 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, January i, 1739. In 
the spring of 1751 her eldest brother, Melchior, 
emigrated and landed in Philadelphia Septem- 
ber 14, 1751, settling in the eastern part of what 
is now Weissenberg Township, Lehigh County, 
Pa. John Seip, grandson of Melchior, founded 
Seipstown, the principal village of Weissenberg, 
in 1820. 

Soon after Melchior Seip's emigration, his 
father died and the widow with her adult son 
Peter, her thirteen-year-old daughter Rosina and 
eleven-year-old son Jacob, followed her son Mel- 
chior to America, the ship landing in Philadelphia 
September 22, 1752. She, however, was taken 
ill while crossing the ocean, died and was buried 
at sea, when within six weeks of their place of 
destination. Peter Seip, with his sister Rosina 
and brother Jacob, settled where subsequently 
Seipsville, in Northampton County, Pa., was 
founded. Jacob Seip was the first American 
ancestor of Dr. Amos Seip of Easton, Pa., and 
Rev. T. L. Seip, D. D., president of Muhlen- 
berg College, Allentovvn, Pa. Peter Seip was cor- 
oner of Northampton County in 1770. 

Edward Shimer acquired a part of the original 
ancestral estate by inheritance and purchase, and 
here he and his wife died and were buried in a 
private burying plot. The eldest son, Jacob, 
married, in April, 1791, Elizabeth Beyl, born Sep- 
tember 15, 1772, died January 31, 1857. They 
had seven sons and one daughter: John, born 
June 7, 1792, died July 29, 1878; Joseph, born 
May 2, 1795, died August 13, 1878; Edward, born 
June 27, 1797, died October 10, 1869; Isaac, 
born August 25, 1799, died December 17, 1863; 
Jacob, born October 10, 1802, died in October, 
1871 ; EHzabeth, born April 21, 1805; Samuel, 
born September 21, 1807; and Abraham, born 
March 12, 1809, died January i, 1881. 

Elizabeth Beyl was a daughter of Balthazer 
Beyl, a Palatinate, who landed in Philadelphia 
September 26, 1737. Between the years 1742 and 
1754 warrants were issued and patents granted 
to him for four different tracts of land, amounting 
to about two hundred and fifty acres, in Upper 
Saucon Tovv^nship, Northampton County, Pa. 
He was an elder and vestryman of the Evan- 
gelical or Lutheran congregation of Upper Sau- 
con, for the use of which congregation he had 



158 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



donated part of the land. His will is dated Jtily 
12, 1791, executors John Beyl and his wife Anna 
Maria. Elizabeth Beyl's sister, Susanna, married 
Jacob Seip Shimer's brother, Isaac, 1796, who is 
the maternal ancestor of the Boyer family of War- 
ren County, N. J. Another sister, Catharine, 
first married Solomon Owen, and later became 
the wife of Paul Heller. Of Paul's children. 
Abraham married Mary B. Egner and is the 
father of Hon. Erank B. Heller of Hellertown, 
Pa. Her brother, John Beyl, owned in 1780 
taxable property assessed at sixteen hundred 
and forty pounds in Lower Saucon; at the 
same time his brother Henry was the owner of 
properi:y, the assessed value of which was nine 
hundred and forty-two pounds, situated in Forks 
Township. William Beyl's name appears in the 
tax list of Upper Saucon in 1781. John Beyl was 
one of the most prominent citizens of Northamp- 
ton County and held the office of justice under the 
commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1784. 

At a meeting of a number of citizens in the 
stone church near Ironville, Lower Saucon, 
Northampton County, Eebruary 11, 1806, in order 
to consult how best to promote Christian virtue 
and put an end to the immoralities of the neigh- 
borhood, it was decided to form an Association 
for the Encouragement of Christian Virtue and 
the Advancement of Civil Order. John Beyl was 
elected president, and also acted as chairman of 
a committee appointed to draft a constitution. 
Edward Shimer and John Beyl were members of 
the Committee of Safety of Northampton County, 
Pa., during the War of the Revolution. About 
the close of the eighteenth century the name of 
Beyl disappears from the list of assessments in 
Upper Saucon; whither they went is not known. 

Jacob Seip Shimer was a progressive farmer 
md was often consulted by his neighbors on agri- 
cultural matters. In June, 1809, for $10,666.66, 
lawful money of the United States, William Cur- 
rie of Plymouth Township, in the county of Lu- 
zerne, yeoman, deeded to Jacob Shimer the his- 
toric tract of one hundred and eighty acres and 
mill. A new mill was built in 1812 and around 
it, as a nucleus, the village of Shimersville, at the 
mouth of the Saucon Creek, gradually grew. 
Jacob Seip Shimer's only sister, Susanna, was 
married, first, "to one of the Binghams" of Phil- 
adelphia, two brothers who owned a tract of a 
thousand acres on the south bank of the Lehigh 
River, which they kept as a hunting ground. 
Susanna's husband died early, without issue, and 



his surviving brother returned to England, his 
native place, and Lord Ashburton was one of his 
descendants. The second husband of Susanna 
was Dr. Von Steuben of Bethlehem, a near rela- 
tive of Baron Von Steuben and General Von 
Steuben of military fame. 

John Beyl Shimer, grandfather of the subject 
of this sketch and eldest son of Jacob Seip Sliimer, 
married April 7, 1816, Mary (Polly) Schweitzer, 
born February 19, 1797, died January 11, 1873. 
Their children were Elizabeth, wife of John Rie- 
gel, a paper mill manufacturer; William, born 
June 5, 1820; George and Samuel (twins), March 
5, 1823; James Oliver (father of our subject), 
July 31, 1826; Jacob Theodore, November 28, 
1834; Robert Anthony, October 3, 1836; Mary 
Ann, September 22, 1828; and Sarah, March 3, 
1832. Mary Schweitzer was a daughter of John 
Schweitzer, third son of John Schweitzer, who 
was the first American ancestor of the Schweitzer 
family in Northampton County. He lived in 
Bethlehem Township. John Schweitzer, Jr., also 
resided in Bethlehem Township and the assessed 
value of his real estate in 1780 was twelve hun- 
dred and twenty pounds. His will is dated 1839 
and is on record in the office of the register of 
deeds at Easton, Pa. He had eight children: 
John, Isaac, Susanna, Catharine, Elizabeth, Mary, 
Rebecca and Sarah. The third child, Susanna, 
was married to John Lerch Shimer. 

James Oliver Shimer, father of the subject of 
this article, was a prominent woolen manufac- 
turer and died in October, 1891, at the age of 
sixty-three years. In religious belief a Lutheran, 
he was especially interested in Sunday school 
work and for thirty years held the office of super- 
intendent. One of his sisters, Elizabeth, married 
John Riegel, the well-known paper manufacturer 
of Riegelville, Pa.; his brother William and his 
sons are skillful iron founders at the old home- 
stead; George is a woolen manufacturer in Phila- 
delphia; Robert is a successful dry-goods mer- 
chant in New Jersey; and Jacob is especially 
known through his inventive ability. 

May 2, 1850, James Oliver Shimer married 
Elmira Dorinda Sophia Dubs, who was born De- 
cember 14, 1829, daughter of Rev. Joseph S. 
Dubs, D. D., an eminent minister of the Re- 
formed Church, and sister of Rev. A. J. G. Dubs, 
D. D., pastor of a church in AUentown, Pa. (the 
largest outside of Philadelphia), and Rev. Joseph 
Henry Dubs, D. D., professor of history and arch- 
aeology in Franklin and Marshall College, Lan- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



159 



caster, Pa. The older brother is widely known 
for his matchless oratory and great executive abil- 
ity; the younger for his historical and poetical 
writings, the former constituting him a recog- 
nized authority in his special field. Of the chil- 
dren of James Oliver Shimer the eldest, Alice, 
is the wife of Henry J- Pretz, a banker in Al- 
lentown. Pa.; Edgar Dubs is second in order 
of birth, and was born at Shimersville, near 
Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pa., Febru- 
ary 25, 1853; Louise E. is the wife of John L. 
Hogan, a commission merchant in Philadel- 
phia, and a writer of acknowledged authority on 
dietetics; her book on "How to Feed Infants" is 
published by Lippincotts of Philadelphia; Carrie 
E., who lives in Jamaica, is a teacher of music, and 
is also author of "Preparatory Touch and Tech- 
nic;" Anna died when quite young; William H., 
the youngest of the family, was trained under Dr. 
Pancoast and is a practicing physician at Meyers- 
ville, Tex. 

From the "Pennsylvania Magazine" of Octo- 
ber, 1894, volume 18, page 367, the following 
facts are gleaned concerning the origin and his- 
tory of the Dubs family in America: Among 
the one hundred and eighty-five passengers on 
the ship "Dragow" that crossed the Atlantic in 
1732 was a young Swiss gunsmith, Jacob Dubs, 
who was born August 31, 1710, in hamlet Aesch, 
parish of Birmensdorf, canton of Zurich, Switzer- 
land. His parents, Jacob Dubs and Anna 
Glattli of Bachstetten, were married in Birmens- 
dorf, March 24, 1705, and had three sons, Hans 
and Ulrich, who died in infancy, and Jacob. For 
many generations the family had resided in Bir- 
mensdorf and the neighboring village of Afifol- 
tern, and the earliest records show they were ar- 
morers. According to tradition the original 
stock was Bohemian. The name is the Czech 
word "dub," an oak. It is held to be derived 
from the name of a town near Prague, called 
"Duba" (The Oaks), or in German Eichen or 
Aycha, a name also well known in Bohemia and 
often written Dubsky. According to Merian the 
families Von Eichen and Berka were originally 
named Dubs, the first a translation, the second 
derived from an estate. 

A branch of the family became Hussites in the 
fifteenth century and during the wars fled to the 
Austrian province Styria, where we find them 
settled in 1446. The head of the family entered 
military service and distinguished himself in ex- 
peditions against the Swiss. He was knighted on 



the field by Emperor Maximilian I., who also 
gave him the privilege of occupying a clearing 
in the imperial forest. The arms granted are 
carefully preserved and were recognized and ap- 
proved by Frederick I., king of Prussia, in 1701. 
They appear in "Europaische Wappensamm- 
lung," published by John Rudolph Helmers, Nu- 
remberg, 1705, and represent a silver lance v/ith 
pennon on a blue field, surmounted, as a crest, 
by three ostrich feathers, two silver and center 
blue. Prof. Joseph Henry Dubs, D. D., has in 
his possession an ancient engraved seal with these 
bearings. 

About the beginning of the Protestant Reform- 
ation a younger son or grandson of the Styrian 
knight removed to Switzerland. The motives for 
his removal are supposed to have been the influ- 
ence of Hussite family traditions. He became 
an earnest Protestant, but the family in Styria 
has remained Catholic to this day. He settled 
six or eight miles from Zurich and there engaged 
in the manufacture of weapons. In 1531 Zurich 
was invaded by an army from the Catholic can- 
tons and he became a soldier, losing his life with 
Zwingli, the reformer, in the battle of Cappel, 
October 11, 1531. In an ancient chronicle of the 
church at Affoltern, it is recorded that the armor- 
er Dubs of Birmensdorf was slain at Cappel in 
defence of his faith. The same fact is also stated 
by Henry Bullinger, the successor of Zwingli, 
in his "Reformation Geschichte," but the name 
there is twisted into Jacob Dupps. The descend- 
ants continued as gunsmiths and were quiet, hon- 
est and unpretentious. 

Jacob Dubs was fairly well educated and ex- 
celled in penmanship. His mother died in his 
early boyhood and his father married again. 
When he became of age he followed several of 
his cousins, who had already crossed the ocean. 
Arriving in Pennsylvania, he sought his countr)^- 
men in Great Swamp, Bucks County, where Rev. 
John Henry Goetschins of Zurich had recently 
founded a congregation. On the oldest extant list 
of members appears his name. A short distance 
away, in Lower Milford, Lehigh County, he set- 
tled on one hundred and fifty' acres, which was 
surveyed in 1734. Water power was provided 
by a branch of the Perkiomen. Here he erected 
a small forge, made arms and iron implements, 
and it was said of him that he could make any- 
thing from a plough to a darning needle. He 
made a harpsichord, long in possession of his de- 
scendants. Through his efforts was laid the 



i6o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



foundation of the business enterprises afterward 
carried on by his sons and grandsons. In 1734 
he became a naturaHzed citizen of America. He 
married Veronica Welker, a native of the Upper 
Palatinate, and a woman of culture, who gath- 
ered the neighboring children in her kitchen and 
taught them to read. Their sons and daughters 
were Felix, born February 28, 1738; Barbara, 
•April 5, 1744; Margaretha, 1746; Daniel, Octo- 
ber 5, 1748; and Elizabeth, October 16, 1750. 

The experiences of Jacob Dubs were those in- 
cident to life in a frontier settlement. Not only 
were his privations great and hardships many, 
but he was exposed to perils from savage foes 
and wild beasts that lurked in neighboring woods. 
Wolves were especially troublesome, and Daniel, 
his son, when a little boy often amused himself 
by imitating their barking; once a wolf rushed 
.on him, but he escaped into tlie kitchen through 
an open window, by the aid of his mother. 
Though a man of peace, when the Indians in- 
vaded the Lehigh Valley, Jacob Dubs joined a 
company that followed them beyond the Blue 
Mountains. Deeply interested in the welfare of 
the church, he was efficient in his service as 
ruling elder, an office held in the same congrega- 
tion by three generations of descendants. 

In 1759 Felix Dubs, still unmarried, started for 
Philadelphia with a load of farm produce. He 
spent the night at North Wales with Matthias 
Schwenk, whose daughter, Elizabeth, afterward 
married Daniel, a brother of Felix. Rising early 
in the morning while yet it was dark, he fell into 
a well not properly covered and was drowned. 
Barbara, daughter of Jacob Dubs, married Jacob 
Boyer, who during the Revolution sold his farm, 
receiving paj'ment in depreciated Continental 
money. He became financially involved and re- 
moved to Tennessee, whence his descendants 
later came back to Pennsylvania and paid all his 
debts with accrued interest. Margaretha became 
the second wife of Jacob Dillinger and has nu- 
merous descendants. Elizabeth married Jacob 
Haak, a wealthy man and a prominent Freema- 
son. Daniel, in 1772, purchased his father's busi- 
ness for three hundred and fifty pounds, and the 
father lived retired until his death three years 
later. Daniel erected the first brick house in Le- 
high County, a building that still stands, in excel- 
lent condition. He married Elizabeth Schwenk 
and their children were Anna Maria, born June 
27, 1777; Jacob, June 21, 1779; Henry; Daniel, 
born April 7, 1786; John, September 5, 1788; 



Solomon, October 10, 1794; and Joseph S., Octo- 
ber 16, 1796, the last-named being our subject's 
grandfather. He was licensed to preach the gos- 
pel in 1822. It was usual with him to preach three 
times on Sunday. He also found time to con- 
tribute to the periodicals of his church. In many 
collections of hymns may be found "Wie Som- 
mers schoen die Blumen blueh'n," written by him 
about 1840, and often sung at the burial of in- 
fants. The common people knew him as Father 
Dubs. All his sermons were charming for their 
clearness, force and fervor, and for tmequaled 
beauty of delivery. He officiated at the corner- 
stone laying, or consecration, of sixty^ve 
churches. In 1866, Franklin and Marshall Col- 
lege, in recognition of his fame and faithful serv- 
ice conferred upon him the honorary degree of 
Doctor of Divinity. He died April 14, 1877, after 
having been for thirty years pastor of Zion's Re- 
formed Church at Allentown, in which the his- 
toric bells of Philadelphia were concealed during 
the Revolution. 

Referring to the personal history of the subject 
of this biography, it may be said that Professor 
Shimer spent his early life in attendance at the 
schools of his native place, while during his leisure 
hours he assisted his father in the mill. At an 
early age he developed a fondness for machinery 
and devoted much of his time to its study, becom- 
ing an expert in its manipulation. At the age of 
twelve he was so far advanced in his studies that 
the country school at Shimersville taught nothing 
of which he was not the master. He then en- 
tered a private school of high grade at Bethle- 
hem. It was his father's ambition that he should 
be educated for the Lutheran ministry, he having 
been reared in that faith, although his mother's 
family were members of the Reformed Church. 
At the age of fifteen he received a Hcense to teach 
a public school, and the following year his par- 
ents removed to Allentown in order to afford him 
better educational advantages. At once he en- 
tered Muhlenberg College, of which Rev. Francis 
Augustus Muhlenberg, D. D., was president, and 
it was his influence that directed the youthful 
student toward philosophical studies. In 1874 
he graduated from the art department of the col- 
lege, carrying off the highest honors of his class. 
Soon afterward he went to New York City to 
study Greek, Latin, German and Hebrew, still 
with the view of becoming a minister. He be- 
came a member of the family of Dr. Edward F. 
Moldehnke. whose son Charles, now a well-known 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6i 



Egyptologist, by his intense thirst for archaelogi- 
cal and mythological lore, aroused in our subject 
the teacher's instinct and caused him to decide 
that his energies should be devoted to teaching 
instead of preaching. In 1875 he became a teach- 
er in Grammar School No. 42 in the city of New 
York, and with his customary thoroughness at 
once began the systematic study of pedagogy in 
all its aspects. He studied it closely, not only in 
books, but in the school room, thus investigating 
in his own way the great and fundamental laws 
of education. He also became a teacher in the 
foreign departments of the public evening schools, 
and later a teacher of rhetoric and elocution in 
one of the evening high schools. 

The devotion evinced by .Professor Shinier to 
the cause of education, the new ideas which, when 
put into practice, worked out the same as in 
theory, attracted attention, and in 1886 he was 
invited to lecture on psychology in the University 
of the City of New York. Two years later he 
was made adjunct professor of pedagogy in that 
institution of learning. In 1877 he received the 
degree of A. M. from Muhlenberg College and in 
regular course the degree of Ph.D. in 1887, his 
thesis being a plea for the founding of chairs of 
pedagogy. In 1891 he was made a full professor 
in the University of New York, being called to 
the chair of psychology, which he now occupies. 
When the university extension movement was 
first organized in New York, he was employed by 
the management to deliver three courses of lec- 
turse on psychology, two of them in Brooklyn 
and the other in the College of the City of New 
York. These lectures attracted a great deal of 
attention, and his writings, public addresses and 
translations have been widely commented upon 
by the press throughout the country, until now his 
name is well known in all educational circles. 
One of his specialties, in which he has been most 
successful, is the working out of theories and 
then putting them in practice in the school room. 
Few educators have the gift of word painting 
which he possesses, enabling the hearer to see the 
thing he is talking of as plainly as though it were 
before his face. He believes that education is 
more than merely committing to memory certain 
portions of text books; that it means culture, the 
development and disciplining of all the faculties 
of the human body and mind. With this high 
ideal of his profession and with the thorough 
preparation he has made for his life work, success 
has naturally followed. Dr. Henry M. Field, 



editor of the "New York Evangelist," writes of 
him thus: "1 was invited by Mr. Charles Butler 
to pay a visit to the School of Pedagogy in the 
New York University and had the opportunity 
of seeing a class that was under the care of Pro- 
fessor Shimer. I had never seen him before, but 
my attention was at once arrested by his perfect 
mastery of the subject, by the clearness with 
which 'he explained it so as to make all under- 
stand it, and the remarkable power he had of 
gaining the attention of his pupils and making 
them interested and enthusiastic students. I 
should think he would be a great acquisition to 
any institution. Indeed, if I were in the neighbor- 
hood I should often drop in for the pleasure of 
listening to one who has in a remarkable degree 
the gift — I may almost say the genius — of teach- 
ing." 

In 1876 Professor Shimer married Miss Mary 
C. Hannum of Allentown, Pa., and they have 
tw© daughters, Mabel H. and Maude C. In 
1878 he came to Jamaica, where he has since 
made his home, and where he has taken an active 
part in local affairs. There being no Lutheran 
Church here, he united with the Presbyterian 
Church, and for many years has been superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath school, and deacon in the 
church. 



JAMES K. DAVIS, postmaster at Roslyn, 
and a builder and contractor by occupation, 
was born in Wheatly, town of Oyster Bay, in 
November, 1844, being a son of Samuel J. and 
Mary (Seaman) Davis. His father, who was a 
native of Jericho, L. I., settled at Wheatly in early 
manhood and engaged at his trade of stone ma- 
son and plasterer until his death, which occurred 
at the family residence in 1893; his wife had 
passed away one year prior to his demise. In 
their family were the following-named children: 
Judge Edgar Davis, of Hicksville; John, who 
lives at Wheatly: Lydia A., wife of Joseph Lay- 
ton, of Jericho ; James K.: Lavinia; Phoebe, wife 
of David Layton, of Wheatly; George W., of 
East Williston, and Thorn, of Wheatly. 

When about sixteen years of age our subject 
entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's 
trade, having spent two years previous in the 
store of William Valentine, of Roslyn. At the 
expiration of his term of service, at the age of 
twenty-one, he began to work at his trade, which 
he has since followed with the exception of a 



1 62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



short period. October 24, 1876, he was united 
in marriage with EHza, daughter of John Charlick, 
a hotellieeper at Roslyn, where she was born. Her 
father's brother, Oliver Charhck, was at one time 

. president of the Long Island Railroad Company 
After his mai-riage Mr. Davis came to Roslyn 

■as a permanent citizen, beginning work as a build 
er and contractor. In 1877 he became interested 
in the meat business in Roslyn, being thus en- 
gaged for five years, when poor health induced 
him to retire from business. In 1892, on the 

: Democratic ticket, he was elected collector of 
taxes for the town of Hempstead and was re- 
elected the following term. Since 1879 he has 
been a member of the Board of Education, of 
which he was secretary for some time, and has 
been president since 1893. In 1893, under Presi- 
dent Cleveland, he was appointed postmaster at 
Roslyn, in which capacity he has sei-ved efficiently. 
Socially he is connected with Glencove Lodge No 
580, F. & A. M., and Melchizadek Chapter No. 
72- He is also a member of the Roslyn Benevo- 
lent Society. In his family there are six chil- 
dren: Frederick C, assistant postmaster; Eu- 
genia, Nellie, Bruce, Margery and Lois. 



BERNARD EARLE. The subject of the 
following sketch can look back upon a 
busy life and feel that his labors have not 
been in vain. When success crowns any victor, 
reward is his due, and Mr. Earle feels that he 
receives his reward in the peace and plenty which 
•surround his declining years and the rest he can 
now take after the weary and long struggle upon 
the battlefield of human activities. He was born 
in County Louth, Ireland, in 1820, and received 
a good education in his native place. At the age 
of sixteen he began an apprenticeship to the car- 
penter's trade at Castle Ballingham, and for sev- 
eral years thereafter his attention was closely 
devoted to his chosen work. 

Having resolved to seek a home in the United 
States, Mr. Earle, in 1843, took passage on the 
"City of Oxford," and after an uneventful voyage 
landed in New York, where he at once began to 
follow his trade. In 1846 he took up contract 
work, and, meeting with success in that line, he 
followed it for twenty years. With the money he 
earned he made investments in real estate, watch- 
ing the market closely and taking advantage of 
special bargains in property. So successful vvas 
he that at the close of the war he was the owner 



of thirty-two houses in New York. In 1871 he 
invested in real estate in Queens County, near 
Hicksville, and has retained large interests here 
since. 

In 1888 Mr. Earle donated the grounds and 
buildings now occupied by St. John's Asylum, 
which is under the auspices of the Catholic Church 
and is a branch of the Catholic Asylum of Brook- 
lyn. At this writing there are about one hun- 
dred and fifty inmates of the institution. In 1895 
he also donated ninety-two acres to the Papist 
fathers, and on this property, which is located 
at Mannetto Hill, arrangements have been made 
to erect buildings and found a home. He has 
long been a member of the Catholic Church, and 
takes a great interest in its welfare. Among the 
leaders of the church he is very popular, his kind- 
ness of heart and the munificence of his gifts con- 
ducing to increase the high position which his up- 
right life has created. His realty includes a num- 
ber of houses in Hicksville, Brooklyn and other 
places, and while he has ostensibly retired from 
business, yet it requires a considerable portion 
of his time to direct and superintend the manage- 
ment of his property. 



JOHN D. CROSBY, postmaster at Inwood, 
took a prominent part in securing the es- 
tablishment of a postoifice at this place, and 
in 1888 was chosen the first postmaster, which 
position he has since held. He came to the vil- 
lage in 1884 and for two years had charge of a 
drug store for Dr. Schmuck, after which he 
bought the business and has since been the pro- 
prietor, carrying on his drug trade in connection 
with his official duties. 

Anton T. Crosby, a farmer of Deerfield, Oneida 
County, married Margaret Holmes, of North 
Gage, this state, and five children were born of 
their union, namely: John D., the subject of this 
article; Lottie, wife of John Cook, a resident of 
Voss, Walsh County, N. Dak.; Mary, Mrs. 
Charles Greene, of Torrington, Conn.; Emma, who 
married James Fuller, of North Gage, and Edith, 
a teacher, residing with her parents in Oneida 
County. Our subject was born on his father's 
farm at Deerfield, N. Y., May 23, 1858, and grew 
to manhood oil the homestead, meantime attend- 
ing the common schools and Whitestown Semin- 
ary. At the age of twenty-four he left home, and, 
going to Utica, was employed in a drug store for 
three years, after which he came to Inwood, his 




JOHN KELLUM. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6.s 



present home. He is a licensed druggist, familiar 
with every department of his chosen work, and 
has buih up a large trade in this locality. 

November 20, 1889, Mr. Crosby married Miss 
May V. Croft, a lady of intelligence and refine- 
ment, who soon after their marriage began the 
study of pharmacy and graduated from the New 
York College, receiving a druggist's Hcense. Both 
are sincere Christians and hold membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Lawrence. Po- 
litically our subject has identified himself with the 
Democratic party, and uniformly votes that tick- 
et. In fraternal relations he belongs to the Royal 
Arcanum, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, Masonic Order and Court Westville No. 
93, Order of Foresters. 



JOHN KELLUM. Of the many master 
minds whom the village of Hempstead has 
given to the world, few equalled and prob- 
ably none surpassed, in depth of discernment and 
keenness of intellect, the gentleman whose name 
introduces this sketch and who was for many 
years one of the most prominent men of Queens 
County. The son of poor parents, receiving in 
youth but a limited education and having none of 
the advantages now considered indispensable in 
the training of youth, he nevertheless achieved 
marvelous success and at his death left a large 
fortune, accumulated by his own achievements. 

Born at Hempstead, August 27, 1809, the sub- 
ject of this notice spent his early years upon a 
farm, but in youth learned the carpenters trade. 
Going to Brooklyn, he became connected with a 
prominent builder, and step by step he mastered 
•every branch of the business, through his own 
exertions becoming one of the most expert archi- 
tects in the country. The firm of King & Kellum, 
of Brooklyn, had the contract for many of the 
leading business blocks and churches in that city. 
However, it was mainly through his connection 
with the merchant prince, A. T. Stewart, that Mr. 
Kellum gained his greatest fame and the bulk of 
"his fortune. He had the entire charge of building 
Mr. Stewart's mansion on Thirty-fourth Street, 
now the property of the Manhattan Club, and 
also built his wholesale store and bis mammoth 
retail establishment on Broadway and Tenth 
Street. In fact, Mr. Stewart gave him charge of 
ah buildings erected by him. When he desired 
a new building or an addition to an old building 
he simply laid his plans before Mr. Kellum and 



gave him absolute control of the work. It is 
doubtful if even Judge Hilton had the confidence 
of Stewart that Mr. Kellum enjoyed, and to Mr. 
Kellum's credit be it said that while the oppor- 
tunities to take advantage of this confidence were 
unlimited, it was never betrayed. 

In later years Mr. Kellum had his summer resi- 
dence in Hempstead, the place of his birth. It 
was through him that Stewart became interested 
in Long Island property, and on his advice the 
merchant purchased large tracts of land in the 
vicinity of Hempstead. Under Mr. Kehum's per- 
sonal direction the now famous village of Garden 
City was platted and laid out, but just as the work 
of constructing the many buildings under contem- 
plation was begun and unlimited means placed at 
his disposal, the mind that designed these great 
improvements, the man to whom Mr. Stewart 
looked for the consummation of his plans, was 
stricken by death, and passed from earth July 
24, 1871. 

The death of Mr. Kellum was a serious blow 
to Garden City, for the hand that had planned the 
great undertaking was not there to direct its con- 
struction, and the death of Mr. Stewart soon after- 
ward further retarded the development of the 
scheme. When Judge Hilton succeeded to the 
management of the estate it seemed as though 
it was his intention to still further cripple the 
project; but when Mr. Kellum made the plans 
he must have considered the possibiUty of his 
own and Mr. Stewart's death before the work was 
completed. To him the place is largely indebted 
for the two colleges, St. Paul's and St. Mary's, 
and the beautiful cathedral, which, while not large, 
is one of the most elegant churches in the country, 
the organ alone costing $75,000. While it was 
Mr. Kellum's connection with Stewart that made 
him famous, yet he gained an enviable reputation 
as the builder of many of the most substantial 
structures on Broadway, including the great store 
of Tiffany and others of equal prominence. 

May 28, 183 1, Mr. Kellum married Hannah 
Raynor, who was born in Hempstead and died 
here June 10, 1877. They were the parents of 
five children, namely: Benjamin, who was con- 
nected in business with his father, but died in early 
manhood; Hiram, who is married, has one daugh- 
ter and lives in Brooklyn; Annie E., who died in 
young womanhood ; John, who at his death left 
a widow and two children, and Hannah, the 
youngest of the family, who in 1878 became the 
wife of Dr. Gerrit D. Van Vranken. 



1 66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dr. A^an Vranken was bom July 2, 1841, in 
Saratoga County, N. Y., not far from Saratoga 
Springs. The old homestead upon which he and 
his father John were born has been in the family 
since 1640 and is now owned by William H., the 
Doctor's only brother. The family is of Dutch ex- 
traction. Dr. Van Vranken was educated in Un- 
ion College, Schenectady, N. Y., graduating in 
1863. Four years later he graduated from the 
medical department of tlie University of Philadel- 
phia, and at once commenced practice in Sara- 
toga County, where, for several years, he was on 
the staff of Dr. Strong's Sanitarium. He then 
married and located in Hempstead, where, giving 
up the practice of medicine, he turned his atten- 
tion to business pursuits and became proprietor 
of a large lumber yard in this village. He has 
since retained his connection with this yard, is 
also interested in the Hempstead Bank and va- 
rious other enterprises. 

In their religious views Dr. and Mrs. Van 
Vranken are identified with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, in which he is a trustee and steward 
and has for fifteen years been superintendent of 
the Sunday-school. With his wife and two chil- 
dren, John Kellum and Anna K., he occupies the 
stately mansion which was the home of Mr. Kel- 
lum from the time he came to Hempstead until 
his death, and which, with its beautiful grounds 
and attractive surroundings, is one of the most 
charming homes near the villasfe. 



AUGUST FLEISCHBEIN, proprietor of 
the Grand Central Hotel at Hicksville. was 
born in Bavaria, on the Rhine, May 23, 
1838, being a son of Jacob and Julia T. Fleisch- 
bein. The family of which he is a member resided 
in that locality as far back as the genealogical 
record can be traced, and his grandfather, Jacob, 
was a man of influence, and for years tax collector 
of a town on the Rhine. At the age of fifteen, in 
1853, August, in company with an older sister, 
Mary, started for America on a sailing vessel, and 
after an uneventful voyage landed in New York, 
where he secured employment in the butcher bus- 
iness. This trade he followed for nineteen years, 
being in the employ of various parties. In 1870 
he embarked in business for himself, and for ten 
years was proprietor of a meat market, after which 
he carried on a Hquor business for eighteen years, 
discontinuing in 1889. 

Always firm in his allegiance to the Republican 



party, Mr. Fleischbein in 1880 was nominated, on 
that ticket, for alderman of New York City, but 
in the election was counted out. In 1881 he was 
again nominated and this time was elected 
by a large majority. In 1882 he was again 
chosen to occupy the position, and con- 
tinued in the office until 1884, when he retired 
from poHtics. In 1861, at the first call for troops, 
he volunteered in the Eighth Light Artillery and 
served for one year, meantime taking part in the 
engagements at Fairfax Courthouse and German- 
town; also the first battle of Bull Run. At the 
expiration of his term of service he was mustered 
-out and returned home. 

In 1885 Mr. Fleischbein took a trip to Europe 
and visited the principal points of interest on the 
continent. His principal object in crossing the 
ocean was to see his mother, then an aged woman, 
and whom he had not seen since he left home, a 
boy of fifteen years. In visiting the old home and 
renewing the associations of youth, he spent sev- 
eral happy weeks. It was the last time he ever saw 
his mother, as she died soon afterward. Dispos- 
ing of his business in New York City in 1889, he 
bought his present property and has since been 
proprietor of the Grand Central. Besides this, he 
invested in town property, buying a house and 
lot on Main Street, and in 1894 erecting a resi- 
dence, and another in 1895. In 1894 he was 
chosen fire commissioner, which office he now 
holds. 

August 26, 1862, Mr. Fleischbein married Miss 
Mary Staude, who was born in Bavaria, in a local- 
ity near where the Fleischbein family lived, but 
the two did not meet until after coming to Amer- 
ica. Of their nine children, five are living: Nich- 
olas, Frederick and August died at an early age;. 
Lena is the wife of Charles Fauspender, who is- 
engaged in business in Brooklyn, and is also- 
connected with the Hicksville Bottling Company;. 
Frank follows the butcher's trade in Brooklyn;. 
Mary, deceased, was the wife of William Staude,. 
a member of the Hicksville Bottling Company; 
Katharine, Julia and Matilda are with their par- 
ents. 

The Grand Central Hotel is well known, 
throughout the island and is a favorite resort for 
tourists, summer boarders and pleasure seekers,, 
who, having once visited the place, are always, 
enthusiastic in its praise. The rooms of the hotel 
are commodious, and in addition to the reception,, 
sleeping and dining apartments, there are bowl- 
ing alleys, a ball room and summer garden. To' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



167 



accommodate hunters dogs are kept on hand, and 
no pains are spared to secure the comfort and 
pleasure of guests. 

Socially Mr. Fleischbein is connected with 
Primrose Lodge No. 569, I. O. O. F., Knights of 
Honor, in New York City; Gramercy Lodge 
No. 309, A. O. U. W., New York City, of which 
he is a charter member; Hicksville Council No. 
1 1 59, Royal Arcanum; Post No. 62, G. A. R., 
New York City, and the First Ward Beneficiary 
Department, Nos. i and 2. 



LAWRENCE FAY. A large proportion of 
the population of the New World is either 
of foreign birth or parentage, almost every 
country of the world being represented among 
our naturalized citizens. While there are com- 
paratively few residents of Long Island who were 
bom in other parts of the world, yet a number 
may be found, and among them mention belongs 
to Mr. Fay, of Port Washington, an industrious 
farmer, who owns and occupies a tract of twelve 
and one-half acres of valuable land. 

The subject of this record was born in Trim, 
the county seat of County Meath, Ireland, the date 
of his birth being July 15, 183 1. He is a son of 
John and Eliza (McDonald) Fay, and a brother 
of Thomas Fay, whose sketch will be found on 
another page of this volume. In boyhood he 
walked three miles each morning to a subscrip- 
tion school, where he studied diligently, and in 
that way he gained a fair education. He well 
remembers the great famine in Ireland, when 
thousands were destitute, and from all parts of 
the isle went up the pitiful cry for bread. His 
father, fortunately, not only had enough for his 
family, but was able to give relief to many poor 
people. 

When about thirty-two years of age our sub- 
ject determined to leave his father's farm and 
seek a home in America, where he believed he 
might achieve success. Accordingly, in April, 
1863, he took passage on a sailing vessel for the 
New World, and after a voyage of twenty-nine 
days, landed in New York City May 17, 1863. 
He secured work in the employ of Augustus 
Taber, No. 713 Water Street, New York City, 
being an employe in his marble works for five 
years and also having charge of his private home 
a part of the time. In 1876 he came to Port 
Washington and built a house, where he made 



his home for a time, but in 1886 bought his pres- 
ent place. 

While in the employ of Mr. Taber our subject 
married Miss Mary Quinn, who was born in 
County Limerick, Ireland, and was a daughter 
of John Quinn. Two daughters bless the union, 
both of whom are educated, refined, and popular 
in the best circles of society. Louisa is a dress- 
maker here, while Frances A., who graduated 
from the high school of Flushing in 1890, has 
for five years taught in the Port Washington pub- 
lic school, and is considered an able and efficient 
instructor. The family belong to the Catholic 
Church at Manhasset, Mr. Fay having been con- 
firmed in the church at the age of fourteen. Polit- 
ically he is a Democrat, and since casting his first 
presidential vote for Horace Greeley, in 1872, 
he has always upheld the principles and candi- 
dates of that party. 



M. 



STUART CALDWELL, M. D., a resi- 
dent physician of Far Rockaway, was 
born in Canada, September 8, 1848, and 
is a son of Matthew and Mary (Shields) Caldwell. 
His father, who was a farmer by occupation, con- 
tinued to reside in Canada until his death, at the 
age of forty-six ; the widowed mother is now liv- 
ins; in Detroit, Mich. Five children comprised 
their family, as follows: John, who lives m On- 
tario, Cal. ; Robert, deceased; M. Stuart; Lucy, 
whose home is in Detroit, Mich., and James, re- 
siding in Tonawanda, N. Y. 

During boyhood the subject of this sketch at- 
tended the schools of his locality. At the age of 
fourteen he thoroughly understood the work of 
the farm and was able also to run the engine in 
his father's sawmill. Early in life he was attract- 
ed by the study of anatomy, physiology and kin- 
dred sciences, and following out his natural incli- 
nations, he took up the study of medicine. For 
two years he read with Dr. Denton and attended 
medical lectures, after which he entered the med- 
ical department of the University of New York, 
remaining there until his graduation in 1879. His 
thorough theoretical knowledge was supplement- 
ed by two years of hospital work, where much of 
his superior practical knowledge was gained. 

Opening an office in Brooklyn, the young doc- 
tor soon built up a good practice, but as he did 
not desire to make that city his permanent home, 
he removed to^ Far Rockaway in 1885 and from 
the first was successful in general practice. It has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been his desire to gradually retire from active 
practice, but as yet he has not succeeded in mak- 
ing much headway in that direction. At the or- 
ganization of the village he was tendered the posi- 
tion of Health Officer, and this he has since re- 
tained, with tlie exception of a supposed interval 
of nine months. By his marriage to Emma 
Frances Twibille, of New York, he has two sons, 
Harold and Kenneth. In poHtics, as in all im- 
portant matters, he has firm and pronounced opin- 
ions of his own. While adhering to the original 
principles of the Democratic party, he has not 
coincided with the views of the leaders of the par- 
ty nor has he been pleased with its management. 
His ideas in regard to political economy are ad- 
vanced and he has no patience with legislation 
enacted solely for political effect. Socially he is 
identified with the Masons and Foresters, in re- 
ligious belief belongs to the Presbyterian Church, 
and by the people in general is respected as a 
genial, whole-souled and upright man. 



INGNATZ AUGUST HAUSER. Among 
those of foreign birth who are associated with 
the business interests of this county, we should 
not fail to present an outHne of the career of Mr. 
Hauser, for he has fully borne out the reputation 
of that class of industrious, energetic and thrifty 
men of German nativity who have risen to prom- 
inence in different portions of this country. He 
is the owner and proprietor of the Hicksville 
Hotel, and as "mine host" has a large number 
of friends among the traveling public. 

In the city of Cologne, Prussia, our subject was 
born September i, 1848, to Theodore Augxtst and 
Josephine Hauser, the former of whom was a 
wealthy broker of Cologne. There were ten chil- 
dren in the family, five sons and five daughters, 
and of these Ingnatz A. was the fifth in order of 
birth. Reared in his native city, he attended the 
public schools, and at the age of fourteen became 
a student in a college, where he remained for two 
years. When sixteen, he was apprenticed to the 
watchmaker's trade in Cologne, and after a ser- 
vice of four years entered a school in Switzerland 
to complete the trade. This he finished in 
eighteen months, but afterward remained in the 
same city (Neufchatel) for three and one-half 
years, engaged as a journeyman. 

From Neufchatel Mr. Hauser went to Brussels, 
Belgium, where he spent a year, then to Paris, 
where he followed his trade for two years, and 



later spent three months in Switzerland. In 1876 
he came to America for the purpose of visiting 
the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, but 
not with any intention of remaining, his plan 
being to go on to the West Indies. However, 
he was persuaded to remain in the United States, 
and for a time followed his trade in New Jersey. 
When the factory in which he was employed dis- 
continued business he went to Jersey City, where 
he spent several years working at his trade. 

March 6, 1878, Mr. Hauser married Mrs. Mar- 
garet Batchelor, widow of Charles Batchelor, and 
daughter of Henry Fried. She was bom in Ba- 
varia and came to America in girlhood, remain- 
ing here until her death, November i, 1889. Four 
children were born of the union: Emma, Lulu, 
George and August. While in Jersey City Mr. 
Hauser established a business of his own, which 
he continued for a time. On removing to New- 
York City he followed his trade on Seventh Ave- 
nue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets. 
In 1881 he came to Hicksville, where he was sim- 
ilarly engaged, with success. In 1888 he built 
the Hicksville Hotel, and this he has since con- 
ducted in addition to his business. August 3, 
1891, he married Miss Ida, daughter of Herman 
Bishop, an old and influential citizen of Hicks- 
ville, where she was born. They are the parents 
of one child, Heni-y. 

In religious belief Mr. Hauser is a Roman 
Catholic. Politically he is liberal, not binding 
himself to either party, but maintaining independ- 
ence in his ballot. Since 1890 he has served as 
school trustee and has been interested actively 
in educational matters. At present he is assistant 
chief of the fire department. He was instrumental 
in the organization of the Royal Arcanum, which 
was founded here July 3, 1889, and was one 
of its charter members. In the local lodge he has 
filled all the chairs, and has been delegate to state 
and general conventions. Besides this he has 
held all the important offices in Primrose Lodge 
No. 569, I. O. O. F., and was formerly identified 
with the Knights of Pythias, but of recent years 
has not maintained his active connection with 
this organization. 



THOMAS FAY, of Port Washington, is 
superintendent of the Supply Company of 
Messrs. Murray & Reed, No. 39 South 
Street, New York City. Of foreign birth, he is 
intensely American in sentiment, an ardent pat- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



169 



riot, and though still cherishing an affectionate 
remembrance of his native land, feels that it was 
a fortunate day for him when he bade it fare- 
well and sought a home in the New World. 

The son of John and Eliza (McDonald) Fay, 
the subject of this record was born in County 
Meath, Ireland, September i, 1827, and grew to 
manhood in his native place, receiving a fair com- 
mon-school education. At the age of about fif- 
teen he secured a position as waiter at a table in 
a gentleman's residence, where he remained for 
three years. At the expiration of that time he 
had about $15, all he had been able to save from 
his small wages. Next he secured employment 
on the government works, being thus engaged at 
the beginning of the famine. In 1848 he left Ire- 
land for America, and after a voyage of five weeks 
arrived in New York City, whence he soon made 
his way to Port Washington with a friend. For 
four years he was employed on a farm here, dur- 
ing which time he saved $200, and this amount 
he invested so it would draw interest. After a 
few months in New York City he shipped as an 
ordinary seaman on the packet "St. Nicholas," 
and took a trip to^ Havre, France, spending three 
months on the water. This concluded his experi- 
ence on the high seas. His next position was on 
a small packet from New York City to Port 
Washington, where he was employed for one 
year. Later he was with another party in the 
coast trade and up the Hudson, being engaged 
in that way tmtil 1854. 

August 24, 1854, Mr. Fay was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Catherine Callahan, who was 
bom in County Meath, Ireland, but at the time 
of her marriage resided in Port Washington. 
Having saved a little more than $400, Mr. Fay 
bought his present home, and for two years was 
employed near here, after which he began to 
work at the clam and oyster business in Port 
Washington. Each year he laid aside a small 
sum of money, until finally he was able to begin 
to plant oysters, and starting in that occupation, 
he continued it with success for twenty-five years. 
In 1882 he accepted his present position, in addi- 
tion to which he has acted as agent for parties 
owning property in the vicinity but living in other 
places. The investments which he has made 
have in the main been successful, and he is now 
financially well-to-do. 

Of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Fay we 
note the following: Eliza, wife of Patrick O'Con- 
nor, has five children and lives in this village; 



Thomas, also a resident of Port Washington, is 
married and has four children ; John Henry, who 
is married and has three children, is a dealer in 
fruit in New York City; Joseph, who' has one 
child, is a carpenter, living in Newark, N. J.; 
Christopher lives in Port Washington, and Jen- 
nie, the youngest, is with her parents. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Fay voted for 
Buchanan in 1856 and has supported each suc- 
ceeding Democratic candidate. In 1869 he was 
elected inspector of weights and measures and 
served for one term. In 1870 he was elected con- 
stable, which position he filled for five terms. 
His parents being Catholics, he was reared in 
that faith and was confirmed at the age of eight 
years. At this time he liolds membership with 
the church at Manhasset, of which he is a trustee. 



SAMUEL S. CARMAN. Among those who 
fought the battle of life bravely and has been 
called from the strife and turmoil of this 
life is Samuel S. Carman, who was born near 
Freeport, L. I., September 25, 1821, a son of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Carman, the for- 
mer of whom was an energetic and successful tiller 
of the soil during the greater part of his career, 
or until his removal to Brooklyn, N. Y. He after- 
wards returned to Freeport, where he died. At 
the time of the removal of the family to Brooklyn, 
Samuel S. Carman was but a lad, and therefore 
nearly all the educational advantages which he re- 
ceived were acquired in that city. His father had 
engaged in the mercantile business upon locating 
there, and in this establishment young Samuel 
began clerking when quite young. At the age of 
eighteen years he accompanied his parents to 
Freeport, and as his father again returned to 
farming, Samuel assisted him for a luimber of 
years. He then decided to turn his attention to 
other pursuits and soon after opened a lumber 
yard here, to the success of which he devoted his 
time, thought and energy, until his career was 
closed by death in the spring of 1891. As a busi- 
ness man he showed himself to be prudent, far 
seeing and practical, and all his operations were 
conducted on the soundest business principles, 
the result being that an extended and lucrative 
patronage was built up, and a reputation for hon- 
esty and integrity acquired which was by no means 
local. A useful career closed with his death, and 
his loss was deeply felt by the community, as well 
as bv his own immediate family. 



I70 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The marriage of our subject with Miss EHza 
Raynor was celebrated in 1842, she being a daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Bedell) Raynor, na- 
tives and life-long residents of Long Island. Dan- 
iel Raynor was' a prominent business man and a 
progressive and useful citizen, who commanded 
universal respect. The union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Carman resulted in the birth of three children, 
Bergen R., Mary Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Denton, 
of Freeport, and Edna V., wife of George V. 
Bushnell, of Richmond Hill. Mrs. Carman lives 
in her comfortable and pretty home in Freeport, 
in the enjoyment of an ample income and fair 
health. She is not a member of any church, but 
is very charitably inclined, is sympathetic and 
kind-hearted and is an ' attendant of the First 
Presbyterian Church. Her friends are many and 
true, and unbounded respect is bestowed upon 
her. 



E 



DWARD L. KELSEY, who is engaged in 
the general mercantile business at West- 
bury Station, was born here January 2, 
1857, to Jesse P. and Catherine A. (Lewis) Kelsey. 
His father, a native of Huntington, Suffolk Coun- 
ty, born in 1821, came to this locality in boyhood 
and became a clerk for Elias Lewis, Jr., at Old 
Westbury. Afterward he bought the business, 
which he conducted up to the time of his death, 
January 31, 1896. He was prominent in public 
affairs, for many years acted as notary public, and 
was an honored and respected citizen. After the 
establishment of the postofHce he held the posi- 
tion of postmaster. He was also active in church 
and Sunday-school work In his family there are 
two children, Edward L. and William P., the 
latter now being proprietor of the store formerly 
owned by his father. The widowed mother still 
resides at the old home. 

The education of our subject was completed in 
the military academy at Wbite Plains, N. Y. In 
1877 he came to Westbur}^ Station and took 
charge of the store which had been established 
as a branch of his father's business. Here he has 
since remained, having become prominent in busi- 
ness and public affairs. In 1882 he was appointed 
the first postmaster here and held the position 
two terms. It was largely through his efforts that 
the postoffice was established, and he was also 
instrumental in securing other needed improve- 
ments. In 1883 he was elected collector of taxes 
for the town of Hempstead, serving two terms. 



In his political views he adheres to the policy 
adopted by the Republican party and uniformly 
votes that ticket. Socially he is a Mason and 
holds membership in Morton Lodge No. 63, at 
Hempstead. His marriage, May 25, 1881, united 
him with Sarah, daughter of Jotham Post, of 
Westbury, and unto their union was born one 
daughter, who died in infancy. 



WILLIAM E. HAWXHURST, of West- 
bury, was born here in 1838, and is a 
son of Ephraim C. and Charity (Titus) 
Hawxhurst. He traces his ancestry back to Chris- 
topher Hawxhurst, a native of England, who 
crossed. the ocean in 1665 and settled in what is 
now Locust Valley, Queens County,L. I., becom- 
ing one of the first settlers of the town of Oyster 
Bay, and in time one of its largest land owners. 
His children were William, Mary and Sampson. 
The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
Timothy and Margaret (Titus) Titus, both de- 
scendants of Edmund Titus, the first of that name 
who settled in Queens County. The family home- 
stead, where our subject was bom, became in 
1832 the property of his father, who continued 
to reside there until his death, in 1859. 

The boyhood days of the subject of this notice 
were passed on the home farm, in the cultivation 
of which he assisted. For a time he attended a 
private school in his neighborhood. When but 
a boy he took up the study of civil engineering 
and in it he was especially interested. Under his 
father, who was a civil engineer, he continued his 
studies until he had acquired a thorough knowl- 
edge of the work. At the death of his father the 
home place came into his possession, and after- 
ward he engaged in its cultivation for a number 
of years, but finally abandoned agriculture in 
order that he might give his entire attention to 
surveying. However, he continued to reside on 
the farm, which was cultivated under his super- 
vision. 

For the past twenty-five years Mr. Hawxhurst 
has devoted almost his entire time to surveying. 
For ten years past he has also dealt quite exten- 
sively in real estate, conducting the sale of land 
purchased by wealthy residents who have re- 
cently located here. He has completed a fine 
map. of Westbury, showing the original purchases 
and subsec[uent owners. His surveying has been 
principally in the towns of Oyster Bay, Hemp- 
stead and North Hempstead. He has laid out 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



171 



over one thousand acres in town lots and has 
opened roads and fixed boundary lines. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, and cast his first ballot 
for Abraham Lincoln. In 1885 he was appointed 
notary public and served five successive terms. 
He is a member of the Society of Friends. 

In September, 1869, Mr. Hawxhurst married 
Miss M'arianna Hicks, daughter of Isaac and 
Mary F. Hicks. To them have been given six 
children, namely: Mary W., wife of Edward C. 
Tyson; Caroline, wife of Prof. Frederick Sharp- 
less; Wallace, who is engaged in business with 
his father; Florence, Harold E. and Bertha. Mr. 
Hawxhurst has given his children good educa- 
tional advantages. In 1895 he sold a portion of 
the hoine farm, on which was situated the old 
family dwelKng, but this he moved to its present 
location and had it completely remodeled, put- 
ting in steam heating apparatus and other mod- 
ern improvements that have made of it a commo- 
dious and comfortable residence. 



CHARLES W. KESPERT. For eighteen 
months after coming to Rockaway Beach, 
his present place of residence, Mr. Kespert 
worked in the employ of others, after which, in 
1892, he opened a grocery store, and this he has 
since conducted with increasing success. In his 
business transactions he is methodical, energetic, 
industrious and honorable, and these qualities 
have brought him a high degree of popularity 
among the people of Oceanus and the neighbor- 
ing community. 

Prior to coming to Oceanus the subject of this 
notice resided in New York City, where his father, 
Charles, a native of Germany, followed the occu- 
pation of a carpenter and builder until his death, 
at the age of sixty years. The wife and mother, 
who bore the maiden name of Margaret Brady, 
was born in Ireland and died in New York 
at the age of fifty-three. Of her four children, 
three are now living, namely: Frances, who re- 
sides in New York; Joseph, and Charles W. 
The last named was born in New York Sep- 
tember 17, 1863, and there attended the public 
schools. When a mere child he commenced, 
under his father's instruction, to learn the car- 
penter's trade, but that occupation not being en- 
tirely congenial, he sought other employment. 
For two years he was employed in a broker's 
office, after which he worked for some of the best 
firms in the city in the grocery business. His 



adaptability for that line of work soon became 
apparent and he was regarded as one of the best 
grocerymen in the state, understanding the busi- 
ness thoroughly in all its details. 

Accumulating some money, Mr. Kespert nat- 
urally desired to engage in business for himself, 
and succeeded in establishing in Rockaway Beach 
a good business with his father-in-law. Later 
tliat partnership was dissolved and he built the 
store in 'which at present he conducts business. 
In addition to this he has a branch store, well 
equipped, at Arverne, and has many men and 
wagons employed in soliciting and delivering 
orders along the Beach. 

In 1889 Mr. Kespert married Miss Isadora, 
daughter of William Holland of Rockaway Beach. 
They are the parents of three children, namely. 
Charles, Edna and Isabel. Socially our subject 
is connected with the American Legion of Honor 
at Brooklyn. A Republican in his political be- 
lief, he is active in local work, firm in his principles 
and enthusiastic in his support of the candidates 
of the Republican party. He served as delegate 
to the county convention of 1895, and to> the town 
convention in 1896, and is now president of the 
Local Republican Association. He has done good 
service for his party and has never failed in his 
defense of its platform and principles. 



HENRY KLAPPER, proprietor of the 
Waverley House at Rockaway Beach, 
Oceanus P. O., is also engaged in the bot- 
tling business, the two enterprises securing for 
him the receipt of a steady and substantial in- 
come. For nine years (since 1887) he has been 
engaged in his present business, prior to which 
he was with Jamieson & Bond in the ice business 
for three years. Before coming to this place he 
made his home in New York City, where he was 
born January 2, 1867. 

Tlie parents of our subject, both of whom are 
deceased, were William and Josephine (Kuestner) 
Klapper, natives of Germany. In their family 
there are four children, named as follows : Susan, 
who now lives in Brooklyn; William, a resident 
of Hempstead; Henry, of this sketch, and Charles, 
whose home is in Rockaway Beach. Our stibject, 
who was next to the youngest among the chil- 
dren, was reared to manhood in New York City, 
where he received an excellent education in the 
public schools. His first position was that of 
cash boy at Lord & Taylor's, for which he re- 



172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ceived a salary of $1.50 per week. He was an 
ambitious boy, anxious and determined to suc- 
ceed, and whatever his work was endeavored to 
discharge his duties in a satisfactory manner. 

After leaving the firm of Lord & Taylor Mr. 
Klapper took a position with a jewelry case manu- 
facturing company, and later he was assistant 
delivery clerk in a flouring mill. By that time he 
had gained considerable knowledge of business 
affairs so that his services were of value to his 
employers. On coming to Rockaway Beach in 
1885 .he first secured work in the employ of Jam- 
ieson & Bond, after which he established the busi- 
ness in which he is now engaged. He is married, 
his wife having been Miss Emma Coggins of 
Brooklyn. Politically he advocates Republican 
principles and supports the candidates of that 
party. In his fraternal relations he is a member 
of Star of Hope Lodge No. 430, F. & A. M. He 
is a member of the Volunteer Hose Company and 
takes a lively interest in local affairs and enter- 
prises of the vicinity. 



CAPT. GEORGE MACKEY, of Port 
Washington, was born in Glencove, L. I., 
October 29, 1824, being a son of James 
and EKzabeth (Wilson) Mackey. The first repre- 
sentative of the family in America was his grand- 
father, a native of Scotland, who emigrated to 
this country during the Revolutionary War and 
settled at Glencove, where his son, James, was 
born. The latter was a cooper by trade, and 
about 1835 came to Port Washington (then 
known as Cow Neck), where he followed his oc- 
cupation, making barrels for the mill. He died 
in this village about 1852, aged seventy-five. By 
his marriage he had twelve children, and he lived 
to see ten of the number married; only four are 
now living, one of the others, John, being repre- 
sented elsewhere in thirs volume. 

George, who was next to the youngest of the 
family, grew to manhood in Port Washington, tc 
which place he accompanied his father when 
eleven years old. His education which was lim- 
ited, was obtained in a pay school here. At 
the age of seventeen he began to learn the coop- 
er's trade under the instruction of his father, but 
after completing the trade he began to work at the 
oyster business, being one of the pioneers in this 
industry. About the time he was twenty-one, and 
shortly before he was to have been maiTied, he 
was seriously injured by an accident while hunt- 



ing. The wound was of such a nature as to neces- 
sitate the amputation of the right arm at the 
shoulder and it was thought by everyone that he 
would not recover; however, a young physician, 
Dr. Treadwell, refused to give him up, but worked 
with him until the crisis was passed and his life 
saved. 

Upon recovering sufficiently to go to work 
again, Mr. Mackey drove a wagon through vari- 
ous parts of Long Island, selling tobacco. For 
three years he was not connected with the oyster 
business, but afterward resumed that work, in 
which he has since engaged. In connection with 
it he became interested in freighting and also 
started the business of making oil from the men- 
haden fish, which enterprise he continued for a 
few years. His freighting was principally from 
New York City to Port Washington, along Long 
Island Sound. When it became too much of a 
tax upon his energy, he put a man in charge of 
his schooner of sixty tons capacity, and the busi- 
ness is still carried on in that way. His oyster 
farming started on a small scale, but now he has 
an extensive business, in charge of his sons. They 
used to catch their own seed to plant but now 
buy of those who make a business of raising it. 

At the time of coming to Port Washington 
there were but few houses here, and Mr. Mackey 
has seen the place grow from an insignificant 
hamlet to- its present proportions. He and his 
brother built the first house on the street where 
they now live, it having formerly been called 
Steamboat Road, but now known as Flower Hill 
Avenue. His first ballot was cast for James K. 
Polk in 1844. He still supports Democratic prin- 
ciples, though not so active in politics as he was 
formerly. For two years he served as collector 
of taxes for the town of North Hempstead. Other 
offices have been offered him but he has stead- 
fastly refused to allow his name to be presented 
for any position, and now, in his declining years, 
cannot identify himself as thoroughly with local 
affairs or assist as much in the development of the 
village interests as he did when in the prime of 
life. 

His marriage, which Mr. Mackey's unfortu- 
nate accident postponed, took place Febiaiary 5, 
1845, the bride being Sarah A., daughter of 
Stephen and Catherine (Wilson) Henrickson, and 
a native of Glencove, but residing in Port Wash- 
ington at the time of her marriage. Of their 
eight children, five are Hving, namely: Isabel; 
George, Jr., who married Miss Addie Seaman of 



-n 







HON. A. T. PAYNE, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



175 



Sand's Point, and has one daughter, Grace S.; 
Elizabeth (one of a pair of twins), Mrs. Aaron 
Thatcher, of Port Washington, and the mother 
of two sons, Fred and Christopher; Clarice, who 
married Elias Velsor, of this village, and has one 
child, Sarah Belle; and Charles K., who is un- 
married and resides with his parents. 



HON. ALVAN THOMAS PAYNE is the 
leading attorney and one of the most 
progressive citizens of Long Island City, 
who for years has been identified with its develop- 
ment and prosperity. In political affairs, partic- 
ularly, he has been very active in serving the pub- 
lic, and in 1875 was elected to the New York As- 
sembly from the second district on the Democrat- 
ic ticket and served during the session of the 
Centennial year, 1876. While a member of that 
body he was instrumental in securing the pas- 
sage of only such bills as best served the people, 
and was aggressive in preventing much bad legis- 
lation. He is now engaged in law practice in this 
city, having as partner his son, A. T., Jr. He 
bears the reputation not only of being the most 
prominent attorney, but one of the city's oldest 
professional men. 

The town of Southold, Suffolk County, where 
Mr. Payne was born, February 16, 1840, was also 
the birthplace of his father, Thomas, and grand- 
father, Capt. Benjamin Payne. The latter was 
a well-to-do farmer in that locality and followed 
his peaceful calling until the outbreak of the Rev- 
olutionan' War, when he volunteered his services 
in defense of the colonies. From the ranks he 
rose to the position of captain of his company, 
and was present at many hard-fought engage- 
ments, taking a very prominent part in the battle 
of Long Island. The great-grandfather of our 
subject was Rev. Thomas Payne, M. D., who was 
born in Columbia County, N. Y., and completed 
his literary studies in Yale College, where he 
gained a fine education. In addition to engag- 
ing in the practice of medicine, he also held the 
pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church in the 
town of Southold, thus ministering to the wants 
of the soul as well as those of the body. Rev. 
Thomas Payne was a son of Abraham Payne, a 
native of eastern Massachusetts and a son of 
Abraham Payne, Sr. In early manhood he re- 
moved from the place of his birth to Columbia 
County, N. Y., where he married an Indian 
maiden. The family was numbered among the 



eariiest settlers of New England and was conspic- 
uous for patriotism and ability. 

The early years of Thomas Payne, father of our 
subject, were passed on the old home farm, but 
upon attaining manhood he went to New York 
City, where for several years he conducted one of 
the finest livery stables of the metropolis. Later, 
however, he returned home, and after giving his 
attention for some time to the cultivation of farm 
lands, he opened a general mercantile establish- 
ment. All these years he had been a great lover 
of horses, and at different times owned many fine 
animals. Handling horses and knowing their 
needs led him to devise a certain shoe which he 
manufactured and sold in large numbers. The 
later years of his life were passed in Riverhead, 
where he died in 1879, at the age of seventy-eight 
years. Personally he bore an excellent reputation 
for strict veracity, upright conduct and general 
good qualities, which endeared him to all with 
whom he came in contact. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the maid- 
en name of Martha Maria Haynes, was born in the 
town of Southold and was a daughter of Rev. 
Mr. Haynes, a Presbyterian clergyman, and a 
native of Columbia County, N. Y. One of her 
uncles. Dr. Haynes, was a distinguished physician 
of Chatham, this state. Mrs. Martha M. Payne 
died at the age of fifty-eight, having become the 
mother of four sons and one daughter. The eld- 
est son, OHver N., was for many years a promi- 
nent lawyer of New York City, but is now de- 
ceased. 

The subject of this sketch was the youngest 
son and fourth child in the family. He passed the 
first twelve years of his life in the town of South- 
old, after which he was sent to Brainerd Academy, 
at Old Haddam, Conn., and later became a pupil 
in the private academy kept by Miss Elizabeth 
Mapes, considered at that time the best instructor 
on Long Island, and of whom it was said that 
no lady of that period surpassed her in mental 
acumen. It was the ambition of himself and the 
earnest wish of his parents that he should enter 
Yale College, but about the time he should have 
entered, his father met with reverses and he was 
compelled to abandon all hope of taking a college 
course. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. Payne began the study 
of law tmder George B. Bradley, now Judge of 
the Supreme Court at Corning, N. Y. After the 
prescribed course of reading he was admitted to 
the bar in 1862, and the following year opened 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



an office and began the practice of his profession 
at Addison, in connection with Henry Sherwood, 
then Assemblyman. In 1864 they removed to 
Coming, N. Y., and continued practice there for 
some time under the firm name of Slierwood & 
Payne. During this time Mr. Payne was ap- 
pointed a United States Commissioner for the 
Northern District of New York by the United 
States Circuit Court, the duties of which position 
he transacted in connection with liis law practice. 

On the retirement of Mr. Sherwood from the 
business Mr. Payne continued alone until 1867, 
when he removed to New York City and formed a 
partnership with his brother Oliver, who at that 
time had an office in Pine Street. Later they 
changed their location to Warren Street. Having 
his residence in Long Island City, Mr. Payne in 
1873 opened an office here and his practice soon 
increased to such proportions that he was obliged 
to give up his New York business and devote 
his attention to the wor-k here. After the part- 
nership with his brother was formally dissolved 
in 1870, he continued alone until his son, A. T., 
Jr., was admitted into the firm. 

The success of Mr. Payne as a lawyer has been 
gradual and he is regarded as a strong, able, all- 
around attorney. He has been retained as coun- 
selor in many noted cases, among them being 
the famous Hoffman lunacy and will case and the 
Almquist poisoning and divorce cases, in which 
he was successful. Pie was also counsel in the 
quo warranto case against Mayor De Bevoise 
upon the ground of fraud in his election. The 
action was a noted case and an extraordinary 
circuit was appointed by Governor Dix. Judge 
Rumsey, father of the present judge of Steuben 
County, was appointed to hold this court. After 
two weeks' trial, Mr. Payne was unsuccessful, but 
subsequently, upon a re-election, Mr. De Bevoise 
was ousted in an action brought by Mr. Payne, 
by consent of the Attorney-General, on behalf 
of George Petry, the contestant. 

In Steuben County, N. Y., in i860, Mr. Payne 
was united in marriage with Miss Martha Brown, 
a direct descendant of the patriot, Arnold, who 
with his seven sons sei-ved in the Revolutionary 
War. Mr. and Mrs. Payne are the parents of 
eight children, of whom George E. is engaged in 
the real estate and insurance business in Long 
Island City. Nettie is the wife of S. H. Cornell, 
of New York City, who has been connected with 
the importing house of P. W. Engs for nearly 
twenty years past. Helen married James C. 



Fincke, manager of the John Williams Architec- 
tural Iron Works in New York City. Mary be- 
came the wife of Franklin W. Scutt and they re- 
side in Queens, L. I., Mr. Scutt, however, being 
engaged in the real estate business in Long Island 
City. A. T., Jr., is in partnership with his father in 
the law business. John is a medical student in 
New York City. Alice and Benjamin are stu- 
dents in an institution at Chautauqua. 

For several years Mr. Payne was corporation 
counsel for Long Island City, and at present is 
attorney for the Queens County Bank of this city. 
He is a trustee of the Long Island City Savings 
Bank, for which institution he was the first and 
has been the only counsellor. He has the dis- 
tinction of being the oldest practitioner in Long 
Island City and the third oldest in the county. 
In social affairs he is a member of Island City 
Lodge No. 586, F. & A. M., and rehgiously is 
identified with St. John's Episcopal Church. The 
Suffolk County Historical Society numbers him 
among its members. In politics he is an inde- 
pendent Democrat. He is an able financier, a 
public-spirited citizen, and in all circles in which 
he moves has many true and sincere friends. 



WILLIAM RAYNOR, who, though 
passed to his final reward, still lives in 
the gracious influence which emanated 
from him while on earth. We find no one more 
worthy of mention or whose long life of useful- 
ness is more worthy to be chronicled than this 
gentleman, whose honesty and integrity were pro- 
verbial in the community. He was born in Free- 
port, April 13, 1826, and for many years was one 
of the foremost business men in that thriving 
village. His parents, Daniel and Mary Ann 
(Bedell) Raynor, spent their entire lives on the 
island, where they were well respected. Our sub- 
ject received only the advantages of the common 
schools during his youth, but, being possessed of 
an active brain and unlimited perseverance he 
became a well informed man of his section. 

Reared near Hempstead Bay, L. I., Mr. Ray- 
nor worked at any honest employment he could 
find there. When about twenty years old he went 
to the city of Brooklyn and accepted a clerkship 
in the grocery establishment of Valentine & Ber- 
gen, and remained there a number of years. Later 
he came to Freeport, where he was engaged in 
the lum'ber business with Mr. Carmen for about 
fifteen years, when he withdrew, afterwards living 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



in retirement for several years. He then em- 
barked in the shoe business and was following 
this most successfully at the time of his death, 
in 1886. 

In the year 1854 Mr. Raynor married Miss 
Catherine G. Smith, daughter of Willet and 
Phoebe Smith, natives of the island. Mr. Smith 
was prominently identified with the agricultural 
pursuits of his section and was also a popular 
business man, having followed merchandising 
many years of his life. He and Mrs. Smith passed 
their entire lives on the island. Mrs. Raynor is 
the only surviving member of the family, which 
consisted of one son and four daughters. She 
has no children and resides in her comfortable 
home in Freeport, highly esteemed by the many 
who are favored by her acquaintance. 



JOHN M. SMITH, who is now living retired 
from active business, has been remarkably 
successful in his various undertakings, and 
is very justly numbered among the leading citi- 
zens of the county. In 1894, after having secured 
apiple means for his remaining years, he left his 
business career and has since passed his time in 
his beautiful home in the town of Hempstead. 

Mr. Smith was born at Rockville Center, L. -I., 
in 1844. His parents were Hewlett and Ann 
Eliza (Meeks) Smith, also natives of this com- 
munity, where they were content to pass their 
entire lives. The father was a shrewd business 
man, and during the active years of his life was 
prominently engaged in mercantile pursuits in 
Rockville Center. His pleasant and genial way of 
dealing with his customers and all others who 
came in contact with him was the means of his 
securing many warm friends. He departed this 
life in 1877. His good wife survived him many 
years, closing her eyes in death in 1891. 

When first starting to school John carried on 
his studies in the district, but was later sent to 
Jamaica, where he received private instruction. 
At the early age of fifteen, however, he left school, 
and, going to Brooklyn, ohtained the position of 
timekeeper in the office of Public Works. He was 
thus engaged at the outbreak of the late war, and, 
resigning his position in order that he might en- 
ter the service, he became a member of the Fourth 
New York Heavy Artillery as sutler. He held 
this post until peace was estabHshed, when he 
made arrangements to remain in Georgetown, D. 



C, and for the following two years was "mine 
host" of a hotel there. 

At the expiration of the above time Mr. Smith 
returned to New York and was immediately given 
a position in the Brooklyn Water Works, re- 
maining in the employ of the city for over a quar- 
ter of a century, and during eight years of this 
time he was superintendent of the Brooklyn City 
Storage Reservoir. Desirous of living a more 
quiet and independent life, he handed in his resig- 
nation to the board, and coming to Hempstead, 
purchased his beautiful home. On it is located 
a residence of modern build, a substantial barn, 
and everything about the place is kept in a first- 
class condition, making of it one of the most at- 
tractive spots in the town. 

In the year 1867 Mr. Smith was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Joanna, daughter of Michael 
Croley, a native of the Emerald Isle. Mrs. Smith 
was, however, born in New York City and there 
received her education. One son survives of the 
union of our subject and his wife, Harry Kings- 
ley Smith, at the present time head bookkeeper in 
the United States Internal Revenue Collector's 
office at Brooklyn. 

As we have shown, Mr. Smith is entirely self- 
made, having been equipped for the battle of life 
with only an ordinary common school education, 
but he carried into the struggle what no amount 
of academic training could supply, of indomitable 
pluck, tireless energy and a determination to suc- 
ceed. In politics he supports the Democratic can- 
didates and takes great interest in the success of 
his party, although he could never be prevailed 
upon to accept ofifice. 



M' 



ENZO W. HERRIMAN, M. D., visiting 
physician to St. John's Hospital, ex-po- 
lice surgeon of Long Island City and a 
general practitioner with office at No. 330 Stein- 
way Avenue, is one of the most influential and 
prominent physicians and surgeons of the county. 
He was born in the city of Syracuse, this state, 
in 1857, being a son of Richard and Alvira (Hart- 
son) Herriman, natives respectively of New Jer- 
sey and Schuyler Lake, Otsego County, N. Y. 
The maternal grandfather, Horace Hartson, 
was a farmer and mill owner. The maternal 
great-grandmother was a granddaughter of Gen- 
eral Ethan Allen. The paternal grandfather, 
Trustum P. Herriman, was born in Rockaway, 
N. T-. but removed to Onondaga County, N. Y., 



178 



PORTRAIT AND- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he died at the age of ninety-six. Dur- 
ing the War of 1812 he went to the front and 
assisted in defending our country against the 
encroachments of the British. His father, John 
Herriman, was a lieutenant in Washington's army 
at Valley Forge, and crossed the Delaware with 
Washington. 

In the manufacture of brick and tile, as well 
as in his various real estate transactions, Richard 
Herriman met with noteworthy success, and at 
the time of his death was quite wealthy. His 
religious views were in accord with the doctrines 
of the Episcopal Church, of which he was an 
earnest member. He passed away in 1892, when 
eighty-five years of age. His widow is still liv- 
ing, and is now about sixty-eight years old. 
Four children comprised their family, of whom 
M. W. is the eldest and the only one of the num- 
ber who entered a profession. 

Attending school for a number of years, our 
subject was, in 1877, graduated from the Syra- 
cuse High School, which, in its curriculum, ranks 
with the colleges of the state. The year after 
graduation he entered the medical department 
of the University of Syracuse, and remained there 
until 1881, when he was given the degree of M. 
D. He began the practice of his profession in 
his native city, but after about eight months re- 
ceived an offer from a relative. Dr. J. A. Lidell, 
to come to New York City, which he did. In 
1885 he was appointed surgeon for the United 
States & Brazil Mail Steamship Company, which 
position he held for four years, meantime making 
nine or ten trips each year between New York 
and Rio Janeiro. On one occasion he was 
wrecked in a storm, and for three days the ship 
was unable to proceed on its course; at another 
time, on Christmas Day, the vessel was wrecked 
when en route from St. Thomas, but was finally 
steered in safety within the New York harbor. 
While in the service of this company he was 
surgeon on the steamship "Merrimack" and the 
"Advance," and later was chief surgeon of the 
steamship "Colorado." Having frequent inter- 
course with the BraziUans, he became familiar 
with the Portuguese language and was able to 
converse with the natives. 

Resigning in 1889, the Doctor again began 
practice in New York City, but after six months, 
in September of that year, he came to Long- 
Island City and opened an office where he has 
since conducted a general practice. While he 
has been very successful in every line, his spe- 



cialty is the treatment of diseases of children, in 
which his skill is universally recognized. While 
in Syracuse, he was physician in the dispensary 
connected with the university at that place. 
Since 1890 he has been connected with St. John's 
Flospital, and from 1892 to 1896 he held the 
position of police surgeon. In the Long Island 
City Medical Society he is a charter member, 
and is also a member of the Queens County Med- 
ical Society. 

The commodious residence occupied by the 
Doctor and his family was erected by him in 1891, 
and here he and his wife with their son Rudolph 
are surrounded by all the comforts of life. Mrs. 
Herriman was born in Austria and accompanied 
her parents to America in girlhood, settling in 
New York, where she continued to reside until 
she changed the name of Josephine Hirsch for 
that by which she is now known. Socially, the 
Doctor is connected with Island City Lodge No. 
586, F. & A. M., at Hunter's Point; Herrmann 
Lodge, A. O. U. W., at Astoria; Enterprise 
Lodge, K. P.; Order of Chosen Friends and 
Knights and Ladies of Honor, of all of which he is 
medical examiner. In religion he is connected 
with the Church of the Redeemer. A Democrat 
in state politics, he has served on county and city 
committees, and as delegate to the conventions of 
tlie party. 

CHARLES WESLEY SPRAGUE stands 
well among- the leading farmers and prom- 
inent men of the town of Hempstead, and 
has won his standing by patient and unremitting 
hard work. His position has not been reached 
by virtue of any favoring circumstances, but sim- 
ply because he marked out a course of conduct 
early in life that, faithfully followed out, has 
brought him to his present position of respect and 
comfort. 

Mr. Sprague was born in this town in 1852, 
and is the son of Elijah and Jane Ann (Snedeker) 
Sprague, both natives of Hempstead, where they 
spent their entire lives. The father was promi- 
nently identified in agricultural pursuits during- 
his life and was the owner of a snug little farm. 
He was widely and favorably known as an hon- 
est, straightforward citizen and his decease, which 
occurred in 1888, was greatly lamented. His ex- 
cellent wife preceded him to the land beyond by 
several years, dying in 1874. 

The subject of this sketch was given the op- 
portunity for gaining a common school educa- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



179 



tion, and when ready to embark in life for himself 
chose the occupation of a farmer, to which call- 
ing he had been reared. He gives the greater 
portion of his time and attention to truck farm- 
ing, finding a good market for his products in 
the surrounding cities. His estate is small when 
compared with the hundreds of acres which are 
bound up in western farms, but large when its 
nearness" to the great metropolis is considered. 
The residence and outbuildings are of modern 
construction and the estate as a whole is one of 
the best in the county. 

The lady to whom Mr. Sprague was mamed in 
1874 bore the name of Anna Hegeman, daughter 
of John and EHzabeth Hegeman, also natives of 
the island. The father of Mrs. Sprague was for 
many years a well-to-do merchant of New York, 
and was the owner of considerable property on the 
island, among his possessions being a good farn-. 
near Milburn. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there has 
been born a son, W. Edward, a bright and capa- 
ble young man who is still under the parental 
roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are members 
in excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The former takes a very prominent part 
in church work and is at present chairman of the 
board of trustees and is also steward of his con- 
gregation. His father, who was likewise a Metho- 
dist"^ held these positions during his hfetime. 

In politics our subject has been identified with 
the Republican party since attaining his majority. 
He gives strict attention to the business in which 
he ds engaged, and, being a man of unswerving 
honesty, whose word is considered as good as his 
bond, he has the confidence and good will of the 
entire community. The Sprague family, of which 
he is a worthy representative, is one of the oldest 
and most prominent on the island. 



ous man. After establishing his home in Rocka- 
way Beach he became identified with the progress 
of this section of the county and by his contribu- 
tions of time and means aided in enlarging the 
interests of the place. Believing that investments 
here would prove profitable, he erected a number 
of houses and botight a hotel, which he enlarged 
and improved. In 1891, after an active and suc- 
cessful business career, he retired from work, 
though he still maintains an oversight of his prop- 
erty interests. 

Captain Kreuscher chose as his wife Miss Chris- 
tina Worth, who was born in Europe, but has 
lived in the United States since a child of three 
years. They became the parents of seven chil- 
dren, named as follows: Lesa, John, Philip (de- 
ceased), Louis, Mamie, Robert and Emma. The 
title by which our subject is usually known was 
gained through his mihtary service in his younger 
years, when be was connected with the state mil- 
itia. For eighteen years he has been a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
has taken an active part in the various enterprises 
originated by that society. While he has never 
sought public office nor identified himself closely 
with politics, yet he is a stanch Republican and is 
always pleased when his party scores a success. 



CAPT. JOHN KREUSCHER, who has 
made his home in Oceanus since 1874, and 
is one of the best known men of Rocka- 
way Beach, was born in Prussia, Germany, July 
21, 1829. When a lad of ten years he crossed the 
Atlantic, and reaching New York City at once 
began to work at any honest employment that he 
could obtain. For a few years he held a position 
in the employ of a railroad company, after which 
he engaged in the grocery business in Brooklyn 
for twenty-five years, building up a large trade 
and gaining the reputation of an honest, industri- 



REV. J. HOWARD HOBBS, pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, was born 
April 2, 1858, at Lenox, in the Choctaw 
Nation, Indian Territory, where his father. Dr. 
S. L. Hobbs, was then missionary to the Indians. 
From the earliest identification of the family with 
the history of America they have been noted 
for unswerving loyalty to the government and a 
fervent, patriotic spirit. During the wars of the 
Revolution and 1812 they furnished brave men 
v/ho fought valiantly in defense of American free- 
dom and assisted in gaining independence from 
the yoke of British tyranny. In the Civil War, 
too, they took an active part in securing the 
maintenance of the Union. Mary, a sister of Dr. 
Hobbs, married T. C. Leavitt, and three of their 
sons enlisted in the Union army^ Dr. Lyman 
Leavitt being an army surgeon, Horace serving 
in the cavalry, while Payson, who was in the 
hospital service, lost his life during the conflict. 
When the Hobbs family first settled on American 
soil is not definitely known, but it is an estab- 
lished fact that they were among the first settlers 
of New Hampshire. 

The life of Dr. S. L. Hobbs was one of sacrifice 



i8o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to principle and of devotion to tlie cause of re- 
ligion. He was born in Candia, N. H., April 
24, 181 3, and received his literary education in 
Dartmouth College. In 1852 he graduated from 
the Berkshire Medical College of Pittsfield, 
Mass., and the same year went to the Indian 
Territory as a medical missionary. His sympa- 
thies had from boyhood been aroused on behalf 
of the rapidly vanishing race that once ruled this 
land. Feeling a deep longing to alleviate their 
sufferings and improve their condition, he offered 
himself for the work of a medical missionary, in 
which he was very successful. 

The outbreak of the Civil War, however, caused 
a complete revolution of affairs. The Northern 
sentiments of Dr. Hobbs were generally known, 
and when the conflict burst upon the country', he 
was given twenty-four hours in which to leave the 
Indian Territory. He was the leader of a band 
of about thirty missionaries and teachers, who 
were among the last to leave the territory; they 
encountered many hardships, but, in spite of per- 
ils, reached the North in safety. Dr. Hobbs then 
offered his services to the Union, but as he had 
been permitted to leave the Indian Territory on 
parole, he could not be accepted as a soldier. 
He continued in his chosen work until his death, 
which occurred September i, 1883, when he fell 
a victim to yellow fever. 

The mother of our subject was born August 
22, 1828, and bore the maiden name of Mary 
Cornelia Sears. Her birthplace was the old 
Sears homestead at Lenox, Berkshire County, 
Mass., that had been in the family for more 
than one hundred and fifty years. On that 
same place occurred the birth of her father, 
Chauncey Sears, a soldier in the War of 1812. 
The family traces its lineage back to the four- 
teenth century in the famous county of Kent, 
England. At that time the name was spelled 
Sayers. One of the prominent representatives of 
the family was John Sayers, who died in 1509, 
and a memorial brass now stands in his honor 
in St. Peter's Church. His grandson, Richard 
Sayers, espoused the cause of the Protestants in 
the reign of Henry VIII. and was obliged to 
flee from his native land, taking refuge in Am- 
sterdam. His only son, John B. Sayers, died in 
Holland, and a son of the latter married Maria 
L. Van Egmont, of the family of Count Philip 
Lamoral Van Egmont. With his wife he re- 
turned to England, where he died in 1629. 

Next in line of descent was Richard Sears, 



who was born in 1590 and emigrated to America 
in 1630 on the last trip made by the historic 
"Mayflower." In 1643 he removed with his fam- 
ily to the site of the present village of East Den- 
nis, Mass., where he died in 1676, leaving three 
sons, Knyvet, Paul and Silas. Daniel, son of 
the first named, settled in Boston and one of 
his descendants is now the wealthiest man in that 
city. Isaac Sears, son of Paul, was known 
as "King" Sears, from the fact that he seized the 
British stamps in the port of New York. 

Silas Sears was born about 1639 and died in 
1697. His son, who was his namesake, married 
Sarah Crosby, daughter of Rev. Thomas Crosby 
of Eastham, Mass. The next in lineal de- 
scent was James, who lived at Windham, Conn., 
and whose son, David, was born at Yarmouth, 
Mass., August 25, 1731, in early life went to 
Lenox and settled on what is now known as 
the Sears homestead. The property is now 
owned by Chauncey Sears, a great-grandson 
of the original purchaser, and a brother of our 
subject's mother. Both Chauncey Sears and 
his brother, Horatio, have represented their dis- 
trict in the state legislature. Another brother, 
Henry C, is a prominent business man in Boston. 
Our subject's mother died of yellow fever in the 
Indian Territory, just two weeks before her hus- 
band's death from the same disease. 

The advantages enjoyed by the subject of this 
notice in his boyhood years were few and meager. 
Living on the frontier, after the close of the Civil 
War, surrounded by all the demoralizing influ- 
ences of such a life, the fact that he was not 
injured by his environments proves that he pos- 
sessed from youth sturdy and rugged moral qual- 
ities. His pursuits were those common to the 
country. For a time he was a cowboy, and it is 
said he could throw a lariat with the most expert 
and could also handle his Winchester with skill. 
In 1876, while on the range, he determined to 
devote his life and energies to the elevation of his 
fellowmen, and with this object in view he set 
about securing an education. After a short 
course in the State University at Fayetteville, 
Ark., he entered a preparatory school at Am- 
herst, Mass., and in 1878 became a student 
in Amherst College, from which he graduated 
with honors in 1882. He at once entered the 
theological school at Hartford, Conn., and the 
following summer he accepted a special com- 
mission to preach among the Indians. Re- 
turning to the Indian Territory, he spent a few 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i8i 



months in the Christian work, buried his parents 
after their sudden demise from yellow fever, and 
settled up their affairs, after which he resumed 
his theological studies. 

Shortly before his graduation in 1885, Mr. 
Hobbs was called to the pastorate of the Presby- 
terian Church at Greenwich, Conn., and became 
its first pastor; during his service there of four 
and one-half years, he secured the erection of 
a new stone edifice. Resigning that charge, he 
accepted the more important pastorate of the 
Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, where he has 
been since 1889. He is greatly admired for 
his scholastic attainments and has shown him- 
self to be a profound thinker and close Bible 
student. The value of his thoughts is enhanced 
by the ease and grace of his delivery. To an 
unusual degree he possesses that marvelous gift 
of word painting, a quality that enables him to 
adapt his sermons not only to the scholarly and 
learned, but also to the undeveloped mind of a 
child. When especially impressed with the im- 
portance of his theme, he rises to lofty heights of 
oratory and holds his audiences spellbound by his 
eloquence. As he is now in the prime of life and 
manly vigor, it may be predicted that the coming 
years will undoubtedly bring him added honors 
and successes in his profession. 

In 1886 Rev. Mr. Hobbs was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Clara M., daughter of the late 
Rev. H. H. Macfai-land and sister of Dr. R. L. 
Macfarland. They are the parents of two chil- 
dren, Harold Wade and Helen Louise. 



JRUFUS TERRY, who is a well-known 
contractor and builder residing in Long 
• Island City, was born in Watts Street, 
New York City, in 1851, being a son of J. Rufus 
and Eleanor (Gardner) Terry, natives respective- 
ly of Riverhead, and New York City. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, Van Rensselaer Terry, was 
born in Riverhead and was of English descent; 
entering upon an active business career, he be- 
came a ship joiner, and from his yards in New 
York and Hoboken came some of the largest 
ships of his day. 

The business in which his father had so suc- 
cessfully engaged became also the chosen occu- 
pation of J. Rufus Terry, Sr., and the firm of V. 
R. Terry & Son was one of the most prominent in 
New York in their line. After the death of the 
senior member, the yards were carried on by his 



son, who continued the judicious management 
that had characterized the founder of the house. 
During the Civil War he dropped personal inter- 
ests in order to serve his country and enlisted in 
a New York regiment, with which he marched to 
the front and took part in a number of engage- 
ments. At the close of the RebelHon, he estab- 
lished his home in Jersey City. However, he 
still continued in business in New York, where 
he was a commission merchant. His death oc- 
curred in New Jersey. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Eleanor Gardner, was born in New York and 
now resides in Westchester County. Her father, 
WilHam Gardner, a native of Long Island, was 
a merchant tailor of New York, but made his 
home first in Newtown and later in Hoboken, his 
death occurring in Jersey City. The parental 
family consisted of three children, of whom the 
subject of this notice was next to the eldest. His 
childhood years were passed in Long Island City 
and Jersey City, and his education was obtained 
principally in the New York City grammar 
schools. About 1865 he came to Long Island 
City, where he grew to manhood and has since 
made his home. For about five years he was 
with D. E. Culver, under whose supervision he 
gained a thorough knowledge of civil engineer- 
ing. He aided in the survey and construction of 
the old Midland Railroad between Walton and 
Jersey City, and also assisted in a number of other 
important contracts. 

Turning his attention from civil engineering to 
a mercan*tile life, Mr. Terry accepted a position 
as salesman in a hat, leather and trimmings 
store in New York City, where he remained 
for ten years. From that he drifted into the 
real estate business and building. About 1883 
he began to take contracts for building and 
since that time he has built twenty-four resi- 
dences on Webster Avenue and in that vicinity. 
These buildings are supplied with water from 
two artesian wells, the power being furnished by 
a hot air engine with a capacity of twelve hundred 
gallons per hour. The supply is practically in- 
exhaustible, as the houses require only four thou- 
sand gallons per day. While Mr. Terry has dis- 
posed of many of these dwellings, he still owns 
eight houses and many lots suitable for building. 
Not only does he take the contract for building, 
but he also designs the houses and is a skillful 
and practical architect, and excellent draughts- 
man. Among his real estate sales are some of the 



l82 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



largest that have been made either here or in New 
York, and he has been especially active in hand- 
ling sales in additions. 

In this city Mr. Terry married Miss Mary E. 
Gardner, who was born in Webster Avenue. 
Her grandfather, Charles Gardner, owned a farm 
extending from Jackson Avenue to Ravenswood 
and including over one hundred acres. A por- 
tion of this property was inherited by her father, 
Thomas, a native of Long Island City, a farmer by 
occupation. Seeing the probable future value of 
the place, he platted it into lots, which Mr. Terry 
is now developing and selling. Mrs. Terry is a 
member of the Baptist Church, the services of 
which he attends and to the support of which he 
contributes. For a time he had an office in New 
York City, but the work became too heavy for 
him, so he discontinued it, and has since given 
his attention wholly to his interests in this city. 




■ ILLIAM A. SKIDMORE. The life of 
this gentleman has been one of unusual 
activity, and now, while in the strength 
of vigorous manhood, his work is crowned with 
most gratifying success. He is a native of the 
town of North Hempstead, and was born on a 
farm near Manhasset, his present home, March 
4, 1834. His parents were Wilham and Martha 
(Burtis) Skidmore, well known to the residents 
of this vicinity, as the Skidmore family is one of 
the oldest on Long Island, the first settlement 
being made here in 1642. Grandfather Samuel 
Skidmore was born at Wading River, Sufifolk 
County, which was also the birthplace of his son 
William. The latter was only three years of age 
when he was taken by his parents on their re- 
moval to Cow Neck. They made location on a 
tract of land which is now included in the Lu 
Ouere farm, near Plandome Mills, and there lived 
for many years: The grandfather was advanced 
in years at the time of his death, and William 
Skidmore was eighty-eight years old when he 
departed this life. 

The subject of this sketch was given a good 
common-school education. When only fifteen 
years of age he left. home and, going tO' New 
York City, obtained a position as clerk in a whole- 
sale dry goods estabhshment where his work gave 
such satisfaction that he was retained for many 
years. January 28, 1857, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Edeliza R. Seaman, of Man- 
hasset. Her birth, however, occurred at Lake- 



ville, L. I., where her parents, Leonard A. and 
Mary A. (Allen) Seaman, lived for many years, 
and were among the highly esteemed and sub- 
stantial residents of the place. 

Mr. Skidmore, of this sketch, continued to 
make his home in the metropolis until about 1885, 
when he came to his present location. He is now 
living retired. Personally he is a man possessed 
of many estimable qualities. Warm-hearted and 
generous to a fault, high-minded, conscientious 
and genial, he is the center of a large circle of 
close friends and acquaintances. In political af- 
fairs he is independent, although he cast his first 
vote for Fremont and afterward supported Lin- 
coln and Grant. In 1889 he was elected trustee 
of the Jones Institute, and for five years was one 
of the active members of the board. In 1896 he 
was re-elected for a term of two years. He has 
also been school trustee in his district and in every 
local position to which he has been elected he 
has discharged the duties falling upon him in an 
efficient and able manner. Mrs. Skidmore is a 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church, yvhich 
her husband also attends. 




FORGE M. RANDALL. The calling of 
the farmer is as old as the world, and 
the majority of the men who have fol- 
lowed it have led upright and blameless lives, and 
the career of George M'. Randall is no exception 
to this rule. He was born in the town of Brook- 
haven, Suffolk County, in 1848, his parents being 
Jehial and Maryetta (Morehouse) Randall, who 
were respectively citizens of Sufifolk County and 
Fairfield, Conn. George M. was reared on his 
father's farm and while growing up became famil- 
iar with hard work, but his vigorous outdoor Hfe 
strengthened and improved a constitution sound 
from his birth. During this time he was given 
such advantages for acquiring an education as 
the schools of his day afforded, and although they 
were of an inferior kind he acquired a practical 
education. 

It was but natural, perhaps, that when starting 
out to fight Hfe's battle for himself that he should 
engage in that occupation to which he had been 
reared and for which he had a liking. He con- 
tinued to till the soil on the old home farm for 
forty-two years, but in 1890 came to Freeport 
and here he has been superintendent of Randall 
& Miller's business ever since, caring for their 
lands, buildings and general business interests. 




REV. EUGRNE J. DONNELLY, A. B., A. M. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



185 



Mr. Randall is a director in the Freeport bank, 
and is also a stockholder in the land company of 
this village. All in all, Mr. Randall is a broad- 
gauged man of highl)^ cultivated tastes and of 
superior intelligence and public spirit. He has 
long been connected with the worthy order of 
Odd Fellows, and in his political views has al- 
ways been Democratic. During his long resi- 
■dence in Suffolk County he held several official 
positions. 

The 25th of December, 1869, witnessed the cel- 
ebration of Mr. Randall's marriage with Miss 
Rowena Burnett, daughter of Stephen and Sophia 
(Bishop) Burnett, both natives of Southampton, 
Suffolk County. Three children were given to 
this union and were named as follows: Evelyn, 
George Howard and Florence, all of whom are 
intelligent and accomplished, worthy scions of 
:a worthy father and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Ran- 
dall are communicants of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which Mr. Randall is one of the trus- 
tees. The Randall home is well known for the 
hospitality which is extended to all and the family 
is considered an acquisition to the social circles 
of the village of Freeport. 



FATHER EUGENE J. DONNELLY, A. B., 
A. M. It is with pleasure that we recount 
the experiences of this worthy gentleman, 
Tvho is one of the most popular ministers in the 
■city of Flushing, his frank, pleasing countenance 
and personal magnetism drawing people to hmi. 
As a pastor he gets very near to his people, and 
has ever sought to develop the highest type of 
rsocial life of the church. He was born in Brook- 
lyn, October 26, 1852, to the marriage of Owen 
■and Ann (O'Brien) Donnelly. About the year 
1835 the father located in Brooklyn and resided 
-there until his death, when seventy-two years old. 
He was one of the fourteenth ward leaders and 
-was an influential Democratic politician. The 
■mother now resides in Brooklyn. Of the six chil- 
dren born to this estimable couple, four are liv- 
ing at the present time, three sons and one daugh- 
ter: Bernard, foreman of the fire department in 
Brooklyn; Mary, now Mrs. Crawford, and John 
P., an attorney, both of whom also reside in 
Brooklyn. 

Father Donnelly attended public school No. 
17, then under Mr. Woodworth, the first principal 
of the school. When thirteen years old he com- 



pleted the entire course there, and in September, 
1866, entered St. Francis Xavier College in New 
York City. From this college he graduated with 
high honors in 1872, when, wishing to become a 
priest, he repaired to Rome and entered the 
American College, where he remained five years. 
While in Rome he attended the lectures of the 
celebrated Propaganda College, having as class- 
mates representatives of all the nations of the 
world. Having completed the theological course, 
he passed a brilliant examination and was or- 
dained in the Church of St. John Lateran, May 
26, 1877. Previous to his return home, for four 
months he traveled extensively through Italy, 
France, Belgium, Wales, England and Ireland. 
On his arrival in his native land he was sent to 
Flushing. 

Father Donnelly is a fine linguist and is pro- 
fessor of Latin in St. Joseph's Academy for young 
ladies in Flushing. Latin, Greek, Hebrew, 
French, Spanish and Italian are languages with 
which he is familiar, while Spanish and ItaHan he 
speaks as fluently as a native. The church m 
Flushing, which is of gothic design, was repaired 
and handsomely and artistically decorated under 
his direction and immediate supervision. The 
architectural work was by Lyons, of Brooklyn. 
Father Domrelly is passionately fond of music 
and is always present when it can be enjoyed in 
Flushing. He is himself a musician and possesses 
a sweet tenor voice of great compass. Through 
his efforts the church has a fine new organ 
worth $3,000, and has been noted for its music 
since he took charge. He is at the head of 
the St. Michael's Parochial School, although 
he does not teach there. That he is charitable and 
good, many a poor family in Flushing can attest, 
and he never turns a deaf ear to those in want. 

The congregation is now very large, numbermg 
about three thousand, and there are three masses 
on Sunday. The societies of the church are as 
follows: Holy Rosary, Altar, St. Vincent De 
Paul, Sacred Heart and the Catholic Benevolent 
Legion. Father Donnelly is a member of the 
alumni of St. Francis Xavier College and the 
alumni of the American College of Rome. A few^ 
years ago he visited Cuba for his health and m 
189s took a trip to Europe, visiting Italy, Austria, 
Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Scot- 
land and Ireland. He has a select library of over 
two thousand volumes and has a valuable cabinet 
of relics gathered from all parts of the earth. With 
a pleasing address, a fine presence, a rich and 



1 86 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



musical voice, a clear head and generous heart, 
he has succeeded in his calling anc 
prominent position in his church. 



he has succeeded in his calling and has reached a 



ELBERT J. SCHENCK, a carriage manu- 
facturer of Great Neck, was born at Cold- 
spring Harbor, L. I., February i, 1849, ^ 
son of Simeon and Mary A. (Darling) Schenck, 
the former of whom was born and reared at 
Syosset. The paternal grandfather was a farmer 
by occupation, and although he was of German 
descent, it is thought that his birth occurred in 
America. For many years he cultivated a small 
tract of land at what was known as Wallabout 
market, but this place he later traded for a larger 
farm at Syosset, where the remaining years of his 
life were spent, he departing this hfe when in his 
eighty-fifth year. His wife outlived him a num- 
ber of years, dying at a good old age. Grand- 
father Schenck served as a soldier in the War of 
1 81 2, and after his decease his wife was given a 
pension by the government. He was a stanch 
Democrat in politics, but was in no way ambitious 
to hold office, as his entire time was given in cul- 
tivating his farm. 

Simeon Schenck worked as an apprentice at 
carriage-making in Jericho and Port Washington, 
and about the time he was ready to work for 
wages married and located in Oyster Bay. Later 
he took up his abode at Coldspring Harbor, where 
the 'family made their home until Elbert J., of this 
history, was a lad of ten years. They then became 
identified with the interests of Huntington, but 
not liking this location as well as Coldspring Har- 
bor, returned to the latter place. Mr. Schenck 
also found a greater demand for his work in this 
place and as an inducement to return he was 
offered the rent of his shop free for a year, and 
when he accepted had his household goods and 
family moved back without any expense. Our 
subject was at this time fifteen years of age and 
had already begun to work in his father's shop. 
After four years spent at Coldspring Harbor, the 
senior Mr. Schenck moved to Port Washington, 
where he departed this life in 1880. He, too, was 
a supporter of the Democratic principles in poli- 
tics. For many years he had been a member in 
excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which denomination he had joined in 
early hfe, but he afterward became identified with 
the Baptist Church, in which he served as deacon. 

The parental family included thirteen children, 



eight of whom grew to mature years. Adaline 
married William Nichols, a carpenter by trade, 
and they are living at Port Washington ; Joseph, 
who also follows that business, is living at Brook- 
lyn; Martha became the wife of John Mackey, 
who is also a resident of that city; our subject 
was the next in order of birth ; Moses, his younger 
brother, is engaged in the carriage business with 
him ; Emma is now the wife of William G. Smith 
and makes her home in Great Neck; George is a 
resident of East Williston; and Agues, the wife 
of Rev. William G. Wedemeyer, is living in New 
Jersey, her husband being pastor of a church at 
Lakewood. 

The subject of this sketch obtained a fair edu- 
cation by attending school during the winter 
months and working in the summer season. 
When a lad of fourteen years he was put to work 
at the bench, and a year later was pronounced a 
good workman. After working for his father 
until attaining his majority he was taken into 
partnership, but a few years later sold his inter- 
est in the business to his brother and, purchasing 
another shop, carried on a thriving business as 
carriage manufacturer for two years. At the end 
of that time he moved to Brooklyn and after a 
residence there of three years came to Great 
Neck. This was in 1882, and that year he formed 
a partnership with his brother, Moses R., and 
they are now in command of a splendid business. 
From the first the venture met with success, and 
they are classed among the shrewd, progressive 
business men of the place. They have made ad- 
ditions to their shop and both are owners of the 
comfortable dwellings in which they live. 

In 1872 Mr. Schenck and Miss Thela Jones, of 
Port Washington, were united in marriage. This 
lady was born on Staten Island, and by her union 
with our subject has become the mother of a 
daughter, Annie, who is now the wife of Jacob 
Henry Lahr, and they make their home in Great 
Neck. Their household includes three children, 
Elbert J., Annie E. and Jacob H. Mrs. Schenck 
died in 1875 and one year later our subject was 
married to Miss Henrietta Bunce, a daughter of 
Washington and Emily Bunce. At the time of 
her marriage Mrs. Schenck was a resident of Port 
Washington, although her birth occurred in New 
York City. 

In politics Mr. Schenck is a Democrat, casting 
his first vote for Horace Greeley in 1872. At 
various times he has been a delegate to county 
conventions and has always taken an active part 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



187 



in politics. In 1887 he was the successful candi- 
date for the ofHce of coroner of the county, serv- 
ing the people acceptably for three terms. Mr. 
Schenck conducted the case at the time Frederick 
Baker of New York was found drowned, soon 
after the robbing of the Shoe and Leather Bank 
of New York, in which the insurance com- 
panies were interested. The manner in which he 
handled the case was spoken of in a highly com- 
mendable manner in the New York papers at the 
time. Socially he is a member of Cornucopia 
Lodge. No. 563, F. & A. M., with which he has 
been connected since 1887. He also belongs to 
the Roslyn Benevolent Society. 



KERBY STEVENS. In tracing the gen- 
ealogy of the Stevens family we find that 
the subject of this sketch comes of a fine 
old family of Revolutionary fame. His great- 
grandfather, Ebenezer Stevens, rose to the rank 
of general in the struggle of this country for in- 
dependence, and was second in command of the 
colonial forces at the battle of Saratoga, N. Y., 
his superior officer being the famous General 
Gates. General Stevens was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, was very jealous of the rights of the 
Colonists and was one of those who masqueraded 
as an Indian at the historical "Boston tea party." 
In the last struggle with the British, during the 
War of 1812, he built Ft. Stevens, at Hell Gate, 
on Hallett's Point, which he commanded during 
that war. Previous to this, however, in 1797, he 
had taken up his summer residence at Astoria, 
his permanent home being in the city of New 
York. He became an importer of and wholesale 
dealer in wines, and after a long and prosperous 
business career he died in New York City. His 
son, Byam Kerby Stevens, was born in that city 
and was there eventually married to the only 
daughter of Albert Gallatin, an American citizen 
born in Geneva, Switzerland, and descended from 
one of the oldest families of Europe. He was a 
man of brilliant attainments and rose to eminence 
in this country and filled with distinction the of- 
fices of Minister to England, Minister to France, 
Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State. 
Many cities and towns throughout the United 
States were named for him, and John Ouincy 
Adams wrote his life. He died in Astoria after a 
life of honor and distinction at the home of his 
son-in-law, Byam Kerby Stevens. 

Rev. Mr. Stevens, the founder of the Stevens 



family in this country, came here from England 
between 1600 and 1630, settling at Salem, Mass. 
He was a minister of the Congregational Church 
and preached the gospel in the vicinity of Boston. 
Gen. Ebenezer Stevens was his grandson. A 
daughter of the General married a Mr. Schemmer- 
horn; another daughter became Mrs. Rhinland- 
er ; a son. Dr. Alexander H., was the first presi- 
dent of the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
of New York City and became one of the most 
eminent surgeons of his day. Another son, Sam- 
uel, was one of the aldermen whose name is on 
the Forty-second Street aqueduct; he became a 
very successful business man and the owner of 
large interests in Astoria, while another son, Aus- 
tin, was president of the Chamber of Commerce 
and of the Bank of Commerce, and was a man of 
fine business capacity and intellect. Byam Kerby 
Stevens, still another son, and the grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch, followed in his fath- 
er's footsteps and became an importer of wines, 
his residence in New York being at No. 31 Lafay- 
ette Place, old Colonade Row, the most aristo- 
cratic part of the city at that time. Fle died at 
his summer residence in Astoria in 1870, at the 
age of seventy years. He was a director in the 
Gallatin Bank, which was organized by Albert 
Gallatin at No. 36 Wall Street, and is one of the 
most solid banking institutions of that section to- 
day. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. 
His son, Frederick W. Stevens, is a lawyer and 
formerly practiced in New York; he is probably 
the largest property owner of the Stevens family. 
Albert Gallatin Stevens, son of Byam Kerby 
Stevens, first saw the light of day in New York 
City, in which city he practiced law during his 
early manhood. Later in life he spent five years 
in Europe, and while at Cadiz had one son born, 
and a daughter in France. Upon his return to his 
native land he did not resume the practice of law, 
but took up his residence in Astoria and became 
one of the incorporators of Long Island City. 
He finally returned to New York City and has a 
comfortable home at No. 33 West Thirty-fifth 
Street. He is a Democrat politically. He was 
united in marriage with Miss Amelia L. Cornell, 
a native of the city of New York, and daughter 
of John Cornell, cashier for years of the Me- 
chanics' Bank in Wall Street. To Mr. and Mrs. 
A. Gallatin Stevens eight children were born: 
John, who graduated from the medical depart- 
ment of Harvard University, and died in the 
West; Frances Gallatin, who died in Astoria; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Louise Newbold, Mrs. Brown of Boston; Kerby; 
Albert, who died at the age of fifteen months; 
Bertha E., a resident of New York; Josephine 
Ledyard, and Frederick, who died at the age of ■ 
nine years. 

Kerby Stevens, tlie subject of this sketch, was 
born in Astoria, May i8, 1862, and received the 
greater part of his Hterary education in private 
schools, but graduated from St. Paul's School, 
Concord, N. H. After traveling in Europe for 
about twelve months he returned to the United 
States and became a clerk with a Wall Street firm, 
but upon the failure of his employer he came to 
Astoria. In 1890 he began dealing in real es- 
tate here as a member of the firm of Trowbridge 
& Stevens, and had charge of the large real estate 
interests of the Stevens family at this place. Po- 
litically he is a mugwump or independent and has 
been a member of various committees. 



DOW S. LOTT, -who is one of the well-to- 
do residents of the town of Jamaica, was 
born on the old homestead at Wood- 
haven August 14, 1849. He is the son of Henry 
S. Lott, of whom a more extended notice will be 
found in the sketch of Peter Lott, published else- 
where in this volume. The history of our sub- 
ject's mother, Caroline Eldert, will appear in the 
biography of Samuel E. Eldert, of Woodhaven. 

Dow S. Lott has two brothers, the elder of 
whom, Eldert, is connected with a large whole- 
sale hardware house in Duluth, Minn.; Stephen 
H. is one of the justices of the town of Jamaica 
and makes his home at Ozone Park. Our subject 
grew to mature years on his father's farm and ac- 
quired a splendid education in the local schools. 
While a boy he clerked for one year in a store 
and was then for four years in the employ of his 
cousin in New Lots, who was a farmer and dairy- 
man. Having gained a full knowledge of the 
latter industry, he began in business for himself 
on the home place and has made dairying his 
principal occupation since that time. His beauti- 
ful home in Woodhaven is surrounded by nine 
and one-half acres of land. In 1871 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Ruth A. Bedell of Farmingdale. 
She comes of one of the old and respected fam- 
ilies of the county, her ancestors having lived in 
Farmingdale for several generations. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there 
have been born seven children, Caroline E., 
Sarah L., Elizabeth D., Loretta, Henry S., Dow 



S., Jr., and Clarence E. Mr. Lott has always 
taken an active interest in local politics and is a 
leading Democrat. He has served as a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education, and rendered val- 
uable aid on the Board of Health. He was elected 
town assessor in April, 1894, and is now serv- 
ing as president of that body. Prominent in Ma- 
sonic circles, he is a member of Jamaica Lodge. 
He is likewise connected with the Odd Fellows 
lodge of Woodhaven, of which he was one of the 
charter members, and belongs to the Royal Ar- 
canum of Jamaica. Both himself and wife are 
members of the Woodhaven Presbyterian Church 
and the former is president of the Board of Trus- 



IRVING C. SNIFFEN. Long Island may 
well be proud of her stores and markets, and 
among those which have the distinction of 
being standard and up to the times is that of 
Irving C. Snififen. A large and choice line of gro- 
ceries, in fact everything which recommends itself 
to the practical and busy housewife, may always 
be found in Mr. Sniffen's commodious establish- 
ment. The head of this thriving establishment 
was born in Katonah, Westchester County, N. Y., 
August 2, 1870, to Aaron T. and Addie C. (Ray- 
mond) Sniffen, the former of whom was a manu- 
facturer of sash, doors and blinds, and removed 
to Seacliff, L. I., with his family when the sub- 
ject of this sketch was about five years old. After 
locating here he at once embarked in the grocery 
business, which was one of the first stores in the 
village. His trade increased very rapidly, but 
he did not live long to continue this work, his 
death occurring January 13, 1880. His widow 
and two sons survive him, the brother of our sub- 
ject being Charles Wesley Snififen, who is the 
elder of the two and a successful liveryman of 
Seacliff. 

Ii-ving C. Sniffen was placed in the public 
schools as soon as he had attained a suitable age, 
and his literary education was finished in the 
Friends' Academy at Locust Valley, N. Y. He 
immediately returned home and entered the gro- 
cery which his mother had condticted, and in 1893 
he took the entire charge of the establishment in- 
to his own hands, having bought out his mother. 
Mr. Sniffen has shown that he possesses unusual 
business talent and is endowed with those attri- 
butes of character which compel success in trade, 
and he can point with pardonable pride to an ex- 
tensive patronage and excellent business credit. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



189 



Mr. Sniffen was married May 17, 1893, to Miss 
Josie C. Worth, of Seacliff, but a native of Brook- 
lyn, and daughter of Reuben and Lucinda (An- 
drovette) Worth, the former of whom was a coal 
dealer of Seacliff. Mr. Sniffen has always sup- 
ported the measures of the Repubhcan party, and 
in 1892 voted for Benjamin Harrison for the presi- 
dency. Although he was nominated for a mem- 
ber of the school board, he declined to fill the 
office, for his business completely occupies his 
time and attention. Socially he is a member of 
the American Legion of Honor at Seachff, and 
in the social and business circles of the place 
occupies a prominent position. He and his wife 
have a little daughter, Addie C, born in Sea- 
cliff February 15, 1895. 



WESLEY B. SMITH. Prominent among 
the successful, thrifty and energetic 
men of Baldwin is Wesley B. Smith, 
who is actively engaged in the oyster business 
in this locality. He is a native of the island, hav- 
ing been born in Milburn in 1855, to Treadwell 
and Abigail (Brower) Smith, both of whom were 
natives of the town of Hempstead, where they 
passed their entire lives. 

During the greater part of his life the father 
of our subject was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. At the time of his death, however, he was 
living in Glenwood, where he was the proprietor 
of a paper manufactory. The reputation which 
he enjoyed was not only that of an intelligent and 
progressive citizen of the county, but of a man 
thoroughly posted on all public affairs. He de- 
parted this life in 1863, respected by all who knew 
him. His estimable wife, although advanced in 
years, is still living and in the enjoyment of ex- 
cellent health. 

Wesley B. Smith was orphaned by the death 
of his father when a lad of eight years. The fam- 
ily were left in somewhat straitened circum- 
stances, and as his mother and three younger 
bi-others and sisters depended upon him for sup- 
port, he was not permitted to spend much time in 
gaining an education, only attending the district 
school for a few terms, when he started out in 
the world to gain a living. He at once engaged 
in the oyster business, which was developing into 
quite an industry, and ere he was twenty-one 
vears old was conducting a business of this kind 
for himself. His beds are finely located, and 
being thoroughly acquainted with the business, 



Mr. Smith has been successful and now ships to 
the local markets, also to Newark, N. J., some 
seven thousand bushels of oysters per year. 

In 1885 Mr. Smith and Miss Lora, daughter 
of John Lott, were united in marriage. The fath- 
er of Mrs. Smith is one of the old and respected 
residents of Baldwin and is well known to all its 
citizens. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth of three children, namely: Ethel, Winifred 
and Wesley L. In religious matters our subject 
is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and is very active in the work of his con- 
gregation, of which he has been steward for many 
years, and which for thirteen years he served as 
trustee. In his political relations he is a true- 
blue Republican, and, although not aspiring to 
office himself, never loses an opportunity to sup- 
port the candidates of this particular organization. 
He was one of the incorporators of the Rockville 
Center Bank, of which he is now a director. He 
has made many warm friends among the residents 
of his community and is highly regarded wherever 
known. 



CARMAN SMITH. While it is of rare oc- 
currence for the man who is by natural 
bent and training a farmer to adopt any 
other calling, when he does so he usually rises to 
success in it, because his whole life has been based 
upon the principle of integrity, with the firm con- 
viction that in all the avenues of trade honesty 
should be the ruling spur. This quality has 
marked the career of Carman Smith, who is one 
of the old and prominent citizens of Freeport. 
He was born at Merrick, L. I., in 1819, to Joseph 
and Harriet (Raynor) Smith, who were also born 
on Long Island and there spent their lives in a 
useful and commendable manner. The father was 
identified with farming interests, but gave consid- 
erable attention to merchandising also and was 
the owner of some fisheries. Being a public- 
spirited citizen, he held a number of town offices 
and was at one time captain of a company of 
state militia. His earthly career closed in 1870, 
and his widow's death occurred in 1887. 

Carman Smith obtained only the advantages of 
the district schools in his youth, and they were 
very inferior in those days. While growing up 
he assisted his father in the duties of the farm 
and store and under his wise and kindly guidance 
he learned lessons of energy, push and honesty 
which were the stepping stones to his success of 
later years. He remained with and aided his 



I go 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father until he was thirty years of age, when he 
embarked in the mercantile business on his own 
account, and this occupation received his atten- 
tion in the village of Merrick for more than thirty 
years. During this time he also carried on farm- 
ing to some extent. From about 1850 to 1877 he 
held the responsible position of postmaster of 
Merrick. In 1880 he removed to Freeport and 
in this pleasant village has lived in retirement 
ever since, in the enjoyment of the fruits ot 
his early industry and in the society of his many 
friends, whom his honorable and upright career 
in the business arena and his genial and kindly 
disposition have gathered about him. 

Mr. Smith has always been a very progressive 
citizen and his business undertakings always pros- 
pered. In commercial circles he holds an hon- 
orable position and in the social life of the village 
in which he lives he is also highly regarded. In 
1853 he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth- 
ella Smith, daughter of James Smith, and their 
marriage resulted in the birth of four children; 
Emily, wife of Charles L. Wallace, a successful 
attorney-at-law and the able editor of the "South 
Side Observer"; Samuel R., president of the 
Rockaway Bank at Far Rockaway; Joseph Nel- 
son, who died at the age of seventeen years, and 
one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
are prominent members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, with which they have been identified 
for more than half a century. Although he has 
always taken a deep interest in political matters, 
he has never aspired to political perferment, much 
preferring to devote his time and energies to the 
successful conduct of his business aflfairs, and in 
this he showed his wisdom. 



C 



HARLES A. SCHILLING is well known 
as the proprietor of Schilling's Atlas Ho- 
tel, at Rockaway Beach, which, with its 
seventy-five rooms for the accommodation of 
boarders by the day or week, with its elegant 
dancing pavilion, bowling alleys and two hundred 
and fifty bathing houses, is recognized as one of 
the most complete and popular resorts for sum- 
mer visitors on the island. It is easily accessible 
either by railroad to the seaside station, or by 
steamboat to the seaside landing. 

Prior to coming to Rockaway Beach in 1893 
Mr. Schilling resided in Far Rockaway, where 
he still owns twenty valuable lots and some fine 
property well improved. He is a native of Ger- 



many, born March 30, 1842, and received an ex- 
cellent education in his native land, learning the 
trade of a baker in youthful years. At the age of 
twenty-five he came to this country and followed 
his trade in Brooklyn until 1885, when he removed 
to Far Rockaway and entered the hotel business, 
being proprietor of the well-known Mansion 
House for seven years. While a resident of 
Brooklyn he was candidate on the Democratic 
ticket for the position of alderman-at-large. For 
fifteen years he has been a notary public and for 
more than two years has served as treasurer of 
the school board. He is a director in the gas 
company and has other important and valuable 
local interests. 

During his residence in Brooklyn Mr. Schilling 
married Miss Maria Lindhorn, a native of Ger- 
many, who has spent her life principally in this 
country. Fourteen children were born of their 
union, of whom nine are living. Emma, the old- 
est living daughter, is the wife of Charles Pretz, a 
butcher of Far Rockaway. The others are with 
their parents and are named as follows: Louisa, 
Matilda, Martha, Bertie, Charles, Ida, Edwin and 
Henry. Mr. Schilling is among the German- 
Americans who appreciate the free institutions of 
this country and heartily gives his support to 
every measure calculated to benefit the town and 
county, state and nation. 



JOHN H. SCHLEPEGRELL, a prosperous 
and enterprising young business man of 
Woodside, is the proprietor of a first-class 
grocery and also retails flour, feed and hay in large 
quantities. He is a native of New York City and 
was born November 11, 1863, to Joseph and 
Catherine (Marah) Schlepegrell. Of their five 
children our subject and his sister Anna, now the 
wife of William Lewis, of Brooklyn, are the only 
survivors. 

In 1837 Joseph Schlepegrell was born in Ger- 
many, where he was reared to mature years, ob- 
taining a fair education in the model schools of 
his native land. He emigrated to America when 
a young man and for the first four or five years 
was employed in a large grocery house in New 
York City. He laid by a large portion of his 
earnings and at the end of this time was enabled 
to start in business for himself, opening a general 
mercantile establishment, which for many years 
he conducted very successfully. Several of his 
employes whom he had entrusted with very im- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



191 



portant matters were untrue to the confidence 
reposed in them and caused his failure late in life. 
The subject of this sketch attended school both 
in New York and Brooklyn, and when only a lad 
of thirteen years accepted his first position and for 
four years was employed in bundling cigar light- 
ers in a Brooklyn factory. He made good wages 
during this time, but in 1880 left and secured em- 
ployment in the Astor House in New York City, 
where he remained for five years. With the 
money which he had thus earned he came to 
Woodside and embarked in the grocery business, 
to the carrying on of which he has given his per- 
sonal attention since. Woodside was little more 
than a hamlet at that time, but as the years passed 
by and the population increased the business of 
Mr. Schlepegrell grew also and he now stands at 
the head in this line in the place. In 1890 he 
purchased his present residence property and five 
years later bought a desirable lot on the corner of 
Woodside and Kelly Avenues, on which he erect- 
ed a new store building. 

The lady to whom our subject was united in 
marriage in the year 1889 was Miss Matilda 
Schafer, a most estimable young lady, whose 
home was in Woodside. To them have been born 
two daughters, TiUie and Henrietta. In politics 
Mr. Schlepegrell is a stanch Democrat and in 
rehgious matters is a devout Cathohc. He has 
been a member of the Woodside Hook and Lad- 
der Company for seven years and at the present 
time is connected with the lodge of the Royal 
Arcanum at Newtown. 



Soon after establishing a home of his own he was 
employed as a bartender and finally located at 
Corona, where he became the proprietor of a 
hotel and also kept a saloon. A year thereafter 
we find him located in Brooklyn, where he was 
also engaged as a saloonkeeper, remaining there 
until some time in May, 1892, when he took up 
his abode at Flower Hill. Here he erected his 
own buildings, put in modern machinery, and 
from the good business which his enterprise and 
energy have built takes in $1,000 per day when 
running at full capacity. He is also proprietor 
of the famous Wahacapaha Springs, the water of 
which is noted for its curative properties and is 
shipped by him to various points in the Union. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been born two 
sons, George and Barney. Mr. Thomas has been 
financially prosperous in his business and is 
ranked among the well-to-do and respected citi- 
zens of the community. In politics he is inde- 
pendent. 



THOMAS THOMAS, proprietor of the 
Flower Hill Bottling Works, is a native of 
New York and was born June 6, 1866, to 
William and Elizabeth (Durant) Thomas. (For a 
complete history of the parents we refer the read- 
er to their sketch, which will appear on another 
page in this book.) Thomas was quite regular 
in his attendance at the common school from the 
age of six to fourteen years, and the first posi- 
tion which he held upon starting out for himself 
was as an apprentice in a gold pen manufactory. 
Later he was employed by A. W. Faber, whose 
pencils are used all over the country, but did not 
remain in his shop but a twelvemonth when he 
returned home and continued with his father for 
a few years. 

Mr. Thomas was married in May, 1888, to Miss 
Margaret Happ, a native of New York City. 



JOHN W. SOUTHARD is one of the worthy 
residents and enterprising farmers of the 
town of Hempstead, making his home in 
the pleasant village of Seaford. He was born at 
Massapequa, this county, in 1837, and is the son 
of Richard and Susan (Bennett) Southard, also 
natives of this portion of Long Island, where they 
were content to pass their entire lives. 

Richard Southard in early life learned the trade 
of a wheelwright and was thus employed for a 
number of years. Later, however, he took up 
farming, in which occupation he was very success- 
ful, and four years prior to his death lived a re- 
tired life. He was a quiet and unassuming citizen 
and devoted his entire life to looking after his 
own affairs. At his death, which occurred in 
1888, when four score and four years of age, 
the town of Hempstead lost one of its old and 
vi'orthy residents. His good wife survived him 
until 1892, when she passed away at the same 
age. 

The subject of this sketch acquired his educa- 
tion in the district schools, and when ready to 
begin life for himself learned the trade of a wheel- 
wright under the instruction of his father, and, 
like him, followed it for many years. From time 
to time he invested his surplus capital in land 
and it was not long before he had more property 
than he could look after profitably and attend to 
work at his trade. He therefore discontinued the 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



business of a wheelwright and about 1875 began 
to give his entire time and attention to his farm. 
He now has some eighty-five acres of excellently 
tilled land, on which are a full set of neat and 
commodious buildings, and withal the place pre- 
sents a very inviting and attractive appearance. 

In addition to carrying on the work of his farm, 
Mr. Southard is engaged in the undertaking busi- 
ness and has an establishment containing a full 
assortment of burial goods. He also keeps a 
hearse and splendid team and supplies everything 
necessary for a funeral, from the laying out of the 
body to the final disposition in the ground. 

Mr. Southard was married in 1859 to Miss 
Catherine A., daughter of Alfred Seaman, a repre- 
sentative of an old and respected family of the 
town of Hempstead. Mr. Seaman is stilt living 
at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Three 
children have been born to our subject and his 
wife: Wilbur F., Mary E. and John W., Jr. Mrs. 
Southard is a devoted member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. While never aspiring to of- 
ficial honors, our subject always votes for Repub- 
lican candidates and takes great interest in the 
success of his party. 



CHARLES W. THOMAS, whose post- 
office address is Roslyn, is the proprietor 
of a hotel at Flower Hill. He was born 
in Saxony, Germany, July 4, 1847, ^''^^ is the son 
of Lawrence and Barbara (Sieter) Thomas, also 
born in the Fatherland. During the fifteen years 
of his life spent in his native land our subject was 
given a good education and for a short time at- 
tended college. May 28, 1862, after spending 
some time in crossing the Atlantic, he was landed 
in New York City. 

The Civil War being in progress when Mr. 
Thomas came to America he soon enlisted and 
was mustered into the regiment known as the 
"Lost Children," with which he served for five 
months. He then became a member of Battery 
M, Fifth United States Light Artillery, which he 
joined at Yorktown, Va., and took part in some 
of the most important battles of the war, among 
them being the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court- 
house, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Woodstock (in 
the Shenandoah Valley), Winchester and Cedar 
Creek, in which latter conflict the Union soldiers 
were obliged to retreat. During this period Mr. 
Thomas served under the name of Karl Wilhelm. 
He remained in the service until the close of the 



war and on being ordered to report at Washing- 
ton, D. C, was honorably discharged June 3, 
1865. Although he did not participate in the 
grand review, he remained at the capital and was 
a witness of this thrilling sight. During over 
three years of service our subject was never seri- 
ously wounded, although at one time he was 
kicked in the eye by a horse and disabled for some 
time. 

Having saved $300 or $400 out of the small 
wages paid him while in the army, Mr. Thomas 
started in the trucking business in New York 
and was thus engaged for a period of twelve 
years. When eighteen years of age he was mar- 
ried in the metropolis to Miss Elizabeth Turant, 
the ceremony which made them one being per- 
formed August 26, 1865. Miss Turant was also 
of German birth, having been born in Hanover. 
She remained the loving companion of Mr. 
Thomas for seven years, and in 1872 departed this 
life, leaving two children. For his second wife 
our subject chose Louisa Wenner, by whom he 
has become the father of four children. 

After abandoning the trucking business our 
subject was bookkeeper and collector for a firm 
in the city for two years. He was then engaged 
for the same length of time in the manufacture 
of furniture, and after closing out his business in 
this line secured a position as conductor with 
one of the street railway companies. The next 
account we have of him was three years later, 
when he embarked in the saloon business, con- 
tinuing to be thus engaged in New York City 
for five years. In 1886 he removed to College 
Point, and after five years spent in business there 
took up his residence in Flower Hill. 

In his political relations Mr. Thomas is inde- 
pendent. Socially he is a Mason and Odd Fel- 
low of good standing, and also belongs to the 
Knights of Honor and the Order of Foresters. 
He is a Grand Army man and often meets his 
old comrades at the various reunions, which he 
never fails to attend. He formerly belonged to 
William T. Kennedy Post, No. 42, of New York 
City, but he is now allied with Elijah Wort Post, 
No. 654. 



JOHN E. TATOR, owner and proprietor of 
the grocery store on Central Avenue, Far 
Rockaway, and a resident of Jamaica, was 
born at Long Branch, N. J., November 25, 1851, 
and is the sole survivor of eleven children com- 




COL. WILLIAM A. JONES. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



195 



prising the family of George A. and Catharine 
(Webb) Tator. His father, who was born in Co- 
lumbia County, N. Y., was engaged in the hotel 
business during much of his life and for some 
time held the position of manager of the Man- 
sion House at Long Branch. After returning to 
New York City in 1859, where he accepted a po- 
sition in the custom house, he still kept his sum- 
mer home at Long Branch, where his family spent 
a few months each year. His death occurred at 
the age of fifty-three years and his wife passed 
away when seventy-five. He was a man who held 
the respect of his associates through the course 
of his long and active career, and was favorably 
known by the visitors to Long Branch, who rec- 
ognized his sterling worth of character. 

When the family removed to New York City in 
1859, our subject was a child of eight years, and 
there he remained until 1876, meantime attend- 
ing the public schools. His first employment 
was in a hardware store, where he remained for 
two years, and later he spent nine years in the 
establishment of Lord & Taylor. After leaving 
that position he was variously employed in New 
York and Brooklyn until 1877, when he came to 
Rockaway Beach and opened the first dairy here. 
In 1883 he went to Jamaica and for one year car- 
ried on a restaurant, after which he was for four 
years in partnership with E. T. Nostrand in tlie 
grocery business, since which time he has been 
sole proprietor of the store. He is married, his 
wife having been Miss Sarah A. Remsen, of Rock- 
away Beach. Politically he advocates the princi- 
ples set forth by the Democratic party, but has 
never sought offices or public responsibilities, pre- 
ferring to give his attention to business matters. 
He attends the Episcopal Church and is a mem- 
ber. His experiences in business have been 
varied; for a time he was with the Aldine Print- 
ing Company and also held a clerical position 
in a bank, but these were not congenial to him, 
as his inclination was in the line of his present 
business. 



COL. WILLIAM A. JONES, a resident of 
the beautiful village of Richmond Hill, is 
well known as one of the most extensive 
hop growers in the state. He was born Septem- 
ber 25, 1834, in Canada, where his parents were 
temporarily located, their home being in St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y. His father, Thomas H., a 
native of Montreal, Canada, and of Welsh de- 
5 



scent, was a prominent business man of St. Law- 
rence County and those who had dealings with 
him had the utmost confidence in his integrity and 
good judgment. By his marriage to Annie Gunn, 
who was of Scotch lineage, he had three sons, 
William A., Thomas H. and Robert F. Thomas 
H. is a resident of North Dakota and Robert F. 
is engaged in business in Minneapolis, Minn. 

In 1856 Colonel Jones graduated as a student 
from the old Franklin Academy in Malone, this 
state, and immediately thereafter he engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, and continued therein until 
the breaking out of the Civil War. He assisted 
in raising and organizing the Ninety-eighth Reg- 
iment of New York Volunteers in the autumn of 
1861, but owing to the serious illness of his wife, 
he was unable at that time to go to the field. The 
following year, however, he enlisted for the war 
and at once recruited a company for the One 
Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, then or- 
ganizing at Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence County. 
Colonel Jones was elected captain, and in Sep- 
tember, 1862, he went with his comrades to the 
front, serving with the Army of the Potomac at 
the battle of Suffolk, in Virginia, and in the Pe- 
ninsular campaign until September, 1863, when 
he was ordered to the Tenth Army Corps, at this 
time in the department of the South, and operat- 
ing in front of Charleston. He joined in the hot- 
test of the fight at the battle of John's Island, and 
in that of Ft. Wagner, after which he was returned 
to the Army of the Potomac, putting in his best 
shots at Cold Harbor, Bermuda Hundred, Peters- 
burgh Mine Explosion, and at Ft. Harrison on 
the 29th of September, 1864, when the regiment 
lost in killed and wounded eleven out of twenty- 
two officers. Captain Jones was promoted at this 
time to the office of major for his gallantry in 
action, and then was granted twenty days' leave 
of absence, having now been in the field two years 
without an hour's leave from his command. 

The Major was soon after brevetted lieuten- 
ant-colonel for personal bravery and splendid 
service shown at the assault on Ft. Fisher. Al- 
most immediately following, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Jones was placed in full command of his regiment, 
and was also placed in command of the garri- 
son at Smithville, N. C. Here he remained until 
the following March, 1865, when the Tenth Corps 
marched across the state to Goldsboro, when Ter- 
ry, forming a junction with Sherman's army, they 
together moved upon Raleigh. There Colonel 
Jones, with his command, remained until the sur- 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



render of Johnston's army and the close of the war. 
Colonel Jones did not go to the front as a hireling, 
but as a ready volunteer, all aglow with that love 
of country which could be satisfied with nothing 
less than the Union saved from its enemies. The 
war to him meant no holiday out of school or from 
business. He went to the front to help crush out 
the most gigantic rebellion of this or any other 
age. He fought to win, and never did he turn 
his back upon the foe. A man of impulsive and 
daring pluck, his command was never ordered to 
go where he did not lead it. In the assault upon 
Ft. Fisher he got three buhets through his cloth- 
ing, and finally fell senseless by a spent shell, but 
fortunately he came out of it all and was brevetted 
Colonel by President Lincoln. 

Colonel Jones' record in the war was a remark- 
ably distinguished and brilliant one, the summary 
of which is as follows: He served with his com- 
mand all through the rebellion, and was in every 
engagement in which it took part — the battles of 
Suffolk, White's Landing, the siege of Ft. Wag- 
ner, Drury's Bluff, John's Island, Fair Oaks, Ber- 
muda Hundred, Petersburgh, Ft. Harrison and Ft. 
Fisher. Colonel Jones is made of the "stufiE" 
of which soldiers are made. As a civiHan Colonel 
Jones' record has hardly been less distinguished 
and briUiant than that of his war-life. In 1869 he 
was appointed amendment clerk in the naval of- 
fice on the recommendation of Vice-President 
Wheeler. He was soon after promoted to entry 
clerk, and then to deputy naval officer. In 1877 
he became deputy collector of the sixth division, 
which position he held under Collectors Merritt 
and Robertson. For eight years Colonel Jones 
was deputy in charge of the public store and ap- 
praiser's department, and under Collector Erhardt 
was assistant cashier of the custom house. It 
will be seen that Colonel Jones has lost no time 
in his life thus far. His little more than sixty 
years have been crammed full of the busiest and 
intensest kind of work. A man of exceptional 
executive ability, he has started out in every en- 
terprise he has undertaken wdth the consciousness 
of his own individual power to win. In every 
emergency he has relied upon himself. Never 
has he had a "substitute" to fight his battles. 
After such an eventful and successful life the 
Colonel is now but in the prime of his years, so 
that the future must have something in store for 
him in the way of official trust, if he will but 
accept it. At present Colonel Jones is an im- 
portant member of the tax arrears commission. 



He is not only a credit and an honor to his home 
village of Richmond Hill, but he is as well a credit 
and an honor both to the county of Queens and to 
the great Empire State. He has recognized his 
duty in every position that he has filled, and he 
has had in every instance both the ability and the 
courage to perform that duty. 

In the year 1879 0"^ subject became interested 
in real estate at Richmond Hill in company with 
the late Judge George Lester, and was one of the 
prominent factors in bringing about the won- 
derful development of this now booming little vil- 
lage. He occupies one of the most beautiful resi 
dences in the place and is the owner of considera- 
ble real estate here as well as in other parts of 
Queens and other counties in the state. His hop 
farms are located in Franklin County and are 
among the most extensive to be found in the 
state. 

Colonel Jones was married in 1859 to Miss Su- 
san F. Abbott, who left at her decease two sons, 
William A., Jr., and Walter M. The older son 
is a graduate of Columbia College and is a suc- 
cessful lawyer of the New York bar; he makes his 
home in Richmond Hill. Walter M. makes his 
home in Havana, and is interested in the electric 
light business. In 1869 Colonel Jones was mar- 
ried in Malone to his present wife, whose maiden 
name was Sarah A. Beman, and who is a native 
of Malone. They have two accompUshed daugh- 
ters, Anna Belle and Elizabeth L., both of whom 
were educated in Packer's Collegiate Institute, 
Brooklyn. Socially, the Colonel is a member of 
U. S. Grant Post No. 527, G. A. R., of Brooklyn. 
He also stands high in Masonic circles and in 
politics he is an ardent Republican. 



JOHN F. RYAN. To successfully preserve 
life and property in any city, it is necessary 
that competent and reliable men should be 
at the head of the different companies of a fire 
department, and in this respect Long Island City 
is better equipped than the average city of like 
size. One of the most prominent and reHable of 
her foremen is John F. Ryan, who was born in 
the city of New York in 1863, a son of Michael 
and Margaret (Greene) Ryan, the former of whom 
was a dealer in wall paper in that city, where both 
parents eventually died. They left five children, 
all of whom are living in Long Island City. 

John F. Ryan was the second of their children 
in order of birth and in the public schools of his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



197 



native city and in Manhattan Academy he re- 
ceived a good practical education. After com- 
pleting his academic course, he came to Long 
Island City, which place has since been his home, 
and with whose interests he has identified him- 
self. In Beekman he began learning the business 
of stamping with the United States Stamping 
Company, continuing with them until 1893, the 
last few years of his service being on contract 
work, with nine men under him. 

On the 2ist of September, 1893, Mr. Ryan was 
appointed to the position of foreman in the fire 
department of Long Island City, and was placed 
in charge of Truck Company No. i, continuing in 
this position until June 12, 1894, when he was 
transferred to the new engine company, No. 3. 
His engine is known as the old Hunter Engine 
No. 4, and was the first one introduced in Long 
Island City, notwithstanding which fact it is still 
one of the best engines in the place. For about 
thirteen years Mr. Ryan ran with it as a member 
of the old volunteer department, and his long 
service makes him especially useful in his present 
capacity. 

In Long Island City Mr. Ryan was united in 
marriage with Miss Kate Frank, a native of this 
city, and to them two children have been given, 
Ellen and Joseph. Mr. Ryan has a pleasant and 
comfortable home at No. 222 Prospect Street, 
and he and his worthy wife are noted for their 
hospitality. They are members of the St. Pat- 
rick's Catholic Church and in his political views 
Mr. Ryan has always been Democratic, but has 
never had political aspirations. 



FRANK V. BODINE. In a career, honor- 
able alike to himself and to the community, 
Mr. Bodine has shown those valuable traits 
of character without which success is unattainable, 
and by the citizens of Far Rockaway, his home, 
he is respected as a man of sound intelligence 
and high worth. While he has resided here for 
a comparatively brief period, he already is known 
as a skilled architect and has the principal busi- 
ness in his line, both for the village and the sur- 
rounding country. 

John F. Bodine, father of our subject, is a hn- 
eal descendant of one of the five Huguenot broth- 
ers who first settled Staten Island. His home is 
still in Trenton, N. J., of which city he is a native. 
He married Miss Jane Lanning, also of that city. 



and they became the parents of five children, 
namely: Frank V., of this sketch; Hattie, Charles^ 
John F., Jr., and Enoch, all of whom remairi 
with their parents. Our subject, who is the oldest 
of the family, was born in Trenton November 3, 
1855. Early in life he was obliged to become 
self-supporting, as his father, who had enHsted 
in the Union army during the Civil War, re- 
turned home a physical wreck, in consequence 
of hard service and much exposure. 

When only ten years old our subject secured 
employment in a grocery and later worked in a 
music store, afterward in a clothing establish- 
ment, turning his hand, in fact, to any honest 
means of earning a livelihood. It was in Febru- 
ary, 1868, when thirteen years old, that he se- 
cured a position as errand boy in a clothing 
house, where later he was promoted to. a posi- 
tion of more responsibility. This brought him 
to consider what it was best to do in shaping 
his course for the future. He was advised to 
learn the trade of a merchant tailor and to fully 
understand every branch of the same, including 
cutting, fitting, sewing and finishing. This he 
followed about six months, but it did not prove 
congenial and he abandoned it. After two months' 
study in the Trenton Business College he worked 
with a surveyor and civil engineer for two years. 
This occupation seemed more nearly adapted to 
his tastes and led to the study of architecture. 
He possessed naturally a mechanical mind, and 
from early boyhood it was his delight to watch 
carpenters at the bench and in building houses. 
Imitating them in a crude way he built houses 
of various patterns from blocks and sticks, and 
seemed to have an intelligent idea of construc- 
tion but had no hand to guide him. 

Entering the office of an architect in Trenton 
Mr. Bodine soon became a very valuable em- 
ploye and was depended upon for important work. 
For seven years he continued in that way, most 
of the time having an interest in the business, 
and while there he learned the art of architecture 
in detail, step by step. His natural ability soon 
found room for expression and he became ex- 
pert in the business. Upon the death of R. W. 
Gallagher, one of the principal architects of the 
city, he took his office and advertised as his suc- 
cessor. This was in 1875, and he prospered from 
the start. However, his health failed, and to 
recuperate he went to Asbury Park, N. J. Find- 
ing- a demand there for first-class work, he located 
and erected a number of buildings that proved 



iq8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



an excellent advertisement for him. After having 
spent five years there and having meantime se- 
cured considerable work for the Central Railroad, 
he removed to Somerville, N. J., in order to bet- 
ter control that work. There he came in compe- 
tition with the best architects in the country, par- 
ticularly in plans and for depot construction. 
Having original ideas and a keen sense of appro- 
priate surroundings or buildings that look well 
in pecuKar environments, he was nearly always 
successful in the competitions, and some of the 
most attractive and convenient railroad build- 
ings in that locality are the work of his brain 
and hand. 

From Somerville Mr. Bodine came to Far 
Rockaway in 1895, and at once took front rank 
among the architects along the south shore. He 
has made a study not only of appearance but 
convenience, and the best methods of ventilating 
and plumbing. ReaHzing the importance of sani- 
tary arrangements, he makes this one of his spe- 
cialties and also pays considerable attention to 
the heating apparatus and ventilation. He can- 
not always persuade builders to adopt his plans, 
as they are in advance of the old methods, and 
while his have passed the experimental stage yet 
they seem new to most persons. Wherever he 
has erected buildings his name is known and his 
reputation estabhshed, and his work is the best 
advertisement he can give. 

Politically Mr. Bodine is a Republican, stanch 
and strong, but has never taken an active part in 
public matters, preferring to concentrate his at- 
tention upon his chosen occupation. At the age 
of twenty-six he married Miss Mary W. Kelley, 
of Trenton, a friend of his childhood and youth. 
Socially he is identified with the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 



OBERT B. TISDALE. An active and 
progressive system in any profession or 
Hue of business, when based upon prin- 
ciples of honor, is sure to bring success, and an 
illustration of prominence gained through these 
means is seen in the record of Robert B. Tisdale, 
who is engaged in the forwarding business at No. 
13 Moore Street, New York City. In every re- 
spect he is a public spirited citizen, in harmony 
with advanced ideas and intelligent progress, and 
the success which has been accorded him in a 
business way is fully merited. He is a native of 
the city of New York, but his father and grand- 



father before him, who both bore the name of 
James, were natives of the Bay State. 

When a young man, the father of the subject 
of this sketch came to Astoria, but became a hard- 
ware merchant in Water Street, New York, 
a calling which he continued to pursue there un- 
til 1837. In that year he began dealing in coal 
and lumber in Astoria at the corner of Fulton 
Avenue and Boulevard, and there continued suc- 
cessfully in business for half a century. In 1880, 
after a long and honorable business career, his 
death occurred, at the age of sixty-seven years. 
In politics he was a Republican, and for many 
years he was treasurer of the village of Astoria. 
He was a member of St. George's Episcopal 
Church, in which he was for many years a vestry- 
man. His wife, who was formerly Miss Margaret 
A. Blackwell, was born in Astoria, where she 
was reared and educated. She died in 1892 at the 
age of seventy-three years, her home at that time 
being with her son, the subject of this sketch. 
Her father was also a native of Astoria, and he 
and his father both bore the name of Samuel. 
Nine children gathered around the Tisdale family 
hearthstone, but only four reached maturity, one 
daughter and three sons, of -whom only one of the 
sons and the daughter are now living. Samuel 
died at Astoria, as did also Frank. Emily and the 
subject of this sketch reside here. 

Robert B. Tisdale was reared in Astoria and 
was educated here and in the Woodstock schools 
of Westchester County, N. Y. At the early age 
of sixteen years he began his business career as a 
clerk for J. Lathrop & Co., flour merchants on 
Broad Street, and remained in their employ for 
sixteen years. In 1875 he started for himself at his 
present place of business, where he first foUowed 
the calling of a commission flour merchant. In 
1885 he began in his present business, which has 
since received his undivided attention. He has 
done well financially and is in comfortable cir- 
cumstances. His residence is the ancestral home 
of his mother, which was built by her father, 
Samuel Blackwell, in 1826, at No. 134 Franklin 
Street, and although it has been in constant use 
all this time it is a fine old place and in a good 
state of preservation. 

Mr. Tisdale's marriage with Miss Emily Halsey 
took place in Astoria, of which village she is a 
native. Her father, Stephen A. Halsey, is one 
of the leading residents of the place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Tisdale have one child, Edith. They are 
members of St. George's Episcopal Church, in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



199 



which Mr. Tisdale is a vestryman, and he was 
formerly a member of the Hook and Ladder 
Fire Company of Astoria. He is one of the sub- 
stantial men of Astoria, is a genial and agreeable 
companion and numbers his friends by the score. 



THOMAS HENDERSON. The social, po- 
litical and business history of Queens 
County is filled with the deeds and doings 
of self-made men, and if by this word we under- 
stand that a man, solely through his unaided ex- 
ertions, has risen from an humble position to one 
of influence, then certainly Thomas Henderson 
may be called self-made. The family of vsrhich he 
is a member, while an old and prominent one, has 
never been wealthy, and in his youth he had few 
advantages, being obliged by force of circum- 
stances to earn his livelihood. It was in 18S2 
that he came from New York City to Far Rock- 
away, and here he has since resided, being en- 
gaged in the real estate and insurance business. 
From his forefathers Mr. Henderson inherits 
the traits of perseverance and honesty that have 
ever characterized the Scotch nationality, as well 
as the thrift that is peculiarly English. His father, 
James, was born in Scotland, but emigrated to 
America and settled in Westchester County, N. 
Y., where he followed the occupation of a carpen- 
ter and builder; he married Ann Pettit, a native 
of England, who came to America in girlhood 
and afterward resided in Westchester County. 
In the town of Westchester, that county, our sub- 
ject was born November i, 1841, and there he 
spent the years of youth, learning the carpen- 
ter's trade under his father's instruction and re- 
maining with him until of age. Later he was 
employed as a carpenter in New York City, and 
there remained until 1870, when he went to Liv- 
ingston County, Mich. During the eleven years 
he remained there he was engaged in the culti- 
vation of a large farm much of the time and was 
also in the grocery and produce business. Re- 
turning to New York City he resumed his former 
occupation, but in a short time came to Far 
Rockaway, where he built a carriage house and 
stables for Judge Aiken. 

The winter after coming here Mr. Henderson 
erected a store building on Central Avenue and 
in the spring he opened up a stock of hardware, 
establishing the business now conducted by W. 
L. Starks, to whom he sold after having been 
proprietor of the store for twelve years. This 



was the first hardware store ever started here, 
and in the venture he was discouraged by many, 
but he persevered and achieved a large success, 
selling an immense amount of goods and mak- 
ing considerable money. He married Miss Mary 
L. Kimball, of Jefferson County, N. Y., and they 
are the parents of a daughter, Maude E., in whose 
training and welfare they take the deepest inter- 
est. 

Politically Mr. Henderson is a RepubUcan, 
active, aggressive, and always interested in local 
and national affairs. Under the administration 
of President Harrison he was postmaster for four 
years, discharging the duties of the office with 
efficiency. Socially he is a charter member of 
Olympia Lodge, No. 808, F. & A. M., and the 
Oceanic Hose Company. In the organization of 
the F'ar Rockaway Bank he took an active part 
and is now one of its directors, holding a similar 
position in the gas company. While he is not 
identified with any denomination, he attends the 
Presbyterian Church and is president of the board 
of trustees, his services being especially valued 
in the financial matters pertaining to the church. 



RAYNOR R. SMITH is justly deserving of 
being recognized as one of the progressive 
and successful tillers of the soil of Queens 
County, for in this occupation he has attained a 
degree of success that can only be accounted for 
in the fact that he has devoted the greater portion 
of his life to it. Nor is this all, for he has for 
many years been a dealer in oysters also and has 
found this enterprise to be profitable. Mr. Sinith 
was born in the village of Freeport in 1842, his 
parents being William R. and Mary (Frost) 
Smith, the former of whom was a native of Free- 
port, and during his Hfetime devoted his time and 
attention to farming on the bay, from which oc- 
cupation he secured a comfortable competency. 
After a useful but unpretentious life his earthly 
career closed in September, 1893. His widow is 
now seventy-eight years of age and is in the en- 
joyment of fair health for one of her years. 

Raynor R. Smith was given such educational 
advantages as the schools of his youthful days 
afforded, but these were by no means of the best, 
and were Hmited to about three months during 
the year. However, by dint of application, he 
acquired a practical education, sufficient to trans- 
act the ordinary duties of life, and having thor- 
oughly learned the details of farming under his 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father while growing up, at the age of twenty- 
three years he left the shelter of the parental roof 
and began farming on his own responsibility, at 
the same time engaging in the oyster business, 
both of which occupations he has successfully car- 
ried on ever since. Mr. Smith has a commodious 
and comfortable residence in Freeport and is with 
justice regarded one of the representative citizens 
of the place. 

In 1859 our subject married Miss Annie M. 
Story, a daughter of Jacob and Huldah (Terry) 
Story, natives and worthy citizens of Long Island. 
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 
eight of whom are living at the present time and 
are as follows: Angelica, wife of William Plyer, 
of Hempstead; Raynor R., Jr.; Frankhn M.; 
Elizabeth, wife of William Dunlop, of Freeport; 
William Harvey; Clara Bell; Mary and Percy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have long been connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Free- 
port, of which Mr. Smith is steward. Socially he is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and politically has always supported the 
men and measures of the Democratic party. He 
has creditably served his fellow-citizens as town 
assessor and is at present one of the trustees of 
the village of Freeport, having held the latter po- 
sition since the incorporation of the place. He 
is now treasurer of the Board of Water Commis- 
sioners of Freeport, and in everything pertain- 
ing to the welfare of this section he has always 
been interested and has given to it hearty and 
substantial support. 



HENRY P. LIBBY. No matter how crowd- 
ed may be the market in any particular 
calling, every person who possesses orig- 
inal and practical ideas, with the enterprise to 
push them to a successful termination, is bound 
to win success, both as regards reputation and the 
accumulation of the almighty dollar. Such has 
been the experience of Henry P. Libby, whose 
career as a real estate and insurance agent has 
been one of success arlmost from the time of his 
commencement in the business, and this is with- 
out doubt due to his thorough knowledge of 
realty, as well as to the fact that he always lives 
up to the letter of his contract. 

Our subject was born in Rockland, Me., in 
1855, a son of Henry G. and Laura W. (Tyron) 
Libby, who were also natives of the old Pine 
Tree State. The father was a superintending 



machinist by occupation. The mother, who is 
in the enjoyment of good health, resides at 
Bridgeport, Conn. Henry P. Libby received his 
education in the Bridgeport public schools, but 
at the age of fifteen years he left school 
to accept a position as time-keeper in the Howe 
Sewing Machine Company's manufactory at 
Bridgeport. After leaving the employ of this 
company he attended Rev. Mr. Day's private 
school for one year, at the end of which time, 
when only seventeen years old, he began teach- 
ing school and continued in this occupation with 
marked success for one year at Newtown, Conn. 
He then began working under his father in the 
Howe Sewing Machine factory, at Bridgeport, 
and was thus employed for two or three months, 
when he took a contract from the company to fur- 
nish them with spiral springs, the making of which 
he superintended for about two years. The busi- 
ness then became depressed and the company 
closed down the works, thus throwing Mr. Libby 
out of employment, but he soon after came to 
Freeport, L. I., and was principal of the Free- 
port schools for about three years, from 1877 to 



In 1880 Mr. Libby engaged in the clothing bus- 
iness, but one year later he accepted a position in 
the office of the Phenix Insurance Company in 
New York City, which he filled for a period of 
seven years, then embarked in his present busi- 
ness. He has prospered in this line and his ca- 
reer has been characterized by much business acu- 
men and unlimited energy, and since starting in 
business he has met with more than ordinary suc- 
cess. It was through his efforts that the Freeport 
Bank was organized in 1892, he being instrument- 
al in obtaining the subscription of stock, and the 
bank is now firmly founded and among the most 
prosperous institutions of Freeport. In 1893 Mr. 
Libby inaugurated the idea of the organization 
of the Freeport Land Company and obtained the 
capital stock of $100,000, after which he was made 
secretary of the company. 

Keenly public spirited, Mr. Libby has done 
much to build up and improve the village of 
Freeport, and is accounted one of her most sub- 
stantial citizens. The cause of education has 
found in him a liberal and active patron and he 
is a member of the Board of Education. Politi- 
cally he is a stanch Republican, but has never been 
a political aspirant, and socially is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1880 
Mr. Libby married Miss Mattie Holloway, a na- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



20 1 



tive of Columbia, S. C, but who was reared at 
Freeport, and to them one son has been born, 
Harry H. Mr. and Mrs. Libby are members of 
the Presbyterian Church and he is one of the 
trustees. 



EDWIN HENDERSON, a contractor and 
builder, resides one-half mile northeast of 
Port Washington. He was born in the 
village of Oyster Bay December 2, 1834, being 
a son of Robert and Elizabeth D. (Wilson) Hen- 
derson, natives of Long Island. His father, who 
was a wheelwright and millwright, also engaged 
as a house and ship carpenter, meeting with fair 
success in these various lines of labor. In 1842 
he came to Port Washington and here he con- 
tinued to reside until his death. An industrious, 
persevering man, he was known and honored 
as a kind neighbor and accommodating friend. 
By his marriage to Miss Wilson he became the 
father of six children, of whom Edwin is the 
third in order of birth and the only survivor with 
the exception of Charles W., who is a carpenter, 
living near his brother. In his political views the 
father was a Whig and always cast his ballot for 
the principles advocated by that party. 

Commencing his education in the common 
schools of Oyster Bay the subject ot this record 
later prosecuted his studies in Port Washington, 
to which place he accompanied his father at the 
age of eight years. His boyhood years were passed 
uneventfully, and at the age of eighteen he began 
to learn the trade of a carpenter with Daniel 
Hegeman, with whom he remained for two years, 
receiving $36 the first year and $48 the 
second. For a time thereafter he was employed 
by the day at his trade and still later was engaged 
at journeyman work. About 1859, he and his 
brother began to take contracts for the erection 
of buildings, but after a time resumed work as a 
journeyman. 

The first marriage of Mr. Henderson took place 
in 1858, when Miss Jane Moore became his wife. 
The three children born of their union are named 
as follows: Mrs. Alice Wiggins; Robert J., a con- 
tractor and builder living at Oyster Bay ; and John 
E., who lives at Manhasset. Mrs. Jane Hender- 
son died in 1864, and the following year our sub- 
ject married Miss Anna M., daughter of Solo- 
mon and Catherine (Hyde) Cocks, and a native 
of Port Washington. There were five children 
born of this union, namely: George C, a car- 



penter, who is married and lives at Port Washing- 
ton; William S., who is married and has one child; 
Burton, Daniel C, and Ernest, who remain with 
their parents. 

Mr. Henderson is proud of the fact that his 
first ballot was cast for John C. Fremont, and 
while he failed to secure the presidency, our sub- 
ject has never regretted casting a vote for him. 
In his political views he has always advocated 
RepubHcan principles and can give a good rea- 
son for his advocacy of protection of American 
industries. Some years ago he was nominated 
for assessor of the town of North Hempstead, 
but as he has never sought nor desired office, 
he refused to work actively to secure election and 
did not go to the polls. Notwithstanding this 
he was defeated by only nine votes. Personally 
he is a man of honor and umblemished character 
and enjoys the friendship of his associates 
throughout the town. 



ROBERT BURGESS, wholesale and retail 
dealer in meats at Westbury Station, was 
born in Mattituck, Suffolk County, N. Y., 
in 1854, to Thomas and Margaret (McGuy) Bur- 
gess. His father, who was a native of the North 
of Ireland, came to America in eariy manhood 
and settled in Brooklyn, where he was employed 
as a farrier. Later he went to Mattituck, and 
there he still follows his chosen occupation. Of 
his seven children, five are living, namely: Rob- 
ert; Margaret, wife of Austin Downs of River- 
head; John, who is in the hotel business at River- 
head; Susan, wife of Frank Warren, a druggist 
on Broadway, New York; and Thomas, a resi- 
dent of California and chief engineer of a Pacific 
line of steamships. Rebecca and WilHam are de- 

CG3.SGCl. 

At the age of seven years our subject left home 
and engaged to work on a neighboring farm for 
$5 per month. During the five following years 
he was employed at different places. After his 
mother's death, which occurred when he was 
about thirteen, he went to the home of D. M. 
Tuttle, of Oregon, Suffolk County, and there re- 
mained until sixteen, engaging in farm work and 
the butcher business. In 1870 he came to West- 
bury Station and for four years was employed 
in the meat shop of William Post, after which, 
with a capital of $60, he established a business of 
his own. He bought a wagon and a horse for 
$100, giving his note for the payment at the rate 



202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of $io per month. From the first the enterprise 
prospered and he has gradually built up a large 
and profitable trade. In January, 1894, he opened 
a feed store in connection with his meat shop 
and this is now conducted by his son, Ellsworth T. 
Politically Mr. Burgess always advocates Re- 
publican principles. For a number of years he 
was a member of the Republican District Com- 
mittee and at different times has represented his 
party in conventions. In 1887 he was elected 
overseer of the poor for the town of North Hemp- 
stead and served six successive terms. In 1885 
he was appointed deputy sheriff of Queens Coun- 
ty, in which capacity he has since served. So- 
cially he is connected with Glencove Lodge, No. 
580, F. & A. M.; Protection Lodge No. 151, I. 
O. O. F.; the Shield of Honor at Roslyn; the 
Roslyn Benevolent Society and the Hempstead 
Mutual Benevolent Society. January i, 1875, 
he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Benja- 
min Post, of Westbury Station. They are the 
parents of an only son, Ellsworth T., who assists 
his father in the meat business and also carries 
on the feed business in connection therewith. 



BENJAMIN A. GRIFFIN, one of the ris- 
ing young business men of East Williston, 
where he has a well conducted mercantile 
establishment and also holds the office of post- 
master, was born in Westbury, L. I., September 
18, 1867, to Abram and Eliza (Mollineaux) Griffin. 
His paternal grandfather, Abram Griffin, was 
born at New Lots, Queens County, and in early 
life followed the blacksmith's trade in Jamaica, 
but later bought a farm at Jamaica South, where 
the closing years of his existence were spent. 

The father of our subject was born at Cypress 
Hill in 1841, and since the age of twentj'-two 
has resided in Westbury, where he has followed 
agricultural pursuits, owning a large and well 
improved place. A prominent citizen, he was for 
many years highway commissioner of North 
Hempstead. By his first marriage he had five 
children, namely: Martin M., of Roslyn; Wil- 
liam H., formerly a member of the firm of Oak- 
ley & Griffin; Benjamin A.; Emma, at home; 
and Irving L., who has a position in the Bank of 
the Republic, New York. The second marriage 
of Mr. Griffin was to Huldah Tyrrell, by whom 
he has two children, Frank and Sadie E. 

The first eighteen years of our subject's life 
were spent under the home roof, after which he 



was employed for four years by Hetfield & Duck- 
er, Nos. 40-42 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. At the 
expiration of that time he and a brother, William, 
established a general mercantile store at East 
Williston, the firm name being Griffin Brothers. 
One year later the brother retired, our subject 
buying his interest in the store, which he has since 
conducted alone. Since 1888 he has been deputy 
postmaster but has had entire control of the office 
since 1889. In addition to the large and well 
selected assortment of merchandise which he car- 
ries, he also has a feed store. 

Politically Mr. Griffin is a Republican. Though 
not a member of any denomination, he attends 
services at the Presbyterian Clrarch of Roslyn. 
Socially he is connected with Protection Lodge, 
No. 151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn, and is a charter 
member of Mineola Encampment, No. 121. At 
this writing he is foreman of East Williston Flook 
and Ladder Company No. i, of which he is a char- 
ter member. March 18, 1891, he married Mar- 
garet, daughter of M. S. Covert, a prominent 
citizen of East Williston. A daughter, Helen, 
blesses their union and brightens the pleasant 
family residence. Mr. Griffin is recognized as one 
of the progressive citizens of the village, to the 
prosperity of which he contributes by his energy 
and business ability. 



GEORGE L. LAM'BERT. The thought 
which presents itself to the far-seeing 
and conservative mind when the ques- 
tion is propounded as to what essentials are nec- 
essary to a man's success in business is that they 
are industry, economy and honesty, and this fact 
the history of all well established men of business 
will corroborate. Among the prominent and suc- 
cessful business men of Rockaway Beach may 
be mentioned George L. Lambert, who is en- 
gaged in hotel-keeping, his hostelry being known 
as Lambert's Hotel. He was born in Brooklyn 
June I, 1863, a' son of John and Barbara (Miinch) 
Lambert, the latter a native of Germany. The 
father, a carpenter by trade, was for eighteen 
months a soldier of the Civil War, and when he 
had reached the age of fifty-four years died from 
the effects of a sunstroke. His family consisted 
of two children, George and Katie, the latter 
Mrs. Schroll, of Brooklyn. 

In the city where his birth occurred the sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared, and there he re- 
ceived the advantages of the public and the Ger- 




J. H. SMEDLEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



man Lutheran schools. In early manhood he 
served an apprenticeship at the cabinetmaker's 
trade, and having a natural taste for mechanics, 
he afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, at 
which he worked with his father for about two 
years. He then came to Rockaway Beach and 
•erected the hotel of which he is now the proprie- 
tor. His services as a carpenter and builder have 
frequently been called into requisition in the 
surrounding neighborhood. To him was en- 
trusted the building of some beautiful buildings 
at Arverne and his work has always been consid- 
ered first class and. has always proven satisfac- 
tory. For seventeen years he has been a resi- 
dent of Rockaway Beach and until within two 
years he has worked at his trade. 

Mr. Lambert has always taken an active inter- 
est in local enterprises, has advocated public im- 
provements and as regards the protection of 
Rockaway Beach from fire has been particularly 
-active. Pie was one of the organizers and charter 
members of the Volunteer Hose Company and of 
the Fire Department. Three times he was elected 
-assistant chief of the latter, which position he is 
now filling, and he was also a member of the 
iDoard of representatives until new laws were 
made and some changes effected in the rules and 
regulations of the department. The department 
is very efficient and much of this is due to the 
efforts and intelHgence of Mr. Lambert, who 
takes great pride in its success. 

January 15, 1886, Mr. Lambert married Miss 
Tressai P. Holland, by whom he has two chil- 
dren, Frank Michael and Emma Parcels. Politi- 
cally Mr. Lambert has always supported the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, and socially he is 
-a member of Star of Hope. Lodge, F. & A. M., 
of Brooklyn, and of the Turn Verein of that city. 



J HARVEY SMEDLEY is one of the old 
settlers and leading business men of 
• Long Island City. He has also been 
prominently identified with the Long Island City 
Savings Bank since its organization and is at 
present secretary and treasurer of this institution. 
In all local enterprises he takes -great interest and 
has promoted in a most substantial way many 
industries which have become very successful, 
largely through his instrumentality. He was one 
of the first manufacturers to locate where there 
are now scores of establishments, and as a busi- 



ness man of ability and success he enjoys the 
esteem of all who know him. 

Mr. Smedley was born at Lockport, Niagara 
County, N. Y., in 1840. His father, James W. 
Smedley, was a native of Brattleboro, Vt, and 
was orphaned by the death of both parents when 
a lad of seven years. He managed to acquire a 
fair education, and while yet young in years ap- 
prenticed himself to a good machinist in order 
that he might learn the trade. During his young 
manhood he moved into the western portion of 
New York State and continued his business for 
a time in Niagara County. Later he took up his 
abode in Rochester, working during this time 
as a machinist, but after his return to the above 
county he located at Suspension Bridge and gave 
his attention to conducting a general mercantile 
business, living at that place until his decease, 
which occurred in 1873, when he was fifty-seven 
years of age. He stood high in the ranks of the 
Republican party in his community and at one 
time was superintendent of the village board. In 
religious matters he was a devoted member and 
liberal contributor toward the support of the 
Congregational Church. 

Mrs. Fannie (Martin) Smedley, the mother of 
our subject, was born at Ft. Ann, N. Y., and was 
the daughter of Jarvis Martin, also a native of that 
portion of the Empire State. The latter served as 
a soldier in the War of 181 2, and his father was 
a patriot in the Revolutionary Army. Grand- 
father Martin was a general contractor and had 
charge of the building of the dam at Ft. Edward. 
He was also a large landowner and was one of the 
first to settle in Buffalo. The trip to that now 
flourishing city was made overland, three teams 
and wagons being necessary to convey his effects 
to that place, and there he engaged in the mer- 
chandise business and was one of the pioneers of 
the place. Later he removed to Cattaraugus 
County, where for many years he gave his atten- 
tion to farming and stock-raising. In this busi- 
ness he was very successful, and on his return 
to Rochester was enabled to spend the declining 
years of his life in peace and plenty. His wife, 
the grandmother of our subject, was, prior to her 
marriage, a Miss Mason, and was descended 
from one of the old and honored families of Ft. 
Ann. Mrs. Fannie Smedley lived to be seventy- 
three years of age and died at the residence of 
her son, J. H., in Long Island City. She was 
the mother of three children, of whom J. Harvey 
was the only one to grow to mature years. 



2o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



J. Harvey Smedley was more favored than 
most youths of his day, for, after sendmg him 
to the district and public schools of Suspension 
Bridge, his parents paid his way through Roch- 
ester Institute, in which college he completed his 
education. He then returned home and engaged 
in business vi^ith his father, during which time 
he was appointed assistant postmaster of Suspen- 
sion Bridge, holding this office for one year dur- 
ing Lincoln's administration. In 1862 he bade 
good-bye to his parents and friends and started 
for Chicago, which great city was then in its in- 
fancy. There he was chosen by N. K. Fairbank 
as superintendent of his manufacturing establish- 
ment, having charge of his factory for two years. 
About 1865 he returned East with an uncle, this 
time locating in Long Island City, where he 
erected the first lard oil manufacturing plant in 
the city. This stood on Tenth and Canal Streets 
and was known as Smedley & Co.'s Lard Oil 
Works. Later he became general manager for 
the manufacture of lubricating and burning oils 
for the government. 

The business flourished until coal oil was found 
to answer the same purpose and could be fur- 
nished at a much cheaper rate. Mr. Smedley 
then closed out the business and took charge of 
the banking enterprise with which he has been 
connected ever since its organization. He was 
elected its first secretary and treasurer, and so 
ably has he filled these combined offices that he 
has ever since been retained as the incumbent. 
The concern began in a modest way on the cor- 
ner of Third Street and Jackson Avenue, but its 
deposits now amount to $1,000,000. In 1894 the 
various officers and directors found it necessary 
to have more commodious and convenient quar- 
ters and accordingly selected a location on the op- 
posite corner, and on the completion of their fine 
stone and brick building took possession. This 
structure, which is four stories in height, is one 
of the most imposing buildings in the city and 
will doubtless satisfy the wants of the banking 
institution for years to come. 

The marriage of Mr. Smedley to Miss Frances 
Pierce occurred in 1861 in Niagara Falls, of 
which place the lady was a native. She departed 
this life in her native city in 1885, leaving four 
children : Newell D., a graduate of Trinity Col- 
lege, New York, and now bookkeeper for D. S. 
Jones & Co., of Long Island City; Edith A., who 
married E. K. Barlow, and makes her home in 
Syracuse, N. Y. ; Mason O., who is also a grad- 



uate of Trinity College, and an expert account- 
ant of Long Island City; and Mabel F., who is 
completing her musical education at Syracuse. 
In 1888 Mr. Smedley married Henrietta M. 
Whidden. 

Mr. Smedley is a true-blue Republican in poli- 
tics and cast his first presidential vote for Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Socially he is a Mason of high 
standing, holding membership with Island City 
Lodg'e and Banner Chapter. He is a member of 
the New York Association of Secretaries of Sav- 
ings Banks, in the workings of which he takes 
an active part. He is one oi the influential and 
consistent members of St. John's Episcopal 
Church and has been warden of his congregation. 
A man of great pubhc spirit, his influence is suffi- 
cient to bring success to various undertakings, 
both of a pubHc and business character. 



ELIAS A. LEEK is one whose business ca- 
reer is decidedl)' interesting, showing the 
shrewdness, executive ability and. compe- 
tency which can be attained by one detei'mined 
to succeed. Among all the industries that are 
carried on in the flourishing village of Oceanus, 
L. L, none succeeds so well as those conducted 
by practical men. An instance in mind is the suc- 
cess attained by Mr. Leek, one of the prominent 
and influential citizens of that village. He is now 
actively engaged in the hardware business, carry- 
ing a full line of house furnishing goods, paints, 
oils, and bicycles, and has a commodious and well 
filled store at Boulevard and Division Avenue. 
There are few men in business circles who show as 
much fitness for their avocation — in that they are 
wide-awake, reliable, experienced and energetic — 
as does Mr. Leek. 

For nine years Mr. Leek has been a resident 
of Oceanus, and eight years of that time he has 
been actively engaged in business. His parents, 
Harvey and Phoebe (Barto) Leek, were natives 
of Babylon and Islip respectively. The former 
was a carpenter by trade and followed that call- 
ing until his death, when forty years old. His 
children were in the order of their births as fol- 
lows: Elias A., our subject; Diadame; Joseph, of 
Islip; and Elizabeth and Annie, both deceased. 
Our subject first saw the light in Islip, Suffolk 
County, December 26, 1856, and remained there 
until twenty-.one years old. Although he had 
limited educational advantages he was a close 
observer and possessed more than average ability. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



and is now considered a well informed man. After 
the death of his father he lived on a farm with his 
grandfather for a time, after which he turned 
his face toward the setting sun. 

Mr. Leek first made his way to Texas, thence 
to Kansas, Colorado, and other sections, remain- 
ing principally in the Western states, and soon 
gained a good knowledge of human nature. 
When but seventeen years old he learned the 
trade of carpenter and contractor and that was his 
principal occupation up to the time he engaged 
in his present business. When he started in busi- 
ness in Oceanus his capital consisted of $400, 
but by close application to his duties and fair 
dealing he has met with unusual success and is 
one of the foremost business men of his section. 

Ahhough actively engaged in the duties that 
devolve upon him as a business man, Mr. Leek 
does not lose sight of his duties as a citizen, and 
takes a deep interest in all local affairs. In poli- 
tics he is a supporter of Republican principles, 
and socially he is an Odd Fellow. He married 
Miss Josie V. Seaman and they have lost three 
children. Honest and upright in all his dealings 
with the public, Mr. Leek is classed among the 
representative men of Oceanus. 



came the father of two daughters and two sons, 
all living in this vicinity, and three residing on 
the old homestead. Sarah is the wife of Town- 
send C. Hendrickson, a prominent farmer of El- 
mont, while Miss Mary, John and Robert occu- 
py the family residence where they were born. 
The mother departed this life in 1881 and the 
father in 1890, leaving behind them the memory 
of honest and upright lives, devoted to the welfare 
of their children. 

The brothers are classed among the most sub- 
stantial citizens of the community, and, with their 
sister, live contentedly in retirement in their pleas- 
ant home. From their father they have inherited 
a sufficient amount to prevent the necessity of 
active labor on their part, but they superintend 
the place and oversee its cultivation, also direct 
the investment of their capital, thus finding plenty 
to occupy their time, and attention. Politically 
the brothers are Republicans. 



JOHN and ROBERT LUDLUM. The name 
of Ludlum has been associated with the his- 
tory of the town of Hempstead from a period 
very early in its settlement. During all the years 
of their residence here the family have been 
known for their scrupulous honesty, patriotic spir- 
it and unflagging industry, and their record is 
singularly free from blemish or stain. The first 
representative of the family who settled in this 
country came from England and chose his home 
in the town of Hempstead, purchasing a farm 
which has since descended from father to son in 
unbroken succession. 

The grandfather of our subjects, Capt. John 
Ludlum, gained his title through his service in 
the War of 1812, during which he was stationed 
at Ft. Green. He was a man of prominence in 
his day and held an influential position in the town 
of Hempstead, where he served as assessor for 
a number of years and also filled other positions. 
Nicholas Ludlum, our subject's father, was born 
on the old homestead and for a number of years 
served as colonel of a regiment of militia. By 
his marriage to Sarah Van Nostrand, who was 
a descendant of Holland-Dutch ancestors, he be- 



CHARLES H. LUDLUM, M. D., a suc- 
cessful physician of Hempstead and presi- 
dent of the Board of Education in this vil- 
lage, was born in the town of Jamaica, near what 
is now the village of HolHs, February 21, 1843. 
His father, Daniel, who was born on the same 
place, devoted his entire active life to agricuUural 
pursuits and now lives retired in the village of 
lamaica. In religious connections he is identi- 
fied with the Presbyterian Church. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
was one of the first to settle on Long Island, hav- 
ing come hither from England in an early day. 
The first of the name of whom we have any au- 
thentic information was William Ludlum, who 
died in 1766. His third son, Nicholas, was born 
in 1732 and died in 1788, having been a captain in 
the British Army prior to the Revolution. His 
grandson, Nicholas, was a prominent and wealthy - 
merchant in New York, and it was he who erect- 
ed the cemetery chapel in Jamaica. Since the 
period of their settlement on the island the fam- 
ily has been represented by men of ability and in- 
telligence, who have been prospered in their va- 
rious callings. 

The Doctor's mother, Judah Smith, was born 
in the town of Jamaica, at what was called One 
Mile Mill, her father, Thomas Smith, being the 
owner of this mill. She died in Jamaica in 1893. 
Her brother Thomas lives two miles south of 
that place. Our subject was the only child of 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his parents who attained mature years. He ob- 
tained his education in the district schools and 
in Union Hall Academy, after which he entered 
the University of New York, and graduated from 
the literary department with the degree of A. B. 
in 1863. Two years later he graduated from the 
medical department, after which he spent two 
years in Bellevue Hospital, where was added to 
his theoretical knowledge a broad fund of pro- 
fessional information gained from practical ex- 
perience. 

On severing his connection with the hospital 
the Doctor opened an office in New York City, 
where he carried on a general practice for seven 
years. Later, for three years, he was engaged 
in active practice at Boonton, N. J. In 1878 he 
came to Hempstead, where he at once took a 
leading position in his profession and here he has 
met with marked success in practice. He has 
also taken an active part in local affairs and has 
done his full share to make Hempstead the thriv- 
ing and beautiful place it now is. Warmly inter- 
ested in educational affairs, he has been for seven 
years a member of the Board of Education and 
is now its president. While a stanch Republican, 
he has never sought political honors, preferring 
to give his time to his private interests. 

In 1868 Dr. Ludlum was united in marriage 
with Mary Jane, daughter of Samuel White, of 
Brooklyn. They are the parents of five children, 
namely: Clinton W., who is with the Franklin 
Trust Company of Brooklyn; Herbert A., who 
is employed in the First National Bank at Dray- 
ton, N. Dak.; Walter D., a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of New York and now a medical student; 
Marion C. and Alice C, who are at home. So- 
cially the Doctor is connected with the Royal Ar- 
canum, in which he is past regent. He is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and for a num- 
ber of years has filled the position of elder. A 
man of broad and humane impulses, he is by na- 
ture and education fitted for the profession which 
he has so successfully followed for thirty years 
and in which he has established a reputation for 
painstaking skill. 



THOMAS J. McKEE, postmaster and gen- 
eral merchant at Port Washington, was 
born May 16, 1854, in the house where he 
now lives and does business. His father, Thomas, 
was born in Jamaica, Queens County, and thence 
removed to Port Washington, where he bought 



out the only general store in the place, and this 
he carried on, being for some years the only mer- 
chant in the village. It was largely through his 
instrumentality that the postoffice was established 
here, and he it was who gave the name Port Wash- 
ington. In recognition of his efforts, and also 
on account of his prominence, he was appointed 
the first postmaster, and continued in the office 
until the administration of General Grant, but was 
again appointed to the position under the first 
administration of President Cleveland. A firm 
Democrat in politics, he frequently represented 
his party as a delegate to various conventions, and 
on that ticket was elected to numerous local of- 
fices, including that of Coroner, in which capacity 
he served for twenty-one years. 

In religious belief Thomas McKee was a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
with the early history of which in this locality he 
was identified. In his fraternal connections he 
was associated with Morton Lodge No. 63, F. & 
A. M., at Hempstead, and at one time was an 
active worker in the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. Twice married, by his first wife he had 
three children; by his second wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Cynthia Allen, he had two chil- 
dren, of whom Thomas J. is the older. He at- 
tained a venerable age, dying in July, 1894, at 
the age of eighty-one. 

In the public schools of Port Washington the 
subject of this notice gained the rudiments of his 
education, after which he attended the Fairchild 
Institute at Flushing for one year. While quite 
young he began to assist his father in the store 
and postoffice, and soon gained a thorough 
knowledge of both lines of business. May 5, 
1887, he married Miss Sarah J. Carpenter, who 
was born in Great Neck and was a daughter of 
James M. Carpenter. Receiving an excellent edu- 
cation, she fitted herself for the profession of a 
school teacher, and it was while thus occupied at 
Port Washington that she became acquainted 
with her future husband. They have three chil- 
dren, two sons and a daughter: James Elmer, 
Gracie and Harold. 

Since casting his first presidential ballot for 
Samuel J. Tilden our subject has been active in 
politics and has represented his party — the Dem- 
ocratic — in county and state conventions. The 
first year that he voted he was elected a trustee 
of the Jones Institute, which position he held 
for one year, and then resigned on removing from 
the village. Going to Little Neck, he engaged 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



209 



in the hotel business. After his return to Port 
Washington he served for two years as tax col- 
lector and was a candidate for nomination for 
sheriff, but lacked one vote of receiving the nom- 
ination. Shortly after Cleveland was elected for 
a second term he was made postmaster, and this 
position he has since satisfactorily filled. So- 
cially he is a member of Morton Lodge No. 63, 
F. & A. M., at Hempstead, also the Chapter and 
Royal Arch degree at Long Island City, and is a 
charter member of Seawanhaka Lodge No. 670, 
I. O. O. F. . . _ 



S 



AMUEL M. MITCHELL, commissioner 
of highways for the town of North Hemp- 



stead and an influential resident of Port 
Washington, was born August 25, 1847, in the 
house now occupied by Captain Stennard in this 
village. His father, Charles W., who was born 
in the same house November 11, 1816, was reared 
on a farm and in boyhood attended the district 
schools, later turning his attention to agriculture, 
which he made 'his occupation for many years. 
Later, however, he took up the stage line business, 
and ran a coach from the dock at Port Washing- 
ton to Sand's Point. For ten years he was not 
connected with the business, but later resumed 
it and stiU retains an interest in it. His entire 
life has been spent in Port Washington, where he 
still resides. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Flannah E. Covert and was born in New York 
City, April 10, 1816. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject. White- 
head Mitchell, was born in the town of North 
Hempstead, and as soon as old enough took 
charge of a sloop, of which he was captain for 
manv years, but later he engaged in farm pur- 
suits'. His death occurred in 1862, at the age of 
about eighty. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Margaret E. Cornwell and was a daughter of 
Hewlett Cornwell, a descendant of the Cornwells 
who were the first settlers at Sand's Point. Our 
subject's great-grandfather, John Mitchell, Jr., 
was born in the town of North Hempstead, and 
attained the venerable age of four score years, 
dying in 1823. Twice married, his second union 
was childless, and it was his first wife, Rebecca 
Hewlett, who was the ancestor of our subject. 

Tracing the family lineage back another genera- 
tion, we find that our subject's great-great-grand- 
father, John Mitchell, Sr., was born in the town 
of North Hempstead in May, 1716, and chose as 
his wife Deborah Prince, who attained the age 



of eighty-nine. The great-great-grandfather, 
Robert Mitchell, Jr., was twice married, both 
times to widows, his first wife being the progeni- 
tor of this branch of the family; she bore the 
maiden name of Phoebe Denton. This Robert 
Mitchell, Jr., was a son of Robert, Sr., of Eng- 
land, a descendant of Sir Humphrey Mitchell, of 
Old Windsor, County of Berks. 

The boyhood years of Samuel M. were passed 
on a farm, and he was the recipient of common 
school advantages. September 29, 1877, he mar- 
ried Miss Lizzie S. Robinson, who was born in 
Maine, but at the time of her marriage lived in 
Port Washington. Her parents were Rev. Will- 
iam and Miranda (Pierson) Robinson, the latter 
dying at Brooklyn before the family came to Port 
Washington. Two children bless the union, both 
born at Port Washington, and named Hannah 
E. and John Greenleaf, born respectively in 1878 
and 1884. While engaged in general agricultu- 
ral work, Mr. Mitchell has made a specialty of 
truck farming, in which he has been very suc- 
cessful. A Republican politically, he cast his first 
presidential ballot for General Grant in 1868. In 
1887 he was elected commissioner of highways, 
was re-elected in April, 1896, and is now serving 
his fourth term. His father cast his first presi- 
dential vote in 1840 for General Harrison, and has 
always been a Whig or Republican. Fraternally 
Samuel Mitchell is a Mason and holds member- 
ship in Morton Lodge No. 63, at Hempstead. 



PHILIP J. MILLER, proprietor of the 
Hyde Park Hotel at New Hydepark since 
1867, was born in Nassau, Germany, No- 
vember 23, 1842, and received a collegiate edu- 
cation at Frankfort-on-the-Main. Leaving home 
at the age of fourteen, he entered upon a four 
years' apprenticeship to the trade of a tinsmith, 
and on the completion of his term of service he 
began to work as a journeyman, which he fol- 
lowed in different parts of Europe for four years. 
In 1866 he emigrated to America and settled in 
the city of New York, where he followed his trade 
for one year. In 1867, in partnership with J. C. 
Christ, also a native of Nassau, he established the 
Hyde Park Hotel, erecting the building and open- 
ing it for the accommodation of travelers and 
summer visitors. In connection with the hotel 
a general store was conducted. The partnership 
continued until the death of Mr. Christ, since 
which time, in 1885, our subject has been alone. 



2IO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Through the efforts of Messrs. Miller and 
Christ, after three years of earnest, untiring ef- 
fort, in 1 87 1 a postofHce was established at New 
Hydepark, Mr. Christ becoming the first post- 
master and Mr. Miller taking the position as as- 
sistant. This position our subject has since filled, 
making twenty-five consecutive years of official 
life. In 1888 he built a new store and retired 
from the mercantile business, renting out the 
building. In his political views he is independ- 
ent, and while he has taken an active part in pub- 
lic matters, has declined public positions. In 1886 
he was appointed notary public, which office he 
has since held without interruption. It was 
through his efforts largely that the present school 
house was built and he was also instrumental in 
the building of the railroad station. In every en- 
terprise for the public good he has been foremost, 
contributing of his time and means to the com- 
mon welfare. 

Socially Mr. Miller is a charter member of 
Shield of Honor No. 3, of New Hydepark, in 
which he has been grand senior master, record- 
ing secretary since 1888 and is the present district 
deputy senior master. A CathoHc in religion, he 
assisted in building the Church of the Holy Ghost 
at New Hydepark, and is a member of the Cath- 
olic Benevolent Legion. He is an honorary mem- 
ber of the American Legion of Honor and was 
grand senior member of Lodge No. 1325, New 
Hydepark. In addition to other enterprises, he 
has conducted an auction business, in which line 
of work he has decided ability. A portion of his 
time is given to the real estate business, and he 
has charge of real estate business for private par- 
ties, besides looking after considerable property 
of his own. 

In 1886 Mr. Miller married Mrs. Rosina Christ, 
widow of his former partner, and the mother by 
her first marriage of the three children here 
named: Anna, wife of Dr. G. A. Fensterer, of 
Floral Park; Elizabeth, who is with her mother, 
and Philip J., postmaster at New Hydepark, and 
his stepfather's assistant in business. 



BENJAMIN PEARSALL. There is no oc- 
cupation or calling for which there is a 
more universal need than that of general 
merchant, and those who follow it, whether in a 
large city or small village, if they possess industry, 
perseverance and wisdom, cannot fail to succeed. 



In the list of prosperous merchants of Queens 
County we mention Benjamin Pearsall, who for 
some years has carried on a large and profitable 
business at Port Washington. In addition to this 
enterprise, he has also had important interests in 
the oyster business. 

Before presenting facts connected with the life 
of our subject it may not be amiss to briefly record 
his parentage and ancestry. His father, Benja- 
min, Sr., was born in Rockville Center, L. I., 
December i, 1825, being a son of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Valentine) Pearsall, who were born 
near Rockaway. Thomas, whose birth occurred 
in 1790, was drafted in the War of 1812 and by 
his marriage had six children, of whom Benjamin, 
Sr., was the youngest. The grandfather, who was 
a farmer, also engaged in work on the bay and 
for a time served as watchman in the Brooklyn 
navy yard. 

Receiving a limited education in Brooklyn, 
Benjamin Pearsall, Sr., early learned the mason's 
trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of sev- 
en years, and later was employed as a journeyman 
and contractor. In Brooklyn, July 25, 1853, he 
married Miss Charlotte M. Titus, and three chil- 
dren were born of their union, but our subject is 
the only one living. After a time spent in Rock- 
away, he came to Port Washington, where he 
has been engaged at his trade and also has been 
interested in oyster planting. In early life he 
was a Whig, and upon the organization of the 
Republican party identified himself with the new 
movement. For a number of years he has been 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
is an honest, industrious man, and while he has 
never gained wealth, he has a sufficient amount 
to provide for his declining years. 

During the residence of his parents in Brook- 
lyn, the subject of this sketch was born, July 24, 
1856. He was an infant when the family moved 
to Far Rockaway, where a fe^v years were spent. 
His education was gained principally in the pub- 
lic schools at Port Washinglon, where he was a 
student for some years. After leaving school he 
engaged in planting oysters, with which he had 
been familiar from boyhood and which he still 
carries on with a partner, doing a good business. 
At the beginning of his mercantile enterprise he 
had a partner, but in January, 1890, he became 
sole proprietor, and has since increased the busi- 
ness to such an extent that he has found it neces- 
sary to build an addition to his store and enlarge 
his stock. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



211 



The day before Christmas, 1885, Mr. Pearsall 
was united in marriage, at Port Washington, with 
Miss Minnie, daughter of Robert and Fannie 
(Hyde) Jarvis. They are the parents of one child, 
Robert B., who was born here on Christmas Day 
of 1886. Mn and Mrs. Pearsall are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is an 
active worker and treasurer of the Sunday school. 
In politics he votes the RepubHcan ticket, but is 
not a partisan in his preferences. He is a mem- 
ber of the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company, 
and a contributor to all enterprises for the benefit 
of the people and the advancement of the welfare 
of the village. 

CAPT. JACOB F. PEARCE, of Port Wash- 
ington, was born in the village of Squan, 
Monmouth County, N. J., April 27, 1832, 
being a son of Wilham N. and Deborah (Hanker- 
son) Pearce, both of whom made their home in 
Squan throughout their entire lives. The father, 
who in youth learned the trade of a ship carpen- 
ter, followed that occupation in his native place 
and on Staten Island, still continuing, however, 
to make Squan his home. At one time he was 
engaged in wrecking and in shad fishing, and 
through his various enterprises he saved a suf- 
ficient amount of money to enable him to purchase 
an eighty-acre farm in his native place. There 
he settled and spent the remainder of his earthly 
life, being surrounded in his old age by the fruits 
of years of toil. The property is now very val- 
uable, but has passed out of the hands of the 
family. 

Early trained to assist his father in the support 
of the family, our subject had very meager educa- 
tional advantages, but managed, by diligent ef- 
fort, to obtain a common school education. At 
the age of seventeen he began as an apprentice to 
the ship carpenter's trade under an uncle, with 
whom he served for four years, receiving his board 
in return for his work. Later he was employed 
as a journeyman about eight years, and then 
abandoned the occupation, entering the confec- 
tionery business. This proved a most unfortun- 
ate venture, as it caused the loss of all he had 
saved in former years, excepting less than $200, 
which was in the bank. 

At the age of twenty-two years, December 28, 
1854, Mr. Pearce was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Emma Wetmore, who was born in 
Brooklyn, being a daughter of Abram and Eliza- 
beth (Langdon) Wetmore, the former a member 



of an old Westchester County family, and the 
latter belonging to an old family of Far Rock- 
away. On both sides the ancestors were con- 
nected with the early colonial history of Ameri- 
ca. Mrs. Pearce was educated in Brooklyn and 
graduated from school No. 12, making her home 
in her native city until the time of her marriage. 

Forming a partnership with his father-in-law, 
our subject engaged in the oyster planting busi- 
ness and also followed his trade in Port Washing- 
ton, to which place he removed about 1858. Pros- 
pered in his undertakings, he became the owner 
of the sloop "Hemlock," which he used for 
freighting, a line of work in which he made a 
large amount of money. When the "Hemlock'* 
had made a fortune for him, he laid her ashore 
in front of his house and bought another, 
"Georgiana," which he still runs between Port 
Washington and New York in the coasting trade. 
The reverses which he has experienced — and they 
have not been few — have been almost invariably 
the result of trusting to the honesty and integrity 
of other people, many of whom imposed upon his 
accommodating and generous disposition by en- 
tailing heavy losses upon him. 

Politically Captain Pearce is a Republican, while 
his wife is a Democrat, and both are prohibition- 
ists in principle, favoring the extermination of the 
liquor curse. They are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, in which he has served 
as treasurer both of the church and Sunday 
school. Of their three sons we note the follow- 
ing: Robert, born in Brooklyn, December 5, 
1856, is engaged in the oyster business; by his 
marriage he has one son, Wilbur, who was born 
in this village June i, 1891. Franklin, the sec- 
ond son, was born here November 7, 1858, and 
still makes the village his home; he is married 
and has four children, Martha, Jennie, Percy and 
Clarence. James, the youngest of the family, was 
born here February 11, i860, and is married, mak- 
ing his home in this village. 



LEWIS PEARSALL. Invincible determin- 
ation, if coupled with sound common sense, 
will accomplish almost any desired result, 
and already are the effects of these qualities visible 
in the life of this gentleman, who has won a re- 
spected position for himself in the community by 
reason of industry, perseverance and genial na- 
ture. A resident of Far Rockaway, he is junior 
member of the firm of Smith & Pearsall, wholesale 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and retail dealers in coal and wood, brick, lime, 
cement, lath, tile pipe and blue stone flagging, 
with dock at Bayswater and yards and office on 
White Street, near Cornaga Avenue, Far Rock- 
awaj^ 

The father of our subject, Henry Pearsall, was 
born in East Rockaway and throughout his en- 
tire active life was a seafaring man. He died when 
seventy-four years of age. His wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Elizabeth Murray, was born 
at Pearsall's Corners and is now living in Cedar- 
hurst. Their seven children are named as fol- 
lows: William, whose home is in Cedarhurst; 
Lewis; Henry, Jr., who, like his father, is a 
mariner; Frank, George, Jennie, and Charles, 
who is deceased. Our subject was born in Ce- 
darhurst, this county, January 14, 1856, and in 
boyhood had but meager educational advantages, 
being obliged to support himself from an early 
age. For a time he followed the water with his 
father, and was thus employed when, at the age 
of twenty-eight, he married Miss Aphena Avens, 
ot Cedarhurst. 

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Pearsall began 
as a contractor, which business he still follows, 
his specialty being the excavating and making 
of roads. He was one of the principal men in the 
construction of the Far Rockaway street railroad 
and has been interested in many important pub- 
lic improvements. In spite of adverse circum- 
stances, and notwithstanding the fact that his edu- 
cation was limited, he has been quite successful 
in a business way, and now stands among the 
well-known residents of Far Rockaway. To his 
children, Mabel, Ella and Lillie, he is giving ex- 
cellent advantages, so that they may be prepared 
to take their places in any station of life to which 
they may be called. Though not officious in his 
politics, he is a firm Republican, and beheves that 
protection is needed for the welfare of our people 
and the best interests of our government. 



JOTHAM POST, who is engaged in the meat 
and coal business at East Williston, and is 
also a manufacturer of brick, was born at 
Westbury, Queens County, in 1859, to Jotham 
and Eliza J. (Place) Post. His father was born 
in Westbury, devoted his life to general agricul- 
ture to the meat business, and died at his home 
in 1870. In his family there were three children; 
William, Sarah, wife of Edward L. Kelsey, of 
Westbury Station, and Jotham. 



The education of our subject was begun in the 
public schools and completed in the Bridgehamp- 
ton Literary Institute. The old home came into 
his possession through purchase of the interest 
of the other heirs and he continued its manage- 
ment until 1885, when he disposed of the place 
and moved to East WilHston. Prior to this, how- 
ever, in 1878, he had opened a meat business and 
also dealt in stock. On coming here he joined 
his brother in the butcher business, and in 1886 
the two embarked in the manufacture of brick, 
which they carry on extensively under the firm 
name of W. & J. Post. In 1892 he established 
the coal business which he still carries on, hav- 
ing a good trade. 

Politically a Republican, in 1887 Mr. Post was 
elected on that ticket to the position of collector 
of taxes for the town or North Hempstead and 
was twice re-elected, serving three terms. In 
Hook and Ladder Company No. i, East Willis- 
ton, of which he was a charter member, he served 
as assistant foreman and foreman, and is now its 
president. Socially he is connected with Morton 
Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., in Hempstead, Pro- 
tection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn, 
and is a charter member of the Encampment at 
Mineola. In 1884 he married Cornelia, daugh- 
ter of M. S. Covert, of East Williston, and they, 
with their daughter Clara, occupy a handsome 
residence in this villaare. 



JOHN F. REMSEN, who is one of the relia- 
ble and influential business men of Roslyn, 
was born in this county, February 26, 1862, 
and is a son of John B. and Ann M. (Edwards) 
Remsen, also natives of Long Island. His father, 
who is still living, has been prominent in business 
and public affairs throughout his entire life, and 
is recognized as one of the able, industrious and 
enterprising men of his community. In politics 
he is well informed and always endeavors to 
champion the measures which are most calculated 
to promote the welfare of the people. 

At the age of fourteen, having previously 
gained a fair education in the common schools, 
our subject secured a position as clerk with J. J. 
Lu3'ster, of Glencove, with whom he remained 
about five years. At the age of twenty he formed 
a partnership with his father, under the firm title 
of J. B. Remsen & Son, and embarked in the gro- 
cerv business at Roslvn, the connection continn- 




GEORGE NOSTRAND. 




HENRY L. NOSTRAND. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



217 



ing about six years, after which they sold out. 
Meanwhile, three years prior to closing out this 
concern, our subject had established his present 
business, taking his brother, Cornelius E., as part- 
ner. They remained together until 1889, since 
which time John F. has been alone. 

A Republican in political opinions, our subject 
is well informed regarding public matters and 
stands high in the ranks of his party. For a 
number of terms he has filled the office of inspec- 
tor of elections. He is a member of the Roslyn 
Benevolent Society, Rescue Hook and Ladder 
Company, Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., 
and the Shield of Honor, belonging to Roslyn 
Camp No. 2. In September, 1885, he married 
Nora H., daughter of William H. Smith, a promi- 
nent resident of Roslyn. They have two daugh- 
ters, Elsie S. and Helen W. Mrs. Remsen is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church of Roslyn 
and takes a warm interest in all its work. 

The, business of which Mr. Remsen is now the 
proprietor has been built up through his untiring 
efforts and represents his unwearied labors. In 
his livery stable he usually has about twenty-eight 
head of horses and forty vehicles of all kinds. In 
sale and exchange he has considerable trade, and 
also does some business in boarding horses. Be- 
sides his livery, he is engaged in the ice business, 
in which he is building up an important trade. 



HENRY L. NOSTRAND. In reviewing 
the history of any community there are 
always a few names that stand out pre- 
eminently among others because those who bear 
them are men of superior ability, culture and 
philanthropic spirit. Such names and such men 
add to the prosperity of a place, elevating its 
moral tone and increasing its commercial impor- 
tance. Their wealth, put into circulation in the 
home neighborhood, becomes a factor in the 
prosperity of every citizen. Their probity and 
intelligence are a power which cannot be lightly 
estimated. 

Such a one is the subject of this article, who is 
known as a wealthy and cultured citizen of Ja- 
maica. He is a member of a family that dates its 
history on Long Island back to the first settle- 
ment of the town of Hempstead and that has al- 
ways been closely connected with the develop- 
ment of Queens County. Timothy Nostrand, 
grandfather of Henry L., was born at Valley 
Stream, and was first married September 27, 1793, 
6 



to Grachy Suydam; his second marriage, which 
took place September 8, 1804, united him with 
Catherine, daughter of Stephen Lott of Jamaica. 

The late George Nostrand, father of Henry L., 
was born in New York City February 5, 1809^ 
and was for many years engaged in merchandis- 
ing at Trumansburg, N. Y., but later retired to a 
farm on the Brooklyn and Jamaica plank road. 
At the time of his death, March 19, 1889, he was 
numbered among the wealthiest men in the town 
of Jamaica. Prominent in local affairs, he was 
frequently chosen by his fellow-citizens to rep- 
resent them in positions o£ trust and responsi- 
bility and filled, among other offices, those of 
highway commissioner and assessor of the town 
of Jamaica. In religion an Episcopalian, he held 
membership in Grace Church and was generous 
in contributions to all its enterprises. 

Twice married, the first wife of George Nos- 
trand was Mary, daughter of John Hunter and 
a cousin of ex-Mayor Hunter of Brooklyn. She 
was born in 1806 in Brooklyn and died at 'the fam- 
ily residence January 30, 1854, when her son, our 
subject, was a child of less than seven years. For 
his second wife Mr. Nostrand chose Miss Cornelia 
C. Van Siclen, whost family history is contained 
in the sketch of her brother, Abraham Van Siclen, 
presented on another page of this volume. Our 
subject's father had a sister, Margaret I., who 
married the late Martin C. Johnson, formerly the 
most prominent civil engineer in Queens County. 
He also had three brothers, namely; John, who 
died young; Stephen; and Timothy, who nioved 
to Kings County and there became prominent in 
local politics. J. Lott, son of Timothy, is one of 
the large land owners and well known political 
workers of Brooklyn, and he and his brother, 
George, are both bachelors. 

The birth of Henry L. Nostrand occurred in 
the town of Jamaica April 13, 1847. Being the 
only child of a wealthy father he was given everv 
educational advantage the community afforded, 
and as a consequence of the broad culture gained 
by the diligent improvement of his opportunities 
he has become a man of broad views and wide 
intelligence. For a short time in early man- 
hood he was connected with a clothing store in 
New York City, but the confinement of business 
proved detrimental to his health and he returned 
to the home farm. After his father's death he 
sold the family homestead and took up his resi- 
dence in his beautiful home in Shelton Avenue, 
Jamaica. Possessing an ample fortune, he has 



2l8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



no motive for entering the business world, but 
finds his time sufficiently occupied in the care 
of his property and the settlement of a number of 
large estates. 

Much of his time Mr. Nostrand spends in his 
elegant, yet cozy home, where, beyond the reach 
of adversity and in the enjoyment of every com- 
fort that win add to the happiness of life, he finds 
his greatest pleasure. His wife, who shares with 
him the regard of the best people of the village, 
bore the maiden name of Phoebe W. Vanderveer 
and is the only child of Dominicus Vanderveer, 
a member of an old family of the island. Their 
marriage, which took place May lo, 1876, has 
been blessed by two children, Carrie Duryea and 
Margaret Townsend. The family is identified 
with the Reformed Church, in which Mr. Nos- 
trand is officiating as deacon. 



AUGUST SCHEIBER, the popular landlord 
of Germania Hotel at Hicksville, has been 
a resident of America since 1866, during 
which time he has displayed the utmost loyalty 
to the land of his adoption as well as those quali- 
ties of thrift, good nature and industry which are 
of the utmost importance in every occupation. 
For the calling he nows follows he is well fitted 
by natural traits, being genial, jovial and hearty, 
while in all his transactions he is honest and hon- 
orable. In addition to the hotel business, he has 
engaged in farming to some extent. 

Bavaria, Germany, is our subject's native place, 
and August 6, 1847, the date of his birth. His 
father, John Scheiber, a man of ability and promi- 
nencei has for thirty-three years held office under 
the King, being the architect for school buildings 
in eighteen Bavarian villages. Though now sev- 
enty-five years of age (1896), he is filling this re- 
sponsible position with efficiency and success. 
Unto him and his wife Maggie there were born 
four children, of whom the eldest, August, was 
reared in his native land, and for three years at- 
tended college in one of the cities of Bavaria. At 
the age of sixteen he entered the militia and served 
for two years during the Austro-Russian war, ris- 
ing from the ranks to the positions of Corporal 
and Orderly Sergeant. 

Shortly after retiring from the army Mr. Schei- 
ber came to America, landing in New York Au- 
gust 6, 1866. His first position was that of ship- 
ping clerk in a large brewery, which he held for 
two and one-half years, and later he worked in 



a brickyard for two years. April 15, 1868, he 
married Miss Rosa Link, daughter of Seaman 
Link, and a native of Bavaria, born in 1850. Up- 
on leaving the brick yard he returned to the brew- 
ery, where he had previously been employed, and 
there he remained for three years. Afterward he 
was for five years collector for H. Rocke in East 
Forty-sixth Street. For a similar period he was 
employed as collector for Hamilton B. Kern, and 
for four years held the same position with another 
brewery. 

Commencing in business for himself in Fifty- 
third Street, Mr. Scheiber had the advantage of 
experience gained through years in the employ 
of others. In 1883 he opened another place of 
business on the corner of Hester and Mulberry 
Streets, and carried on these two enterprises un- 
til 1 89 1, when he sold out. The same year he 
removed to Hicksville and leased the Germania 
Hotel, which he has since conducted. During 
his residence in the city he took an active part in 
political affairs, using his influence in favor of the 
Democratic party. Since coming to Hicksville 
he has maintained a warm interest in public mat- 
ters, but has never been an aspirant for official 
positions. While in New York he was identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
a number of fraternal organizations. He and his 
wife are the parents of three children, namely: 
August, Jr., who is engaged in the brewery busi- 
ness in Brooklyn; Edward, a student in St. Fran- 
cis College, New York, and Wilham. 



EDWARD G. RAVE, M. D. The physi- 
cians of Queens County are men who com- 
pare favorably with those of any other 
county of the state in point of learning as well as 
in skill and ability as practitioners, and to entitle 
their successors to high rank among their pro- 
fessional brethren throughout the country it only 
remains for them to sustain the character which 
has already been given to the profession of this 
locality. Among the busiest of this class of men 
is Dr. Rave, a successful general practitioner of 
Hicksville. 

The family of which Dr. Rave is a member is 
one of the oldest and most prominent in Han- 
over, Germany. His great-grandfather, Rudolph 
E. Rave, was a royal officer of the court of Eliza- 
beth. The grandfather, Christian G., a life of- 
ficer of Ernest August, King of Hanover, held a 
position corresponding somewhat to our cabinet 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



219 



offices; he had charge of the mining department, 
which is controlled by the government, and acted 
as adviser to the King in matters pertaining to 
the government mines. The doctor's parents were 
Edward A. and Adolphine (Hachmeister) Rave, 
the former being inspector of the Royal Saline of 
Hanover, which position he occupied from the 
time he was twenty-four until sixty-five years of 
age, when he died of pneumonia. 

The subject of this sketch was born at the 
King's Saline of Sulbeck, Hanover, and was edu- 
cated in the schools of his native province. At 
the age of eleven he entered the gymnasium in 
Einbeck, where he remained three years, and then 
began a three years' apprenticeship to the phar- 
macist's trade. Having a fondness for medicine, 
he began its study at the University of Gottingen, 
Hanover, remaining there for one year and then 
spending a similar period as assistant surgeon 
in the government service of militia. In 1865 he 
came to America and secured employment in a 
German drug store in Brooklyn, where he re- 
mained three years, meanwhile gaining a knowl- 
edge of the English language as well as the drug 
business. In 1870, wishing to perfect his medi- 
cal knowledge, he took a course of lectures at 
the University of New York, and also studied 
under Prof. Loomis, of Bellevue Hospital, grad- 
uating in 1872. 

Immediately after graduation Dr. Rave opened 
an office in Guttenberg, N. J., and remained there 
until 1877, when he came to Hicksville. During 
the years that have since passed he has built up 
a large and successful practice, his specialty being 
the treatment of diseases of women and children. 
In everything pertaining to the profession 
he is interested, and is a member of the State 
Medical and the Queens County Medical Socie- 
ties, also of the College of Pharmacy of New 
York and Brooklyn. His practice is not limited 
to the village, but embraces a radius of ten miles 
square. 

October 5, 1869, Dr. Rave was married, in Gut- 
tenberg, N. J., to Miss Maria M. Mory, daughter 
of George Mory and a native of Bremerlehe, Ger- 
many, born June 12, 1848. Their eldest son. Dr. 
Adolph G, is a graduate of the university where 
his father matriculated and of the Academy of 
Medicine in Louisville, Ky.; he is now engaged 
in practice at New Hydepark, Queens County. 
Lilli, the only daughter, is at home. Edward W. 
is a student in the Brooklyn Academy of Phar- 
macy and a clerk in the union drug store of Hicks- 



ville. Albert C, the youngest son, is a student 
in the Hicksville schools. 

Politically the doctor does not ally himself with 
any party, but gives his allegiance to the measures 
and principles calculated to promote the welfare 
of the country. With his family he holds mem- 
bership in the German Lutheran Church. In 187 1 
he was made a Master Mason in Palisade Lodge 
No. 84, Union Hill, N. J., but is now connected 
with Glencove Lodge No. 580. He is also a inem- 
ber of the Royal Arcanum and commander of the 
American Legion of Honor at Hicksville. Pie 
enjoys the respect of his fellow men as one who 
has demonstrated his ability in his profession and 
his uprightness in life. 



M 



ARTHUR ROSE. As a labor-saving 
invention the steam laundry ranks 
■ among the greatest improvements of 
the present century. With the advance made in 
this industry a large number of energetic and 
capable young men have entered the business and 
are gaining prosperity as the result of their ef- 
forts. In this class mention belongs to the firm 
of Rose Brothers, of Far Rockaway, which con- 
sists of the two brothers, Henry S. and M. Arthur. 
It was in 1893 that they bought this business, then 
somewhat run down, but they have completely 
revolutionized matters and now turn out first-class 
work. 

Conrad and Susan (Kelch) Rose, the parents of 
our subject, were born in Germany, and on com- 
ing to America, settled in New York, where the 
father follows the trade of a baker. Ten children 
were born of their union, but only four are now 
living, namely: George W., a resident of New 
York ; Susanna, wife of Martin S. Hough, of Mt. 
Vernon; Henry S., born September 10, 1857, and 
M. Arthur, who was born in New York City No- 
vember II, i860. The first position secured by 
our subject was that of clerk in a law office, where 
he remained for two years. Later he became a 
bookkeeper and for three years was engaged in a 
grocery with his brother in New York. After- 
wards he was connected with the Novelty Manu- 
facturing Company for four years, and then, clos- 
ing out his interests in the city, he came to Far 
Rockaway, where he and his brother have since 
built up a large business. Being careful, accom- 
modating and thorough in his work, he has the 
confidence and respect of his customers. 

While he was reared in the faith of the Epis- 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



copal Church, to which his parents belong, our 
subject has never identified himself with any de- 
nomination, but is inclined to be liberal in his 
religious views. He possesses considerable abih- 
ty, which he has turned into business lines, with 
a success that predicts much for the future. With 
the people of the village he is popular, both so- 
cially and in a business way. 



JUDGE GEORGE W. SMITH. The growth 
and prosperity of any village or city depends 
very largely upon the efforts of a compara- 
tively small number of her residents, to whose 
faith in the future of the place and wise judgment 
as to methods by which to secure a steady devel- 
opment other citizens owe the benefits which ac- 
crue to them. An important part in the upbuild- 
ing and progress of Far Rockaway has been taken 
by George W. Smith, who is the present justice 
of the peace here and is also a member of the 
firm of Smith & Pearsall, concerning which men-' 
tion is made in the sketch of the junior member 
of the firm, presented on another page. 

The parents of our subject, Charles H. and 
Mary (Morrell) Smith, are descendants respec- 
tively of German and French ancestors, and the 
former has for years been engaged as a 
dealer in coal and feed at Lawrence, L. I. In 
the family there are four sons and one daughter, 
namely: George W.; Hattie, wife of J. V. S. Hen- 
drickson, of Queens; Frank, who resides in Colo- 
rado: Morrell, who is an architect, and Dwight 
L., who is with his parents in Springfield. 

The subject of this notice was born near Ja- 
maica, L. I., March 6, 1863. When four 
years of age he was taken by his parents to 
Springfield, the family settling on a farm, where 
the three ensuing years were spent, and they then 
removed to Williamsburg. His education was 
limited to a comparatively brief attendance at the 
common schools, and when only twelve years old 
he began to work for others, his first employment 
being in the real estate office of O. V. Hocomb 
at Williamsburg, where he spent one year. For 
about two years he was printer's "devil" for the 
Aldine Publishing Company, after which he went 
with his father back to the farm near Jamaica, and 
later worked in a store owned by the latter in 
Springfield. In time he became his father's part- 
ner, but after spending ten years there he went 
to Inwood and opened a general mercantile es- 
tablishment, which he conducted successfully for 



three years. In 1890 he came to Far Rockaway, 
where he has since resided. March 11, 1891, he 
sold his store in Inwood, and, the office of jus- 
tice of the peace being vacant, he became a can- 
didate for the position, being the successful one 
among five applicants. At the first regular elec- 
tion thereafter he was chosen, without opposition, 
for the position, and this he still fills, his term ex- 
piring December 31, 1896. During the summer 
months his attention is closely given to court 
business and his duties are many and responsible. 
During 1894 and 1895 he served as associate jus- 
tice of Queens County. 

Politically Mr. Smith is a firm Republican and 
well informed regarding party matters. For 
five years he has been a member of Seaside Lodge, 
I. O. O.F.,and he is a charter member of Olympia 
Lodge, F. & A. M. In rehgious behef he is a 
Presbyterian, his membership being in the church 
in this village. Improvements to be made in the 
village always receive his co-operation and sup- 
port, and while serving as trustee, from 1893 to 
1895, he was instrumental in advancing the pub- 
He interests. His neat residence, which is beau- 
tifully located and cosily furnished, is presided 
over by his wife, Josephine A., daughter of Philip 
W. and Susan (Hendrickson) Baylis, of Spring- 
field, whom he married in 1882. Their children 
are Charles E. and Hattie E. 



GUS STEINER. Astoria, the prosperous 
suburb of Long Island City, is known as 
a very progressive place and contains 
many energetic business men, among whom may 
be mentioned Gus Steiner, one of the oldest 
wholesale business men of the place. Mr. Stein- 
er was born in Austria in 1857, and is a son of 
David and Kate (Geduliger) Steiner, both natives 
of Austria. The parents were married in the old 
country and the father was a distiller there for 
some time. In 1866 he brought his family to 
America and settled in New York City, where he 
was employed as a distiller. Later he embarked 
in business for himself and thus continued in the 
Empire City until his death, when forty-five years 
old. Mrs. Steiner is still living and resides in 
Long Island City. 

Gus Steiner, the second in order of birth of 
four children, remained in his native country un- 
til eight years old and then came with his parents 
to this country. He had excellent educational 
advantages in the schools of the city of New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



221 



York, but when thirteen years old began working 
in a sawmill, where he remained for eighteen 
months. In 187 1 he began clerking for his uncle, 
who was engaged in the wholesale and retail 
liquor business in New York City, and he con- 
tinued with him until 1 88 1, when the uncle went 
to Europe. Our subject then became manager 
of the business and continued as such until 1883, 
when he bought his uncle out and since then has 
conducted the enterprise on his own responsi- 
bility. 

Mr. Steiner has added a branch office and store 
at No. 25 Borden Avenue, where the wholesale 
business is conducted, while the Jackson Avenue 
place is devoted to retail and storage. He runs 
two wagons and oversees all his enterprises. He 
married Miss Bella Mendel, a native of New York 
and daughter of Moses Mendel, also of that city. 
The four children born to this union are named : 
Minnie, David, Jacob and Ignatz. Politically 
Mr. Steiner is an active Republican, and socially 
he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member 
of the Arion Society and the Sons of Benjamin, 
of New York Citv. 



M" 



ORRELL SMITH, one of the youngest 
business men of Far Rockaway, is an ar- 
chitect of more than ordinary ability and 
has carefully prepared himself for his chosen life 
work, which he commenced in 1895. While en- 
gaged in business here, he resides at Springfield, 
near Jamaica, which is the home of his parents, 
Charles H. and Mary A. (Morrell) Smith, both 
natives of Long Island, the former being a dealer 
in coal and feed and an energetic business man of 
Springfield. The parental family consists of five 
children, namely: George W., who is a justice of 
the peace at Far Rockaway; Hattie I., wife of 
J. V. S. Hendrickson, of Queens; Frank, Morrell 
and Dwight. 

The subject of this sketch, who is next to the 
youngest of his father's family, was born in Will- 
iamsburg July 16, 1875, and spent his boyhood 
years near Jamaica, alternating attendance at 
school with the usual sports of childhood and the 
light labors of home life. At the age of twenty 
he entered and he was an attendant at Pratt In- 
stitute, where he was prepared for his chosen 
work. His ability as an architect has been recog- 
nized by that institution, which employed him as 
instructor in artistic drawing, a position which he 
still holds. His work, particularly in the line of 



perspective drawing of plans, has proved excep- 
tionally good and has elicited encomiums from 
those best adapted to judge. 

The office occupied by Mr. Smith is situated in 
the Journal building at Far Rockaway. It is 
admitted by all who know him that he has before 
him a brilliant future in his chosen occupation, 
having not only natural abihty of high order, but 
a careful, painstaking preparation. He is fully 
equipped for architectural work in all its details, 
and will be found abreast with the latest im- 
provements in all matters appertaining to his pro- 
fession. 

LOTT VAN DE WATER, the able editor 
and manager of the "Hempstead Sentinel," 
was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 4, 
1858, and is a member of a family originally from 
Holland, but long resident on Long Island. His 
father, Lott Van De Water, Sr., was born in New 
York City in 1833, and received a good education 
in the schools of that place. Later he learned the 
newspaper business with George Nesbit, in whose 
composing room he held the position of foreman. 
Coming to Hempstead in 1859, he purchased the 
"Sentinel," of which he has since been the owner 
and proprietor. A forcible writer, well informed 
and possessing an easy, attractive style, he 
wielded a powerful influence during the period 
of his active connection with the paper, which he 
brought to a position of prominence among the 
journals of the county. Himself independent in 
political affihations, he carried his views into his 
paper, which has never bound itself to any party, 
but has always supported the men and measures 
calculated to best advance the interests of the 
people. , : 'Mi 

In addition to his newspaper business, Mr. Van 
De Water took a warm interest in all pubHc af- 
fairs. For several years he filled the position of 
president of the village board of trustees and 
was also the village clerk. Socially he is identi- 
fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and in religious behef he holds membership in 
St. George's Church at Hempstead. Faihng 
health induced him, about 1881, to seek the genial 
climate of California, where he became largely 
interested in property in Los Angeles, Pasadena, 
San Gabriel and Longbeach. The greater por- 
tion of his time has since been spent in looking 
after his interests there. He continues to own 
the "Sentinel," but its management is left entire- 
ly to his son Lott. He has a brother, John W., 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who is an extensive manufacturer of office furni- 
ture in New York City. 

By his marriage to Carohne A., daughter of 
Stephen C. Bedell, and member of a family long 
resident in the town of Hempstead, Mr. Van De 
Water had four children, of whom the subject of 
this notice is the oldest. The others are John 
W. B., chief of one of the departments of the 
Washington Life Insurance Company, New 
York; Martha Kate, wife of Charles W. Brooke, 
of Hempstead, and CaroHne J., who married 
Pierre M. Brown, one of the attorneys of Austin 
Corbin, president of the Long Island Railroad. 

In early childhood our subject was brought by 
his parents to Hempstead, where he was educated 
in the grammar and high schools. Learning the 
printer's trade in his father's office, he soon ac- 
quired a thorough familiarity with every depart- 
ment of the business and has had the entire man- 
agement of the paper ever since his father went 
to California. As a writer he is easy, fluent, ver- 
satile; he does not hesitate to express his views 
upon all subjects, local or general, and "hews close 
to the line, let the chips fall where they may.'' 
His interest in local matters has been constant and 
active and he has held the office of village clerk. 
For fifteen years he has been clerk of St. George's 
parish and St. George's Church. 

An active Mason, Mr. Van de Water has been 
master of Morton Lodge No. 63, at Hempstead, 
for two years. He is also past noble grand of 
Hempstead Lodge No. 141, I. O. O. F., and a 
member of Lodge No. i. Shield of Honor, of New 
York. In November, 1884, he married Miss An- 
nie Leverett Price, and they have three children : 
Reginald L., Kenneth B. and Ruth. In politics 
our subject is a Republican. 



JAMES EZRA SMITH is a member of the 
firm of Smith Brothers, plumbers, tinners 
and roofers at Far Rockaway, and well 
known business men who have established a rep- 
utation for careful and satisfactory work in the 
various lines of their trade. The business was 
established in 1894, and has since been built up 
until it is now reaching extensive proportions, the 
success being due to the energy and determina- 
tion of the members of the company. 

The parents of our subject, Valentine and 
Charlotte (Craft) Smith, reside at Inwood, where 
the former is engaged in the oyster business. Of 
the six children that blessed their union three sons 



are living, named as follows: George, who is in- 
terested in the oyster business with his father; 
James Ezra, and Charles, who is in partnership 
with his older brother as a member of the firm 
of Smith Brothers. James Ezra was born at In- 
wood, June 15, 1872, and there he attended the 
common schools until the age of seventeen years, 
gaining the foundation of the broad informa- 
tion that now makes him a cultured, intelligent 
man. 

The first work done by Mr. Smith was in a pri- 
vate cottage during the vacation seasons. Later 
he learned his trade with Mr. Mulhearn at Far 
Rockaway, then was with Henderson and after- 
ward employed by McNamara, spending about 
four years in the service of others, and thus per- 
fecting himself in the business. It was not his 
intention to continue as an employe, so, upon be- 
coming well acquainted with the trade, he formed 
a partnership with his brother and has since had 
a goodly share of the public patronage in plumb- 
ing, gas fitting, metal roofing and other lines con- 
nected with their work. Their shop is situated 
in Central Avenue, from which they superintend 
work in diiTerent parts of the village. Socially our 
subject is connected with the Order of Foresters, 
and in religious views holds membership in the 
Methodist Church. 



JOHN SCHWAN. Industry and persever- 
ance are essential factors to success in any 
fine of business, and it is these quaHties that 
are bringing prosperity to Mr. Schwan. With the 
thrift and stability of his Teutonic ancestors, he 
combines the American characteristics of push 
and energy. A resident of Arverne, he here fol- 
lows several different occupations, being pro- 
prietor of a boarding stable in Stern Avenue, al5o 
a lawn gardener and contractor for grading and 
carting. He located here permanently April 15, 
1889, having worked in the employ of others for 
three or four months previous to that time. There 
were then only four houses where now stands the 
village of An^erne, and he has witnessed the 
growth of the thrifty little place since that time. 
Prior to coming here he resided for a time m 
LTnion Hill, N. J., -where he was engaged as a 
florist. 

In Germany, near the river Rhine, the subject 
of this sketch was born October 23,, 1863. His 
education was limited, for at an early age he was 
obliged to become self-supporting and his ad- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



vantages were therefore very meager. In his 
youth he learned the business of a florist and 
gardener, with which he became thoroughly fa- 
miliar. Believing that in America better oppor- 
tunities awaited him than in his native land, he 
came to this country in 1888 and at once secured 
employment in New York. Being frugal and in- 
dustrious, he saved his earnings, until finally he 
was able to engage in business for himself. While 
living in New Jersey he was united in marriage 
with Anna Mulla, and two children were born 
of the union, but one died in infancy. 

Mr. Schwan is a painstaking and industrious 
man and thoroughly understands every branch 
of flower growing and landscape gardening. He 
is making a success of his business financially and 
has earned a reputation as a competent> and hon- 
est workman, one who may be relied upon to 
carry out any contract in a businesslike manner. 



SAMUEL C. WILLIS. In the experience of 
the useful and active citizen it cannot be 
otherwise than gratifying to note the devel- 
opment of a community from a tract of unim- 
proved, apparently valueless land, to a prosperous 
region, the abode of men and women of culture, 
intelligence and refinement. Especially is this 
a matter of the keenest interest when the individ- 
ual himself has been one of those largely instru- 
mental in the opening up of a section of country 
and forming an important factor in its prosperity. 
Of Mr. Willis it may be said that throughout his 
whole life, which, with the exception of a few 
years, has been spent in Port Washington, he has 
maintained the deepest interest in everything per- 
taining to the welfare of the place, which he has 
seen develop from a small hamlet into a thriving 
village containing many of the improvements and 
conveniences of a city. 

In the village where he still resides our subject 
was born September 28, 1823, to Benjamin H. 
and Sarah A. (Mott) Willis. His great-grand- 
father, John WiUis, a native of England, settled 
near what is now Old Westbury in colonial times. 
The grandfather, Cornwall, was born there and 
followed the occupation of a farmer. Benjamin 
H. Willis, though reared to agricultural pursuits 
and for a time engaged therein, removed to Ja- 
maica, where for fifteen years he was editor and 
publisher of the "Long Island Times." He died 
about 1 861 at the home of a son in Coldspring, 
L. I. In early life he was a Henry Clay 



Whig and later became a Republican. Twice mar- 
ried, he had by his first wife three children, of 
whom our subject is the oldest and the only sur- 
vivor. By his second marriage he had two chil- 
dren, both now deceased. 

Until twenty-two years of age our subject re- 
mained at home. In 1849 h^ shipped on a sailing 
vessel for California, which he reached after a 
voyage of one hundred and sixty-five days, via 
Cape Horn. During the three years of his so- 
journ there he was greatly troubled by rheuma- 
tism, which, however, did not prevent him from 
engaging in business. For a time he served as 
agent for shipping companies. In 1852 he re- 
turned East, having made about enough to defray 
the expenses of the journey. On his return he 
began to work at ship and house carpentering 
and millwrighting, which he had picked up by 
himself, never having served a day's apprentice- 
ship. 

At the age of twenty-eight Mr. Willis married 
Catherine Kelly, who was born in Ireland, came 
to the United States in girlhood and was living 
in Port Washington at the time of her marriage. 
She died in March, 1892, having become the 
mother of four children, namely: Sarah, William, 
James and Edward. William, who is engaged in 
the oyster business, lives in Port Washington and 
is married. James, who is similarly occupied 
here, is married and has five children. Edward, 
who is married and has one child, is a boat btxild- 
er and yachtsman of Navesink, N. J. 

It is certainly to the credit of Mr. Willis that, 
while starting in life without means, he worked his 
way to prosperity and an influential position. He 
has designed and built some of the fastest racing 
yachts on the sound, among them the "NorHe," 
"Loner" and "Jennie WilHs." When only eigh- 
teen years old he voted for Henry Clay, and later 
became an advocate of protection, being of the 
opinion that free trade would be ruinous to our 
home industries. 



ELLWOOD VALENTINE TITUS, a 
prominent and successful farmer of Glen- 
cove, was born on the farm where he now 
lives January 11, 1853, and there also his father, 
James Titus, was born in 1 818. The great-grand- 
father was born in New Rochelle, Westchester 
County, N. Y., and there his son Henry, grand- 
father of our subject, was born. Later the great- 
grandfather moved to Westbury, in the town of 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGR.\PHICAL RECORD. 



North Hempstead, Queens County, where he 
bought a large farm. There Henry Titus grew 
to mature years and in 1822 bought a large farm 
of two hundred and forty-five acres, a part of 
which our subject now owns. This land was then 
uncultivated, but improvements have since been 
made on it and it is now one of the best farms 
in the county. After settling on this tract with 
his parents, James, who was then but five years 
old, not liking his new home, started out one 
day a^nd made his way to the old place at West- 
bury, where he was found a few hours later. 

Henry Titus well remembered Washington, for 
he saw him in Westchester County. Like his 
ancestors, James Titus selected agricultural pur- 
suits as his occupation in life. He married Miss 
Caroline Valentine, who bore him six children, 
as follows: Edward P., a resident of Glen- 
cove; Henry E., who resides in Plainfield, 
N. J.; EUwood V.; Mary V.; Caroline A., who 
married John B. C. Tafifan, and Emeline N., a 
graduate of the Medical College of New York 
City. The father of these children was a Repub- 
lican in politics, but was not an office-seeker. He 
was a member of the Board of Education for some 
time in Glencove, and was director in the Long 
Island Northshore Freight and Transportation 
Company. He was also a director in Fayette Fire 
Insurance Company of Brooklyn and of the Se- 
curity Insurance Coinpany of New York. A life- 
long member of the Society of Friends and a man 
of upright, honorable character, his death, which 
occurred September 5, 1892, was the occasion of 
universal sorrow. His wife passed away Decem- 
ber 2, 1876. 

Our subject became familiar with agricultural 
pursuits at an early age and grew to sturdy man- 
hood assisting in the duties on the old home place. 
He attended private school and when seventeen 
years old attended Cary Institute at Poughkeepsie, 
N. Y, for two years. Since then he has been on 
the farm and is classed among the progressive 
and substantial men of his section. He was mar- 
ried on the 2d of April, 1875, to Miss M. Louise 
Cox, daughter of Daniel D. and Mary (Leggett) 
Cox. They have two children, Helen L., born in 
Queens County, and Caroline Varrich, who 
was born on the old home place in 1880 
and who graduated from the high school of 
Glencove in the class of 1894. Politically Mr. 
Titus is a Republican and his first presidential 
vote was cast for R. B. Hayes in 1876. He is 
a birthright member of the Society of Friends, but 



attends the Episcopal Church. Socially he is a 
member of the Royal Arcanum, of which he has 
been secretary for four years and regent and chap- 
lain for two years. 



SAMUEL M. TITUS. Before giving a de- 
tailed account of our subject's personal 
history we deem it best to make some men- 
tion of his ancestors, going back to Robert Titus 
and his wife, Hannah, who emigrated from Stan- 
stead Abbey, Hertfordshire, England, as early as 
1635. They first located at Weymouth, Mass., 
and from there removed to Seekonk, whence a 
part of the family came to Long Island. 

The eldest son of Robert and Hannah Titus 
was Edmund, whose birth occurred in England 
about 1630. He was married about the year 1657 
to Martha Washburn, of Hempstead, L. I., and 
the eldest of their children, John, on attaining 
mature years, chose for his wife Miss Sarah Wil- 
lis. Their son Jacob married Margaret Germain, 
of Hempstead, L. I., while their son, also named 
Jacob, married Martha Keene. The eldest of 
their household, Jacob, our subject's father, mar- 
ried Hannah Mott. 

The subject of this sketch, one of the promi- 
nent and influential farmers of Glencove, was 
born here May 31, 1819. His father, who was 
a native of Wheatly, L. I., in his youth learned 
the carpenter's trade, which business he carried 
on at that place. Many years ago he came to 
Glencove, where he embarked in the mercantile 
business. He was very prosperous in a financial 
way and was very liberal in his donations to all 
worthy causes in his community. His daughter, 
Mary Margaret, became the wife of Richard M. 
Bowne. 

Samuel M., of this sketch, grew to manhood 
and received his education in the common schools 
of his native place. He was reared to a full 
knowledge of farm work, his parents making 
their home on a fine place in this county, and 
on the death of his father, which occurred when 
our subject was about thirty years of age, he 
came into his share of the estate, which was about 
one hundred and thirty acres. This he keeps 
under good cultivation and reaps therefrom a 
handsome income. 

The marriage of Mr. Titus with Miss Hannah 
E. Willis, of Cedar Swamp, occurred about 1856. 
This lady was the daughter of Jacob B. and 
Phebe (Hewlett) Willis, well-to-do residents of 




WILLIAM L. WOOD. 




-%-^ sr- 




COIv. ALFRKD M. WOOD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



229 



that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Titus have continued 
to make their home on the old farm since their 
marriage and are recognized by their neighbors 
as peaceful and law-abiding citizens. Three chil- 
dren were born to them, Jacob W., who departed 
this life January 16, 1894, leaving a daughter, 
Eleanor; S. Townsend, whose sketch will also ap- 
pear in this volume; and Lewis, who died when 
young. 

Mr. Titus has been a stanch supporter of Re- 
publican principles ever since casting his first 
vote for Harrison, in 1840. Prior to the organiza- 
tion of that party he was appointed postmaster, 
holding the office for eight years, from 1844 to 
1852. Although Mr. Titus favors the beHef of the 
Society of Friends, he is not a member of that 
sect. 

The father of Samuel M. Titus was one of the 
-original founders of The Glencove Mutual In- 
surance Company, of which our subject is stock- 
holder and now holds the office of president. He 
has been a member of the Queens County Agri- 
■cultural Society since its organization, and as 
sisted in surveying the ground for its permanent 
location at Mineola, L. I. For the past twenty 
years he has been a director of the society. 



WILLIAM L. WOOD, cashier of the 
Bank of Jamaica, was born at Colum- 
bia Heights, in the city of Brooklyn, 
October 31, 1857, being the only son of the late 
Col. Alfred M. Wood. His father, who won mer- 
ited distinction in the War of the Rebellion and 
later gained prominence in civic affairs, was born 
in the town of Hempstead, L. I., in 1826. In 
youth, after having received a fair education in 
the district schools, he went to Brooklyn, where 
he secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store, and 
50 conspicuous were his talents even at that early 
age that he was promoted from time to time, 
finally purchasing the business from his employ- 
ers. In 1 85 1 he removed to Queens, but after a 
short time returned to Brooklyn, though con- 
tinuing his summer home at Queens. 

In 1850, when the Brooklyn City Regiment, 
■of which Mr. Wood was a member, became the 
Fourteenth Regiment, he was chosen lieutenant- 
•colonel, and six years later was appointed to com- 
mand the regiment. In i860 he was elected presi- 
■<ient of the Brooklyn board of aldermen and was 
filling that position when the Civil War broke 
■out. The Fourteenth Regiment at once volun- 



teered to go to the front, but when the command 
was ready to move an obstacle was placed in its 
way by the i-efusal of Governor Morgan to allow 
it to leave the state. Colonel Wood promptly 
forwarded a statement of the facts to Washing- 
ton, and in reply received an order from Presi- 
dent Lincoln to proceed to the defense of that 
city. The regiment moved from Brooklyn on 
receipt of the order and for four years rendered 
valiant service in defense of the Union. How- 
ever, Colonel Wood's coimection with it was of 
brief duration. At the first battle of Bull Run 
he was wounded and left on the field. His horse 
was shot from under him and he was fighting on 
foot when a bullet struck him. The course of 
the bullet was such that it would have been fatal 
had it not struck a package of visiting cards, 
which caused its deflection. The mutilated cards 
were in the colonel's possession until his death. 

Spending the time of his illness in a Confed- 
erate hospital. Colonel Wood was, upon recov- 
ery, sent to join Colonel Corcoran and other 
Union officers who had been captured and were 
confined in Libby prison. When the Confederate 
authorities told the prisoners in Libby to select 
from their number hostages for execution, should 
the Federal government execute a number of 
Rebel sailors captured on a privateer. Colonel 
Wood was one of those chosen. Twice afterward, 
when hostages were demanded, his life was placed 
in danger by the drawings. He was finally ex- 
changed and returned to Brooklyn, but with 
broken health. Being too ill to return to the 
front, he resigned his commission as colonel, and 
was retired with the brevet rank of brigadier- 
general. When the Fourteenth finally returned 
from the war at the close of the struggle, its first 
colonel reviewed it as mayor of the city of 
Brooklyn. 

In 1863 Colonel Wood was appointed internal 
revenue collector for the First District of New 
York, and the next year was chosen mayor of 
Brooklyn, receiving almost eight thousand of a 
total vote of less than thirteen thousand. After 
four years in the mayoralty, during which time 
he rendered faithful and efficient service in the 
welfare of the people, he retired from the office. 
In 1878 he was appointed United States Consul 
at Castel-a-Mare, Italy, and sei-ved at that post 
for sixteen years, returning to America in 1894. 
From the time of his return he resided in Queens, 
L. I., until his death, which occurred July 28, 
1895. A month prior to his decease he fell down 



230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL* RECORD. 



the stairs at the Brooklyn entrance to the bridge, 
and although he apparently recovered, two weeks 
afterward fatal symptoms developed and all hope 
of his recovery was given up. Funeral services 
were held at the Reformed Church in Queens, 
and he was laid to rest, mourned by a large circle 
of devoted friends. He was twice married, and by 
his first wife, who was Sarah R. Kelsey of Queens, 
he had two children, now living, William L. and 
Mrs. Isaac Kellogg, of Hollis, L. I. 

The education of our subject was largely ac- 
quired at the Alexandria Military Institute, White 
Plains, N. Y., from which he graduated. Later 
he was for several years connected with some of 
the large financial institutions in Wall Street, 
serving in various responsible positions imtil 
1889, when the Bank of Jamaica was founded 
and his well known ability suggested him to the 
founder of the bank as the proper party to put in 
charge of its management. Lender his able over- 
sight the concern prospered from the start. 
When the financial cloud of 1893 was seen in the 
distance by him he at once made arrangements 
for large sums of money in New York. At the 
time some of the stockholders thought this un- 
called for, but when the cloud burst the wisdom 
that he displayed in the matter was highly appre- 
ciated by all. During that period of depression, 
when many of the large banks in New York City 
and other places were not able to pay their checks 
in currency, the Bank of Jamaica was well sup- 
plied, and no check was presented that did not 
receive payment in cash. Even when the presi- 
dent of the bank, F. W. Dunton, was obliged to 
suspend and made an arrangement without a 
minute's notice to Mr. Wood, this did not affect 
the stability of the institution, for the conserva- 
tive management protected it from misfortune. 

When the new bank building, a fine three- 
story brick structure, was erected at a cost of 
$40,000, Mr. Wood had charge of the arrange- 
ments, and it is due him to say that in no town 
of this size in the state could there be found a 
bank building better arranged than this. During 
the six years the bank has been in existence it has 
earned, besides paying dividends, a large surplus, 
and is one of the solid institutions of Long Island. 
Interested with hiin in the management are John 
H. Sutphin, president, and Abraham Van Siclen, 
vice-president. 

In October, 1884, Mr. Wood married Miss 
Grace Doughty, daughter of Nicholas Doughty, 
of Queens. They have two children, Fred and 



Margaret, the family making their home in, the 
village of Queens. Socially Mr. Wood is con- 
nected with the Masons and the Veterans' Social 
Club of Jamaica. In politics he is a stanch Re- 
publican. At one time he was a member of the 
Twenty-third Regiment, New York National 
Guard, at Brooklyn. He is interested in every- 
thing pertaining to the welfare of Long Island, 
and believes that no spot in the world can com- 
pare with "Old Queens." 



ELBERT VERITY. The name of this gen- 
tleman is a very familiar one in the busi- 
ness . circles of Long Island, for he has 
been engaged in various occupations here 
throughout his life, and in each and every one 
of them he was always to be relied upon. He is 
now living in retirement from the active duties 
of life in Freeport. At Seaford, Queens County, 
he was born in 1817, a son of Samuel and Abigail 
(HofiE) Verity, both of whom were born on Long 
Island, where they spent their lives. The father 
was a very successful and skillful wheelwright, 
and at the same time was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He was very.unpretentiotis in all his 
ways and after a quiet but useful life passed away 
at the extreme old age of ninety-three )'ears. 
His wife's death occurred about twenty years 
prior to his own, at which time she was sixty 
years old. 

The early educational advantages of Elbert 
Verity were ver)f limited indeed, for not only 
were schools scarce and those few poorly con- 
ducted, but his opportunities for attending these 
were quite limited. However, he obtained a fair 
knowledge of the three R's, and this was greatly 
increased in later years by reading in the rough 
but thoroughly practical school of business life. 
He became inured to hard work at an early age, 
and after a time learned carriage-making, at 
which he worked with his father for about five 
years, and then alone for a like period. At the 
end of this time he embarked in the general mer- 
cantile business at Seaford and followed this oc- 
cupation and millwrighting and carpentering un- 
til December, 1864, when he gave them all up and 
went to Brooklyn, where he obtained a situation, 
in a lumber yard. Later the owner of this yard 
died, and after managing the business for six 
years Mr. Verity started in the same hne for him- 
self. After following this with marked success 
until 1887, failing health caused him to dispose 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



231 



of his stock, since which time he has lived retired. 
In 1886 Mr. Verity took up his residence in 
Freeport, and he and his worthy wife are spend- 
ing the twilig-ht of Hfe in comfort and happiness 
at their beautiful home in this village. Mr. Verity 
was first married in 1840 to Miss Mary S. Fleet, 
who was born in Queens County, and was called 
from this life in 1855. On the i8th of December, 
1855, Mr. Verity was again married, his wife 
being Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Edmondson) Hart, 
daughter of Alexander Edmondson, a native of 
Scotland, but who came to the state of New 
York in early life. Mrs. Verity was born in Scot- 
land, and has borne her present husband three 
children: Elberta, wife of M. H. Mullenneaux, 
of Albany, N. Y.; Elbert W., of Freeport; and 
William E., of Brooklyn. Mrs. Verity has one 
son by her first husband, Alexander R. Hart, a 
resident of Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Verity are 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and politically he has ever been iden- 
tified with the Republican party, but is rather 
conservative in his political views. Although he 
is seventy-nine years of age he is hale and healthy, 
and looks many years younger than he really is, 
which is without doubt the result of temperate 
and prudent living, as well as due to the fact that 
he inherited a sound constitution. His wife also 
enjoys excellent health, and they are a very highly 
respected old couple. 



STOWNSEND TITUS. The Titus fam- 
ily is very well known in Queens County, 
• as ancestors of the present generation set- 
tled here about the middle of the seventeenth cen- 
tury. For over two hundred years, therefore, 
they have been engaged in the upbuilding and 
progress of the county and have literally helped 
to change it from a wilderness to a garden spot. 
The subject of this narrative, who is one of the 
shrewd and representative business men of Glen- 
cove, is a member of the firm of Titus & Bowne, 
dealers in lumber, coal and building material. He 
was born here June 11, 1854, and is the son of 
Samuel M. and Hannah E. (WilHs) Titus, well 
known among the substantial farmers of this sec- 
tion and whose complete history the reader will 
find on another page of this volume. 

After completing his studies in the public 
schools of his native place, S. Townsend Titus 
entered Swarthmore College and was present at 



the dedicatory exercises of that institution. He 
was a student there for two years and on his return 
home he aided his father in carrying on the home 
farm until 1880, when he embarked in the livery 
business at Glencove. He bears an excellent rep- 
utation for strict veracity and upright conduct and 
for six years conducted a thriving business alone. 
At the end of that time he became associated with 
Mr. Bowne and engaged in his present business. 

The marriage of Mr. Titus with Miss Julia 
Jackson occurred at Jamaica November 15, 1876. 
Mrs. Titus was born and reared in the beautiful 
little cit}' of Jamaica and there obtained a splen- 
did education. Their union has resulted in the 
birth of three children, bearing the respective 
names of William W., Lewis H. and Etta Linda. 

Mr. Titus is not a politician, if by that term 
we mean an office-seeker, but the Republican 
party always finds in him an able supporter, he 
having voted for its candidates ever since casting 
his first baUot for Hayes, in 1876. Socially he is 
a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, in which 
body he takes an active part. He is public spir- 
ited and in favor of everything which will pro- 
mote the welfare of his fellow-citizens, and his 
influence is always directed toward this end. 



SAMUEL BLACKWELL TISDALE. This 
progressive and useful citizen of Astoria, 
L. I., passed to that bourne from which no 
traveler returns January 12, 1893, and his death 
was deeply deplored by all who knew him, either 
personally or by reputation. He was born on 
Washington Square, New York Cfty, August 5, 
1840, to James and Margaret A. (Blackwell) Tis- 
dale, the former of whom was a member of a 
prominent old Massachusetts family, and was a 
native of the city of Taunton. The Tisdales are 
of English and Welsh extraction and the ances- 
tors of Mr. Tisdale were in the shipping btisiness 
on the Massachusetts coast. 

In his early boyhood Samuel Blackwell Tis- 
dale was placed in the public schools of Astoria 
under the guidance of Professor Mason, and later 
completed his literary education in an academy 
of Westchester County, N. Y., under Professor 
Chisholm. Succeeding this he was clerk in a ship- 
ping office for some time, then filled a like posi- 
tion with a Wall Street firm, after which he 
formed a partnership with Butler, Evans & Co., 
produce commission merchants of Pearl Street, 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with whom he remained associated for three 
years. In 1876 this connection was dissolved, 
after which he became his father's business asso- 
ciate in Astoria, and after the latter's death he 
succeeded to the business, which had been estab- 
lished about 1853, on the site of the present busi- 
ness, at the corner of Boulevard and Fulton Ave- 
nue, back to the dock. This is the oldest coal 
and lumber business in the place, and through 
the upright and honorable business methods of its 
proprietors has always been liberally patronized. 
The death of Mr. Tisdale, which occurred in the 
prime and vigor of his manhood, cut short a use- 
ful career and one well worthy the emulation of 
the rising generation. He was of a quiet and 
retiring disposition, content to pursue the even 
tenor of his way without caring for or desiring 
public preferment, although he was frequently 
solicited to run for various official positions. Po- 
litically he was an independent Democrat, and 
was an attendant of St. George's Episcopal 
Church, of which Mrs. Tisdale is still a member. 
The marriage of our subject and his wife resulted 
in the birth of two children, Josiah B. and James, 
who are still with their mother. 

Mrs. Tisdale, formerly Miss Emma L. Black- 
well, was born on Long Island, at the head of 
Newtown Creek, and her marriage with Mr. Tis- 
dale was solemnized in St. George's Episcopal 
Church, Astoria. Her father, Josiah Blackwell, 
was a dry goods, merchant of New York City, 
but finally retired from active business pursuits 
and after spending some years on Newtown 
Creek located in Astoria, and here made his 
home until his earthly career closed. His wife 
was Miss Adelgeitha Vail, daughter of Thomas 
and Maria (Lawrence) Vail. 



ERNEST ANKENER, who for many years 
has followed the profession of civil en- 
gineer, was until January i, 1896, chief 
engineer for the General Improvement Commis- 
sion of Long Island City. He was born in Carls- 
ruhe, Baden, in 1847. After pursuing his studies 
in the common schools of his native city he en- 
tered Theck University, from which he was grad- 
uated with honors. The year he attained his ma- 
jority Mr. Ankener embarked on a vessel which 
» landed him in due time in port at New York, 
where he found no difficulty in obtaining work. 
He was first engaged as draughtsman, making 
maps of various kinds, and later entered the 



office of Joseph H. Corpt, a well known architect, 
working with him for some time. 

Mr. Ankener was next made the assistant of 
Mr. McLean, then city surveyor of New York, 
and under his direction surveyed many of the 
irregular blocks of the city. His work was at all 
times most commendable and gave to his supe- 
riors entire satisfaction. In 1871 he located in 
Long Island City, still, however, continuing his 
business as civil engineer in the metropolis until 
some time in 1872, when he was appointed on the 
old survey commission of Long Island City for a 
term of one year. At the expiration of that time 
he was transferred to the First Ward Improve- 
ment Commission, serving with that from 1874 
to 1 88 1. During this period the locality which 
is now the site of Hunter's Point was filled up, 
sewers laid and bridges erected. Mr. Ankener 
was first assistant engineer and draughtsman for 
the first few years, when he was placed in charge 
of the work and remained as chief engineer until 
the town was laid out and the various improve- 
ments completed. 

In 1881 Mr. Ankener was one of the men in 
charge of the draughtsmen when the work on 
the bridge across East River was begun, superin- 
tending this department under Assistant Engineer 
Georg-e W. McNulty. On the completion of this 
structure our subject, in company with Messrs. 
McNulty and Buck, was engaged in designing 
bridge work in general, and in this branch was 
remarkably successful. Mr. Ankener spent one 
winter as teacher in mechanical drawing for the 
board of public instruction, after which, passing 
the civil service examination, he was appointed 
topographical draughtsman in the park depart- 
ment of New York in the annexed district. After 
a service of some eighteen months he obtained a 
leave of absence and took charge of the improve- 
ment of Bowery Bay Beach for Steinway, plan- 
ning the work himself and giving his personal at- 
tention to its execution. This occupied about a 
year, and when Mr. Ankener returned to the park 
department it was to offer his resignation. This 
being accepted he then became assistant engineer 
on the board of electrical control of New York, 
holding this position for about five years. 

This brings us to 1893, when the improvement 
in Long Island City first began. Mr. Ankener 
was then appointed chief engineer of the Im- 
provement Commission, which position he con- 
tinued to hold until January i, 1896. He prose- 
cuted the work of the company in a very thorough 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



233 



manner and under his able management three 
large sewers were built: Broadway, Prospect, 
Hopkins, Henry, and Harmon Streets were 
paved; the vicinity around the city hall greatly 
improved by the laying of asphalt pavement, and 
the value of property throughout the city greatly 
enhanced. Mr. Ankener is a man of fine execu- 
tive and business ability, as has been manifested 
in the work which he has accomplished since 
coming to America, and those who are most in- 
terested in the work of improving this section 
know that they may uniformly rely upon his in- 
tegrity and good judgment. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Fred- 
ricka Reuter occurred in New York City in 1870. 
This lady was born in Ostfriesland, Germany, 
in 1844. She became the mother of eight chil- 
dren, and remained the loving companion and 
helpmate of her husband until 1894, when she 
was called to the land beyond. The children are 
all living and at home with their father. 

Mr. Ankener is a stanch supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles, and during the administration 
of Mayor Petry was civil service examiner. He 
belongs to the Austrian Society of Civil Engin- 
eers and Architects of Vienna and is also a mem- 
ber of the Technical Society of New York. He 
is a talented musician and takes great pleasure 
in meeting with the Frohsinn Singing Society, 
also the Eichenkranz Singing Society of New 
York. In religious matters he still clings to the 
faith of his ancestors and is a member of the 
Society of Friends. He is a Mason of good stand- 
ing and m.eets with Advance Lodge No. 635, of 
Astoria, with which he is connected. 



BEN BLEIER. The student of human 
progress, and the youth who seeks, in the 
struggle for success, an example worthy 
of his emulation, will find in the career of Ben 
Bleier one more proof that the road to prosperity 
is a plain and narrow path, which lies open to 
almost every ambitious man. Inheriting from 
his ancestors an indomitable will and untiring en- 
ergy, with his active brain and the ambition of 
youth he has gained a fortune and an enviable 
reputation in business circles. Though his resi- 
dence is in New York, much of his time is spent 
in Long Island City, where he is manager of the 
Eastern Distilling Company. 

The birth of Mr. Bleier took place in Canajo- 
harie, N. Y., October 8, i860. He is the son of 



Leopold Bleier, a native of Vienna, Austria, who, 
under the instruction of his father, gained a thor- 
ough knowledge of the manufacture of yeast, and 
followed that occupation in his native land. After 
his marriage to Josephine Fleischmann he came 
to New York some time during the '50s, arriving 
in the city without a dollar in his possession. 
Poverty, however, had no terrors for him, as he 
was young, energetic and ambitious. His ability 
in his chosen occupation soon became apparent 
and he was recognized as an expert in yeast mak- 
irtg and distilling. Instituting headquarters in 
New York, he traveled throughout the North and 
West giving necessary pointers and instructions 
to agents. As soon as he had the business 
started his brothers-in-law, Messrs. Fleischmann, 
joined him, and together they laid the foundation 
of the concern now known all over the country. 
After establishing works at Cincinnati the firm 
soon opened a factory in Blissville, Long Island 
City, on Newtown Creek, and since that time 
1870, they have built up a very large trade. They 
occupy about four acres, on which are located the 
necessary buildings for the proper management 
of the business. The firm was first known as 
Bleier, Fleischmann & Co., later was incorpo- 
rated under the name of Fleischmann & Co. 
About the time of the incorporation Mr. Bleier, 
owing to ill health, retired from active connec- 
tion with the firm, although he is still a silent 
partner. The first president of the company, 
Maximilian Fleischmann, died on the steamer 
"Columbia"' in Ocean Bay, and the president at 
this writing is Charles F., brother of Maximilian. 
The senior Mr. Bleier makes his home at No. 
40 East Twenty-second Street, where he is sur- 
rounded by all the comforts that can enhance 
the happiness of life, and while he is not now 
actively engaged in business, yet it requires a con- 
siderable portion of his time to look after his 
large property and monetary interests. Socially 
he is a Master Mason, prominent in the order. 

The mother of our subject was born in Austria, 
where her father, A. N. Fleischmann, was a yeast 
manufacturer. During his residence in that coun- 
try he served in the Austrian army. When ad- 
vanced in years he came to the United States, 
where he remained until his death. In the family 
of Leopold and Josephine Bleier there are three 
children, namely: Herman, who is the manager 
of Fleischmann & Co.'s works in Cincinnati ; Ben ; 
and Helen, wife of T. G. Stein, of New York. The 
subject of this notice was educated in the gram- 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mar schools of New York and Hoboken Acad- 
emy. About 1875 he commenced to learn the 
business under his father, and soon became a 
practical yeast maker and distiller. He had charge 
of different departments until 1891, when he was 
made manager of the works at Long Island City. 
This is the company's largest factory, having a 
capacity of two thousand bushels per day and 
furnishing employment to about two hundred 
and thirty hands. Grain is brought direct from 
the West, and to assist in the work they have a 
large grain elevator, also a coal elevator and a 
switch from the Long Island Railroad. The busi- 
ness has been so systematized that the yeast is 
delivered fresh every day in every city and village 
of the United States and Canada; and in addition 
to the factory here, there are works in Buffalo, 
N. Y., East Millstone, N. J., and Cincinnati, Ohio. 
In New York Mr. Bleier married Miss Johanna, 
daughter of Mrs. L. W. Stecker, of Hamburg, 
where she was born. They and their children, 
Maude J., Francis H. and Leopold W., make their 
home at No. 141 West Eighty-first Street, New 
York. In business Mr. Bleier is progressive, 
wide-awake and thoroughgoing. His tact is pro- 
nounced and the success of the works at Long 
Island City is largely due to his instrumentality. 
He is one of the most genial and affable of men 
and deserves every measure of the good fortune 
to Avhich he has attained. 



FREDERICK BOWLEY. Enterprising 
measures and progressive methods are 
business requirements of the nineteenth 
century, and few of the younger men engaged 
in active enterprises have shown these Cjualifica- 
tions in a more marked degree than Mr. Bowley, 
wholesale and retail butcher at Nos. 200, 202 and 
204 Main Street, Long Island City. He is the 
owner of the largest, finest and most complete 
meat market in Queens County, and his refrig- 
erators, one of which is always kept below zero, 
are filled with ice of his own manufacturing, he 
being the owner of an ice plant. 

Mr. Bowley is a native of New York City, born 
in the year 1853, ^^^ is the son of Jacob F. and 
Rosanna (Drexzel) Bowley, the former a native 
of Stuttgai-t, Germany, and the latter of Austria. 
The grandfather was a prominent farmer of Ger- 
many and our subject was named after him. 
Jacob F. Bowley was with Kossuth in the war 
in Germany in 1849, ^i^d the same year came 



here as an exile with him. For many years he 
resided in New York City, but spent the closing 
scenes of his life with our subject, dying March, 
1891. Mrs. Bowley now makes her home in 
Poughkeepsie. Of the four children born to this 
estimable couple our subject is the eldest in order 
of birth. The others are : George, who conducts 
a meat market in Astoria; Edward, a barber in 
New York City, and Mrs. J. Schleth. 

Frederick Bowley received good educational 
advantages up to the age of twelve years, attend- 
ing the grammar schools of New York City, but 
at that age was bound out for five years to learn 
the butcher's trade and soon became familiar with 
every detail of the business. He then went West 
for one year and worked at his trade in Illinois, 
Iowa, Michigan, Kansas and Nebraska, but sub- 
sequently returned to New York City, where he 
continued his business for a year, being in the 
employ of a Mr. Korb. After that he started out 
in business for himself, but owing to too much 
credit succumbed to the panic of 1873. 

Following this Mr. Bowley entered the employ 
of Richard Webber, of the Harlem Packing 
House, the largest industry of the kind in the 
world, and continued with him for seven years. 
He first received $10 per week, but subsequently, 
becoming buyer and manager, received $50 per 
week and expenses. Having saved up consid- 
erable means, by 1882 he branched out in busi- 
ness for himself again in One Hundred and Thir- 
teenth Street, New York City, and carried on a 
retail meat market there until 1887. Then pur- 
chasing a lot in Astoria, Long Island City, he 
started a branch store and conducted both the 
New York City market as well as the one in 
Astoria until 1888, when he sold out the former. 
He is now the owner of five lots in Astoria and 
four good business houses. His market is 75x109 
feet, with an L 50x75 feet. Two of his three 
stores are for retail business and No. 204 for 
wholesale purposes. Mr. Bowley also has two 
branch stores, one at Jamaica Avenue and Win- 
ans Street, and the other at the corner of Free- 
man Avenue and Radde Street. Besides these 
he has a branch at Flushing, where he does a 
wholesale and retail business. 

Mr. Bowley's refrigerators, five in number, are 
of these dimensions: First, 25x65 feet; second, 
15x17 feet; third, 13x16, for smoked meat; fourth, 
5x12, order box, and fifth, 4x12, for pickled meat 
and poultry. He receives his water supply from 
three artesian wells and a large cistern, supplies 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



his own electric light and manufactures his own 
ice. He has twenty wagons out in the city, em- 
ploys fifty hands, and is doing an astonishing 
amount of business. Orders are called for and 
delivered promptly, and to every order the most 
careful attention is given by courteous and ex- 
perienced assistants, while the most moderate 
prices prevail. Mr. Bowley is a great lover of 
horseflesh and is the owner of "Dandy," whose 
record is 2:37, and "May H." 2:15. 

Mr. Bowley resides above his store, and his 
home is kept in admirable condition by his esti- 
mable wife, formerly Miss Annie Poles, who was 
born in New York City, and who is of Holland- 
Dutch extraction. They have no children living, 
but adopted and reared three children. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bowley are both very liberal and generous. 
In 1893 the former used every endeavor to se- 
cure the assistance of two or three leading busi- 
ness men, with himself, in renting a place of the 
city, and he agreed to stock the place with meat 
for the poor of the city. He could not get them 
interested, however, and he and Mrs. Bowley 
donated $1,000 to the poor and distributed tick- 
ets to clergymen of all denominations to give to 
all deserving people five hundred loaves of bread 
every other day and two pounds of meat to each, 
this good work to be carried on from the ist of 
November to the ist of April. 

Mr. Bowley was recently elected alderman at 
large of the second district on the Jefiferson 
Democrat ticket, and is also a member of the 
General Improvement Commission. He has 
never affiliated with any particular party and 
is independent in his political views. Socially he 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also 
an honorary member of the Queens County Ath- 
letic Club. 



He died at the age of forty-two years, after which 
his widow and four children (two of whom lived 
to grow up) came to America. Mrs. Bogen, who 
has passed her eighty-third milestone, but is yet 
hale and hearty, makes her home in Brooklyn 
with her son Fred. 

In his native land Fred Bogen attended the 
public schools until fourteen, when he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the barber's trade. After com- 
pleting the trade -he worked at it until he entered 
the German army in 1864, being a member of 
Company 9, Third Battalion. He was in the 
Austro-Prussian War in 1866 and was in the 
battles of Kissingen and Carlten Nordtheim, 
after which he worked at his trade for one year. 
May 18, 1867, he landed in New York from the 
steamer "Atlanta" and at once opened a barber 
shop there, but continued it but a short time 
when he went to Freehold, N. J., where nine 
months were spent. The following year was spent 
in New York and Brooklyn, and in the former 
city he was married on the 23d of February, 1869, 
to Miss Margareta Gerhart, also a native of Ger- 
many. Soon after this Mr. Bogen took up his 
abode on Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 
and worked at his trade for five years, the follow- 
ing six years being spent as a liquor dealer. Au- 
gust 20, 1880, he came to Blissville, Long Island 
City, and became the proprietor of a grocery, hay 
and feed store, at the corner of Greenpoint and 
Star Avenues, and was very successfully engaged 
in business at that place up to 1890, when he sold 
out his stock, leased his houses and retired to his 
beautiful residence. No. 138 Newell Street, Brook- 
lyn. He still owns valuable property in Long 
Island City: the residence at No. 108 Star Ave- 
nue, a three story double house, each with a 
twenty-five foot frontage, the residence at No. 
loi Pearsall Street, and three large store build- 



FREDERICK BOGEN belongs to a class 
familiar to us as self-made men. He is not 
indebted to fortuitous circumstances for 
the sticcess which has come to him, no legacies 
have descended to him and no accidents have be- 
friended him. His watchword, work, has been 
the secret of his success and it stands for a long 
road and one hard to travel, but he traversed it 
boldly and perseveringly in his youth and early 
manhood with good results. Mr. Bogen was 
born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, May 22, 1842, a 
son of Ludwig and Eleanora (Hess) Bogen, also 
natives of Rheinpfalz, the former a baker by trade. 



Mr. Bogen's family consists of three children: 
Fred, Jr., who is in business in Greenpoint, Brook- 
lyn; Eliza, Mrs. Klabaur, of Greenpoint; and 
Henry, who is attending Bryant & Stratton's 
Business College. Mr. Bogen has always been 
a Republican, and is usually a delegate to that 
party's conventions. He is past conductor of 
Herder Lodge, F. & A. M., of Greenpoint, and 
for twenty-three years has been a member of Mt. 
Ararat Lodge, I. O. O. F., of the same place. He 
also belongs to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen of Greenpoint, and has been its treas- 
urer ever since he joined it, fi-ve years ago. He 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



is a member of the Beethoven Leiderkranz Mu- 
sical Society and the Germania Benevolent So- 
ciety. He is treasurer of the Lincoln Club, of 
Long Island City, purchased the house for the 
club and is one of its charter members. He and 
his family are attendants of the German Lutheran 
Church of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 



CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN, proprietor of 
Ft. Andersen, North Beach, and deputy 
sheriff of Queens County, was born in 
Flensburg, Denmark, October 19, 1842, and was 
a member of a family consisting of eight children, 
of whom four are living. His parents were An- 
drew J. and Marie (Johansen) Andersen, the for- 
mer a Dane by birth, and for twenty-five years 
the incumbent of an office the equivalent of that 
of constable in the United States. He spent his 
entire life in his native land, where he died about 

1863. 

The first fourteen years of our subject's life 
were passed beneath the parental roof and in at- 
tendance at the Danish schools. In 1856 he took 
passage on a sailing vessel for New York City, 
where he arrived after a voyage of sixty-eight 
days. Though he had but $3 in his pocket, he 
paid all liabilities the Saturday following his ar- 
rival. Without any loss of time he secured em- 
ployment at the trade of a cigarmaker, at which 
he had served a short apprenticeship prior to 
coming to America. At this trade he worked 
about eleven years, and in 1867 he embarked in 
the cigar business for himself, opening a store 
on Third Avenue. Three years later he removed 
to the corner of Fifty-ninth Street and Third Ave- 
nue, and after two years in that location, in 1872 
he moved his store to Astoria, where he was 
successfully engaged until 1876. He then opened 
a public house, which he conducted until 1879, 
and during that year he removed to the White 
House, which was later named Andersen Square 
by the board of aldermen, through the courtesy 
of Patrick J. Gleason, mayor of Long Island City. 

Disposing of his interests there in 1889, Mr. 
Andersen came to North Beach and established 
his present business. During the intervening 
years Ft. Andersen has become one of the popu- 
lar resorts for picnic parties and those seeking 
a pleasant day of recreation during the summer 
months. In 1867 our subject married Miss Julia 
S. Miieller, of New York City, and thirteen chil- 
dren were born of their union, of whom the fol- 



lowing survive: Andrew J., who is married, has 
one child, and is a practicing physician of Long 
Island City; Christian J., who is married and has 
one child, and is at this writing a student in a 
law school in New York City; Amiel J-, who is 
married, and assists his father in the manage- 
ment .of his business ; Marie, wife of Carl Klein, 
a machinist of Brooklyn ; Sophia and Lottie, who 
are with their parents. 

In 1872 Mr. Andersen was the nominee, on 
the Republican ticket, for the office of alderman 
of the nineteenth ward, but was defeated by 
Christian Schwartz. In 1878 he was appointed 
deputy sheriff under Alohzo B. Wright and has 
served in that capacity continuously since that 
time. Socially he has been a Mason since 1872, 
and in 1876 built the Advance Lodge, No. 635, 
building of Long Island City, of which his son 
Andrew is the present master. He has always 
supported public enterprises and takes a warm 
interest in all municipal affairs. 



ACONROY HAYNES. Probably no bus- 
iness man in Far Rockaway is more 
• shrewd, careful and persistent in his un- 
dertakings than Mr. Haynes, who is a member 
of the firm of Haynes Brothers, and the sole man- 
ager of the business since the death of his brother. 
In this village he is known and honored as a 
capable and efficient young man, and the success 
which so early in life has crowned his efforts 
proves the possession on his part of superior 
intelhgence and ability. The business was estab- 
lished here by L. W. GuUager in 1892, and was 
purchased in June, 1893, by William P. Haynes, 
our subject being taken in as partner in February, 
1894. The senior member of the firm died Sep- 
tember 21, 1895, since which time his brother, 
our subject, has controlled the business, which 
is still carried on under the name of Haynes 
Brothers. 

The father of our subject, Edgar J. Haynes, 
formerly of Brooklyn, but now connected with the 
United States sub-treasury in New York, mar- 
ried Julia F. Cooney, of Albany, and they became 
the parents of five sons and four daughters, of 
whom sjx are now living. They are named as fol- 
lows: George P., clerk in the Continental Bank of 
New York; Edgar J., Jr., a special agent of the 
Springfield Fire Insurance Company of Massa- 
chusetts; A. Conroy; Mary E., wife of Gilbert 




JOHN J. RANDALL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



239 



C. Bedau, of Brooklyn; Agnes and Grace Fran- 
ces, who are at home. 

The birth of our subject took place in Jersey 
City, August 12, 1870. In 1873 the family re- 
moved to Washington, D. C, where the father 
was connected with the United States Treasury 
Department from 1872 until 1876. Returning to 
Brooklyn in the latter year, the son was given 
a public school education in that city, attending 
School No. 35. His first position was in the post- 
ofnce at Far Rockaway, where he was employed 
by Mr. Jennings about two years. Later for three 
years he was with Andrew McTigue, one of the 
prominent real-estate men here.' Meanwhile he 
had formed a large acquaintance and had also 
become familiar with the business, two things 
which were helpful to him afterward when start- 
ing out for himself. Two years were spent as 
coupon clerk in the Continental National Bank of 
New York, where he gained a reputation as an 
excellent clerk. However, the illness of his broth- 
er, who was engaged in the real-estate business at 
Far Rockaway, changed his plans and caused him 
to return here, where he has since remained. He 
seems to have a natural adaptability for the real 
estate business, and being familiar with values, he 
is frequently called upon for the appraisal of prop- 
erty, as his judgment is considered sotmd. In 
addition to his regular work, he has the agency for 
several properties here and carries on a good 
insurance business, also has been of much assist- 
ance to those needing clerical work, which they 
were unable to do themselves. In his political 
opinions he was reared in a stanch faith of Re- 
publican doctrines and supports that party with 
loyalty. 



JOHN J. RANDALL. Classed among the 
prominent and highly honored citizens of 
Freeport, L. I., stands the name of John J. 
Randall, whose record for honesty and upright- 
ness stands second to none. He was born in Suf- 
folk County in 1845, ^ son of Jehial W. and 
Marietta (Morehouse) Randall. The father was 
also a native of Suffolk County, and spent his 
entire life there. A public spirited and thorough- 
going citizen, he gave his hearty support to all 
worthy enterprises. He held a number of local 
positions, discharged the duties most efB.ciently, 
and was highly respected by all who knew him. 
His wife, who was born in Fairfield, Conn., is 
7 



still living, although she has reached the vener- 
able age of four score and two years. 

John J. Randall had the advantages of the dis- 
trict schools during his youth and subsequently 
attended school for a time at Port Jefferson, L. I. 
He grew up on the farm of his father and when 
sixteen years old went to sea, making several 
trips. Not liking the "hfe on the ocean wave" 
he returned home and began learning the car- 
penter's trade, and after completing it engaged 
in business with his brother in Brooklyn. They 
followed building for ten years and then, on ac- 
count of failing health, John J. sold his interest 
in the business and purchased a farm in Suffolk 
County. After tilling the soil for about four 
years he returned to Brooklyn and embarked in 
building and selling, meeting with unusual suc- 
cess. Later he took in as partner W. G. Miller 
and the firm, -which became Randall & Miller, is 
still doing business in Brooklyn. 

In 1885 Mr. Randall came to Freeport, and 
came and went daily from Brooklyn for eight 
years. For the past two years he has been quite 
busy with affairs at Freeport. He has bought 
and built some of the handsomest buildings in this 
section and is a popular and influential business 
man. He is president of and a large owner in 
the Freeport Land Company, and he and his part- 
ner have about five hundred acres here and much 
other land besides. Mr. Randall is now com- 
pleting a very fine residence for himself in Ran- 
dall Park and this, when completed, will contain 
all the modern improvements up to date. 

Mr. Randall selected his life companion in the 
person of Miss Sarah J. Davis of Port Jefferson, 
L. I. She died about ten years after their mar- 
riage, leaving one son, Ernest S., who is a grad- 
uate of Columbia College and now a successful 
architect. In 1880 Mr. Randall was again mar- 
ried, his second wife being Miss Mary F. Over- 
ton, daughter of Hampton Overton of Suffolk 
County. They have two children, Lena F. and 
J. J., Jr. The parents are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church and Mr. Randall was very 
instrumental in the founding of the church at 
Freeport. It now has three hundred members 
and a Sabbath-school of five hundred. In poli- 
tics Mr. Randall is a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles and has abiding faith in his party. 

Our subject was one of the founders of the 
Freeport Bank, of which he has been president 
since its organization. He was instrumental in 
the building up of the school, of which the citi- 



240 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



zens of Freeport are so justly proud, and takes a 
deep interest in every movement of importance. 
Randall & Miller are now building a canal three- 
quarters of a mile in length from the mainland 
to the bay, and this will be of much benefit to 
the city. Mr. Randall is a very progressive citi- 
zen and no one has done more for Freeport, per- 
haps, in the short time he has been here, than he. 



JOSEPH H. BURTIS, a retired farmer liv- 
ing in Hempstead, was born July 15, 1846, 
at the inn kept by his father at Grassy Pond, 
town of Hempstead, and was one, of thirteen chil- 
dren, nine of whom are now living. His parents 
were James and Hannah (Combes) Burtis, the 
former of whom was a son of an extensive land- 
owner of Valley Stream, where he made his home 
until his death in February, 1896, when eighty- 
six years of age. In his younger years he took 
an active part in pubKc affairs and held a number 
of local positions of trust and honor. 

During his boyhood days our subject attended 
school three months of each year, while the re- 
mainder of the time was devoted to work on the 
home farm. He assisted his father until he was 
twenty-one, when he took a position with a whole- 
sale house in Franklin Street, New York. For 
sixteen years he made his home in that city, and 
during five years of this time was in the employ 
of others, but in 1873 established a milk business, 
which he conducted for ten years. In 1883 he 
closed out the business and moving to Valley 
Stream took charge of the farm owned by his 
father-in-law, George Watts, where he remained 
one and one-half years. He then bought a valu- 
able farm at Norwood, where he resided, engaged 
in its cultivation, until 1895, and since that time 
has made his home in Hempstead, where he owns 
a comfortable residence. In addition to this prop- 
erty, he still owns his farm at Norwood and an- 
other farm near Munson. 

In April, 1875, Mr. Burtis married Deborah, 
daughter of George and Priscilla (Fowler) Watts. 
Politically he is a Republican, but has never man- 
ifested a narrow-minded spirit, conceding rather 
to others the same freedom of thought he de- 
mands for himself. In 1891 he was nominated, 
on his party ticket, for the position of overseer 
of the poor for the town of Hempstead, but failed 
to secure the election owing to the Democratic 
majority. With his wife he holds membership 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Hemp- 



stead, and during most of his life has been an 
officer, having served at different times as stew- 
ard, superintendent of the Sunday-school and 
treasurer. While a resident of the city he was 
an active member of the Young Men's Christian 
Association on Twenty-third Street. For a num- 
ber of years he has been associated with the Odd 
Fellows and has filled all the chairs in Hempstead 
Lodge, No. 141, being now past grand. It is 
fitting that after years of active labor he should 
now retire to spend his declining years in the 
enjoyment of the fruits of his toil, surrounded on 
every hand by the evidences of esteem on the 
part of his acquaintances. 



GEORGE C. ANDREWS. There is no 
more important industry in a flourishing 
city or one in which its exponents are in 
greater demand than the builder and contractor. 
The name of Andrews has long been actively and 
prominently identified with the building up of 
Long Island City, and the erection of many of 
her largest and finest residences, for not only is 
George C. Andrews one of the prominent build- 
ers and contractors of the place, but his father, 
Thomas Andrews, -was also a most successful 
contractor there for many years. The latter was 
a native of Oyster Bay, L. I., and of English de- 
scent. During his youth he learned carpenter- 
ing, and in 1853 came to Ravenswood, Long Is- 
land City, and followed his trade here tmtil his 
death in May, 1892, when seventy-one years old. 
He had charge of the building of Bodine Castle 
and many other prominent buildings. He mar- 
ried Miss Fanny L'Hommedieu, a native of 
Smithtown, Suffolk Couiity, and of French origin. 
She is still living and finds a comfortable and 
pleasant home with her children, four in num- 
ber, but only two now residents of Long Island 
City. 

The subject of this notice, the youngest of the 
above mentioned family, was born in Ravens- 
wood, Long Island City, in 1854, and secured a 
good practical education in the second and first 
ward schools. From early boyhood he worked 
at the carpenter trade under his father, and when 
fifteen years old he was foreman on jobs. He 
continued with his father until 1880, when he be- 
came his partner, and they continued in business 
together until the death of the father, since which 
time George C. has carried on the business alone. 
Many of the strongest, best built structures in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



citv are the monuments of his handiwork, and 
he has erected residences by the score. 

Mr. Andrews selected his life companion in 
Miss Mary McPhail, -a native of Canada, and 
daughter of William McPhail, who was a con- 
tractor, house painter and decorator. Their union 
was celebrated in Long Island City, and has re- 
sulted in the birth of two children, Florence E. 
and Lillie May. Mr. Andrews always discharges 
his obligations according to his promises and has 
consequently gained a front place in the rank of 
contractors and builders, as had his father before 
him. The latter was one of the first contractors 
of Ravenswood and a man of unquestioned in- 
tegrity. Socially Mr. Andrews is a member of 
the Ancient Order of LTnited Workmen, and po- 
liticallv he is a Democrat. 



CAPT. JOSEPH BROWN, now deceased, 
was formerly one of the best known resi- 
dents of Astoria, Long Island City, and 
won his title during his long years of service as 
one of the most noted wreckers on the New York 
Bay. The Captain was born in Mystic, Conn., 
in 1825, and was the son of Joseph Brown, a na- 
tive of Fall River, Mass. He was the owner of 
a ship yard at Mystic Bridge, where he made his 
home for a number of years and then came with 
his family to New York, where his brother, Sim- 
eon Brown, was the first houseniover. The pater- 
nal grandfather of our subject also bore the name 
of Joseph. The maternal grandmother of our 
subject married Col. Jesse Maynard, an officer in 
the Revolutionary War. Fle participated in many 
well known battles of that period, and while in the 
fight at Stonington, Conn., was twice wounded. 
Richard Brown, brother of our subject, was 
captain of the crew on the yacht "America,'" which 
won the cup from the English in 1851. Joseph 
was three years of age when his parents removed 
to New York, where many years of his Hfe were 
spent. At the early age of ten he went on board 
his brother Richard's fishing smack and was en- 
gaged on the same for some time. For many 
generations back various members of the Brown 
family had been ship-builders, and when ready 
to engage in business for himself oitr subject 
adopted this vocation, becoming the proprietor 
of what was known as Brown's ship yard on 
Twelfth Street, New York City. He was an ex- 
pert builder and made his own .models, from 
which were made some of the finest vachts ever 



set afloat in New York Harbor. Mr. Brown low- 
ered the yacht "America," which won the Queen's 
cup, which we have mentioned above. He was 
the owner of six pleasure boats at one time, four 
of them bearing the respective names of "Chief," 
"Ciffie," "Mollie," and "Egeria.'' 

In the year 1855 Captain Brown moved into the 
pleasant home now occupied by his widow on 
Brown's Point, which locality was named in their 
honor. For a period of twenty-five years our sub- 
ject was wreckmaster, being first appointed by 
Governor Morgan. During this time, before 
Hell Gate was removed, he saved from utter de- 
struction three hundred and eighty-four vessels, 
and was the means of rescuing thousands of men, 
women and children from watery graves. He 
had a large force of men tmder him and it was 
often necessary to have three crews at work tak- 
ing the vessels from the rocks. Ofttimes the ships 
were damaged to such an extent as to be useless 
to the company who owned them and the Cap- 
tain would then buy them and sell all the machin- 
ery and materials which could be at all utilized, 
and in this manner made considerable money. 
He was a true sportsman and sailed four races 
with the yacht "Fannie,"' which he built, and 
which won on every occasion. 

The marriage of Captain Brown and Miss Cath- 
erine Wood occurred in Brooklyn in 1846. Mrs. 
Brown, who was born on Staten Island, was the 
fifth generation born in one house. She was the 
daughter of Samuel Wood, a blacksmith and 
wheelwright by occupation, who was engaged as 
a custom house quarantme officer for sixteen 
years. Grandfather Samuel Wood, who followed 
milling during the greater part of his life, was of 
English descent and during the Revolutionary 
War served as a soldier in the ranks. He mar- 
ried a Miss Nellie Barton, a native of France. 
Mrs. Brown's mother prior to her marriage was 
Aletta Burbank, a native of Staten Island, and 
the daughter of Jacob Burbank, a farmer by oc- 
cupation. This lady lived to be eiglity years of 
age, as did also her husband. They were the par- 
ents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Brown was 
the oldest. She passed the first nineteen years 
of her life on Staten Island, and then removed 
to Brooklyn, which city was her home for five 
years. She is now residing in her pleasant home 
on Brown's Point, where she has resided for for- 
ty years. Of her five children we make the fol- 
lowing mention: William resides in Brooklyn 
and is captain on one of the vessels plying East 



242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



River; Elizabeth is Mrs. Zimmerman, of Brown's 
Point; Joseph is a poHceman of Long Island Cit)^; 
Thomas is engaged as an engineer, also in the 
above city; Richard is captain on the East River 
ferry at Ninety-second Street. He was made 
pilot on one of the ferries when twenty-one years 
of age, and has been with one concern ever since. 
In his business dealings Captain Brown's career 
was marked with honor and integrity to the high- 
est degree and the success which he achieved was 
due to those qualities, united with good financial 
management. He departed this life in January, 
1888, firm in the faith of the Baptist Church, of 
which he had been a member for many years. 



BENJAMIN ZINSER BOYD. When the 
biographer attempts to chronicle events in 
the lives of those who are just starting out 
in prosperous careers, and who, in the prime of 
life may justly look forward to golden honors in 
future years, he finds the privilege a pleasant, 
though by no means an easy one. Indeed, he 
can do little more than briefly sketch the events 
which have so marked the life of the subject as 
to individualize it from the career of others, and 
leave all else to the future historian. 

Mr. Boyd, who is foreman of Engine No. 5, 
has the distinction of being the youngest foreman 
on the paid fire department of Long Island City. 
He was born in New York City December 13, 
1867, being a son of Albert L. Boyd, who for 
eighteen years had a hat store in the Coleman 
House, New York City, but from there removed 
to Long Island City, where for some time he was 
deputy in the office of the city treasurer. In 
April, 1895, he- resigned that position and has 
since lived in retirement, though he still owns and 
gives some attention to the management of a hat 
store on Broadway, Long Island City. He is an 
expert accountant, rapid and accurate in such 
.transactions. His father, Benjamin Boyd, a na- 
tive of Lorraine, France, accompanied his par- 
ents to America in boyhood and settled in New 
York City, where he had a barber shop on 
Eighth Avenue, near Eighteenth Street. On re- 
tiring from business he came to Long Island City, 
where he now resides on Broadway. 

The mother of our subject, Caroline, was born 
in New York City, and was a daughter of Ben- 
jamin Zinser, a native of Alsace, who, coming to 
New York in boyhood, held a position as inter- 
preter at Castle Garden. His home is now in Long 



Island City, where he is known as a linguist of 
ability. Benjamin Z. and his sister, Magdalene, 
are the only children of their parents. The for- 
mer was brought to Long Island City by his par- 
ents at the age of six years and gained a good 
education in the fourth ward school. For three 
years he served an apprenticeship to the trade of 
an awning maker, after which he clerked for 
Stern Brothers of New York for a year, and was 
then with J. & C. Johnson for two years, later 
with Ehricli. 

February 29, 1892, Mr. Boyd was appointed 
fireman on the paid department. He was first 
assigned to duty at the first ward house, but in 
April of the same year was transferred to Astoria 
Engine Company No. 4, where he remained until 
December 8, 1894. The Steinway engine house 
No. 5 having been completed, he was appointed 
foreman of Engine Company No. 5, in which ca- 
pacity he has since served. On Sunday, February 
25, 1894, in a fire on Vernon Avenue, he was 
caught by falling walls from the upper floor of a 
house and was covered by the debris. It was 
necessary to dig down beneath the brick to ex- 
tricate him from his perilous position, and when 
taken out he was unconscious and badly bruised. 
He was at once taken to St. John's Hospital, 
where his limb was placed in a plaster paris cast. 
After about six weeks he recovered sufficiently 
to resume work, though he still feels the effects 
of the injury. 

At the age of eighteen Mr. Boyd became con- 
nected with Protection Engine Company No. 2, 
with which he was identified until it was dis- 
banded. He was a charter member of Long Is- 
land City Council, No. 17, O. A. F., and was its 
first delegate to a convention, representing it at 
Weedsport, N. Y., in 1894. He is also a member 
of the Veteran Firemen's Association. In politics 
he believes that the principles of the Democratic 
party are best adapted to the interests of the peo- 
ple and hence invariably casts his ballot for the 
candidates who, if elected, will uphold those prin- 
ciples. 



M 



YRON C. COMBS, the well-known un- 
dertaker and funeral director of Inwood, 
is a member of a family that was repre- 
sented among the early settlers of this section 
and that has always been characterized by hon- 
esty, fidelity, patriotism and energy on the part of 
its representatives. He is a son of Gilbert D. and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



Margaret (Watts) Combs, natives respectively of 
Inwood and Valley Stream, of vsfhom the former, 
an oyster planter by occupation, is novir living re- 
tired from active btisiness. There were two sons 
and two daughters in the family, of whom the 
three survivors, Leonard, Myron C. and Electa, 
all reside in this village. 

Born here December 15, 1855, the subject of 
this notice received a common school education. 
At the age of seventeen he went to Bayshore to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith and remained there 
nearly three years, after which he returned to In- 
wood and established a shop of his own. He con- 
tinued in that business until 1888, and being fru- 
gal and industrious, able and competent, he ac- 
cumulated considerable property. His kind, sym- 
pathetic disposition, and his recognized efficiency, 
caused his services to be put into requisition fre- 
quently in the laying out of the dead and similar 
work. The undertaker of this section leaving the 
field, and there being no one in that business from 
Rockaway Beach to Hewlett, he thought it a fa- 
vorable opening for himself, and accordingly 
turned his attention to the undertaking business. 
Desiring to know everything in connection with 
the work, he studied at the United States College 
of Embalming, New York, from which he grad- 
uated December 11, 1891. He also graduated 
from the renowned and special Embalming Col- 
lege of Prof. F. A. Sullivan, of Hartford, who for 
a time had a school in New York City. Thus he 
was fully prepared in every detail for his chosen 
work, to which he brought not only natural adap- 
tation but also thorough knowledge. 

Though not a politician, Mr. Combs is a stanch 
Republican, and takes an interest in party matters. 
He is now serving his second year as Coroner, 
and has the distinction of being the only Repub- 
lican ever elected here, his popularity being 
evinced by the fact that he received a large major- 
ity. Socially he belongs to Hempstead Lodge No. 
63, F. & A. M., of which he is master; Seaside 
Lodge No. 260, I. O. O. F., at Inwood, of which 
he is past grand; Court Westville No. 7616, An- 
cient Order of Foresters of America; Ancient Or- 
der of United Workmen, Royal Arcanum and 
Good Templars. At the organization of the Meth- 
odist Protestant Church he was chosen trustee and 
has since held that ofiice, being the present treas- 
urer of the board of stewards and assistant class 
leader ; at one time he was assistant superintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school. To his instrumentality 
was largely due the erection of the neat and com- 



modious house of worship. He married Miss 
Maggie Soper, a native of Barnegat, N. J., and 
they have three children, Clara, Samantha and 
Gilijert. 

The building occupied by Mr. Combs is the best 
in the village and proves his ability as an architect 
and designer. The third story is fitted up for a 
lodge room and provided with every convenience 
for its intended use. From the roof of the build- 
ing may be obtained a fine view of the surround- 
ing country and at night the lights on the Brook- 
lyn bridge may be distinctly seen. His residence, 
which adjoins his store, is a neat dwelling, repre- 
senting his own work in construction. In his barn 
he has good horses and vehicles of every kind, 
suited for the proper management of his business, 
while in his office he has a long distance tele- 
phone for the accommodation of those who may 
wish his services. 



CHARLES T. DUFFY. As a young man 
whose reputation is firmly established and 
whose ability places him in the front rank 
of lawyers of Long Island City may be men- 
tioned Judge Charles T. Duffy. He has fought 
his own way in life, no doubt inheriting his ener- 
gy and ambition from his Irish ancestors. His 
father, Michael Duffy, was born in Dublin, Ire- 
land, and came to the United States when a young 
man, representing his father, who was a manu- 
facturer of calicoes in Dublin. His first location 
was in Canal Street, but after five years he be- 
came a repoi'ter for a paper in New Orleans, La., 
remaining there until a few years before the war. 
Going to New York City, he was European buy- 
er for A. T. Stewart & Co. from 1856 to 1877, and 
afterward was with other firms until 1880, when 
he retired from the active duties of life. His 
death occurred in 1892, when seventy-eight years 
old. From about 1887 he made his home with 
our subject in Long Island City. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the maid- 
en name of Maria Keon, was born in Ireland, but 
received her education in a female seminary in 
England. She came to the United States as a 
governess and taught music for some time prior 
to her marriage. She finds a comfortable and 
pleasant home with her son, Charles T., and con- 
tinued teaching until about 1894. Our subject, 
who was the only child born to his parents, was 
reared in New York, graduating from the schools 
of that city. For two years he was a student in 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the College of the Cit_v of New York. When 
eighteen he left the school room to engage in 
business in New York City, securing a position 
with Lord & Taylor, with whom he remained in 
different capacities until twenty-one years old. 
He then entered the law department of the Uni- 
versity of New York, graduating with the degree 
of LL. B. After that he clerked in the law office 
of Maloy & Forrest and was managing clerk until 
1886. Immediately afterwards he started out in 
business for himself, and in connection with his 
law practice actively engaged in the shoe and 
leather business at No. 271 Broadway, New York 
City. 

In 1885 Mr. Duffy located in Long Island City, 
and has made his home here since. He was mar- 
ried in this city to Miss Ella Keon, and they have 
two interesting children, Arthur and Ferdinand. 
In January, 1893, Mr. Duffy was appointed attor- 
ney to the Board of Health and held that position 
until elected judge in the fall of that year. He 
was on the Jefferson Democratic ticket with 
Judge Ingram, who was a Republican, and they 
were elected by a majority of sixteen hundred. 
On the 1st of January, 1894, Mr. Duffy resigned 
his position as attorney of the Board of Health 
and is now actively engaged in the practice of 
his profession. He is an active Democrat and 
has been president of the Jefferson Club for the 
last two years. Mr. Duffy was also president of 
Ravenswood Boat Club for three years, and still 
takes an active interest in makina; it a success. 




RS. ZACHARIAH PHILIP DENN- 
LER, the widow of Dr. Z. P. Dennler, is 
possessed of more than ordinary intelli- 
gence, push and enterprise, and is well known for 
the interest she has always taken in church work. 
Dr. Dennler was born in Lyons, Wayne County, 
N. Y., September 9, 1838, a son of Philip Henry 
Dennler, A. M., D. D., a native of Alsace, France 
(now a province of Germany), and a member of 
a noble family of that name. Being a man of 
strong Republican views and very outspoken, he 
became unpopular in his own land and was com- 
pelled to seek an asylum in free America, and 
came thither with a letter of recommendation 
from Marquis La Fayette to Governor Schultz, 
of Pennsylvania. He was a fine linguist, was 
well educated and finally became pastor of the 
Lutheran Church at Lyons, N. Y., a position he 
was holding at the time of his death in 1867, when 



over seventy years of age. His wife was Jane, 
daughter of Zachariah Moore, and a native of 
New York. Mr. Moore was a native of Kinder- 
hook, N. Y., and became an extensive farmer on 
the Hudson. He helped to forge the chain that 
rests in the Hudson River at West Point, for he 
was also a practical blacksmith as well as a far- 
mer. His father was of Scotch descent and a 
soldier of the Revolution. 

Dr. Z. P. Dennler received his literary educa- 
tion in the public schools of Lyons and pursued 
his professional studies in the medical college at 
Geneva, from which he was graduated as an M. 
D. in i860, being at that time twenty-two years 
of age. Soon after this he enlisted in the service 
of the United States and was placed in charge- 
of the hospital at Washington, D. C, and later be- 
came surgeon of the Seventh United States Cav- 
alry Troops. When Lincoln was assassinated it 
was his surgical probe that was used to locate the 
bullet and this instrument is still with the relics 
of the martyred President in Washington. The 
Doctor was in that city at the Grand Review, but 
later, with the old Seventh Cavalry, went to In- 
dianola, Tex., and there remained eighteen 
months, when he was mustered out of the service. 
He then made his way to New Orleans, where 
he remained several months in private practice, 
but during his army career he had acquired a 
love for miHtary life, and he re-enlisted in the 
regular service. His command was stationed at 
Jackson Barracks, La. At the end of one year he 
left the service, after having passed through a 
siege of yellow fever, and came North to recuper- 
ate, bringing with him a complimentary letter 
from his commander. 

In Lyons, N. Y., in December, 1859, the Doc- 
tor was married to Miss Mary Layton, and upon 
coming to Ft. Hamilton, L. I.; to recover his 
health, he was persuaded by his wife to resign 
his position in the regular army, after which he 
located in Long Island City and began the gen- 
eral practice of his profession. He became one 
of the foremost practitioners of the place, his pat- 
ronage being exceptionally large, and he was 
without doubt the finest surgeon of his day in 
Long Island. Always very charitably inclined, 
he wag in every sense of the word "the poor man's 
friend," and was always very public spirited. For 
many years he was surgeon and physician for the 
Long Island Railroad and held that position un- 
til his death, which occurred in May, 1890. He 
was also physician at the jail at this place, was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



245 



a prominent member of the Board of Health, in 
which he held official position, and filled other re- 
sponsible positions. For many years he was a 
member of the Medical Historical Society of New 
York City, the State Medical Society, the Queens 
County Medical Society, and for a long time was 
connected with the Grand Army post at this place, 
to which his wife presented the first flag. Social- 
ly he was a Knight Templar Mason, belonging 
to Island City Lodge, Banner Chapter and St. 
Elmo Commandery. 

The Doctor was for many years connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and was an ac- 
complished and skillful musician, being particu- 
larly gifted as an organist and pianist, which ac- 
complishment he no doubt inherited from his 
worthy father, who was also a musician of no 
ordinary ability. The Doctor played the organ in 
the church at Lyons when he was but ten years 
of age. He could arrange and compose music; 
in fact was a natural musician. He constructed 
the block at the corner of Jackson Avenue and 
Fourth Street, which he leased for a drug store, 
but the lessee died and the Doctor then carried on 
a prescription drug store until his death, since 
which time it has been conducted by his son-in- 
law. 

Mrs. Dennler was born in Lyons, N. Y., a 
daughter of John Layton, and there and in Roch- 
ester Seminary she was educated. Her marriage 
with Dr. Dennler resulted in the birth of four 
children, two of whom are living. Adelaide L. 
became the wife of Alfred E. Turner, who was 
born in London, England. He is at the head of 
the drug business of Dennler & Turner and is 
an exceptionally skillful, accurate and reliable 
pharmacist. Philip Henry Dennler is studying 
medicine in the LTniversity of New York City. 
The two children who died were Burton D. and 
Zachariah. Mrs. Dennler is a member of Grace 
Methodist Episcopal Church, is an active member 
of the Epworth League as well as of all other so- 
cieties connected with that church; in fact is a 
true Christian and an active worker for the good 
of humanity. She is secretary of the New York 
Eastern Conference in the Woman's Foreign 
Missionary Society and was a delegate to St. 
Louis to the general executive board of the so- 
ciety in 1895. She is a member of the board of 
lady managers of the House of Refuge on Ran- 
dalls Island, devoting a great deal of her time 
to this work, and is also connected with the As- 
toria Hospital. She was a member of the State 



Board of Lady Managers for the Columbian Ex- 
position at Chicago in 1893, from the second sen- 
atorial district of New York, and was one of its 
most active and useful members. In the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union she is also interest- 
ed and all good works receive her encouragement 
and support. Her husband was a personal friend 
of Roscoe Conkling. 



JOHN I. DE BEVOISE is probably the old- 
est native-born citizen of Long Island City. 
He is enabled to trace his ancestry back to 
his great-great-great-grandfather, Carel De Be- 
voise, a native of France, who at the time of the 
persecution of the Huguenots in that country fled 
with others to Holland, where he was afterward 
married. He continued to live in that kingdom 
for some time, but in 1659 came to America, locat- 
ing where now stands the city hall of Brooklyn, 
in Duffield Street. 

Our subject was born in Long Island City, then 
Newtown, August 13, 1813. His father, John 
De Bevoise, was born in the same house, which 
is located in Hill Street. The latter was a farmer 
by occupation, engaging in this pursuit with very 
profitable results until the time of his decease, in 
1822, when fifty-six years of age. In 1817 he re- 
paired his father's old home, which is in a good 
state of preservation, and is rented. The father 
was a devoted member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church and was active in all good works in his 
community. He married Miss Eve Van Allen, a 
native of Bushwick, L. I., and the daughter of 
Dr. Andrew Van Allen. The latter was of Hol- 
land extraction and in the early days was one 
of the skilled physicians of Queens County. Mrs. 
De Bevoise died about i860. Of the family of 
children of whom she was the mother five grew 
to mature years. George is now deceased, as are 
also Ann, Mrs. Oakly ; NelHe, Mrs. Van Alst, and 
Andrew, our subject being the only survivor of 

tlie family. 

John I. De Bevoise has spent his entire life on 
the farm which was formerly occupied by his 
father. During his early years he attended a 
school in Skillman Avenue, which was conducted 
on the subscription plan, each scholar being com- 
pelled to pay a certain amount for the term. The 
teacher boarded around with the pupils and every- 
thing in and about the school was primitive. 
Ouill pens were used by the scholars and during 
the winter they were made very uncomfortable 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by the cold bixezes which crept in between the 
cracks in the doors and windows. 

John was only nine years of age when his fath- 
er died, and when a lad of fifteen years he started 
out to make his own way in life. At that time he 
was apprenticed to a tailor at Williamsburg, now 
Brooklyn, and after following this business for a 
period of six years abandoned it and gave his at- 
tention to farming, which occupation was more 
to his liking. In company with his brother he 
purchased the old homestead of sixty-eight acres 
and for two years they were engaged in its culti- 
vation. The property was then divided, our sub- 
ject taking as his share thirty-eight acres in Hill 
Street. On this he erected a large frame house 
which is now occupied by Geoi-ge McA. Gosman, 
and gave his attention to farming the land until 
the city assumed such proportions that his place 
became very valuable. He then disposed of it 
at a handsome profit, and in 1877 became the pro- 
prietor of the place whereon he now makes his 
home. This contains twenty lots in Academy 
Street and forms one of the most beautiful spots 
in the city. Mr.- De Bevoise has been an 'eye 
witness of the wonderful development and im- 
provement of Long Island City and during his 
i-nore active years he aided very materially in 
bringing about this marvelous result. 

The subject of this sketch was married in New- 
town to Miss Jane De Bevoise, a native of Fresh 
Pond Junction, and a daughter of Jacob De Be- 
voise, also born in this locality. This lady traced 
her ancestry back to the same family in France 
as does our subject, but was very distantly related 
to him. Mr. and Mrs. De Bevoise became the 
parents of three children: Jacob, a farmer, 
whose home is near Richmond Hill, L. I.; Eva 
Annetta, now Mrs. Kolyer, of Long Island City, 
and John, who departed this life when young. 
The wife and mother is also deceased, passing 
away in 1883. Mr. De Bevoise is a regular at- 
tendant and member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church. During his younger days he was a 
Henry Clay Whig, but he now votes independ- 
ently. 



JAMES DE ST. LEGIER This well-known 
business man of Hicksville was born in the 
city of Limerick, Ireland, August 23, 183 1. 
Though of Irish birth, he is a member of a French 
Huguenot family of noble lineage, his great- 
grandfather having been obliged to flee from 



Paris during the religious persecutions that sent 
so many Huguenots, homeless and penniless, to 
seek refuge in other lands. He settled in Ireland 
and became the founder of the family in that 
country. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
numbered many children, but with the exception 
of two all are now deceased. On leaving home 
they became widely scattered, some going to one 
country and others to another, so that they never 
met again in an undivided family circle. John, 
who was educated for the Episcopalian ministry, 
was for some time rector of a church in Devon- 
shire, England, but later had a pastorate in Wales, 
and while returning from that country in 1861 
he was killed in a railroad disaster. Christopher 
came to America, enhsted in the Union Army 
at the opening of the Civil War, and fought with 
valor until he was killed at the first battle of Bull 
Run. Margaret, deceased, married Robert Smith 
and moved to Melboui-ne, Australia, where her 
family still reside. Catherine was married in Ire- 
land to Henry Baker and after his death she came 
to the United States, where she died. Ann, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Michael Conners, of Phil- 
adelphia. Ehza, Mrs. Samuel D. Wilkinson, died 
in Australia. Mary A., Mrs. William D. Alley, 
died in New York. Conrad, Adam, Philip and 
Michael died when young. Jane is the wife of 
Hopton Noland, who is extensively engaged in 
mining and is one of the wealthy residents of Vic- 
toria, Australia. 

When only ten years of age our subject ran 
away from home and shipped as cabin boy on an 
American brig bound for New York, Avhere lived 
a married sister. After visiting her for a short 
time he shipped to New Orleans, where he spent 
five years engaged in various occupations, being 
for some time employed as a compositor in the 
composing rooms of the "Picayune." From New 
Orleans he went to Europe, but did not visit his 
old home. On his return to New York he began 
an apprenticeship to the trade of a tinsmith, but 
afterward changed his plans and for a number of 
years was interested in the printing business. At 
the first call made by President Lincoln for volun- ' 
teers he enlisted in 1861 in Company I, Fourth 
New York Infantry, but soon after entering the 
service, during target practice in Central Park, 
New York, he received an injury which disabled 
him for life and which rendered active service 
in the field impossible. Desirous, however, of 
assisting in some way, he took a position as cook 




DAVID HISCOX. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



249 



on a trading schooner freighted by the govern- 
ment and served in that capacity through the re- 
bellion, receiving an honorable discharge at its 
close. Notwithstanding the fact that he was dis- 
abled while in the service of the country and 
thereby incapacitated for active labor, he in com- 
pensation was allowed the munificent sum of $4 
per month, which has recently been increased 
to $6. 

Coming to Hicksville in 1873 Mr. De St. Legier 
embarked in business on a small scale and from 
year to year has increased the trade and stock, 
until he now carries a large and complete assort- 
ment of stoves of all kinds and a well-selected 
stock of general hardware. Besides this, he has 
a large trade in plumbing and tinsmithing. By 
his marriage to Emma Parsons, a lady of English 
Tjirth, he has four children, namely: John C, 
Tvho is engaged in business in Hicksville ; Emma 
L., Carrie E. and Blanche F. 



DAVID HISCOX. The life of this gentle- 
man proves what is within the power of 
everyone to accomplish, providing he 
•possesses a strong physique, gi-eat perseverance 
-and an indomitable will. Since boyhood he has 
had to depend entirely upon his own exertions, 
but with a determination to succeed he worked 
earnestly and constantly, and now, ere old age 
has come to him, he can rest fi-ee from care and 
anxiety, with the consciousness that his present 
prosperity is due to his industry and ability. 

Now a resident of Long Island City, Mr. His- 
cox was born in Newfoundland, N. J., October 4, 
1837. The family of which he is a member orig- 
inated in England and Wales, whence three 
brothers emigrated to America during the time 
of one of the early wars and established their 
home inMassachusetts. The name was originally 
Hitchcock, but was changed to its present spell- 
ing during the life of our subject's grandfather, 
David, who was a native of Woodstock, Conn., 
and a farmer by occupation. 

The father of our subject, Freeman Hiscox, 
was born in Connecticut, grew to manhood upon 
a farm, and taught school in New Jersey, where 
he married Nancy Westerfield. Later he was 
■engaged in business in Cahfornia and also was 
a railroad contractor and lumber merchant. Un- 
der him there were a large number of men felling 
trees and hauling ship timber to mills. He made 
"his home principally in New York, but died in 



Newark when he was seventy-one. In 1866 he 
went to Virginia and bought a farm, but being 
ill and disabled returned to the North after one 
year. Politically he first identified himself with 
the Whigs and later became a Republican upon 
the organization of that party. 

Our subject's mother was born in New Jersey 
and died at the age of fifty-three. Her father, 
David, also a native of New Jersey, was of Ger- 
man extraction and by occupation was a farmer. 
She became the mother of three sons and two 
daughters, who are now living, David being the 
eldest of the family. He was reared in Ft. Lee 
and New York City, attending Grammar School 
No. 15 in Fifth Street, where he graduated. He 
entered New York College, where he remained 
until his junior year and then, owing to ill health, 
gave up his studies. For several years he was 
clerk in his father's timber yard in Sixteenth 
Street, but the gradual abandoning of the use 
of wooden ships caused the business to be closed 
out. He then began the study of art, making a 
specialty of landscape painting, but his health 
again becoming impaired, forced him to change 
his occupation. Entering the wholesale drug 
house of S. R. Van Duzer, he was placed in 
charge of the manufacture of patent medicines, 
and in that way was led into his present business. 

Resigning the position in 1875, Mr. Hiscox 
associated himself with other gentlemen and 
started in the manufacture of medicines in New 
York City, meeting with success from the start. 
He began the manufacture of Parker's Hair Bal- 
sam and Ginger Tonic, but has since added to 
his manufactures from time to time, his other 
specialties now being Hindercorns, Greve's Oint- 
ment and Greve's Horse Ointment. In 1868 he 
bought, and two years later built, at No. 382 
Webster Avenue, and in 1890 erected a large 
brick building, 40x75, three stories in height, 
with elevator and other conveniences, and here 
he has his manufactory and storeroom. Business 
is carried on under the name of Hiscox & Co. 
His medicines are sold not only in the United 
States but throughout the world, and have built 
up for their energetic proprietor a wide reputa- 
tion. 

In this city Mr. Hiscox married Miss Mary M. 
Van Velsor, who was born in New York City. 
Her father, Ebenezer, a contractor and builder, 
has for some years resided in Long Island City, 
where he is living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Hiscox 
are the parents of six children, of whom the two 



2SO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eldest, Everett and Jesse, are associated with their 
fatlier in business and are energetic, promising 
young men. The others are Fred, Hattie, May 
and Daisy. As a voter our subject is independent, 
never having bound himself to any party, but 
preferring to cast his ballot for the best man. 
He is a member of the Association of Proprietary 
Articles in the United States, also the Wholesale 
Druggists' Association. He has been prospered 
in business to a remarkable extent. In youth, 
when other boys were in college or whiling away 
their time in sports, he was assisting his father, 
who was heavily in debt, and before he was 
twenty he had accumulated about $10,000 
in his own right. The larger part of this sum 
went to settle his father's debts and straighten 
out his affairs, after which he was free to provide 
for himself. The best years of his Hfe have been 
given to the business of which he has made a 
success. In his social and domestic relations he 
is kind and thoughtful. To the needy he is ten- 
der-hearted and benevolent. In his character he 
combines those qualities of mind and heart that 
render him deservedly popular and secure to him 
the warm friendship of all who know him. 



FREDERICK HOCHSTADTER, who is 
proprietor of a meat market at Far Rock- 
away, is an energetic and industrious busi- 
ness man, and since coming to his present loca- 
tion in 1889 has gained a profitable trade among 
the people of this locality. By birth a German, 
he emigrated from Darmstadt, his native place, 
at the age of seventeen years and settled in New 
York City, where he learned the butcher's trade. 
.He was a poor boy at the time he sought a home 
in America, but he has been economical, prudent 
in his expenditures and judicious in his invest- 
ments. Saving his earnings, he opened a shop 
of his own in the metropolis, where he remained 
in business seventeen years. From there he came 
to Far Rockaway and opened his present store on 
Broadway, where he carries on a large wholesale 
and retail business. His shop is equipped with 
all the conveniences desirable for the trade, in- 
cluding a large refrigerator for the storage of 
meats. During the busy season he gives em- 
ployment to eleven men and uses eight horses, a 
fact which indicates the extent of his trade. In- 
dustry and pluck have brought him prosperity and 
he is now numbered among the well-to-do men 
of the village. 



The three children born of Mr. Hochstadter's 
marriage are : Louis, who is interested in business 
with his father; Milton, who travels as salesman 
for a varnish hotise in the winter and assists in 
the meat market during the summer, and Mrs. 
Lena Block, who has two children, Sadie and 
Flossie, and resides in Brooklyn. In matters po- 
litical Mr. Hochstadter has never identified him- 
self with any party, preferring to exercise his right 
of franchise for the men whom he deems best 
qualified for office, irrespective of party ties. 
He has never sought office for himself, as his 
attention has been closely concentrated upon his 
business affairs, but he keeps well posted regard- 
ing current events and is a loyal citizen of his 
adopted country. 



SAMUEL B. GUERNSEY. It is a grateful 
task to the biographer to tell the story of the 
bravery of the boys in blue who went forth 
to the call of the President and assisted in pre- 
serving the unity of our nation and the honor of 
the flag. No crisis in our country's history had 
so stirred the hearts of the people and so entered 
into the home life of every family as the events 
which are classed under the head of the Civil 
War, and for at least two generations the history 
of that period will bear a peculiar and personal 
value in the eyes of all who love their country. 

Soon after the shot fired at Ft. Sumter had 
aroused every patriotic heart Mr. Guernsey en- 
listed in the Union Army at Ft. Madison, Iowa, 
in that fateful year — 1861. On the organization 
of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry he was elected 
Second Lieutenant, and on the 4th of July, 1863 
(the day on which his regiment entered Vicks- 
burg), he was made First Lieutenant. From that 
time he was engaged on staff duty. When the 
army proceeded to New Orleans he was promoted 
to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, having com- 
mand of the Fourth Engineers for about six 
months. 

An attack of illness obliged Mr. Guernsey to 
resign his commission, and going to Chicago, he 
remained there until his recovery, when he en- 
tered the service as First Lieutenant and Adju- 
tant of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illi- 
nois Infantry. Obeying orders, he reported to 
General Prentice at Quincy, III, to assist in rais- 
ing a brigade. After the brigade was formed his 
regiment being incorporated with it, he was or- 
dered to the department of the Tennessee and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



was detailed on the staff of Gen. N. A. Dudley, 
of the regular army, in which service he remained 
until the close of the ^var. He was then dis- 
charged at Nashville, Tenn. 

During the long period of his service Mr. 
Guernsey had many thrilling experiences. On 
one occasion he was captured by guerrillas and 
held by them about twelve hours, being taken to 
their camp, where a confederate flag was found 
in his possession. He was then liberated and 
found his way to Rolla, Mo., where he reported 
the whereabouts of the rebels. A cavalry detach- 
ment was immediately sent to the camp, the 
guerrillas surrendering without a struggle. While 
on the Red River expedition, at Alexandria, he 
was wounded by a piece of shell, and at another 
time received a flesh wound in the right hip. 

Referring to the ancestral history of this pa- 
triot, we find that he is a son of Ebenezer and 
Maria (Cowles) Guernsey. His father, grand- 
father, Abijah, and great-grandfather, Ebenezer, 
were natives of Connecticut, to which state the 
great-great-grandfather, Joseph, had come with 
three brothers from the Island of Guernsey, being 
obliged to flee on account of the persecution of 
the Huguenots. SettHng in Watertown in 1673, 
they obtained a tract of land almost equalling a 
township in size. In addition to their real estate, 
they owned a number of slaves, and among the 
possessions of the family are some bills of sale of 
slaves and other relics of early times. 

For about three generations the family lived in 
Watertown, but when our subject's father was a 
young man he established a manufacturing in- 
dustry at Sharon, Conn. A man of considerable 
mechanical ability, he invented the small wooden 
mouse traps now in common use, and his partner, 
Asahel Hotchkiss, was the father of the inventor 
of the Hotchkiss gun. Grandfather Abijah 
Guernsey had the distinction of bringing the first 
wagon into Watertown, Conn., and was brave 
enough to take his family to church in it, although 
the general custom was to go on horseback. For 
this he was arrested and fined twenty shillings by 
the selectmen for making an unsual noise on the 
Sabbath day. This same man was, at the age 
of eighteen, drafted into the Colonial Army for 
service in the Revolutionary War, but in his 
stead sent a slave as a substitute, who died at 
Valley Forge. 

The father of our subject remained a manufac- 
turer until his death in 1884, at the age of about 
eighty-four. At one time he was well-to-do, but 



at the time of his demise was comparatively poor. 
Politically he was a Whig during the existence of 
that party, and afterward became a Republican, 
but never mingled actively in political affairs. He 
was a consistent Christian and held membership 
in the Congregational -Church. Our subject was 
born in Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., August 
13, 1834,. and in early boyhood he attended the 
public schools of his native place. At the age of 
ten he accompanied his father back to the old 
homestead at Watertown. In 1871 he married 
Miss Mary Hosier, of New York City, a descend- 
ant of Quaker ancestors. 

From his forefathers Mr. Guernsey inherits 
considerable inventive ability and has patented a 
number of useful articles. Among them ixiay be 
mentioned a door bolt, and when he was in Vicks- 
burg he was interested to find one of these in use 
in that far-away place. Purchasing it, he brought 
it home, and still has it in his possession. Anoth- 
er of his patents is a hollow rake tooth, which 
is quite useful. In 1856 he voted for J. C. Fre- 
mont, and is a loyal, firm Republican, but never 
an office seeker. At one time he held membership 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but now be- 
longs to the Union EvangeHcal Church. Social- 
ly he united with Citizens' Lodge No. 625, F. & 
A. M., New York City, where he was made a 
Mason, and in which he served as senior deacon. 
A thoughtful reader, not only of current litera- 
ture, but of history and different peoples, he has 
frequently lectured on the manners and customs 
of our Puritan ancestors of the eighteenth cen- 
tury. His broad scope of knowledge makes him 
a companionable man, one from whom valuable 
information may always be gained and with w^hom 
many a pleasant hour may be passed. 



CHARLES GOELLER, senior member of 
the firm of Goeller & Sons, manufactur- 
ers and jobbers of wagons at Elmont, was 
born in Preussen, Germany, in 1847, and remained 
in his native place until attaining his majority. 
At the age of twelve he entered the blacksmith 
and wagon shop owned and operated by his fath- 
er, Frank W. Goeller, and there remained until he 
acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade. At 
the age of twenty-one, in company with his sister, 
Catharine, he came to America, joining his broth- 
er, William, who bad preceded him five years 
and was established at Jamaica, L. I. There he 
spent six weeks, after which he secured employ- 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment in the shop of Thomas Weeks at Hemp- 
stead, remaining there for one year. For a similar 
period he engaged with Walter Weeks. 

January 19, 1873, Mr. Goeller bought out the 
business of Albert Rakow at Fosters Meadow 
(now Elmont), and here he has worked up a good 
trade, until now he is proprietor of one of the 
largest shops of the kind on Long Isknd. He 
manufactures all kinds of wagons and carriages, 
furnishes wagons for jobbers in the different 
towns of the island, and also fills special orders 
for grocery, market and brewers' wagons in the 
city. So satisfactory is his work that his cus- 
tomers will buy nowhere else. In connection with 
the manufacture of wagons he does a general 
blacksmithing work, and in the two lines furnishes 
employment to from ten to twenty-five men. He 
uses the latest improved machinery and avails 
himself of everything that will enhance the pros- 
perity of the business. His success is truly com- 
mendable, when the fact is considered that he 
began without capital and has worked his way 
unaided to his present position. 

August ID, 1875, Mr. Goeller married Miss 
Lena, daughter of Joseph Hoffman, a business 
man of New York, where she was born. In poli- 
tics he favors Democratic principles in the na- 
tional elections, but in local affairs votes for the 
one whom he deems best qualified for the posi- 
tion. With his family he holds membership in 
St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church. He has 
had seven children, and all but one are now liv- 
ing, namely: George, a graduate of Wright's Bus- 
iness College, Brooklyn, and a young man of 
stiperior ability; Mary; Joseph, now a student 
in the college at Wilmington, Del; Anthony, 
Louisa and an infant. In addition to his business 
Mr. Goeller is the owner of thirty-five acres of 
land, which he devotes to agricultural purposes. 
He is well-to-do financially, and socially he and 
his family are esteemed by the best people of the 
locality. 



ALONZO T. HARMER, of the firm of Har- 
mer & Hardenbrook, architects, at Ja- 
maica, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., No- 
vember 16, i860. His father, George W., was a 
native of Staten Island and for thirty-five years 
was proprietor of a moulding mill in Brooklyn, 
where he made his home. He was one of the 
many thousands who, at the outbreak of the re- 
bellion, gave up business and left home and 



friends, periling his life in the defense of his coun- 
try. Enlisting in the Fourteenth New York In- 
fantry, he served throughout the entire period of 
his conflict and won the name of a brave and 
faithful soldier. He took an active part in the 
sanguinary battle of Malvern Hill, when out of 
the thousand men comprising his regiment nine 
hundred were lost, only one hundred answering 
to the next roll call. It was his fortune to pass 
through that terrible engagement unscathed, nor 
did he at any time receive injury, though he took 
part in many battles. 

Nor a number of years after the close of the 
war Mr. Harmer held a position in the New York 
custom house, tmder the administrations of Gen- 
eral Grant. For several years he was employed 
in the office of the sheriff of Kings County. A 
Reptiblican in political belief, he was one of the 
leading politicians of the Fifteenth Ward, Brook- 
lyn. He was an able and efficient public officer. 
His qualifications were of the first order, and his 
faithfulness was worthy of emulation by all who 
are entrusted with public cares. His home for 
some years has been in Jamaica, where he is a 
well known and influential citizen. He married 
Miss Anna Thompson, a native of Brooklyn, and 
an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The family of which she is a member 
was long proininent in Brooklyn, but she and a 
sister are now its only living representatives. 

Our subject was the only child of his parents 
who attained mature years. He received an ex- 
cellent education in the schools of Brooklyn, after 
which he took a commercial course at Wright's 
Business College, graduating from that institu- 
tion. He then associated himself with his father 
in the mill, where he learned every branch of the 
mill carpenter and building business. Later he 
took a special course in architecture at Cooper's 
Institute, graduating in 1888. Immediately after- 
ward he took a responsible position with Cross, 
Austin & Co., of Brooklyn, and soon became 
known as an expert in his profession. In 1894, 
forming a partnership with D. L. Hardenbrook, 
under the firm name of Harmer & Hardenbrook, 
he embarked in the architect business at Jamaica, 
where he has since carried on an increasing and 
profitable profession. In 1881 he was united in 
marriage with Miss Augusta Stumpf, of this vil- 
lage, and they have three children, George W., 
John land Alonzo, Jr. 

A man of sanguine temperainent and positive 
qualities, Mr. Harmer is regarded as one of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIO.GRAPHICAL RECORD. 



253 



rising young men in Jamaica. On all subjects 
connected with his profession he readily arrives 
at decided opinions, and maintains with ability 
and zeal what he deems to be right. His social 
qualities are of the best order, and his genial and 
companionable disposition wins the friendship of 
his associates. 



DAVID INGRAM is engaged in a unique 
business, but to him a most important 
and prosperous one — that of dyeing and 
bleaching cotton yarn, in which he also deals. 
His establishment is the largest of the kind in 
Long Island City, and its successful management 
fully occupies his time and attention, and has 
done so since it was first established, in Janu- 
ary, 1873. 

Mr. Ingram's birth occurred in Paisley, Scot- 
land, where his father, James Ingram, was also 
born, the latter being a manufacturer of the well- 
known Paisley shawls, which occupation received 
his time and attention tmtil his death, which oc- 
curred in mat city. His wife, Margaret Brown, 
was also born there, and there nine children were 
born to them, only two of whom are living at the 
present time. David was their sixth child in or- 
der of birth and is the only member of the family 
in America. Until he was seventeen years of age 
his home continued to be in Paisley and up to 
the time he was twelve years old he attended the 
pay schools of that place. He was then appren- 
ticed to a dyer, and four subsequent years were 
spent in a dyeing establishment, where a prac- 
tical knowledge of the business was obtained. 

Mr. Ingram was ambitious to become success- 
ful in the commercial world, and rightly judged 
that the United States oiTered better advantages 
to a young man than the old country, and accord- 
ingly, in 1852, he embarked on a sailing vessel at 
Glasgow for this country. He soon secured em- 
ployment at his trade in New York City with Mc- 
Dougal & Garner, and held the position of fore- 
man from the start. In January, 1873, he came 
to Long Island City, purchased his present es- 
tablishment, increased its capacity, improved it in 
various ways and has successfully operated it up 
to the present time. He has a forty horse-power 
boiler and ten engines, and can dye from eight 
hundred to one thousand pounds of cotton yarn 
every ten hours. He dyes and bleaches on con- 
tract for outside parties and is a general dealer 
in varus. Under his able management his busi- 



ness has greatly increased and now necessitates 
the employment of twelve hands. Mr. Ingram 
is the owner of considerable valuable realty, and 
his home place is a beautiful one, the grounds 
occupying a block. He has a commodious green- 
house, well filled with the choicest plants, and 
rare shrubs and trees dot his spacious and velvety 
lawn. 

Mr. Ingram was married in the city of New 
York to Miss Violet Patterson, who was born 
in Greenock, Scotland, but was reared in this, 
country from the time she was eight years of age, 
having been brought thither by her parents. Her 
union with Mr. Ingram resulted in the birth of 
seven children: Jenny died at the age of eleven; 
George died at the age of three years and eight 
months; a sketch of James appears elsewhere in 
this work; George is foreman in his father's dye- 
ing establishment, in which William also assists, 
and David and Margaret complete the family. 
Mr. Ingram and his family are attendants of the 
Presbyterian Church of Astoria, and politically 
he has always been a Repubhcan of the stanchest 
kind. He has been a grand and petit juror, but 
with these exceptions has never held public of- 
fice, for his time has been very profitably occu- 
pied otherwise. 



HUGH HART, who has made his home in 
Queens County for the past forty years, is 
well known to all its residents, and bears 
an extended reputation over the island as a build- 
er of docks, which business he has been engaged 
in since 1874. Mr. Hart was born in Ireland in 
1844. His father, Thomas Hart, emigrated with 
the family to America in the year 1849, settling 
in New York City, where they continued to live 
until 1855, when they came to Queens County, 
making their home on Laurelhill. Here Thomas 
Hart died when past fifty years of age. 

Mrs. Mary (Kearn) Hart, mother of our sub- 
ject, was likewise of Irish birth and departed this 
life in New York in 1855, just prior to the re- 
moval of the family to this locality. She reared 
a family of six daughters and one son, of whom 
four are now living. Hugh, of this sketch, at- 
tended school for a time in New York City, and 
also carried on his studies at Winfield. 

When a boy Mr. Hart went to work for one of 
the largest dock building firms of that time. In 
1 87 1 he located in Blissville, Long Island City, 
and three years later embarked in his present busi- 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ness as a partner of Judge Moses Engle of Kings 
County. This connection existed for twelve years, 
when it was dissolved, and our subject has since 
continued to operate along this line alone. The 
firm of Hart & Engle built the dock works for the 
Bowery Bay Improvement Company, those of 
the Oakes Manufacturing Company, W. Williams 
and the Hon. William Steinway, the great piano 
manufacturer. Mr. Hart likewise erected the 
trestle work on the Meadow^, extending from Co- 
rona to Flushing. His services have been in 
great demand all over the island and he has often 
given employment to over fifty men. He built 
the docks used by the Standard Oil Company, the 
Eastern Distillery Company and for many other 
firms doing business near New York City. 

The years 1861 and 1862 Mr. Hart spent in 
boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, being 
interested in the trade between Cincinnati, St. 
Louis and New Orleans. He was quite success- 
ful in this venture and returned home after a few 
months a much wiser man for this experience. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Ann 
Scanlon occurred in New York City, where the 
lady was born in 1869. They became the par- 
ents of six children, of whom the eldest sons, Eu- 
gene and Thomas, are assisting their father in the 
dock building business. Mary, John, Joseph and 
Catherine are at home. Mr. Hart has never been 
an aspirant for political honors, although he is 
an enthusiastic Democrat of the Jeffersonian faith. 
In social matters he belongs to John J. Mitchell 
Lodge, A. O. U. W., in which he takes great in- 
terest. Religiously he and his family are devout 
Cathohcs, belonging to St. Raphael's Church. 



JOHN T. AND HENRY W. CAMDEN, 
owning and occupying a beautiful place 
near the village of Woodhaven, are perhaps 
the largest growers of celery in Queens County. 
They were both born in Ontario, Canada, while 
their father, Henry Camden, was a native of 
Gloucestershire, England. "He remained in his 
native land until 1832, when he came to America 
in company with his brother Charles and was 
associated with him in erecting saw and flouring 
mills in various parts of the country, for some 
time. Charles, who is seventy-nine years of age, 
makes his home in California, having been one 
of the '49ers. 

After remaining in this country for a time, 
Henry Camden returned to England, where he 



was married to Miss Rebecca Rouse and con- 
tinued to live there until after the birth of two 
of their daughters. The family then decided to 
make their future home in the New World, and 
boarded a vessel which landed them on the coast 
of Canada. The father located in an unsettled 
portion of the Dominion, and for many years 
lived in a log house, which was surrounded by a 
perfect wilderness of trees and brush. As there 
were no roads laid out and the pioneers very 
often lost their way when leaving home, they 
blazed the trees leading to their house, which 
mark served every need until the region became 
more thickly settled and the trees were cut down. 
Plenry Camden became very popular among the 
early settlers and served very acceptably as jus- 
tice of the peace and assessor of his community, 
besides holding various other offices of trust and 
honor. He departed this life in 1850, when our 
subjects were mere lads. The mother was after- 
ward married to James Murphy and to them were 
born six children. Mrs. Murphy lived to -an ad- 
vanced age, departing this life in 1887, at the 
home of her sons John and Henry, of this sketch. 
Georgiana M., the eldest daughter of Henry 
Camden, born in England, is now the wife of 
William Hopkins, a well-to-do farmer of the 
town of Jamaica, and the son of the late John 
B. Hopkins, well-known to the residents in this, 
vicinity. Louisa A. became the wife of John 
Purser and still makes her home in Canada. 
Henry W., who was the next in order of birth, 
has never married. Henrietta is the widow of 
George F. Sylvester, formerly a resident of Cali- 
fornia. John T. married Emma Duhrkoop of 
New Jersey, and they have three children, named 
respectively: Grace D., Mary R. and Charles H. 
We make the following mention of four of the 
children born of Mrs. Camden's second mar- 
riage: Emily M. Murphy is the wife of Edward 
Dominge and is living at Woodhaven; Mary E. 
has never married and is living with our sub- 
jects; Alfred J. married Miss Mary Heindel and 
makes his home in East New York ; and Richard 
E., who chose for his wife Mary E., daughter of 
Charles Eldert, ,is living in Woodhaven. 

After the death of his father, Henry Camden, 
who was then five years of age, went to Brooklyn, 
where his uncle, Thomas Camden, was living 
and who was afthat time one of the leading gar- 
deners of Long Island. His uncle took great 
pleasure in his company and gave him every 
opportunity for gaining a good education. After 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



leaving school Henry began to assist his uncle 
in raising vegetables for the city markets, and in 
1865 purchased the tract of land devoted to this 
business in the town of Jamaica. This property 
is located at the edge of the city of Brooklyn, and 
is devoted by the brothers almost entirely to 
raising celery. They are among the most prom- 
inent in this indvistry on the island and have 
been remarkably successful in their every under- 
taking. The brothers are Republicans in poli- 
tics, and although they are too busy to take an 
active part in public affairs, are greatly interested 
in the success of their chosen party. 



CHARLES B ECKEL is a member of the 
firm of P. Beckel & Sons, wagon and 
carriage manufacturers of Long Island 
City, who stand high in business circles. 
Charles was born at Ridgewood, Queens County, 
June 2, 1857, while his father, Peter Beckel, 
was a native of Germany. After attaining ma- 
ture years, the latter crossed the Atlantic, and for 
a short time was engaged in work in New York. 
His next move, however, found him in Ridge- 
wood, where he engaged in business for him- 
self. Three years later he moved to Blissville, 
where he also became the proprietor of a car- 
riage and wagon shop. The business grew to 
such large proportions that he took in as partners 
his two sons, Charles and John. In 1868 he 
built his present shops, and twenty years later 
added a blacksmith shop adjoining, so that the 
firm now do their own smithing. Tlie building 
is a three-story" structure, 50x58 feet, and the 
property on which it stands runs back two hun- 
dred feet. Charles gives his personal attention 
to the carriage painting department and is the 
only painter of fine vehicles in this section. 

Mrs. Louisa (Walters) Beckel, the mother of 
our subject, was also born in Germany. She be- 
came the mother of three children, of whom 
Amelia, who married George C. Ahrens, is de- 
ceased. Charles, of this history, first attended 
school in the Dutch Kills district, after which 
he took a course in the grammar schools of 
Brooklyn. The year prior to his graduation, 
however, he left school, and in 1872 was appren- 
ticed to Stephen D. Medlar of Brooklyn as car- 
riage painter. After remaining with that gen- 
tleman for two years and a half he returned home 
and engaged in business for himself, and later 
was taken into the present firm, as before stated. 



Our subject has always taken a very promi- 
nent and active part in politics, and in the year 
1892, during Harrison's campaign, acted as 
chairman of the general committee. Indeed, he 
has been a member of this committee ever since 
casting his first vote, with the exception of two 
years. He was one of the incorporators of the 
Lincoln Club, which he served as president for 
some time, and also belongs to the LTnion League 
Club of Astoria, a Republican organization. He 
has been foremost in educational affairs in his 
city, and during the administration of Mayor 
George Retry was appointed by him a member 
of the School Commission. During the one year 
in which he served as a member of this body he 
used his influence in wisely disbursing the peo- 
ple's money and gave entire satisfaction to all 
concerned. 

In the fall of 1895 Charles Beckel was nom- 
inated for the Assembly from the First District of 
Queens County, and such is his popularity with 
the voters that he will undoubtedly be elected. 
He has been a member of Friendship Hook and 
Ladder Company No. 3, which he served for 
two terms of five years each as secretary, and 
is now connected with the Exempt Firemen's 
Association of Long Island City, with which he 
has been interested since its incorporation in 
1885. During the third year of its existence he 
was elected president of this body, and ever since 
that time has been treasurer. Through his in- 
fluence a bill was passed in the Assembly enab- 
ling the widows and orphans of firemen to col- 
lect a two per cent, insurance tax, as ofttimes the 
families of these brave men were left penniless 
and with no means of support. In religious af- 
fairs Mr. Beckel is a member of the Lutheran 
Church. 



ROBERT F. HUTCHESON, M. D., who 
came to Lawrence from Rockville Center 
in 1894 and has since conducted a general 
practice in this village, is a son of Robert W. 
Hutcheson, M. D., an old and well known physi- 
cian of Queens County, who has been engaged 
in practice here for thirty-five years, having 
spent twenty years at Rockville Center, and some 
time previous to that at Pearsall's and East Rock- 
away. He began the practice of medicine in the 
West Indies, later carried on professional work 
in Brooklyn, from which city he came to Queens 
County. As a physician he is skillful, well read, 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



accurate in the diagnosis of disease and painstak- 
ing and thorough in its treatment, qualities which 
have brought him the confidence of the pubhc. 
He is of Scotch extraction, while his wife, Eliza 
Ensor, who died at the age of fifty-four, was of 
EngHsh ancestry and birth, having been born in 

London. 

Of the seven children comprising the parental 
family four are living, namely: John E., a physi- 
cian at.Rockville Center; Robert F., Eliza A., and 
Eturpe M., who reside in Law^rence. Our sub- 
ject was born in Lynbrook, Queens County, De- 
cember 30, 1 87 1, and in boyhood was given the 
best advantages the schools of this locality af- 
forded, acquiring a good literary education and 
also taking a course in the Polytechnic Institute. 
In accordance with the wish of his father, no less 
than as a gratification of his own inherited tastes 
for the profession, he began the study of medicine. 
The fundamental principles of the science he 
learned under his father's instruction, after which 
he took the regular three years' course at Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical College, from which he 
graduated March 27, 1893. He also took a three 
months' course in the Post-Graduate Hospital of 
New York City. At once after completing his stu- 
dies he opened an office in Lawrence and has since 
conducted a general practice in medicine. While 
in college he gave especial attention to surgery, 
of which he has a thorough experimental and 
theoretical knowledge. During his attendance at 
college he stood high in his classes and was also 
a leading member of the Phi Alpha Sigma. He 
begins his professional career under favorable 
■ auspices and will undoubtedly attain a high rank 
in the medical fraternity. 



JOSEPH A. JOHNTRA, a successful mer- 
chant of Astoria, Long Island City, was born 
in New York City in 1850, and is a de- 
scendant, directly, of Swiss forefathers and, indi- 
rectly and remotely, of French ancestry. He is a 
son of John Johntra, a native of Switzerland, who 
accompanied his father, Jacob, from the land of 
his birth to America, settling in New York City. 
After a time the grandfather went to Monmouth 
County, N. J., where he was employed at the 
Howell works. Thence he went to Conshohock- 
en, Montgomery County, Pa., where he was ac- 
cidentally killed in a mine. 

John Johntra, who was an iron moulder in New 
York City for almost half a century, died there 



at the age of sixty-five. In religion he was a 
Protestant, adhering to the Lutheran faith. He 
married Mary Miller, who was born in Ocean 
County, N. J., of Holland-Dutch descent, and 
who was a daughter of Joseph MiUer, a school 
teacher and early settler there. She died in 1856, 
having become the mother of four children. 
Jacob, her eldest son, who served in the Civil War 
from 1861 to 1865, is in the grocery business at 
City Island, Westchester County, N. Y. John, 
who is an iron moulder in New York City, makes 
his home in Ravenswood. The only daughter is 
Mrs. Virginia Miller, of New York City. 

The subject of this notice, who was next to 
the youngest among the four children of the fam- 
ily, spent his first twelve years in New York City, 
where he attended the grammar school on Stan- 
ton Street. At the age of ten the struggle for a 
livehhood began, and when eleven years old he 
worked at Jackson's iron works, making cores for 
shells. For four years he worked on a farm in 
Ocean County, N. J., but at the age of sixteen 
went back to New York, where he apprenticed 
himself to the iron moulder's trade. On complet- 
ing his apprenticeship he was employed in differ- 
ent places in New Jersey and New York, but fin- 
ally settled at Lakewood, where he worked at 
his trade about seven years. Later, for five years 
he was similarly employed in Chester, Pa., then 
went back to Lakewood, where he remained five 
years. 

In Jtdy of 1888 Mr. Johntra removed from 
Lakewood to New York City, where he started 
a restaurant in Second Avenue, near Ninetieth 
Street. Four months later he sold out, and on 
the 1st of January, 1889, located in Long Island 
City, opening a grocery in Steinway Avenue. In 
August, 1889, he removed to No. 159 Flushing 
Avenue, where he has since had charge of a 
growing trade. In June, 1892, he started a 
branch store at No. 79 Fulton Avenue, and this he 
carried on until August, 1893. In August, 1895, 
he started a branch on the corner of Grand Ave- 
nue and Lockwood Street. Two months pre- 
vious to that he opened a large store in Flushing, 
at Nos. 28-30 Main Street, and this he gave to the 
management of his son, J. Albert, and nephew, 
H. Miller; who conduct the business under the 
firm name of Johntra & Miller. It is a flourishing 
business, and two or three wagons are kept busy 
in delivering goods to customers.- A line of feed, 
hay and flour is also kept in stock. These five 
stores which our subject has started prove that 




CLINTON A. BELDIN, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



259 



he is a man of excellent business talent and con- 
siderable enterprise, while his financial success 
shows that he is a man of wise judgment. 

While residing in Lakewood Mr. Johntra was 
married to Miss Mary Adams, daughter of Sam- 
uel Adams, an iron moulder by trade. They are 
the parents of six children, namely: Joseph A., 
Jr., who resides in Flushing; Eva V., who is in 
charge of the Grand Avenue branch store; Sam- 
uel A., who is a clerk in his father's store; Katie 
A., Mabel E. and Grace D. Socially Mr. Johntra 
is treasurer of Astoria Lodge No. 155, I. O. O. F., 
and a member of Advance Lodge No. 635, As- 
toria, F. & A. M. His church affiliations are 
with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. In 
politics, while not an active partisan, he is stanch 
in his adherence to Republican principles. 



CLINTON A. BELDIN, M. D. The pro- 
fessional men of Jamaica are an element 
in the development of the village, to the 
reputation of which they are constantly adding 
by their talents and skill. To this class belongs 
Dr. Beldin, who has conducted a general prac- 
tice here since 1862. As a physician he is calm, 
sympathetic and patient, inspiring his patients 
with confidence in his skill. Though with ad- 
vancing years he has given much of his practice 
into the charge of his son, yet he still maintains 
the deepest interest in the profession and keeps 
abreast with the practical details in the improve- 
ments of medicine. 

The grandfather of the Doctor, Jeremiah Bel- 
den (as the name was then spelled), who was 
born in Connecticut about 1760, and was one 
of the leading men of that colony during the 
Revolution, but about 1800 he took his family to 
Massachusetts, where he remained until his 
death. Andrew, our subject's father, was born 
in Wethersfield, Conn., about 1790, and accom- 
panied his parents to Massachusetts when he 
was about ten years of age, remaining in that 
state until his death, in 1875. He was a pros- 
perous farmer and a leading member of the Con- 
gregational Church near his home. One of his 
brothers went to the wilds of the Western Re- 
serve in Ohio in an early day, making the jour- 
ney with an Ox team; his descendants are now 
living in that part of the Buckeye State. A sis- 
ter, Amelia, is a widow, and resides at Westfield, 
Mass. 

Our subject's mother, who bore the maiden 



name of Corinthia Moore, was born in Hamp- 
den County, Mass., and died at Westfield in 1880, 
when nearly ninety years of age. In her family 
there were four sons and one daughter, of whom 
Clinton A. was third in order of birth. The 
others were Homer L., a book binder in Spring- 
field, Mass., at the time of his death, about 1888;; 
Alonzo, a farmer, who died at Westfield, Mass.,. 
in 1889; Everett M., who was a hotel keeper,, 
and died at West Springfield, Mass. ; and Almira, 
who died at the age of twenty years. 

The Doctor was bom in Hampden County, 
Mass., January 10, 1826, and spent his boyhood 
years on the home farm, but at the age of six- 
teen he made up his mind to become a physician. 
His father, opposing him in this ambition, would 
render him no financial assistance, but undaunt- 
ed by any obstacle, he bent every energy toward 
the consummation of his hopes. He commenced 
study in the office of Dr. Grinnell, in the village 
near which his father's farm was situated. Twice 
a week it was his custom to go home, where hiS' 
mother filled a box with provisions, and with 
this he returned to the village; his limited means 
prevented him from enjoying many of the com- 
forts of life, but did not deter him from carrying 
out his plans. At the age of seventeen he com- 
menced to teach school, in which way he secured 
the means necessary for a college education. 

Soon after his graduation from the University 
of Pennsylvania in 1854, Dr. Beldin went to Cali- 
fornia via the Isthmus and there embarked in 
the practice of his profession. While on the 
western frontier he had many thrilling experi- 
ences, but after three years he tired of that kind 
of life and returned to the East, settling in Spring- 
field, Mass., and remaining there until 1862. He 
then came to Jamaica, where he has since ranked 
as a successful and leading physician. He is the 
discoverer and manufacturer of a powder for the 
cure of croup that has had a large sale through- 
out the United States. This disease is one of his 
specialties, and he has been called to ever)' part 
of the county to treat it ; in this he is so efficient 
that no case, to which he has given his personal 
attention, has he failed to cure. A student of the 
profession and an able writer, many of his articles 
have been published in the medical journals of 
the Homeopathic School and State Society, to 
which he belongs. He was at one time President 
of the Queens County Medical Society and a 
delegate to the Vermont and California State 
Societies. 



26o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1850 Dr. Beldin married Miss Harriet O. 
Kibbe, a native of Connecticut and a cousin of 
the Kibbe Brothers, the well-known candy man- 
ufacturers of Spring-field, Mass. Their only child, 
Charles Kibbe, was born in 1856, graduted from 
the Homeopathic Medical College of New York 
City, and is now in practice with his father, re- 
lieving him of a large share of his outside practice. 
He and his wife and child reside with his parents 
in their elegant home in Clinton avenue. 

Of recent years Dr. Beldin has traveled ex- 
tensively, visiting all points of interest in the 
United States, and making a tour of Europe in 
1890, and again in 1895. In religious belief he 
is an Episcopalian and holds membership in that 
church at Jamaica. Socially he is connected with 
the Royal Arch Masons and the Royal Arcanum. 
Devoting his entire life to professional duties, 
he has had no desire to enter the arena of politi- 
cal life, but being a public-spirited citizen he is 
well posted concerning and deeply interested in 
local and national issues. 



ADELBERT JONES. Of the various indus- 
tries to which the residents of Long Island 
have devoted their attention few are more 
peculiarly local and none have proved more re- 
munerative than the oyster business. Mr. Jones 
is one of the number who are carrying on this 
business at Port Washington, and he has the rep- 
utation of being one of the largest planters along 
the coast. In his enterprises he has displayed 
sound judgment and excellent discretion, which, 
together with industry, have enabled him to make 
a success of the work. 

For many generations the Jones family resided 
on Staten Island, where was born our subject's 
father, Henry C, who in 1859 brought his fam- 
ily to Port Washington and engaged in the oys- 
ter business at this place. His wife, Ann W. 
Prior, was also a native of Staten Island, and it 
was during their residence at Mariner's Harbor 
that the subject of this notice was born April 18, 
1846. At the age of about eight years he was 
hired to a man at $8 per month and from that time 
he was employed, more or less, on the bay. Ac- 
companying his father to Port Washington at the 
age of thirteen, he has since made this village his 
home. When about nineteen he began to plant 
for himself, beginning on a large scale, and has 
since followed the business with success. 

In this village, June 5, 1867, Mr. Jones mar- 



ried Miss Ella C, daughter of Stephen and Abbie 
(Wilkie) Weeks, and a native of this place, where 
she was educated in the public schools. Two sons 
bless the union, of whom the elder, Alfred Adel- 
bert, was born here June 21, 1871. He finished 
the course of study in the common schools of the 
village and passed an examination for admission 
to the Normal School at New Paltz, which he 
entered, taking the four years' course in three 
and one-half years, and graduating in February, 
1896. Arthur .Weeks, the younger son, was born 
in Port Washington July 25, 1882, and is a stu- 
dent in the highest room of the public school 

here. 

The first presidential vote cast by Mr. Jones 
was for General Grant in 1868, and for years after- 
ward he supported the Republican party, but as 
the disastrous results of the liquor traffic increased 
and the magnitude of the evil became impressed 
upon his mind, he determined to cast his allegi- 
ance with a party openly opposed to the saloon 
element; accordingly, he became a Prohibitionist, 
and has since supported that party. Interested 
in educational afTairs, he has served as a trustee 
of the public schools. Flis parents continued to 
reside here until their death, the father passing 
away in September, 1879, at sixty-one years of 
age, and the mother dying several years after- 
ward. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church has had two 
of its best workers in Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who 
for years have been intimately associated with 
its foremost enterprises. At this writing he is 
serving as trustee, teacher in the Sunday-school, 
and vice-president of the Epworth League. His 
wdfe, who has also been of assistance in Sunday- 
school work, is an active worker in the Ladies' 
Aid Society and one of the leaders of the local 
relig-ious work. 



SAMUEL R. HOLMES, well known as a 
successful marketman of Jamaica, was born 
in Flushing, Queens County, on New 
Year's Day of 1861. His progenitors .for several 
generations were natives of this county and the 
family is one of the oldest on Long Island, its 
first settlement here dating back prior to the Rev- 
olutionary War. The grandfather, William 
Holmes, devoted his entire life to agricultural 
pursuits, leading a quiet, industrious and useful 
life. 

The parents of our subject, John B. and Mary 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



261 



(Rider) Holmes, were born in this county, ahd the 
former, who has been a carpenter since early man- 
hood, now makes his home with his son, Sam- 
uel R., in Jamaica. The mother, who died in 
1889, was a daughter of Daniel Rider, member 
of an old Dutch family and a prominent tem- 
perance worker. In her family there were two 
sons and five daughters: George H. is a clerk in 
his brother's market; Annabelle is the wife of 
John L. Lewis, who is engaged in the upholstery 
business in Jamaica; Emma H. married Edward 
Baker and resides in Jersey City, N. J. ; Addie A. 
is the wife of William McEwen, of New York 
City, and Fannie married Frederick Lee of New- 
York City. 

The first fifteen years of our subject's life were 
spent in Flushing, from which place he came to 
Jamaica, and for twenty years was in the employ 
of Nostrand & Remsen, the market men. Later 
he was for three years in the employ of B. R. Clay- 
ton, in the same business. In January, 1892, he 
succeeded to the ownership of the market, which 
is one of the finest on the island, and owns the 
building in which it is located. 

In 1885 Mr. Holmes married Miss Sadie Black- 
well, of Jamaica, and they are the parents of two 
children, Marion E. and Bertram. In religious 
beHef Mr. Holmes is identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and socially holds membership 
in the Royal Arcanum. He is a man of exem- 
plary habits and sincere character, who is zealous 
in promoting the interests of the community. 
Starting in life without capital and beginning with 
a small salary, he worked his way upward, sav- 
ing his wages, until he was finally able to embark 
in business for himself. Upright and honorable 
in all his dealings, his course in life has been 
such as to secure the warm friendship of all with 
whom he is brought in contact. His dealings are 
marked with the strictest integrity, and he has 
gained a competency through his arduous and 
svstematic exertions. 



ROBERT JARVIS. Now.in the twilight of 
his useful and honorable existence, Mr. 
Jarvis is living in retirement from the more 
, active duties of life, though in the management 
of his real estate interests and the discharge of 
his duties as a citizen he finds sufficient to occupy 
his attention. His home is in Port Washington, 
where he was born July 21, 1825, to Daniel and 
Sarah (West) Jarvis. The former, who was a 



native of Port Washington, learned in youth the 
trade of a shoemaker, which he followed through- 
out life, making his home in the town of North 
Hempstead as long as he lived. Grandfather 
David Jarvis, who was a resident of Port Wash- 
ington, was well known in this vicinity as an 
industrious blacksmith and honest man. 

The educational opportunities enjoyed by the 
subject of this notice were meager in comparison 
with those given to the boys and girls of this gen- 
eration. However, though able to attend school 
only six months altogether, he gained a sufficient 
amount of knowledg-e to fit him for practical busi- 
ness affairs. Early obliged to support himself, 
he was only six years old when he was put out 
to Samuel Mott, with whom he lived for two 
years. Later he was at different places for a year 
or more at a time. It was not an easy life. None 
of the luxuries and few of the comforts of exist- 
ence fell to his lot, but he was patient, industrious 
and anxious to please, so that his services were 
satisfactory to his employers. 

In 1843 Mr. Jarvis wenf on board a boat as a 
cook and later as a hand, receiving from $8 to 
$12. For four years he was with Sidney Mott, 
dui'ing which time he saved about $300, being 
very frugal and economical. AVhen the sloop 
was sold, he bought one-fourth interest in the 
schooner "Sarah Maria," sixty tons, and became 
her captain, carrying on a coast trade. After a 
year he sold out and took charge of a boat for 
William Baxter for three years, working on the 
shares and doing well financially in this way. For 
four years following he was captain of a vessel 
going out from Roslyn. 

February 6, 1853, Mr. Jarvis was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Eliza Bird, of Port Wash- 
ington, a worthy Christian lady, whose death, 
December 24, 1857, was mourned by many 
friends. The only son of this marriage, Robert, 
was born March 4, 1854, and is now an oyster 
planter in Port Washington. The third marriage 
of Mr. Jarvis took place June 21, 1861, when Miss 
Frances Jane Hyde, of this village, became his 
wife. Their only child, Minnie W., is the wife 
of Benjamin Pearsall and has an only son, Rob- 
ert, named for his grandfather. 

In 1850 Mr. Jarvis bought a lot in Port Wash- 
ingon and built a house the following year. 
After the death of his first wife he gave up the 
coasting business and in i860 began to engage 
in planting oysters, an enterprise which proved 
profitable. Since 1886 he has lived retired, quietly 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



enjoying the fruits of his labors in former years. 
His first vote was cast for Whig candidates and 
upon the organization of the Repubhcan party 
he identified himself with its interests, to which 
he has since adhered. He is a believer in the 
doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
while not a member, he fills the office of trustee 
and aided largely in the erection of the church 
building. In former years he was actively asso- 
ciated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows at Roslyn, and the Sons of Temperance. 



JUDGE JAMES INGRAM is engaged in a 
diversity of employments and has been 
equally successful in each. His probity as 
a business man and his uprightness as a citizen 
are well known and his career has been distin- 
guished for enterprise and fairness. Mr. Ingram, 
who is at present Jtistice of the Peace of Long 
Island City, was born in the city of New York, 
May 6, 1866. His father, David Ingram, is a 
prominent business man of New York City and 
Astoria, L. I., and a manufacturer and 
dyer of cotton yarns. He was born in Paisley, 
Scotland, and came to America when a young 
man, learning his business in New York City. 
Since 1872 he has been a resident of Long Island 
City, and his sons are connected with him in the 
manufacture of cotton yarns. He married Miss 
Violet Patterson, a native of Greenock, Scotland, 
and "daughter of George Patterson, who was a 
chain manufacturer of New York City after set- 
tling in this country. 

James Ingram, who was the third of seven 
children in the parental family, resided in New- 
York City until 1872, and then came with his 
parents to Long Island City, where he received 
his education in the public schools. Just before 
graduating, when fourteen years of age, he left 
school to engage with his father in business, and 
although he commenced at the bottom round of 
the ladder, he was possessed of much ability and 
industry and soon took charge of the financial 
department of the business. Since the age of 
nineteen he has had charge of the business in the 
New York office, at No. 96 Spring Street, and 
although business is carried on in Long Island 
Citv, the principal office is in New York City. 

In the fall of the year 1893 Mr. Ingram was 
nominated on the Democratic ticket (though a 
Republican) to the office of Justice of the Peace. 
There were six candidates and two to be elected. 



Mr. Ingram and Mr. DuiTy were elected by about 
fifteen hundred plurality, far ahead of the ticket, 
and he has discharged the duties incumbent upon 
that position in a very able manner. He was 
appointed police commissioner in 1893 and served 
until he resigned to accept the position of jus- 
tice. Our subject has shown his appreciation of 
secret organizations by becoming a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and is a thirty-second de- 
gree Mason, belong-ing to the consistory of New 
York. He is also a member of the Mecca Temp- 
lars and Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican, having been a member of general 
conventions and a delegate to conventions at dif- 
ferent times, and is a member of Astoria Athletic 
Club, of which he is vice-president. Religiously 
he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Ingram is one of the youngest justices ever 
elected in Long Island City, and has convinced 
many that it is not age that always brings wisdom. 



CHRISTIAN HEROLD. Among the na- 
tive-born sons of Germany who, coming 
to America, have here gained a degree of 
success impossible to secure in the land of their 
birth, mention may properly be made of Mr. Her- 
old, who has been prospered in his work as a con- 
tractor and builder at Dutch Kills, Long Island 
City. While he has not been engaged in busi- 
ness for himself many years, yet since starting out 
as a contractor he has been successful in building 
up an increasing and remunerative trade. In ad- 
dition to taking contracts, he also draws plans 
and does some work as an architect. Many of 
the substantial buildings in Long Island City have 
been erected under his supervision, and he gives 
employment to twelve or fifteen men, carrying on 
a large business throughout the entire year. 

Born in 1862 in Freiberg, Hesse Darmstadt, 
Germany, the subject of this notice is a son of 
Jacob and Maria (Hiibner) Herold, natives of the 
same place as himself. They came to America, 
where the mother died; the father, who during his 
active years was engaged as a musician, is now 
living retired in Long Island City. Six children 
comprise their family, namely : George, a carpen- 
ter employed with our subject; Katie, who lives ? 
in Long Island City; William, a painter in New 
York City, but living here ; Christian ; Mary, who 
lives in this city, and Carl, a contracting plasterer 
engaged with our subject. 

Educated in the schools of his native place, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



263 



Christian Heroic! was confirmed at the age of 
fourteen, after which he served a four years' ap- 
prenticeship at the carpenter's trade. When less 
than nineteen years of age, he came to America 
in company with his brother William and for a 
time followed his trade in New York City. 
In 1883 he came to Long Island City, where he 
was first employed by Mr. Lehr, and in 1890 
was taken into the business by that gentleman. 
One year later he started out alone, and has since 
carried on a large business in this locality. He 
built a residence for himself, but afterward sold it, 
and now lives at No. 186 Radde Street. 

After coming to Long Island City Mr. Herold 
married Miss Agnes Rieger, a native of Wurtem- 
berg, and they have three children, Lillie, Robert 
and Elsie. Formerly he was identified with the 
Order of Chosen Friends in New York, but is not 
at present a member. He is treasurer of the 
Leiderkranz of Long Island City, in which he 
is first bass. While actively interested in politics, 
he has never allied himself with either party, but 
retains independence of thought and action with 
respect to his ballot. 



HENRY C. KORFMANN, supervisor from 
Long Island City, will take his seat in the 
board in April, 1896. He is a most pleas- 
ant and affable gentleman and at the present time 
is head bookkeeper for the water and fire board. 
Mr. Korfmann is a native of Long Island, having 
been born in Astoria, November 13, 1859. His 
father was John Korfmann, a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, where he was reared and 
educated, and when old enough to learn a trade, 
he became a shoemaker. He was married in 
the Fatherland, and in 1847, a-^er the birth of two 
children, came with his wife and family to Amer- 
ica, locating in Astoria. Immediately he began 
work at his trade and from that time until his 
death, in July, 1886, was one of the most reliable 
boot and shoe manufacturers of the city. 

The father of our subject became prominent 
in the affairs of his community and served ac- 
ceptably as a member of the city council, as al- 
derman from the fourth ward, being elected to 
that position on the Independent Democratic 
ticket. He was also a member of the excise board 
under Mayor George Retry, and in whatever 
office placed never failed to give satisfaction to all 
concerned. His marriage united him with Miss 
Catherine Brown, who was born in the same 



province in Germany. She survived him one 
year, departing this life in July, 1887, leaving a 
family of five children, three daughters and two 
sons. Of these, Elizabeth is the widow of F. H. 
Brunett, of Long Island City; Catherine married 
F. W. Bleckwenn, ex-city treasurer of this city; 
Mamie is Mrs. Julius Bleckwenn, also of this 
place ; John is a druggist of New York City, and 
Henrv C. is our subject. 

Henry C. was reared in Astoria, where he ob- 
tained a good education during his attendance at 
both private and public schools. When a lad of 
fifteen years he began Hfe for himself as a drug 
clerk in the store of W. H. Munchmore, of Asto- • 
ria, and after five years spent in his employ was 
registered as a pharmacist. He next entered the 
establishment of W. H. Sherfflin & Co., No. 170 
Williams Street, New York City, as chemist in 
their laboratory. He remained with this firm for 
eight years and became a very valuable man in 
preparing extracts, etc. At the expiration of that 
time he was induced by his brother-in-law, Mr. 
Bleckwenn, then treasurer of Long Island City, 
to accept a clerkship in the treasurer's office and 
a few months later was made deputy city treasurer 
and receiver, holding these offices during the 
two terms in which Mr. Bleckwenn was treas- 
urer. His successor took charge of the 
treasurer's office January i, 1895, and seven days 
later our subject was appointed head bookkeeper 
and cashier of the water and fire department of 
the city by Mayor Sanford. In the fall of that 
year he was nominated for supervisor on the Jef- 
ferson Democratic ticket, and althoug-h this was 
the first time he was ever a candidate for political 
honors, was elected over two other well known 
and highly esteemed gentlemen by a plurality of 
one hundred and ninety-seven votes. 

The marriage of Mr. Korfmann occurred in this 
city January 11, 1885, when Miss Matilda, daugh- 
ter of F. W. Bleckwenn, became his wife. This 
lady was born in Astoria, and at the time of her 
decease, August 10, 1891, left two sons, Freder- 
ick W. and Harry J. In October, 1894, our sub- 
ject chose for his second companion Miss Cath- 
erine A. Kern, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and 
the daughter of Charles W. Kern, of Milford, Del. 
In social affairs Mr. Korfmann is a Mason of high 
standing, holding membership with Long Island 
City Lodge, and also belongs to Enterprise 
Lodge, K. O. of F., and John Allen Lodge, A. 
O. U. W. In religious affairs he is .an official 
member of the German Second Reformed 



264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Church, which is presided over by Rev. C. D. 
Steinfuhrer. 

In politics Mr. Korfmann is an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat and is influential in the Jefiferson 
Club, of which he is now the treasurer. He is 
also connected with the Jefferson Democratic 
Club, and is a member and vice-chairman of the 
general committee and is also executive commit- 
teeman from the fourth ward. He was sent as a 
delegate to the state convention which was held 
at Syracuse in 1895, and is in many ways a prom- 
inent factor in the various clubs and societies of 
his part}'. 

Mr. Korfmann is director in the Long Island 
City Building and Loan Association. For some 
time he was a member of Mohawk Hose Com- 
pany No. I, and was with his company at the 
tournaments held at Plattsburg, Troy and Peeks- 
kill. He belongs to the Veteran Firemen's Asso- 
ciation of this city, and years ago was a member 
of its board of trustees. He is likewise connected 
with the Order of American Firemen of Long 
Island City, meeting with Council No. 7, of which 
he is treasurer. Mr. Korfmann is quite a musi- 
cian and finds great pleasure in meeting with the 
Arion Singing Society. The members of the As- 
toria Athletic Club look upon him as one of their 
influential and most active members. 



WILLIAM KUNASEK, one of the ster- 
ling business men of Astoria, is en- 
gaged as a hatter, carrying a well se- 
lected stock of the most durable and fashionable 
hats each season. Mr. Kunasek was born in Vi- 
enna, Austria, September 8, 1873. His father, 
Anthony Kunasek, was also born there, and for 
a period of twenty-five years was an officer in the 
Austrian Hussars. On resigning his commission 
he came with his family to America in the year 
1878, and located in New York City, where he is 
still living. 

Grandfather William Kunasek also served as 
an officer in the Austrian Hussars, and during the 
forty years in which he was a soldier fought suc- 
cessivety in the Prussian, Italian and French 
Wiars. Some of the bluest blood in Austria 
flowed in his veins, he having been the son of a 
nobleman under that crown. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the given 
name of Mary, was also born in Vienna, and by 
her union- with Anthony Kunasek became the 
mother of four children, of whom William, of this 



history, was the eldest. The latter was a lad of 
about five years when the trip was made across 
the Atlantic. A year or so later he began attend- 
ing Grammar School No. 49, located in Thirty- 
seventh Street, New York, and was a student there 
until fifteen years of age. It was then necessary 
for him to look out for himself, and, desirous of 
learning the hatter's trade, he was apprenticed 
to a good workman with the firm of H. Feltstein 
& Co., and worked his way up from performing 
the simplest duties in the shop to turning out the 
finest hats. Four years after he entered the em- 
ploy of this firm he was made assistant superin- 
tendent and continued to hold this position until 
1893, when he resigned in order to accept a clerk- 
ship with John L. Klages, of Hunter's Point. He 
worked for that gentleman until 1895, when, in 
June of that year, he embarked in business for 
himself in Astoria. He had only $500 to invest 
in the business at this time and his stock was at 
first very modest. Now, however, he carries a 
stock worth over $2,000, including all grades and 
qualities, and he may always be depended upon in 
whatever he says in regard to the durability and 
quality of his goods. Fie commands the largest 
trade of this kind in Long Island City and his 
place of business is splendidly located at No. 123 
Fulton Avenue. 

Mr. Kunasek was married in New York in 
June, 1893, to Miss Josephine Swika, a native 
of that city, and the daughter of Vaclav Swika, 
who now makes his home in this city. Twin 
sons were born to them, Frank, now deceased, 
and John W. Mr. Kunasek is a member of the 
order of Foresters and belongs to the Queens 
County Athletic Club. In politics he is inde- 
pendent. 



EBENEZER KELLUM. Few professional 
or business men of Hempstead were more 
active in supporting its industries in a sub- 
stantial way than was this gentleman, who, dur- 
ing his lifetime, was a prominent resident of this 
community. He was a man of great public spirit, 
was actively concerned in educational affairs and 
was postmaster of the village for eight years, .be- 
sides filling acceptably the position of justice of 
the peace for some time. 

Mr. Kellum was born in Hempstead May 11, 
1817, and was the son of Phineas and Elizabeth 
(Rhoads) Kellum, also natives of the above place. 
While young the father learned the trade of a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



26.^ 



shoemaker, and the greater part of his life was 
spent in following that occupation. With his es- 
timable wife, he was interested in all good works 
in the community, doing much toward advancing 
its material interests. Four children were born 
to this worthy couple, only one of whom, Phebe, 
is living at the present time, making her home 
in Hempstead. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
pubhc schools of his native place, and when ready 
to choose a business for himself, he learned the 
gunsmith's trade. In 1836 he went to Patchogue, 
where he resided for a short time and several 
years thereafter took up his abode in Babylon, 
where he was the proprietor of a large hardware 
establishment, carrying on a very profitable busi- 
ness for several years. In 1848 he returned to 
Hempstead, where he made his home up to the 
time of his decease. 

In the year 1844 Mr. Kellum was commissioned 
by the governor of New York as adjutant of the 
One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment, 
which office he held for four years. He was iden- 
tified with the movement to incorporate the vil- 
lage, and when this was accompHshed served for 
many years as president and trustee of the board. 
He was very popular in his community, and in 
1853 received the appointment of postmaster of 
Hempstead. So ably and conscientiously did he 
discharge the duties of this responsible position 
that he was made his own successor the following- 
term, serving in all eight years. In 1865 he was 
the successful candidate for the office of poHce 
justice and four years thereafter was elected jus- 
tice of the peace of the town. In connection with 
his brother John, he was successful in selling 
Hempstead Plains to the late A. T. Stewart. In 
1876 Mr. Kellum was elected supervisor and 
served for three terms. A¥hile connected with 
the board he served on the committee whose duty 
it was to draft a new law governing the appoint- 
ment of superintendents of the poor, and was 
also instrumental in improving the method of col- 
lecting the arrears of tax-payers, thereby bring- 
ing large sums of money into the treasury which 
otherwise would never have been collected. When 
the question of fitting up the old and dilapidated 
court house of Mineola for an asylum was agi- 
tated, Mr. Kellum bitterly opposed the plan, be- 
Heving that the structure could not be made safe 
without a large expenditure of money and a use- 
less waste of the public funds. 

In the year 1845 Mr. Kellum became a member 



of Hempstead Lodge, I. O. O. F., and a few years 
thereafter, while a resident of Babylon, aided in 
the organization of a lodge in that place, becom- 
ing a charter member. In 1863 he joined Mor- 
ton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., of this village, and 
for twenty-eight consecutive years was secretary, 
retiring from the office only one year prior to his 
death. In 1877 he was unanimously chosen di- 
rector of the Glencove Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany, and five years later was made its president, 
an office he held for many years. 

The marriage of Mr. Kellum and Miss Mary 
Townsend occurred in 1842. The lady was born 
at Half Hollow Hills, and by her union with our 
subject became the mother of four children, only 
two of whom survive. They are Marie A.ntoin- 
ette, who makes her home in Hempstead, and 
Ebenezer, also a resident of this village, but whose 
business calls him to Brooklyn, where he is receiv- 
ing teller in the Brooklyn Bank. The wife and 
mother departed this life in 1856, and January 8, 
1862, Mr. Kellum married Mary R. Rushmore, 
also of Hempstead. 

Our subject united with the Presbyterian 
Church in 1861, and for many years was both 
trustee and elder of his congregation. He occu- 
pied one of the pleasantest homes in the village 
and was surrounded with every comfort, and here • 
it was his delight to entertain his many friends 
from far and near. In everything pertaining to 
the betterment of his community Mr. Kellum was 
very active, and among his fellow-citizens he bore 
an enviable reputation as a man of honor, strict 
integrity and true merit. His death, which oc- 
curred December 2, 1894, was a sad blow to the 
community in which the greater part of his Hfe 
had been passed. His voice was always heard in 
support of the broad and well-laid platform of the 
Democratic party, and although the town of 
Hempstead was overwhelmingly Republican, 
when he first ran for office he received twice as 
many votes as his opponent, which gives some 
idea of his popularity as a citizen 



PETER D. LEYS, M. D., who was surgeon 
for the Union on many a bloody battlefield, 
was born in Scotland in 1834; His father, 
George Leys, was also a native of that country 
and a prominent resident of the city of Evelyn. 
Peter was reared and educated in his native land, 
being a graduate of Robert Gordon's College. 
On the i6th of October, 185 1, he left home and 



266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



friends to seek his fortune on this side the Atlan- 
tic. During the voyage the vessel in which he 
took passage was wrecked and all on board were 
obliged to take to the boats. After drifting about 
for some time they were picked up by an Ameri- 
can vessel and landed at New York City on the 
7th of December following. Ten days after reach- 
ing that city he obtained work with a wholesale 
drug house, .where he remained for some time and 
then embarked in that business in Brooklyn. 
While thus employed he took up the study of 
medicine and attended the Long Island College. 

In the year 1862 our subject entered the United 
States army as surgeon, being identified with the 
Army of the Potomac. In January, 1865, he was 
the bearer of dispatches to General Sherman at 
Savannah. He participated in many of the most 
prominent engagements of the Rebellion and 
served his adopted country faithfully and efS- 
ciently. Afterwards he remained in the South 
in charge of transportation of the sick from the 
hospitals, and later was appointed medical inspec- 
tor for the South. At one time he was called to 
inspect a vessel that lay off Paris Island and 
found it to be the identical vessel by which he 
had been picked up on the sea. For some time 
he was surgeon commander of transportations, 
and during that time transported over fourteen 
thousand men from Southern hospitals. While 
in the discharge of his duty he was severely in- 
jured during a storm and brain fever resulted. 

After leaving the South Dr. Leys moved with 
his family to Chicago, 111., where he engaged in 
the practice of medicine. In 1870 he removed to 
Brooklyn, where he had resided previous to the 
war, and was actively engaged in the practice of 
his profession until 1888, when he removed to 
Roslyn, L. I., where he has since resided. In 
politics the Doctor has always been a prominent 
Repubhcan, and in 1880 was vice-president of the 
Kings County Republican General Committee. 
Just previous to the assassination of President 
Garfield the Doctor had had a personal interview 
with Mr. Garfield and J. G. Blaine, the latter 
being a personal friend of his. 

Dr. Leys has ever been interested in educa- 
tional matters, and in 1893 was the Republican 
candidate for school commissioner. He is an 
eloquent speaker and has often delivered public 
addresses in the interests of education. At pres- 
ent he is secretary of the local Republican com- 
mittee and is a leader in political affairs. At one 
time 'he was a member of the Presbyterian 



Church, but is now a Congregationalist and was 
active in the building of the first church of that 
denomination in Roslyn. He is president of the 
board of trustees and is deacon in that church. 
For some time he has taught the bible class and 
in some cases has occupied the pulpit in the ab- 
sence of the minister. The Doctor is a member 
of Elijah Ward Post No. 654, G. A. R., and for 
two years served as president of the executive 
committee of the Queens County G. A. R. He 
is also a member of Central Lodge No. 361, F. 
& A. M., of Brooklyn. 

On the 1 6th of March, 1859, Dr. Leys was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Holford, daughter of Andrew 
Holford, of New Haven, Conn., and they have 
five children: Chfford D., a druggist in Hemp- 
stead; Alice H., wife of E. M. France, of Terre 
Haute, Ind.; George B., a bookkeeper of New 
York City; Jessie E., at home; and Clara C, a 
teacher in Dr. Hall's Academy at Roslyn. The 
Doctor has spared no pains to educate his chil- 
dren and may well be proud of them. 



FRANCIS McKENNA. As a landscape 
gardener Mr. McKenna did his first work 
in Queens County about thirty-seven years 
ago, but his residence here dates forty-two years 
back, during which time he has seen the develop- 
ment of the village in which he is at present re- 
siding. He came to this country from the Isle 
of Erin and landed in the metropoHs of North 
America in the month of May, when he was in his 
twenty-first year. The voyage to this country 
was made in a saiHng vessel named the "Switzer- 
land," and seven weeks and three days were con- 
sumed in making the journey. 

Directly after landing on the free soil of Ameri- 
ca Mr. McKenna came to Inwood, L. I., and his 
first work here was done on the dock. He later 
found employment on a farm, which work he con- 
tinued to follow for one year, and during this time 
it became generally known that he thoroughly 
understood the culture and care of trees and 
shrubs, having learned the art in Ireland, in which 
country especial attention is given to the art of 
tree planting. His skill and knowledge were soon 
in demand by those who wished to beautify and 
improve their grounds and he gradually but 
steadily drifted into his present occupation, by 
which he has built up an extensive business and 
accumulated a comfortable competency. 

Notwithstanding the fact that his early oppor- 




GEORGE S. DOWNING. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



269 



tunities for acquiring an education were very lim- 
ited indeed, Mr. McKenna is nevertheless a man 
of good judgment and of much native intelligence 
and shrewdness and can give the figures on 
grades, yards of dirt to be removed, etc., with 
mathematical precision, in fact, he is extremely 
accurate and skillful in this respect. His educa- 
tion is thoroughly a practical one and in every 
way sufficient to fit him for the duties which he 
performs. He takes plots of ground in the wild 
state and soon has them attractively arranged, 
and so well pleased are many of his patrons that 
he is employed by them to keep their lawns and 
premises in order the year round. He is a thor- 
ough master of his business and the financial re- 
sult of his labors has been satisfactory. 

Mr. McKenna was married in Ireland to Miss 
Bridget McDermott and of the six children born 
to them four are living: Mary Ann, Francis 
Xavier, Catherine Elizabeth and William A., who 
fills the position of village clerk. Mr. McKen- 
na is a Democrat in his political proclivities and 
lie and his family are connected with the Roman 
■Catholic Church. 



GEORGE S. DOWNING. The subject of 
this sketch is perhaps one of the best 
known residents of Queens County, which 
he has served in the official capacity of sheriff. 
For many years he was engaged in tilling the soil, 
but is now retired from active duties in this line 
-and is living in that peace and comfort which his 
earlier years of toil and hardship have made pos- 
.«ible. 

Mr. Downing was born March 30, 1815, in 
East Norwich, and is the son of Richard and 
Catherine (Snedeker) Downing. Grandfather 
George Downing was, during his lifetime, one 
•of the prominent residents of Littleworth, now 
Glenwood, where he was a wealthy farmer and 
large land owner, some of his possessions lying 
within the village of Seacliff. His children were 
.as follows: Richard, the father of our subject; 
Mary, the wife of Samuel Allen ; Henry, Silas and 
Jacob. 

Richard Downing was born November 3, 1780, 
and died January 21, 1849. When a young man, 
-starting out in life for himself, he located on a 
farm in East Norwich, where he spent the active 
years of his Hfe. He was a man who attended 
strictly to his own affairs and the success which 
blessed his efforts was owing entirely to his ener- 



gy and businesslike methods. He was first mar- 
ried to Mary Wright, by whom he had two chil- 
dren, Charles W. and Phoebe W., both deceased. 
By his union with Miss Catherine Snedeker there 
were born the following-named children: Maria, 
George S. and William L., all of whom are de- 
ceased excepting our subject. 

George attended the schools of his district, thus 
gaining a fair education, and remained at home 
assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm 
until the death of both parents, when he pur- 
chased the old homestead, giving his undivided 
attention to its improvement until elected sheriff 
of the county in 1853. During the three years 
in which he served the people in this capacity, 
and the succeeding three years as under sheriff, 
the work on the farm was carried on by hired 
help, Mr. Downing remaining almost the entire 
time in his office in the Mineola court house. He 
was brave and fearless in the discharge of his 
duties and arrested many noted criminals in this 
locality, among them being a man named Atchi- 
son, who, on being found guilty of some dreadful 
crime, was sentenced to be hanged, and Mr. 
Downing, acting as sheriff, was compeUed to car- 
ry out the orders of the court. 

In i860 our subject was elected supervisor of 
the town of Oyster Bay, giving such satisfaction 
to the people that he was retained in office for 
eight years in succession. After an intermission 
of about ten years he. was again the successful 
candidate for this office, serving for six years, 
when he refused to accept it any longer. Prior to 
his election as sheriff he had been constable and 
also filled the office of collector of his town. 

Mr. Downing, who is one of the most enterpris- 
ing and prominent citizens of this portion of the 
county, has been for a period of thirty-five years 
a director in the Glencove Mutual Insurance 
Company, and from 1878 to 1892 was treasurer 
of this organization. For many years past he has 
been kept very busy settling up estates, and by 
tact and discretion scarcely ever fails to give satis- 
faction to all concerned. 

Mr. Downing was first married January 3, 1837, 
to Miss Eliza, daughter of Daniel Lewis. Their 
son Charles is now deputy county clerk of Ja- 
maica; Ann E., now deceased, was married to 
James R. Voorhees, of the town of Oyster Bay ; 
Daniel was a soldier in the late war and was killed 
June 17, 1863, in a charge made by the Harris 
Cavalry of New York, at Aldie, Va.; Mary J. is 
the widow of John C. White, who died at Say- 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ville, December 15, 1894. Mrs. Eliza Downing 
departed this life November 13, 1843, ^^'^ March 
18, 1849, our subject married Miss Rachel, daugh- 
ter of Isaac Bedell. This lady was born at 
Babylon, June 10, 1828. Their son Richard is 
now a resident" of East Norwich ; and Louise is the 
wife of William Vernon, also of East Norwich. 
The mother of our subject died October 2, 1872, 
when aged ninety-three years, three months and 
nine days. 

In politics Mr. Downing is a Democrat, and 
although not a member of any church himself, 
his wife is identified with the Reformed Church as 
one of its most worthy and consistent members. 



JOHN MORRISON. Long Island City may 
well be proud of the amount of brains and 
energy possessed by her representative busi- 
ness men, for, taken as a whole, there are none 
brighter, more intelligent, or with more ability 
and push in any direction, and among them are 
the members of the firm of J. & D. Morrison, 
stone-cutters and contractors, at the corner of 
Harris and Vernon Avenues. The senior mem- 
ber of the firm, John Morrison, was born in 
Lochee, Scotland, in 1845. His father, Andrew 
Morrison, came of a fine old border family, and 
by trade was a practical machinist. While in the 
prime and vigor of manhood he was called from 
this life, leaving a widow, who was formerly Mary 
Scott, a native of Montrose, Scotland, and two 
children, Andrew, at Lochee, Scotland, and John. 
The mother died at Lochee in 1892, at the age of 
seventy-six years, having been almost a life-long 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

In the pay schools of Lochee, Scotland, John 
Morrison obtained a thoroughly practical educa- 
tion, or at least such an education as could be ac- 
quired prior to his eleventh year, for at that ten- 
der age he was compelled to commence the battle 
of life for himself and do all he could to provide 
for his physical wants. Until fifteen years old he 
followed carpet-weaving and then for four years 
was apprenticed to the stone-cutter's trade, thor- 
oughly learning every detail of the business. 
When his apprenticeship had expired he began 
traveling over Scotland and England as a jour- 
neyman, and in 1872 came to America. In tlie 
city of New York he followed his trade until 1881, 
since which time Long Island City has been his 
home, although he still continued to work in 
New York. 



In 1883 Mr. Morrison formed a partnership in 
the stone business with William Gauld, the firm 
name being Morrison & Gauld, and their place 
of business was first at Newtown Creek, then in 
Seventh Street, and there continued until 1888, 
when the firm was dissolved. Our subject then 
became associated with his nephew, David G. 
Morrison, and the firm of J. & D. Morrison was 
established, first in Seventh Street and then on 
Harris and Vernon Avenues, having a one hun- 
dred foot frontage on the latter street and ex- 
tending back five hundred and two feet. The 
building is 100x50 feet in dimensions and is op- 
erated by steam power, the boiler being eighty 
and the engine forty-five horse power. They 
have diamond and gang saws, rubbing bed, plan- 
ers and derricks, two of the latter being able to 
handle twenty tons with an eighty-five foot sweep. 
Tracks are laid to the different sheds, and from 
forty to fifty men are given constant employment. 

Owing partly to the excellence of the stone 
handled, and partly to the superior ability and 
methods of the company, the business has grown 
to large proportions and shipments are made to. 
many parts of the United States. The stock com- 
prises stone from Connecticut, Indiana, Ohio, 
Nova Scotia, the Wyoming Valley, the South, and 
from Scotland, the product of which famous quar- 
ries is in great demand by builders and contrac- 
tors. The firm suppHed the material for a fine row 
of flats in Fifth Street, besides that of many other 
buildings mentioned in the sketch of the junior 
member, David G. Morrison. Mr. Morrison 
owns a fine residence at No. 125 Fifth Street., 
He was married in his native land to Miss Cath- 
erine Methven, and of four children born to them,, 
one is living, Martha. Mrs. Morrison died in. 
November, 1895. Mr. Morrison belongs to Is- 
land City Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has. 
held various responsible positions, and politically 
is a stanch Republican. He attends the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. 



OBED L. LUSK, M. D. Man when well 
boasts that he has no need bf the doctor, 
and is pleased to indulge in jibes and 
sneers concerning the skill of the members of the 
profession, and those who rail the loudest are 
the first to send for the physician at the sound of 
danger. At least that is true in many cases, and 
the long suffering physician, anxious to benefit 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



271 



mankind, responds to all calls, no matter what the 
weather may be, and often endangers his own 
health in caring for that of others. Dr. Obed L. 
Lusk, an active medical practitioner, has been 
successful in his efforts to relieve the sufferings 
of mankind, and as a natural result, his services 
are largely in demand. For the past nine years 
he has resided in Rockaway Beach, Oceanus, L. 
I., but previous to that was a resident of Chicago. 
His father, George W. Lusk, is a well-to-do lum- 
ber manufacturer, living at Fond du Lac, Wis. 
The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Pal- 
mer, was a native of New Hartford, N. Y. Their 
children \vere named as follows: George H., of 
Thorp, Wis.: Obed L., our subject; Clessen S., 
of Fond du Lac, Wis., and Louis P. 

Obed L. Lusk was born in Edgerton, Wis., 
October i, 1859, and no doubt inherits much of 
his determination from his Scotch ancestry on 
the paternal side. He received a good practical 
education in his native village and when seven- 
teen years old entered the college at Evanston, 
III, where he took a three-years course, and grad- 
uated. After that he entered the medical depart- 
ment of the same institution, called Northwestern 
University Medical School, at Chicago, and, hav- 
ing a natural taste for the study of medicine, made 
rapid progress in his studies. He read medicine 
with his mother's only brother, Henry Palmer, 
and graduated March 29, 1882. Soon after he 
began practicing in Chicago with George Abbott, 
at the corner of Monroe and State Streets, and 
remained there about a year. 

From there the Doctor went to Texas with 
state troops as surgeon, and afterward traveled 
around for about two years, visiting among other 
places South America and nearly all parts of the 
United States, after which he returned to Chicago. 
From there he soon after went to New York City 
and took a special course in Bellevue Medical 
College, thus perfecting himself in all details. 
Subsequently he came to Oceanus, L. I., and as 
business increased and a demand for his services 
arose, he moved here permanently. 

Dr. Lusk is a Western man and his ideas have 
been broadened by Western associations. Since 
April 14, 1886, he has been health officer for the 
town of Hempstead, filHng the office most cap- 
ably. The Doctor is also examiner for the Equit- 
able Insurance Company, New York Insurance 
Company, and the Mutual Reserve Insurance 
Company. He is a member of the National Life 
Association of Hartford, the American Legion of 



Honor, and Star of Hope Lodge No. 430, F. & 
A. M., at Brooklyn. 

While fully prepared for general practice, the 
Doctor has made something of a specialty of dis- 
eases of women and children. He has the pat- 
ronage of the large hotels here in the summer and 
is one of the most successful practitioners of the 
island. His duties as health officer call him to 
many places and he has gained a wide-spread rep- 
utation. He is surgeon for the New York and 
Rockaway Beach Railroad. At the rate of twenty 
tons per day during the summer months garbage 
and refuse from the streets of Oceanus were de- 
posited into the ocean, but through the efforts 
of the Doctor the practice has been discontinued. 
He says garbage can and must be cremated and 
he has taken the contract for five years to dispose 
of it in this way. He expects to be ready by 
Tune I, 1896, with his cremating furnace, the 
plant costing him $10,000. He is a public spirited 
citizen, well up with all advanced ideas, and is 
respected by all. He married Miss Carrie Weber, 
of New York City. Politically the Doctor is in- 
dependent. 



DAVID G., MORRISON. One of the in- 
dustries always in demand, and daily in- 
creasing by reason of the rapid growth 
of cities and villages, is that of the stone dealer. 
A casual glance about us is all that is required to 
gain a conception of the immense amount of stone 
required in the construction of a city, and this 
enterprise is well represented in Long Island City 
by the firm of J. & D. Morrison, who are general 
contractors of cut stone, with offices and yards 
at the corner of Harris and Vernon Avenues. 

The junior member of this well known firm, 
David G. Morrison, was born near Dundee, Scot- 
land, January 31, i860, his father, Andrew Mor- 
rison, having been born at Lochee, Scotland, 
where he learned all branches of the stone-cut- 
ter's trade while growing up. Later he became 
superintendent of the stone yards of Sturock & 
Sheriff, a position he ably filled for many years, 
but at the present time is filling a like position 
for John H. Sharp & Co., at Dundee, although 
his home still continues to be at Lochee. He was 
united in marriage with Miss Ann Watt, also a 
native of Lochee, and her death he was called 
upon to mourn in 1893. Six children were bom 
of this union, five of whom are living. The 
subject of this sketch, who is the second in order 



J./^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of birth and the eldest son, is the only member 
of the family now in America. His youth was 
spent at Lochee, and there he acquired a practical 
education, as did also his brothers and sisters, 
who were as follows: Helen, Mrs. Andrew Wil- 
son, of Kirkwall, Scotland; John, an extensive 
contractor and builder at Lochee, Scotland; Bar- 
bara, Mrs. Hutton, of Perthshire, Scotland ; Mary, 
of Lochee; and Jennie, who is deceased. 

David G. Morrison pursued his studies until 
he had reached the age of fifteen years, then be- 
gan learning stone-cutting under his father, re- 
maining for five years. He then decided to seek 
his fortune in America, and on the 9th of April, 
1882, landed in New York, where he soon se- 
cured work at his trade. While there he became 
connected with the United Presbyterian Church, 
in Forty-fourth Street, near Ninth Avenue, in 
which he afterward held the position of chorister 
until December, 1885, when he returned to Scot- 
land. While at his old home at Lochee, he was 
married, January 18, 1886, to Miss Janet Young, 
a native of that place and a daughter of John 
Young, the station master at Lochee for the Cal- 
edonia Railroad of Scotland. With his young 
wife Mr. Morrison returned to the LTnited States 
March 5, 1886, and agaiia took up his residence in 
New York and became chorister of the United 
Presbyterian Church once more. 

In August, 1886, Mr. Morrison engaged in the 
stone-cutting business on his own account in New 
York on West Forty-fourth Street, where he con- 
tinued to transact business until 1889, at which 
time he sold out and formed a partnership with 
his uncle, John Morrison, and they engaged in 
the general contracting of cut-stone in Seventh 
Street, Long Island City. Here they established 
a very extensive plant, operated by steam power, 
but in 1 89 1 sold it to a syndicate and purchased 
the Henchman estate, at the corner of Harris and 
Vernon Avenues, Ravenswood, where a large 
plant was erected and fitted up with all modern 
improvements and appliances, their dock on East 
River being very conveniently located about one 
hundred feet away. They have established a 
very large and remunerative trade and supplied 
the material for the building of the fine Majestic 
Hotel at Seventy-first and Seventy-second and 
Eighth Streets, New York; seven residences ad- 
joining this hotel, owned by Mr. Crawford; pub- 
lic school buildings in New York and other cities ; 
numerous apartment houses and many private 
residences and other buildings in Long Island 



City. From the character of the production and 
the standing of this firm, it may be inferred that 
these gentlemen are firmly entered upon a busi- 
ness career of the highest usefulness. 

Mr. Morrison and his family reside in a beauti- 
ful residence at No. 14 Elj^ Avenue, Long Island 
City, besides which he owns other valuable prop- 
erty. His children are as follows : Louisa, Mag- 
gie, Andrew, Janet, and David G., Jr. In his 
political views Mr. Morrison is a Republican and 
is a member of the general committee of the Re- 
publican party. He has been a delegate to va- 
rious conventions, and has always been quite 
actively interested in political matters.- Socially 
he is a member of the Independent Order of For- 
esters, Crescent Lodge No. 402, F. & A. M., of 
New York City; the Scotch order, St. Andrew's 
Benevolent Society of New York; the Brooklyn 
Master Stonecutters' Association; the New York 
City Master Stonecutters' Association, and the 
New York Mechanic and Traders' Exchange. 
For some time Mr. Morrison has been connected 
with the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Long Island City, being one of its trustees. He is 
a fine tenor singer and has held the position of 
chorister. In trade circles he is regarded as an 
honorable business man, who has gained the en- 
tire confidence of his numerous customers, and 
once to form business relations with him is to 
be a permanent customer. 



ELBERT H. MACKEY, JR., was born Sep- 
tember 14, 185 1, in the village of Port 
Washington, where he now resides. He is 
a son of Capt. Elbert H. Mackey, a native of 
Glencove, L. I., born October 19, 1821, to James 
and EKzabeth (Wilson) Mackey. When between 
twelve and fifteen years the Captain accompanied 
other members of the family to Port Washington, 
where, at the latter age, he began to learn the 
shoemaker's trade, and upon the completion of 
his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman, 
afterward starting a shop of his own. From this 
village he moved to New York and for a number 
of years carried on a general store there. 

In that city Captain Mackey married Mrs. 
Rhoda (Hendrickson) Baldwin, a native of Glen- 
cove, and daughter of Stephen and Catharine 
Hendrickson. Closing out his business in New 
York, he purchased a farm of about sixty acres 
and for some years engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, after which he embarked in the fish business 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



273 



and in the manufacture of oil, being one of the 
men who established that enterprise here. Later 
he turned his attention to oyster farming, at first 
getting his own seed, but since then the business 
has grown to such an extent that the seed is 
bought. In addition to other work, he has also 
carried on a freighting business. 

By his marriage Captain Mackey became the 
father of five children, but only two are now liv- 
ing, viz.: Elbert H., Jr., the subject of this record, 
and Stephen, who first married Maria Louise 
Seaman, by whom he had one child, Eva Louise, 
and after her death was united in marriage with 
Carrie, daughter of Elbert and Deborah (Hulsart) 
Burr, of Coldspring, L. I., this union resulting in 
the birth of two children, Maude H. and Ralph 
Elbert. Politically Captain Mackey is a Repub- 
lican and voted for Henry Clay in 1844, that being 
his first presidential ballot. For two terms he was 
collector of taxes, and for many years served as 
trustee of schools and overseer of the poor. In 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is 
a member, he has been class leader and trustee. 
Socially he is associated with the Ancient Order 
of Druids and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, being a member of the encampment. 

The education gained by our subject was such 
as the common schools of Port Washington af- 
forded. Reared to a knowledge of the oyster 
business, he adopted that as his life calling and 
has followed it with success, being with his father 
until his marriage, since which he has been in 
business alone. February 10, 1875, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary E. Cornelious, daugh- 
ter of John D. and Mary (Baldwin) Cornelious, of 
Merrick, L. I. Four children were born of the 
union, but three died in infancy, the only survivor 
being John D. C, who was born in Port Wash- 
ington, December i, 1877, and graduated from 
the Flushing High School in 1896, completing 
the regular four years' course in three years. Mrs. 
Mary E. Mackey died June 4, 1895, mourned by 
a large circle of friends, to whom her noble 
attributes of character had endeared her. She 
was a sincere Christian, a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Mack- 
ey has belonged since boyhood. 

While not a politician in the ordinary accep- 
tance of that word, Mr. Mackey is intelligently 
posted concerning public matters and the inter- 
national issues of the age, and in presidential elec- 
tions supports the Republican candidates. So- 
cially he is connected with Seawaninahaka Lodge 



No. 670, I. O. O. F., in which he takes an active 
part. He is also identified with the Atlantic 
Hook and Ladder Company. The business in 
which he now engages was begun upon a small 
scale, but through prudence and industry he has 
increased it until now it ranks among the fore- 
most industries of the village. 



JOHN J. McDERMOTT, superintendent of 
the United States Mortar Company, at Port 
Washington, is a native of England, having 
been born in Lancashire, February 21, 1859. His 
parents, Patrick and Ann McDermott, were also 
born in England, where the father was chief en- 
gineer in various manufacturing towns for many 
years. John J. attended the common schools un- 
til reaching his thirteenth year, when he began 
working in a machine shop and was thus em- 
ployed for five years. He had seven brothers and 
one sister, Mary E., who is now deceased. Six 
of the sons became skilled engineers, and so pro- 
ficient were they in this business that they could 
take charge of a plant and operate it at a mo- 
ment's notice. 

In the year 1876 John J., of this history, emi- 
grated to America, joining his uncle, Michael Mc- 
Dermott, who was a prominent politician of New 
York City. John was appointed to a position in 
the city department and very worthily transacted 
all the duties devolving tipon him for a year and 
a half, when he resigned on account of his uncle's 
death. He then went to Jersey City and obtained 
the position of engineer in McDonough's coop- 
erage, remaining there for two years. He then 
enhsted in the navy as deck blacksmith. For 
three years and five months he was with the 
Sotith Atlantic squadron, and during that tiine 
made many ports in South America. 

On his return to New York after the close of his 
term of enlistment Mr. McDermott began work 
as a steam fitter, to which he very soon added the 
business of a machinist. He was thus employed 
for about four years, meeting with signal success 
in all his undertakings. In July, 1894, he ac- 
cepted the position which he now holds as super- 
intendent of the United States Mortar Company, 
which manufactures three hundred and fifty cubic 
yards of mortar per day. This article, which is 
machine-made, is all ready for use, and this proves 
a great convenience to builders. 

July II, 1886, Mr. McDermott and Miss Mary 
F. Williams were united in marriage. The latter 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is the daughter of James and Honora (Gerry) 
WilHams, and by her union with our subject has 
become the mother of a daughter, Loretta, and a 
son, John J., Jr., both of whom were born in New 
York City in the same house in which their moth- 
er was born. In politics Mr. McDermott is not 
identified with any particular party, but during 
elections votes for the best man. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. McDermott are identified with the Catholic 
Church. 



SANFORD MURRAY is known as the own- 
er and proprietor of the large pavihon on 
Rockaway Beach at Oceanus P. O., Sea- 
side Station. This seaside resort is favorably 
known to many thousands of people, who make 
frequent pilgrimages during the summer months 
to enjoy the comforts and pleasures there af- 
forded. Erected by Mr. Murray at a cost of $40,- 
000, it is elegant in its appointments and is the 
best of its kind on the beach, comparing favora- 
bly in every respect with similar places at fash- 
ionable and aristoci-atic summer resorts. 

The parents of our subject, Charles and Sarah 
(Peets) Murray, died at the ages of seventy-two 
and fifty-six respectively. The former, who was 
a native of Orange County, spent the principal 
part of his life in Greenpoint, where he followed 
the trade of a ship joiner and carpenter. His 
family consisted of six sons and one daughter, but 
the latter died in infancy, and two sons are also 
deceased, the survivors being Charles, an en- 
graver living in Brooklyn; James E., who is en- 
gaged in the roofing business at Brooklyn; San- 
ford, and George L., who married Miss Buckridge 
at Morris Park and is in the employ of Smith, 
Grey & Co., of Brooklyn. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New 
York City November 3, 1844. At the age of fif- 
teen he began to learn the plumber's trade, but 
this did not prove congenial and he abandoned it 
after one and one-half years. In i860 he en- 
tered the employ of the New York Gas Light 
Company, and during the fourteen years he was 
with that concern held many positions of respon- 
sibility, including that of collector. While hold- 
ing the latter position he was on one occasion 
assaulted, it being supposed that he had consid- 
erable money with him. He was struck from be- 
hind with a hatchet, which inflicted a severe and 
dangerous wound under the ear and almost cost 
his life. 



For one year Mr. Murray was manager of the 
pavilion at Islip, in connection with Mr. Wain- 
wright, after which he came to Oceanus, repre- 
senting the firm of Wainwright & Remsen, and 
took charge of the Seaside House, having an in- 
terest in the business for three years. In 1878, 
associated with Mr. Valentine, he leased ground 
in Remsen Avenue and built a hotel, which they 
owned for ten years, his partner then selling his 
interest to Mr. Datz. At that time there was no 
house between the hotel and Ocean Beach. The 
building was commodious, containing one hun- 
dred and fifty rooms, and its cost, including fur- 
niture, was $120,000. All was prosperous until 
the fire, which destroyed this with many other 
buildings and caused a great loss among the prop- 
erty owners here. 

Meantime, in 1892, Mr. Murray had begun the 
erection of the Grand Ocean Pavilion, the finest 
on the beach. Of the men who were engaged in 
the business at the time he came here all have 
retired or are deceased excepting himself, so that 
he is the oldest representative of this line of work 
in the place. He is a widower and has one daugh- 
ter, Estella, Mrs. George H. Allan, of Park Place, 
Brooklyn. Politically he is a Democrat, inter- 
ested in local afl^airs, and fraternally holds mem- 
bership with the Masons. He assisted in the or- 
ganization of the fire department and has aided in 
other enterprises of a public nature. 



EV. ISAAC PECK, the popular pastor of 
Roslyn Episcopal Church, and a man of 
ability, was born in Flushing, L. I., Janu- 
ary 15, 1858, a son of Isaac and Abby P. (Beers) 
Peck. The father was a successful business man 
of Flushing and was special agent for a number 
of the largest insurance companies of New York. 
The early part of his life was spent in Brooklyn, 
but later he moved to Flushing, and there received 
his final summons in 1888. The first member of 
this family to settle in America was WiUiam Peck, 
who took passage on board the vessel "Hector," 
that left England in 1637. He was one of the 
founders of the New Haven colony. The sixth 
generation descended from William Peck was 
Jonathan Peck, who settled in Flushing in 1790. 
His son, Isaac Peck, was the grandfather of our 
subject. 

The youthful days of Rev. Isaac Peck were 
spent in the Flushing Institute and in 1875 he 
entered Yale College, from which he was grad- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



^/D 



Liated in 1879. After this he took a year's 
course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
of New York and then a course in Berkeley Di- 
vinity School at Middletown, Conn., graduating 
from the latter in 1883. He was then ordained 
deacon and the same year took charge of Christ 
parish at Laredo, Tex., where he remained one 
year, being obliged to give this up on account 
of ill health. This was the only Episcopal Church 
within a radius of one hundred and eighty miles. 
Subsequently he was appointed rector of Trinity 
Church, Tilton, N. H., and remained there one 
year, after which he was appointed rector of Em- 
manuel Church, at Washington, D. C. Later he 
returned to New Hampshire and was in charge of 
All Saints Church at Littleton for three years. 

After this he was rector of St. Paul's Church, 
Kinderhook, N. Y., for three and a half years, and 
in 1892 took charge of Trinity Church, Roslyn, 
where he has remained since. Mr. Peck is a 
Master Mason, a member of Cornucopia Lodge 
No. 563, Flushing. On the 2d of October, 1890, 
he was married in the Church of the Holy Com- 
munion, New York City, to Miss Mary Constan- 
tia Smith Heyward, daughter of William Hey- 
ward, who is a lineal descendant of Thomas Hey- 
ward, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence. 



D WESLEY PINE. The name of Pine 
has long been actively and prominently 
■' identified with the upbuilding of Free- 
port, L. I., and the erection of many of her largest 
and most stately edifices. There is no more im- 
portant industry in a growing city or one in which 
its exponents are in greater demand, than the 
builder and contractor. Freeport's imposing bus- 
iness buildings and fine residences have proved 
this, while the builder may with truth at once 
be designated as one of the foremost and useful 
developers of a vicinity. D. Wesley Pine is one 
of the most prominent men engaged in this line 
of business in Freeport. He was born at Green- 
wich Point, January 5, 1846, and is a son of Ray- 
nor and Catherine (Edwards) Pine, both natives 
of the island, where their entire lives were spent. 
The youthful days of Raynor Pine were spent 
in a paper mill and for some time he was engi- 
neer of the same. Later he engaged in farming 
and was thus occupied at the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1882. Mrs. Pine died in 1867. 
Our subject had only the ordinary advantages' of 



the district school during his youth, but under the 
admirable training of his father learned habits of 
industry and perseverance on the farm that have 
remained with him through life. When nineteen 
he began learning the carpenter's trade and five 
years were spent in this before he embarked in 
business for himself. In 1877 he formed a co- 
partnership with Carman Pearsall, of Freeport, 
and the firm of Pine & Pearsall has continued up 
to the present time. 

This firm is one of the best known in its line 
in the community and the many buildings erected 
by Mr. Pine and Mr. Pearsall are fair samples of 
their handiwork. D. W. Pine was married in 
1870 to Miss Laura E. Treadwell, daughter of 
Timoth)? Treadwell, who is a descendant of one 
of the oldest and best respected families of Long 
Island. Mr. and Mrs. Pine's only child, Murwin 
W., closed his eyes in. death at the early age of 
fifteen years. For many years this worth}' cou- 
ple have been active and earnest members of the 
Presbyterian Church and are leaders in all good 
work. For twenty-eight years Mr. Pine has been 
a member of the Odd Fellows' Order, and in poli- 
tics he is a Republican, faithfully supporting the 
platform and measures of that party. 

Our subject has never aspired to any political 
position, preferring to give his entire attention 
to his business, which has grown to vast pro- 
portions under his admirable management. For 
many years he was foreman of Excelsior Hook 
and Ladder Company of Freeport, and is also a 
director in the Freeport Bank and in the Free- 
port Land Company. The village was incorpo- 
rated about the year 1892 and a fire department 
organized with Mr. Pine as chief. He is ever alive 
to the progress and interests of his village and 
vicinity and is a most worthy citizen. 



WILLIAM POST. Not only in the vil- 
lage of East Williston, where he re- 
sides, but throughout this section of 
Long Island, Mr. Post is known as an energetic 
and capable business man, who is especially qual- 
ified by experience and training for the work of 
which he makes a specialty. He is engaged as 
a dealer in and shipper of all grades of draft 
horses, carriage and I'oad horses, and his judg- 
ment as to the merits and values of equine flesh is 
said to be unsurpassed. 

In Westbury, where he was born, January 30, 
1853, the subject of this sketch was reared to man- 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hood and educated in the pubhc schools, his 
course being completed in a college at Easton, 
N.Y. At the age of seventeen his father died, after 
which for eight years he had the supervision of 
the home farm. While thus occupied he was mar- 
ried, October 16, 1877, to Mary J. Willis, daugh- 
ter of John H. Willis, who belonged to one of 
the oldest families of this community. Three 
children have been born of their union : Gertrude 
W., Frederick H. and Lillian E. 

His father having established a stock and butch- 
er business, Mr. Post succeeded to this and car- 
ried it on at Westbury, but in 1878 he disposed 
of his interests in that village and came to East 
Williston. He at once entered upon the cattle 
business here, and after a short time also became 
interested in the horse trade, which he conducted 
upon a constantly increasing scale until it reached 
important dimensions. In 1888 he commenced 
buying from the western states, his purchases 
being largely from Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois 
and Iowa. In 1886 he established the brick man- 
ufacturing business which is still conducted by 
himself and his brother. These two lines of work 
demand his close attention in order to secure the 
most profitable results. For this reason he has 
invariably declined public ofSce, though he is a 
firm supporter of Republican principles. With 
his wife he belongs to the Presbyterian Church of 
Roslyn and contributes generously to benevolent 
and religious enterprises. 



JOHN B. REBOUL was born in Warren 
Street, New York, in the year 181 1. His 
father, John B. Reboul, was born in France. 
He left there and settled in St. Domingo, where 
he remained until the insurrection of the slaves, 
when he came to New York, where he lived un- 
til his death. John B. Reboul, the subject of this 
sketch, was thus left an orphan at the age of nine 
years. He resided in New York with his two sis- 
ters and received his education in that city. When 
twenty years of age he went abroad, and on his 
return engaged in the fur business, and was one 
of the largest shippers to the London sales. 

Mr. Reboul came to Astoria when it was a small 
place and was one of the first to organize the 
school system there. Not alone was he active in 
educational affairs, but he was identified with 
every enterprise that had for its object the im- 
provement of Astoria. He was a member of St. 
George's Episcopal Church, and was both its 



treasurer and clerk for many years. In the year 
1839 he married Miss Almira W. Whittemore, 
daughter of Homer and Maria Blackwell Whitte- 
more. They had seven children, only one of 
whom is now living. He was active and strong 
until the last two or three years of his life, his 
death occurring February 25, 1894, when in his 
eighty-third year. 

A just regard for the memory of those who have 
departed this life is cherished by all people of true 
sensibility and particularly so when their careers 
have been filled with acts of usefulness and kind- 
ness, for such was the life of John B. Reboul, 
whose memory is revered and respected, and 
who was one of the influential citizens of Astoria. 



HENRY J. NICKOLAUS, who is editor and 
publisher of the "Hicksville Press," also 
holds the responsible position of postmas- 
ter of Hicksville. He is a man of much influ- 
ence in the community and is regarded as an of- 
ficial of sound judgment in public affairs. He 
was born in New York City, November 12, 1866, 
to Henry and Barbara Nickolaus, natives of New 
York and Germany respectively. 

When in his third year the subject of this sketch 
was brought to Hicksvihe by his parents and here 
received his education. When only thirteen, 
however, his father procured a situation for him 
as an apprentice in the printing business and for 
a short time he worked in the office of John N. 
Hydell, No. 104 Duane Street, New York. The 
education which he had received being a very 
meager one, he was not satisfied, and as soon as 
possible he made arrangements to attend Gas- 
kell's Business College of Jersey City, carrying on 
his studies there in the evening and working at 
his trade during the day. He rapidly advanced in 
his vocation and became quite an expert in set- 
ting type. 

When nineteen years of age Mr. Nickolaus was 
married to Miss Catherine Augustin. In Janu- 
ary, 1890, the young couple removed from Jer- 
sey City to Huntington, L. I., where for eleven 
months Mr. Nickolaus was engaged on the "Long 
Islander." During the short time he was there 
he was instrumental in organizing Nathan Hale 
Council, Royal Arcanum, in which body he was 
an active and influential worker. 

In November of the above year Mr. and Mrs. 
Nickolaus returned to Jersey City and made that 
place their home until November, 1892, when we 




JOHN O'DONNELL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



279 



find them again residents of the island, this time 
making Hicksville their place of residence. In 
the spring of the following year our subject was 
appointed inspector of elections. He at once be- 
came identified with the leading movements of his 
community and became quite prominent in the 
councils of the Democratic party, of which he is 
a strong supporter. 

May 3, 1893, Mr. Nickolaus engaged in busi- 
ness, opening a general and job printing office 
in Broadway, and March 10, 1894, the "Hicks- 
ville Press" made its appearance. This is a four- 
page Democratic weekly, of which our subject 
is editor and publisher. It is a live, newsy sheet, 
and devoted to advancing the best interests of the 
community. About this time the leading Demo- 
crats of Hicksville were looking about them for 
.a man worthy to fill the office of postmaster, and 
after watching the editorial columns of the "Press'' 
for a time, came to the conclusion that Mr. Nick- 
olaus was the man for the place. He forthwith 
received the endorsement of the county central 
committee, and April 28, 1894, was duly appoint- 
ed postmaster. He ^las earned a well merited 
reputation by the conscientious and efficient man- 
ner in which he conducts all matters entrusted to 
his care and is therefore most highly regarded by 
the people of Hicksville. 

Socially Mr. Nickolaus is a member of Hicks- 
ville Council No. 1 1 59, Royal Arcanum; Prim- 
rose Lodge No. 569, I. O. O. F.; belongs to two 
fire companies, the Mutual Aid Society, the 
Lutheran Aid Society and the Democratic Asso- 
ciation of the district. 



JOHN O'DONNELL. As a leading citizen 
of Queens County, one who has for many 
years thoroughly identified himself with its 
best interests, his far-reaching enterprise, apti- 
tude for affairs, and broad public spirit being po- 
tent in advancing its welfare in various directions, 
the name of John O'Donnell is inseparably Hnked 
with its growth and progress. He resides on his 
farm situated on the Rockaway road and adjoin- 
ing the village of Jamaica on the south. 

A native of Manhattan, the home where Mr. 
O'Donnell spent his early years was in the imme- 
diate neighborhood of the residence of Madam 
Cumel, the noted woman whom Aaron Burr mar- 
ried. His father, John O'Donnell, was born in 
County Down, Ireland, and about 1816 emigrated 
to America. In 1844 he came to the present home 

9 



of his son and here he spent his remaining years, 
engaged as a market gardener. He was success- 
ful in his enterprises, and at his death left a com- 
fortable fortune, and better still, a name highly 
respected by all who knew him. His wife, Mar- 
garet Laughlin, was a near relative to the late 
Bishop John Laughhn, of the Roman Catholic 
Church. In their family were three children, of 
whom James died when about fifty years old, leav- 
ing a widow and eight children. The only daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Lydia A. Shaw, is a widow and lives in 
Jamaica. She has one daughter, Mrs. Frances 
Bernardi. 

The early years of our subject were not years of 
idleness. Throughout the summer months he 
worked hard on the home place, assisting his fath- 
er in the market gardening business. His school- 
ing was limited to the winter seasons, when he 
was permitted to attend the neighboring schools, 
and his education was completed in the famous 
Union Hall Academy of Jamaica. At the age of 
nineteen he went to Wisconsin to visit his sister, 
and while there her husband died. For four years 
ensuing he had charge of the large lumber busi- 
ness for the estate, and, liking the work, it was his 
fixed purpose to remain in the West, but yielding 
to the earnest soHcitation of his aged parents, he 
returned to Jamaica, where he has since resided 
on the estate bequeathed him by his father. 

When a young man Mr. O'Donnell began writ- 
ing articles for publication in the local journals. 
During the war these articles, which were written 
in a clear and forcible manner from the. standpoint 
of a war Democrat, attracted much favorable 
comment. He was a member of Company A, 
Eighty-ninth Regiment National Guard, and be- 
came Quartermaster. The company tendered 
their services to the government in the early days 
of the rebellion, but were not accepted, as they 
were needed for a home guard within the boun- 
daries of the state. 

His liking for and success in journalistic work 
led Mr. O'Donnell, in 1868, to launch upon the 
stormy waters of public opinion the now famous 
"Jamaica Standard." From that time until Oc- 
tober, 1890, he guided its destinies, building it 
up as an independent paper. Through its col- 
ums he advocated every good cause with zeal and 
with equal ardor he condemned what did not meet 
his approval. The subscription list became large 
and the influence of the paper increased until it 
became a large factor in moiilding public senti- 
ment. In April, 1869, the accident at Willowtree 



28o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Station, on the Long Island Railroad, resulted m 
the killing of seven men and the wounding of 
many others. Among the killed were Mr. Rush- 
more, president of the Atlantic Bank, and Messrs. 
De Pryor and P. H. Stranahan. Mr. O'Donnell 
was made foreman of the coroner's jury, and m- 
vestigated the cause of the accident. In the 
"Standard" he published such full, clear and im- 
partial reports of the accident and its causes as 
to give the paper a permanent place in the con- 
fidence of the people. The fearless and mtelh- 
gent position he took had the effect of causuig 
the railroad authorities to place the road in proper 
condition. At that early period he stood for the 
rights of the people against a strong monopoly, 
and he continued it on that line ever afterwards. 
In 1890 he sold the paper to a syndicate that after- 
wards turned it into a RepubUcan organ. 

During all these years Mr. O'Donnell con- 
tinued to manage his farm, and much of his edi- 
torial work was done in the privacy of his quiet 
home. His public services have been of a most 
important character. For nearly twenty years he 
kept up a constant fight for a suitable market in 
Brooklyn for the gardeners on Long Island, wish- 
ing to establish it in Wallabout, on property con- 
trolled by the government. After much hard 
work and many conferences with officials ^ m 
Washington he finally succeeded in establishing 
the well-known Wallabout market, where the 
Queens County products are principally mar- 
keted, the government ceding a portion of the 
river front for the purpose. He took an active 
part in the acquiring of lands for the Gansvort 
market, on Twelfth Street, New York. At his sug- 
gestion a portion of the land acquired is held for 
the exclusive use of farmers and market garden- 
ers, it being so stipulated in the bill. 

When the question of selling farm products by 
weight was being agitated, Mr. O'Donnell took 
a bold stand against such action and made a fight 
for the standard of measure instead. By constant 
and hard work before the common council of the 
two cities, he succeeded in defeating the pro- 
posed law. Soon after the war an order was is- 
sued compelling all farmers to pay a produce tax 
of $10, and he was one of a committee sent to 
Washington to oppose it. Going to Albany, he 
obtained letters from several state senators to 
United States Senator Fenton requesting him to 
oppose the bill, and it was finally defeated. He 
has always been the champion of good roads on 
Long Island and the excellent system of macad- 



amized roads in Queens County, upon which a 
half million has been spent in the town of Jamaica 
during the past few years, is largely the result of 
his work and influence, he being one of the com- 
missioners having in charge the construction of 
the roads. For five years he was superintendent 
of the Brooklyn water supply. 

One of the most important labors of Mr. 
O'Donnell's life was in behalf of the State Normal 
School at Jamaica. For years a bill had been 
before the legislature for this purpose, but it was 
not until the election of Governor Flower in 1892 
that the bill became a law. He was made a mem- 
ber of the local commission and made a continu- 
ous fight for its location at Jamaica. After years 
of effort, during which many interesting events 
occurred in connection with the bill before the leg- 
islature, the question was finally settled and the . 
work of construction is now (1896) under way. In 
1876 he originated the movement for a state ex- 
periment station and went to Connecticut to in- 
vestigate the method followed there, and through 
the influence of the State Grange had the bill 
passed authorizing the establishment, which was 
finally located at Geneva, this being the first state 
experimental station. Subsequently he served for 
five years on the board of control, and through his 
influence considerable work was done in the in- 
terest of horticuUure. At a farmer's institute held 
at Mineola in 1886 he originated a movement for 
a sub-station on Long Island and has regularly 
attended the legislature to aid in keeping up the 
appropriation. A sub-station was established in 
the village of Jamaica in 1887. February 22, 
1896, he had sole charge of the farmers' institute 
held in Jamaica, which was admitted to be the 
most successful meeting of the kind ever held 
in the state, bringing together the brightest men 
of the nation in that department. 

In former years Mr. O'Donnell was connected 
with the State Grange and was master of the local 
board of Patrons of Husbandry. He aided in 
founding the Jamaica Farmers' Club, of which he 
is now president. While he carried on an inde- 
pendent newspaper, he has personally supported 
Democratic candidates when they were the best 
men. He is regarded as one of the party leaders, 
and though refusing office for himself, has been 
active in aiding his friends. In local politics he 
has always struck out for himself, entirely un- 
hampered by the rules or demands of party lead- 
ers. He has supported Republicans without hesi- 
tation when he beheved they would prove more 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



281 



faithful as public officers than their Democratic 
opponents, and the force of his arguments and ac- 
tive work have; on a number of elections in the 
county, determined the result. 

During all these years of his stanch advocacy of 
Democratic principles he has always been a firm 
friend and admirer of Grover Cleveland. Since 
his retirement from the paper he has spent his 
time at his quiet bachelor home near Jamaica, 
devoting his attention to the management of his. 
farm, but when any matter of public importance 
is presented he is as ready as ever to give it his 
time, thought and financial support, when con- 
vinced that the result will be beneficial to the peo- 
ple and advantageous to the place. 

It may be easily inferred from the foregoing 
resiune of a part of Mr. O'Donnell's fighting life 
that he is a man who has many strong friends and 
some bitter enemies. 



CARMAN PEASELL. Characteristic of 
the American is the ability to change his 
line of business and achieve success in 
what he undertakes. Of the old adage, "a rolling 
stone gathers no moss," the reverse may often be 
said to be true if accompanied by true spirit. For- 
tunate is he who can — when times are troublous 
and circumstances hard — keep his eye fixed on 
the goal and forge ahead to grasp success as a 
reward for his striving. A gentleman who pos- 
sesses this business talent to an eminent degree 
is Carman Peasell, who is engaged in the furni- 
ture, undertaking and house-furnishing business 
in Freeport. Like many of the most successful 
business men of this place, Mr. Peasell is a na- 
tive of Long Island, born at Pearsall's, now 
Lynbrook, in 1827, and he is the son of Will- 
iam and Betsy (Carman) Peasell. 

The parents were natives of Long Island and 
here spent the most of their lives. During his 
lifetime the father was a boatman and was thus 
occupied at the time of his death in 1852. He 
was a man of most excellent principles and was 
highly regarded by all who made his acquaint- 
ance. His wife was born in 1803 and is still liv- 
ing (1896), in the enjoyment of comparative good 
health. Their son. Carman Peasell, had very lim- 
ited educational advantages during his youth, 
receiving his training in what was known as the 
pay school, which was in session about three 
months of the year. Only the wealthy could edu- 
cate their children in these. 



When thirteen years old young Peasell left the 
parental roof and came to Raynortown, now 
.Freeport, and made his home with Willet Ray- 
nor, who was a farmer and fisherman, remainine 

o 

with him for three years. After that he went to 
New York City and served an apprenticeship with 
a cabinetmaker and later learned ship-joining. 
For some time afterward he was engaged in mak- 
ing architectural patterns for houses, but in 1861 
he was in the navy yard in Brooklyn, where for 
some time he was engaged in making gun car- 
riages. In 1864 he began the manufacture of ex- 
tension tables on his own account at Brooklyn, 
N. Y., but ten years later sufifered a heavy loss 
by fire. Afterward he began manufacturing 
stereoscopes and graphoscopes and was thus oc- 
cupied until 1876, when he established a furniture 
business in Brooklyn. He again suffered consid- 
erable loss by fire and in the month of February, 
1886, came to Freeport, where he has ever since 
been engaged in the furniture, undertaking and 
house-furnishing business. His stock is complete 
and his business lucrative. 

Mr. Peasell was married July 3, 1848, to Miss 
Harriet A. Earle, a native of New Jersey and 
daughter of Thomas Earle. Of the seven children 
born of this union only one survives, George W., 
who is engaged in business with his father, and 
who has passed his days thus far in Brooklyn and 
Freeport. In 1879 George Peasell married Min- 
nie F. Watson, daughter of William Watson, for- 
merly of Brooklyn, but now of Freeport. Three 
children bless this union: William Carman, Hat- 
tie and Mildred. For about fifty years Mr. and 
Mrs. Peasell have been worthy members of the 
Methodist Church and take a deep interest in its 
progress. Mr. Peasell is a Mason and in politics 
is a stanch Republican, his first vote being cast 
for Zachary Taylor. He has never aspired to 
political positions and is a citizen who stands high 
in church and social circles. 



ADOLPH G. RAVE, M. D., of New Hyde- 
park, was born in Guttenberg, N. J., June 
20, 1870, and at the age of seven years ac- 
companied his father to Hicksville, L. I., where 
he attended the public schools and Professor 
Bussman's Academy. At the age of eleven he 
entered St. Paul's School at Garden City, Queens 
County, where he remained two years, meantime 
taking a course in grammar, English and Latin. 
When thirteen he was confirmed in the German 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lutheran Church, of which denomination he has 
since been a member. 

For seven years our subject assisted his father 
in the drug iDUsiness, meantime studying phar- 
macy. At the age of nineteen he entered the New 
York College of Pharmacy, where he w^as a stu- 
dent for two years. In 1890 he took up the study 
of medicine in the medical department of the New 
York LTniversity, where the two succeeding years 
were spent. It had been his intention to pursue 
his studies uninterruptedly until graduation, but 
in 1892 his uncle, Herman Rave, of Cleveland, 
Ohio, urged him to take charge of his large drug 
business in that city, as he was obliged to make 
a trip to Europe. This he did, and while his stu- 
dies were temporarily interrupted, the experience 
was a profitable one to him. In April, 1893, he 
entered the Academy of Medicine at Louisville, 
Ky., from w^hich he graduated June 20, 1893, on 
the anniversary of his birth. 

Returning to his native place, the young Doc- 
tor soon afterward passed the Newr York state 
regents' examination at Albany and received a 
license to practice in the state. He then com- 
menced professional work with his father, remain- 
ing with him until the fall of the same year, when 
he moved to the village of New^ Hydepark. Here 
he has since engaged in practice, having a large 
clientage among the people of the village and sur- 
rounding country. In November, 1894, he mar- 
ried EHzabeth, daughter of Christopher Kiefer, of 
New Hydepark, where she was born. One child, 
Lili, blesses the union. 

Politically Dr. Rave is independent. Socially 
he belongs to Glencove Lodge No. 580, F. & A. 
M.; U. S. Grant Council No. 1325, Legion of 
Honor, in New Hydepark, in which he has passed 
all the chairs and is now commander and med- 
ical examiner, and New Hydepark Lodge No. 3, 
Shield of Honor, in which he is now junior mas- 
ter. He is medical examiner for the Prudential 
Insurance Company, of Newark, N. J., and is also 
connected with the Queens County Medical As- 
sociation. 



J' 



■ OHN STERNBERG has had a very success- 
ful career since locating in Schuetzen Park 
in 1872, and now- is the owner of one of the 
most comfortable homes in the place. He has 
followed contracting and building during the 
greater part of his life and is well known all over 
the island, for his work has often called him long- 



distances from home. In 1836 his birth occurred 
in Mecklenburg, Germany, which was also the 
birthplace of his father, John Sternberg. After 
starting out in life the latter became a builder, 
which occupation he followed until his decease, 
which occurred when he was fifty-five years of 
age. His wife, Christine Meske, also passed her 
entire life in the Fatherland. 

The parental family included nine children, of 
whom only four are now living. According to 
the custom in Germany, our subject attended 
school until a lad of fourteen years, when, his 
lather being in limited circumstances, he began 
work as a carpenter's apprentice. After master- 
ing the trade in all its details he traveled as a 
journeyman throughout Germany and Denmark. 
In 1866 he took advantage of an . opportunity 
to come to America, and after remaining in Bos- 
ton for a short time, came to New York. There 
he worked at his trade for a year, then removed to 
Highland Falls, wdiere he was engaged by a large 
contractor. Later he was in the employ of the 
government at West Point, and in 1872 we find 
him located in Long Island City, purchasing a 
place on Broadway, in Schuetzen Park, which was 
just beginning to be built up. Being one of the 
first contractors and builders to make permanent 
residence here, he had all that he could do to erect 
dwellings for those who were moving in. Mr. 
Sternberg is also well known all over the island, 
having erected many public and private buildings 
at Bayridge, Rockville Center and Jamaica. He 
has also done considerable work in New York 
City, and wherever employed, never fails to give 
satisfaction. Although now nearly sixty years 
of age, Mr. Sternberg is still actively engaged in 
business. In addition to doing work by contract, 
he has erected many dw-ellings of his own which 
he has never failed to sell at a good profit when- 
ever he desired to dispose of them. He has asso- 
ciated with him his son William, an architect of 
no mean skill, and who gives his attention almost 
entirely to this branch of the work. In 1887 Mr. 
Sternberg remodeled his residence, so that it is 
■ now one of the most modern and handsomest in 
the park. 

The subject of this sketch was married in Ger- 
many to Miss Dorothy Lyhr, a native of Hanover. 
Of the five children granted them three are now 
living: William, whom we have spoken of as en- 
gaged in business with his father: I\Iary, at home, 
and Gustav, wdio is carrying on a splendid trade 
as a jeweler in Brooklyn. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



283 



Socially Mr. Sternberg belongs to Astoria 
Lodge No. 186, K. of P., the Hara Gara Society, 
the Turners Society and the Frohsinn Singing So- 
ciety. Almost all the members of the Sternberg 
family for many generations back have adhered to 
the faith of the Lutheran Church. In politics 
our subject is a straightforward Republican. He 
is always ready to assist in any worthy movement 
for the general good and as one of the old-time 
residents of Schuetzen Park, he commands the 
respect and confidence of its best citizens. 



JOHN H. SMITH, of Corona, was born in 
Eighth Avenue, Harlem Lane, New York 
City, September 29, 1836, being a son of 
John H. and Eliza Ann (Shearwood) Smith. His 
father, who was born in New York, near the Con- 
necticut line, was a son of Shadrack and Mary 
(Lockwood) Smith. Grandfather Smith was a 
Revolutionary soldier, and his home, which was 
in the line of march, was so raided that there was 
not anything left to be cooked nor any utensil in 
which to cook. After the raiders had gone by 
the grandmother \yent out to look for something 
that might be utilized for cooking vessels and 
finally was obliged to use an old plow share. 

• Of the seven children of John PI. Smith, Sr., we 
note the following: Sarah died unmarried in 
1894; Isaac S. is a resident of Flushing, L. I.; 
Mary died at the age of nine years; Daniel E. is 
deceased; John H. is next in order of birth; 
Thomas G., who Hves in Corona, married Anna P., 
daughter of Col. John Bradshaw, of Salisbury, N. 
C, and they have one child, Grace B.; Edwin A., 
a resident of Westchester County, married Emma, 
daughter of John Striker, late of Locust Grove. 
Of these children, all older than our subject were 
born in New York, and those younger were born 
near Corona. 

The father, who was a farmer by occupation, 
came to Corona in 1837, when this was an entirely 
new country. What is now known as Corona 
Heights was once a part of his farm, which our 
subject helped to clear, later laying it out into vil- 
lage lots. The senior Mr. Smith was a Democrat 
in politics, but never sought nor held public of- 
fice. He attended the Dutch Reformed Church 
at Newtown and was buried there when he died, in 
1852. Our subject attended school in Corona, 
and the old building in which he conducted his 
primary studies is still standing, being used as a 



stable by Mr. Cunningham. For a time he was 
also a pupil in a subscription school. 

The death of his father, when he was about 
sixteen, caused our subject to turn his attention 
to the cultivation of the home farm. Later he 
began to take contracts for building streets and 
laying out new towns, being thus engaged in Co- 
rona, Newtown, Laurelhill, BHssville, Flushing, 
Flushing Park, Palisades Park (N. J.), Union 
Race Course, Ozone Park and throughout the 
central part of Georgia. Politically he is an in- 
dependent Dem.ocrat and voted for Breckenridge 
in i860. Of those men in Queens County who 
were drafted at the time of the Rebellion, he was 
the only one who reported for duty, but he was 
not sent out, the town filling the required quota ; 
while his brother, Thomas, who was drafted, paid 
twelve hundred dollars for a substitute. He is a 
man of business ability, honest in every transac- 
tion, faithful in carrying out his contracts and 
energetic in the performance of every duty. 



GEORGE P. SCHNURR, who is engaged 
in the mercantile business in New Plyde- 
park, was born in the city of Brooklyn 
in 1863. His father, Philip, spent his entire Hfe 
in his native country, Germany, where he died 
prior to the birth of his only child, our subject. 
Very soon after his demise his widow came to 
America and settled in Brooklyn. Three years 
later she removed to Jamaica and there resided 
for some time. George P. was educated in the 
public schools of Jamaica and under the careful 
training of his mother grew to manhood, fitted for 
the responsible duties of Hfe. 

The first enterprise in which Mr. Schnurr en- 
gaged was the milk business, which he followed 
for five years in Brooklyn, making his home in 
that city in the meantime. In 1890 he established 
a grocery business in Queens, which he conducted 
until his removal to New Hydepark, in March, 
1895. Purchasing the stock and business of J. V. 
Bayless, he at once took a leading place among 
the business men of the village, and by his upright 
dealings with all has risen to a position of promi- 
nence among the people. He carries in stock a 
full assortment of dry goods and groceries, as well 
as all articles, to be found in a first-class country 
store. 

While Mr. Schnurr is identified with the Repub- 
lican party, he is liberal in sentiment and concedes 
to others the right of freedom of opinion which 



284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he demands for himself. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Shield of Honor, belonging to Lodge 
No. 3, at New Hydepark. In the U. S. Grant 
Council No. 1325, Legion of Honor, at Queens, 
he has served as chaplain. He was a charter and 
is now an honorary member of Queens Hook and 
Ladder Company No. i, and for a number of 
years held the position of trustee. June 12, 1886, 
he married Miss Matilda Hudson, an estimable 
lady, who passed away February 2, 1887. Since 
that time his aged mother has resided with him. 
He is an enterprising business man, and in addi- 
tion to the sales in his store also has two wagons 
on the road disposing of goods among the people 
of the community. 



JOHN A. TURNER, the well-known real es- 
tate dealer of Corona, was born in Flushing, 
L. I., April 29, 1856, and is a son of William 
and Mary (Wheeler) Turner, natives of New York 
and of Irish ancestry. The father, who learned the 
trade of a painter, later became a contractor and 
builder and made large investments in real estate. 
In 1849 hs removed from the city to Flushing, 
where he remained until his death in 1876, at the 
age of fifty-four. In 1857, during the administra- 
tion of President Buchanan, he was appointed 
master painter of the navy yard at Brooklyn, 
which responsible position he held until there 
was a change in the administration. Afterward 
he was elected justice of the peace in the town of 
Flushing and served one term in that capacity. 
During the period of the Civil War he was 
engaged in filling the quota of soldiers for Queens 
County until 1864, when he was chosen by his 
fellow-citizens to represent them in the Assem- 
bly, and he served one term in that office, giving 
satisfaction to his constituents and proving his 
own superior ability. On retiring from politics he 
entered the hotel business, building the Hoffman 
House at Flushing Bay, and naming it in honor 
of his particular friend, Governor Hoffman. He 
continued in that business until his death. 
Throughout his entire active life he maintained a 
deep interest in local affairs and the welfare of 
the people. Politically he was an old line Whig, 
and upon the disintegration of that party became 
a Democrat. In fraternal relations he was iden- 
tified with the Masonic fraternity. 

Of the twelve children who comprised the 
parental family only four attained years of maturi- 
ty. They are as follows: Mrs. Jane A. Welden, 



of Corona, who has one child; John A.; William, 
a single man living in New York, and Stephen 
Augustine, also unmarried and living in New 
York. Our subject attended the pubHc schools 
of Flushing and at the age of twelve entered St. 
Boniface Academy, from which he graduated at 
the age of seventeen. On leaving school he be- 
came a messenger and check clerk in the Flushing 
and Queens County Bank at Flushing, where he 
remained about fifteen months. For two years 
afterward he was employed in the county clerk's 
office at Jamaica, and in 1877 began to work for 
the American News Company in New York, con- 
tinuing with them for ten years. In 1887 he took 
charge of the shipping rooms of Stremsky, Rei- 
man & Co., of New York, and held that position 
for two years, after which, in December, 1889, 
he took a similar position with Jones Brothers, 
wholesale dealers in tea and coflfee, remaining 
with that firm until September, 1891. 

April ID, 1887, at Winfield, L. I., Mr. Turner 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Nolan, 
of Newtown, and they are the parents of two chil- 
dren living, Mary and James Nolan. Politically 
our subject is a Democrat and cast his first presi- 
dential ballot for General Hancock in 1880, since 
which time he has never lost an opportunity to 
vote for the candidates of his chosen party. At 
this writing he is serving as clerk of the board 'of 
assessors. He was reared in the faith of the Cath- 
olic Church, into which he was confirmed at the 
age of fourteen years, and to the support of which 
he has since contributed. 



PHILIP P. SCOTT. In modern times the 
necessity of sanitary plumbing has come to 
be understood by the majority of the peo- 
ple, who realize that many of the fever scourges 
and epidemics of previous years might have been 
prevented had proper sanitary precautions been 
taken. To this occupation Mr. Scott has devoted 
himself from an early age and in it he has attained 
a proficiency that renders his opinion and work 
valuable. Since 1886 he has made his home in 
Far Rockaway, where he has a place of business 
in Central Avenue. 

The parents of our subject, Peter M. and Cath- 
erine (Conine) Scott, were born in County Clare, 
Ireland, and near Albany, N. Y., respectively, and 
died at the ages of fifty-eight and forty-eight years. 
The father, who was a plumber by trade, engaged 
in business at Utica, N. Y., for some years. Of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



285 



his seven children Philip P. and Mrs. Mary E. 
Perry, of Utica, N. Y., are the only survivors. 
Our subject was born in the city of New York, 
May 15, 1858, and was quite young when the 
family removed to Utica, where he attended the 
public schools. Under his father's instruction he 
learned the plumbers trade, and at the age of 
nineteen, going to New York City, he worked at 
his chosen occupation wherever he had an oppor- 
tunity. Being a good workman, he commanded 
fair wages, but did not succeed in saving much 
money until he began in business for himself. 
While New York City was his place of abode, he 
called Utica his home, and there he cast his first 
presidential vote for James A. Garfield. After 
about four years in New York he came to Far 
Rockaway, where, without any assistance finan- 
cially, he has built up a good business in the line 
of sanitary plumbing. 

The marriage of Mr. Scott united him with 
Miss Josephine H. Mott, who was born in Ear 
Rockaway, and is a member of the Episcopal 
Church here. They are the parents of a son, 
Peter McGregor. A stanch Republican, our sub- 
ject can give a good reason for the faith that is in 
him. Erom the fact that he has proved a good 
business man, his fellow-citizens judged that he 
would be equally efficient in public affairs, and 
they therefore elected him president of the village 
and a member of the village board. His adminis- 
tration is spoken of as one of the best the place 
has ever had, and he was instrumental in effecting 
many needed improvements. In his fraternal re- 
lations he is connected with the Masons and the 
Foresters. 



JAMES B. VAN OSTEN. The love of beauty 
of surroundings was a prominent character- 
istic of Greeks and Romans, but no less is 
it a quality of this latter civilization. James B. 
Van Osten, art decorator and house and sign 
painter, of Hunter's Point, Long Island City, is 
one whose thorough knowledge and practical ex- 
perience in his line of business have placed him 
among the foremost business men of the place. 
He was born in Chicago, 111., March 6, i860, to 
the marriage of F. W. and Tillie (Wilson) Van 
Osten, the former a native of Philadelphia, Pa., 
and the latter of Chicago, 111. The Van Osten 
family came originally from Holland to this coun- 
try and settled in the Keystone State. Great- 
arreat-srandfather Van Osten was a commis- 



sioned officer in the Revolutionary War and died 
for independence. James B. Van Osten, grand- 
father of our subject, was a native of Chester 
County, Pa., and for many years followed the 
trade of carpenter and builder. Later, in part- 
nership with his son, E. W., he embarked as a 
commission merchant, and continued this until 
his death. 

F. W. Van Osten is a graduate of Philadelphia 
College, and when a young man he went to Chi- 
cago, III, where for a few years he was engaged 
in the commission business. There he married, 
but subsequently returned to Philadelphia, where 
with his father he was- engaged in the commission 
business under the firm name of J. B. Van Osten 
& Co. The business was carried on until the 
death of James B. Van Osten, when F. W. con- 
ducted it for some time without a partner. After 
that he was engaged in carriage-bolt manufac- 
turing in Philadelphia, and is following that at 
the present time. Mrs. Van Osten was the daugh- 
ter of Wilham Wilson, who was an old settler in 
Chicago. She died in early life, leaving three 
children, a son and two daughters, all now living. 
The son, who is the subject of this notice, and 
the youngest of the family, is the only Van Osten 
in the Empire State. He secured a good educa- 
tion in the Philadelphia pubHc and high schools 
and finished at Andelusia College of that city in 
1874. Having a decided taste for art and deco- 
rating, he started in the business, and subse- 
quently learned painting, paper-hanging, etc., 
continuing the same for many years. In 1882 
he became traveling salesman for Janeway & Co., 
of New Brunswick, and represented this firm for 
six years. He met with an unusual degree of 
success, being well posted and enterprising, but 
later left this company and worked in the same 
capacity for A. L. Diament & Co., of Philadel- 
phia, representing them in Pennsylvania and New 
York until iSgo. In that year he left the road 
and embarked in business in partnership with 
William F. Morton, under the title of Morton 
& Van Osten, and opened a store at No. 46 Jack- 
son Avenue, Long Island City. 

In 1892 Mr. Van Osten bought out his partner 
and has continued alone ever since. He carries a 
select assortment of wall paper, paints, oils, etc., 
and does wholesale and retail mixing and color 
p-rindine. He does work all over the island and 

o o 

in Brooklyn and New York City, many of the 
finest buildings in these cities having been deco- 
rated and finished by him. He is considered 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



authority in the matter of art decorating, and his 
wide, extensive trade corroborates this fact. Sign 
work is also one of his specialties. 

Mr. Van Osten was married in Long Island 
City to Miss Emma Laws, a native of that place 
and daughter of J- Robert Laws, who is assistant 
postmaster here. They have two children, Emma 
and Adell. In politics Mr. Van Osten is an active 
Republican, and socially is a member of the Lin- 
coln Club. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, but as there is no church of that denom- 
ination in Hunter's Point, he attends the Baptist 
Church, in which his wife holds membership. He 
is leader of the choir and a fine tenor singer. 



RICHARD THOMAS TURNER. Great 
Britain has contributed many sterling busi- 
ness men to the population of the States, 
and among those in Hunter's Point, Long Island 
City, the name of Mr. Turner is deservedly num- 
bered. He is a member of the firm of Turner 
Brothers, sheet iron Avorkers, and during his busi- 
ness career has executed a great amount of work, 
not only in the state of New York, but in other 
states as well. Possessed of the cool, deliberate 
clear sightedness that is so characteristic of men 
of English origin, Mr. Turner saw a fine opening 
for his present business in Hunter's Point, and 
availed himself of the opportunity. 

Mr. Turner was born in London, England, Sep- 
tember I, 1859, and his father, George W. Tur- 
ner, was also a native of that city. For many 
years the latter was superintendent of the large 
finn of Brown, Green & Gray, manufacturers of 
ranges, and he died in that country on the i8th 
of August, 1866. His wife was a Miss Harriet 
Emes, a native, of London and daughter of Thom- 
as Ernes, who was a prominent manufacturer of 
London. After the death of her husband she 
brought the family to America and settled in 
Long Island City in 1867. She is still a resident 
of this city, and now, at the advanced age of sev- 
enty-five years, finds a comfortable home with 
her son, our subject. Thomas Turner, grand- 
father of our subject, was a prominent business 
man in London for many years. He was with the 
English army at Waterloo. 

The seven children born to the parents of our 
subject were named as follows: Thomas F., 
Susanna M., Harriet, Sarah, George J., Alfred K, 
and Richard T. The last named and the youngest 
of the family remained in his native city until 



seven years old and then came to this country 
with the family. He attended the public schools 
of Long Island City until twelve years old and 
then entered the employ of ex-Miayor George 
Retry, with whom he continued for one year, when 
he commenced to learn the tinsmith's trade. He 
remained with Mr. Retry for twenty years and 
was foreman the greater portion of the time. 

In 1890 Mr. Turner started in business for him- 
self and with a partner, under the title of Van 
Riper & Turner, for about a year was engaged 
in the hardware business, also doing tin and sheet 
iron work. At the expiration of that time the 
partnership . was dissolved and Mr. Turner has 
since continued the business with his brother, 
under the firm name of Turner Brothers, at No. 
106 Jackson Avenue. They manufacture varnish 
and oil tanks (pressure blow pipes), stove and 
furnace works, and employ from ten to fourteen 
hands. 

Mr. Turner was married in Long Island City 
to Miss Lucy Withani, a native of Astoria, Long 
Island City, and daughter of Joshua Witham, 
deceased, who was a florist here. Four children 
have been born to this union: Richard Witham, 
Lucy Harwood, Robert Kyle, and Alfred Emes. 
Mr. Turner is a member of the order of American 
Firemen of Long Island City, and of Council No. 
17. He is vice-president of the latter and was 
the second man to be elected to that position. For 
seven years he was a member of the Franklin 
Engine Company. For a number of years he 
has been a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he is steward and assistant su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school. Politically 
he is a Republican. 



JUDGE FRANCIS B. TAYLOR, who is 
justice of the town of Hempstead, is also a 
successful legal practitioner in the village of 
Hempstead, and in many ways has been instru- 
mental in promoting the interests of the place. 
He is a native of Bergen, N. J., his birth occurring 
April 17, 1864. His father, Joseph M. Taylor, 
a native of Charleston, S. C, removed to New 
York in later life, and there for many years was 
successfully engaged in farming. At the present 
time he resides in Georgetown, S. C. 

The ancestors of our subject came from Eng- 
land and settled in South Carolina prior to the 
Revolutionary War, in which conflict the great- 
grairdfather took part. The great-great-great- 




SOLOMON B. NOBLE. 




JUDGE DANIEL NOBLE- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2QI 



grandfather of our subject, Henry Middleton, of 
South Carohna, was a member of the Continental 
Congress and at one time president of that body. 
During the Civil War the relatives of the Taylors, 
who were living in the South, joined the Confed- 
erate army. 

Mrs. Sarah (Bergh) Taylor, the mother of our 
subject, was a native of New York City, and was 
a relative of the great shipbuilder of that name. 
She departed this life in March, 1895, when ripe 
in years. She reared two sons, the brother of 
-our subject being Arthur M., now engaged in 
.farming in West Virginia. Francis was a lad of 
■eight years when his parents went to Germany 
.and there remained four years. He was sent to 
the model schools of the empire, and on his return 
-to America took a course at St. Paul's, of Garden 
City, L. I. After completing his education he 
■iound a position in a coffee importing house of 
New York, remaining with this firm for six years. 
During all this time it had been his desire to enter 
•one of the professions, and, choosing law, he en- 
tered the New York University, from which he 
was graduated in 1890. He then became con- 
nected with Silas M. Stillwell, a prominent lawyer 
of New York, and continued with him until the 
death of Mr. Stillwell. During all this time he 
made his home in Hempstead, and now confines 
his practice for the most part to this vicinity. 

In the spring of 1893 Mr. Taylor was elected 
. justice of the peace of the town of Hempstead on 
the Democratic ticket, which fact speaks well 
of his popularity, for this is a very strong Repub- 
lican town. He makes one of the ablest judges 
in the county, and when his decisions are ren- 
dered the case is very seldom carried to a higher 
court. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Democratic 
Club of this place and is also a member of the 
Sons of the Revolution. 



JUDGE DANIEL NOBLE, District Attor- 
ney for Queens County, is a native of Long 
Island and for many years has been one 
of its leading attorneys. He is active in the ranks 
of the Democratic party and has served in politi- 
cal positions of influence. During his profession- 
■al career in this county he has made many warm 
friends and is highly esteemed as a lawyer of 
more than ordinary ability. 

The Noble family is one of the oldest Puritan 
families in the country and includes many dis- 
tinguished names. The progenitor of the family, 



Thomas Noble, landed in Plymouth Colony soon 
after its settlement in 1620, and his descendants 
are numbered by thousands. In the last four 
generations of the family there have been many 
attorneys. Daniel Noble, great-grandfather of 
our subject, was a justice of the. Supreme Court 
of Massachusetts, and two brothers of Solomon 
B. Noble, the father of the Judge, were clergy- 
men. 

Solomon B. Noble was born in Williamstown, 
Mass., under the shadow of Williams College, 
May 22, 1819, and was eighth among the nine 
children of Daniel Noble, a prominent lawyer 
of the Massachusetts bar, and at one time 
justice of the Supreme Court. He attended 
school and fitted for college in his native town, 
and at the age of fourteen entered Williams Col- 
lege as a freshman. Notwithstanding his com- 
parative youth, he took high rank and was grad- 
uated with honors four years later with the Class 
of '37, when eighteen years of age, being at that 
time the youngest graduate Williams College ever 
had. . 

For three or four years after finishing his edu- 
cation Solomon Noble taught school, and in 1841 
came to New York and entered the law office of 
the late Judge Betts. In three years he completed 
the course of reading and was admitted to the 
bar. Deciding to open an office for the practice 
of his profession in the metropolis, he located at 
No. Ill Nassau Street. His place of residence 
at this time was in Thirty-fifth Street. He took 
a very active interest in politics as a Democrat 
and became a member of Tammany Hall. The 
ability which kept him at the head of his pro- 
fession throughout his long career was recog- 
nized by his political associates and he was twice 
elected to the Assembly from the district covering 
Thirty-fifty Street. For nearly a quarter of a 
century he practiced his profession in New York, 
and finally, in 1868, he came to Long Island City 
and occupied a fine mansion in Ravenswood. 

After practicing by himself for a time, Mr. 
Noble formed a partnership with the late Judge 
Pearse, and a few years later the two partners 
were candidates against each other for the office 
of judge of the City Court, which preceded the 
present Police Court and had superior powers. 
Mr. Noble was defeated by a very narrow ma- 
jority. His next partner was Isaac Kugleman, 
but on that gentleman becoming counsel for the 
George Ringler Brewing Company of New York, 
the connection was dissolved. Mr. Noble then 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



continued by himself until 1884, when he asso- 
ciated his son, Daniel, in business with him. He 
took a very conspicuous part in politics, and the 
last public office which he held was that of dis- 
trict attorney, having been appointed to that posi- 
tion by his son, our subject. In January, 1894, 
he entered upon the duties of his office, and was 
actively engaged in the same when stricken by 
paralysis in his office. He died at the home of 
his son, Daniel, in February, 1895. 

For ten years after entering upon the practice 
cf his profession Solomon Noble remained a 
bachelor. In 1854, however, he married Miss 
Agnes, daughter of John Nicolson, a member of 
the firm of Nicolson & Lindsay, at that time one 
of the largest dry-goods firms in New York. Af- 
ter his marriage he resided in Brooklyn until 
coming to Long Island City, as before stated. 
Mrs. Noble died in Ravenswood in 1874. Of 
their family five sons and one daughter survive. 
Nicolson, the eldest, lives at Hot Springs, Ark., 
and is connected with the Standard Oil Com- 
pany. Our subject was the second in order of 
birth. Miss Jessie makes her home with the 
Judge; John is managing a large farm at Nyack; 
Wolcott is. engaged in the real estate business in 
Oregon ; and Paton is well known in this city and 
is a practicing attorney about the Police Court. 

Having had a college education himself, the 
father of our subject v/as a firm believer in a 
liberal education and was anxious that his sons 
should receive as good an education as could be 
obtained. Three, Daniel, Wolcott and Paton, 
were sent abroad and spent five years studying in 
Germany. Our subject was born in Brooklyn on 
Christmas Day of 1859. On his mother's side he 
is_ of Scotch descent, as his maternal grandfather, 
John Nicolson, was born in Scotland. After re- 
tiring from business life in New York City, he 
made his home at Yonkers and there died when 
advanced in years. He was a devoted member 
of the Episcopal Church and a man who com- 
manded the respect and esteem of all who knew 
him. 

The subject of this sketch attended the private 
schools of Brooklyn until the year 1870, when, 
accompanied by two brothers, he crossed the 
Atlantic and began his studies in Germany, re- 
maining there until 1876. On his return at the 
expiration of that time he became a student of the 
Columbia College and soon thereafter entered the 
Columbia Law School, from which he graduated 
in 1881 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. 



About this time he entered into business with 
his father in Long Island City, the firm being 
S. B. & D. Noble, and their office was located in 
Third Street. They continued together until the 
death of the senior member of the firm, since 
which time our subject has carried on the busi- 
ness alone. i 

■ In 1892 Mr. Noble was elected judge of Long 
Island City, and in the fall of 1893 was nomin- 
ated and elected district attorney on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, also receiving the endorsement and 
nomination of the Republican party. In 1894 he 
took the oath of office, and by the wise and shrewd 
manner in which he disposes of the cases brought 
before him, he has gained the good will of the 
entire county. He has one of the most attractive 
homes in the city, which is located at No. 45 
Woolsey Street 

Judge Noble was married in New York to 
Miss Annie Moran, a native of Jersey City, and 
the daughter of Alexander Moran, for many 
years a prominent politician of this community. 
He is a stanch supporter of Democratic prin- 
ciples and a member of the Episcopal Church.. 
Socially he is a prominent and influential Ma- 
son, holding membership with Advance Lodge 
at Astoria. The Judge is librarian of the Queens 
County Bar Association and belongs to the 
Knickerbocker Yacht Club of College Point, also- 
the Williamsburg Yacht Club of Long Island 
City. He meets with the Astoria Athletic Club of 
this place, is an enthusiastic wheelman and a 
member of the Long Island City Wheelmen. In 
personal manners he is affable and courteous, and 
readilv wins and retains friends. 



JULIUS VON HUNERBEIN comes of a 
fine old Saxon family who trace their line- 
age back to the fourteenth century, at which 
time the family was raised to the nobility. Nearly 
all of the male members of the family have been 
military men and many of them have become 
distinguished soldiers and held high official rank. 
The great-grandfather, Julius A. Von Hunerbein, 
was a colonel under Frederick the Great, and his. 
son. Gen. Julius Arthtir Von Hunerbein, was a. 
celebrated general of the Prussian army. He 
was in the War of 1812-15 against the great Na- 
poleon, and was in the engagement at Leipsic 
and in other noted battles. At the time of his 
death he was commander-in-chief of the Sixth 
Army Corps in Silecia. The father of the sub- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



293 



ject of this sketch, Baron Julius Arthur Von Hun- 
erbein, was born in Berlin, and he finally gradu- 
ated from the Royal Military Academy of that 
city. He became a soldier of the Prussian army 
and rose in rank until he became a major, when 
he resigned, received an honorable discharge, and 
settled in Mecklenburg, where he became the 
proprietor of a large landed estate. There his 
earthly career closed in March, 1870, at the age 
of sixty-five years. His wife was Agnes, young- 
est daughter of Peter Sievers, a wealthy landed 
proprietor of Mecklenburg. She died when only 
thirty-two years of age, having become the 
mother of six sons, of whom Julius was the sec- 
ond in order of birth. 

The subject of this sketch was born in 1845 i^ 
Julich, Rhenish Prussia, where his father was 
at that time stationed. His brothers are all offi- 
cers in the German army and are prominent mili- 
tary men. The eldest brother, Julius A., is now 
retired, however, and is a royal forester of Al- 
sace. The boyhood days of Julius Von Huner- 
bein were spent in Mecklenburg, and until he 
entered the Royal MiHtary Academy of Berlin 
his education was carried on at private schools. 
He graduated from the above mentioned noted 
institution in 1864 and was at once appointed 
second lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment of 
guards stationed in Berlin, after which he took 
part in the Sleswick-Holstein War of 1864-65. In 
1866 he was in the Austro-Prussian War, and 
from 1870 to 1 87 1 was a participant in the 
Franco-Prussian War, and rose to the rank of 
first lieutenant in October, 1871. At the close of 
the last war he received an honorable discharge, 
and in December of that year he came to the 
United States with his young bride, and located 
in Rye, Westchester County, N. Y., where for 
one year he filled the position of assistant civil 
engineer. 

Very soon after this Mr. Von Hunerbein came 
to Long Island City and secured the position of 
assistant with P. G. Van Alst, with whom he con- 
tinued until 1874. He then became connected 
with the water works of the city in the capacity of 
draughtsman and engineer, and with marked abil- 
ity discharged the duties of these positions for 
eleven years, at which time Mr. Gleason was elect- 
ed mayor of the city, and he resigned. He con- 
tinued to follow civil engineering and surveying 
until July, 1893, when he was appointed assist- 
ant civil engineer of the General Improvement 
Commission of Long Island City. However, he 



has been principally engaged as a draughtsman, 
in which capacity he has shown marked skill, 
taste and ability. Mr. Von Hunerbein, who is 
really a German baron, is a Lutheran in his re- 
hgious belief and all his people have been Prot- 
estants since the days of the Reformation. He 
is of a genial, social disposition, finely educated 
and a thorough scholar, and since locating in this 
country a host of friends has sprung up about 
him, and he is in every way worthy the respect 
and honor which is accorded him. 

Mr. Von Hunerbein is a member of the Leid- • 
erkranz, of New York City, is an active and pop- 
ular member of the Jefferson Club, and poHtically 
is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type. His mar- 
riage occurred in Hanover, Germany, in October, 
1871, uniting him with Miss Louise Nollet, a 
daughter of a prominent merchant of Hanover. 
They have four children; Helen Louisa, Elsa 
Bertha, Mellani and Julius A., Jr. Mr. Von Hun- 
erbein has a beautiful residence at the corner of 
Theodore Street and Old Bowery Bay Road. 



CAPT. THOMAS E. WEBB. The public 
services rendered by Captain Webb, as 
well as his uprightness in private life, 
make it fitting that some record of his career 
should appear in this volume. Now a resident of 
Port Washington, he was born at Kingston, 
Ulster County, N. Y., May 29, 1832, being a son 
of John M. and Julia (Smith) Webb. His grand- 
father, Henry Webb, was educated for the priest- 
hood, but deciding not to enter that profession, 
followed various occupations for a time, and 
eventually accepted an appointment in the Brook- 
lyn navy yard as an accountant, for which his 
fine education especially quahfied him. He went 
to Washington to have an account settled and it 
is thought that he was murdered, as he was never 
heard from again. His wife had died some time 
before, so that the children were thrown upon 
their own resources. 

The father of our subject was born in New 
York City, but spent his boyhood days in Brook- 
lyn. Being one of the older children, he took 
it upon himself to look after the younger ones 
when his father's death so suddenly orphaned 
them. Entering the Brooklyn navy yard he 
learned the trade of a shipwright. About 1831 
he married Miss Smith and soon afterward left 
Brooklyn on account of the cholera epidemic 
there. They went to Kingston, where our sub- 



2Q4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ject, their eldest child, was born. At times the 
father, who was employed b)^ the navy depart- 
ment, was obliged to go to sea, but in later life 
he became a warrant officer in the navy yard, 
which place he held until his death in 1847. Po- 
litically he was a Whig, and in religious belief 
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which his wife was also a member. For some 
years he was associated with the Sons of Tem- 
perance. Of his six children, all but two are 
living. 

In the public and private schools of Brooklyn 
our subject gained his education, and at an early' 
age he began to learn the trade of a shipwright 
in the Brooklyn navy yard under Samuel H. 
Hart, the man with whom his father had learned 
the business, and the son of the builder of the 
"Constitution," which he himself rebuilt later. 
Our subject finished under Benjamin F. Delano, 
and secured employment in the navy yard. In 
1866 he was appointed assistant naval construc- 
. tor, with the rank- of heutenant. He had learned 
the architect's work, spending five years in the 
drawing room and thus becoming a master of the 
business. After a year or more he was sent to 
the Bureau of Construction and Repairs at Wash- 
ington, D. C, and thence a few months later was 
sent to the navy yard at Norfolk, Va., as chief 
of the- construction department, remaining there 
three years. A similar period was spent in the 
navy yard at Kittery, Me., after which he was 
sent to Brazil, South America, to assist in a court 
of inquiry under Admiral Leroy, returning to the 
United States by way of Europe and reaching 
home after an absence of four months. Next he 
was transferred from place to place, being sta- 
tioned twice at Washington, D. C, Norfolk, Va., 
Boston, Mass., Kittery, Me., and Brooklyn, N. Y. 
In addition to the Brazilian trip he was sent 
to Japan to survey the United States steamship 
"Yantic," and was gone four .months. On his 
recommendation the ship was sent home and 
rebuilt in the home yards. 

The last service rendered by Captain Webb 
was as superintendent at Cramp's ship yards in 
Philadelphia, where he had charge of the build- 
ing of the "Yorktown," "Baltimore" and "Vesu- 
vius." His health, meantime, had become im- 
paired as the result of his laborious efforts in the 
service, and he was retired on three-fourths pa}-. 
April 29, 1854, when twent3'-two y'ears old, he 
married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and 
Susan (Bennett) Southard, and a native of Sea- 



ford, Queens County. They have two sons, the 
older being John R., who was born in Brooklyn, 
and is an engineer; he is married, and with his 
wife and two children lives in Jamaica. The 
younger son, who was born at Norfolk, Va., is a 
draughtsman by occupation, is married and has 
one child; he makes his home at Bayridge. 

Though not a member of any denomination, 
our subject is a friend of religion; his wife is iden- 
tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 
April, 1889, he bought his present home, known 
as the Cornelia Moore place, which occupies an 
admirable location, commanding a fine view of 
the bay, Hart's Island, and the palisades. Socially 
he has been a Mason since 1864. Though a Re- 
publican in principle, he has always been a man 
who believed in letting every man follow 
his honest convictions, whether they agreed with 
his own or not; and when he had the power to 
appoint men to positions, he inquired only re- 
garding their ability, and never questioned their 
political views. That plan, however, did not suit 
the politicians, who tried to prevail upon him to 
appoint only partisans, but when they found they 
could not control his actions they secured his re- 
moval to another place. Later, when he was sta- 
tioned at New York, the department desired his 
services at Norfolk again in order to bring S3rs- 
tem out of confusion, but he objected to return- 
ing. When he was assured that it was to be 
viewed as a compliment and not as a censure he 
consented to go. As he was about to land he was 
surprised by being saluted with the firing of one 
hundred guns, and was met and welcomed by a 
large number of his old friends — a tribute to his 
ability and recognized worth more eloquent than 
mere words would be. 



CHARLES A. WADLEY. In every de- 
partment of human activity Long Island 
City has contributed successful and emi- 
nent men, whose superior talents and researches 
have promoted the world's progress, whose abili- 
ties have won wide recognition and whose culture 
has brought them the admiration of many to 
whom they are personally unknown. Such an 
one is M'r. Wadley, assistant district attorney of 
Queens County, and it is therefore fitting that in 
this volume mention should be made of his event- 
ful career. 

Our subject was born in Clyde, Wayne County, 
N. Y., June 8, 1859, the son of Martin Wadley, a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



native of South Butler, that county, whose birth 
occurred in October, 1832. Grandfather Nathan- 
iel Wadley was born in Vermont, whence he later 
removed to Watertown, N. Y., where for many 
years he followed contracting. He was a soldiep 
in the War of 181 2, and, being captured at the 
battle of Sackett's Harbor, was held a prisoner 
of war in Canada for six months. Later he be- 
came one of the earliest settlers of South Butler, 
N. Y., continuing his contract work there until 
his removal to Clyde. At one time he was in the 
employ of General Adams, who had the building 
of the Sodus Bay Canal, by which project it was 
intended to connect Lake Ontario with the Erie 
Canal, but the canal was never completed. The 
grandfather lived in Clyde until ready to retire 
from active life, when he located on a farm near 
that place, -remaining thereon until his decease, in 
1878. 

The Wadleys are an old New Hampshire fam- 
ily, and many years ago the name was spelled 
"Wadleigh," but it was changed by the grand- 
father of our subject. The latter is able to trace 
his ancestry back to England, from which coun- 
try two brothers set sail for America, first living 
in Boston, Mass. One of them later made his 
home in New Hampshire, and subsequently 
drifted to Vermont, finally settling in this state. 
From this branch our subject is descended. 

When young in years Martin Wadley began 
life for himself, working on the Erie Canal, first 
as tow-boy. His worth, however, was soon rec- 
ognized and he was promoted step by step until 
he had a good position and commanded reason- 
able wages. On leaving the state he went to 
Ohio, and at Ravenna learned the glassblower's 
trade. This brings us up to the time of his mar- 
riage. May 15, 1853, soon after which event he 
returned to New York and obtained his old posi- 
tion on the canal. Being industrious and eco- 
nomical, he later became owner of a boat which 
he commanded until the outbreak of the Civil 
War. He then sold his vessel and in August, 
1862, volunteered, being mustered into service 
as a member of Company H, One Hundred and 
Thirty-eighth New York Infantry, under Col. 
Joseph Welling. During the winter of 1862-63 
the regiment was incorporated with the Ninth 
New York Heavy Artillery, commanded by Col. 
Fred Seward. Mr. Wadley was in the service for 
a period of three years, or until the establishment 
of peace. 

The first engagement in which Mr. Wadley 



took part was at Cold Harbor, where he was 
wounded in the right hand, causing the loss of 
his middle finger. After this he was detailed for 
service in the quartermaster's department, where 
he remained until his regiment was mustered out. 
After the war he found that the injury which he 
had received kept him from working at the glass- 
blower's trade, hence he went into the oil regions, 
and for the succeeding year was the proprietor 
of an hotel at Pithole City. He then returned to 
Clyde, where he was variously employed in mer- 
chandising, jobbing and contracting until retiring 
from work of any kind. He still makes his home 
in that place, among whose residents he is one 
of the most substantial. He is a Grand Army man 
and an enthusiastic Republican. In the affairs 
of his community he has always taken a very 
active part and for many years served acceptably 
as constable. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Emily Butler 
Wheeler, was born in Ravenna, Ohio, July 27, 
1834. She was the daughter of Frederick Wil- 
liam Wheeler, a resident of that place, but a native 
of Belfast, Ireland, having been born there Octo- 
ber I, 1787. During the religious rebellion in 
his native land he enlisted in the British navy and 
shipped on board a man-of-war with an uncle. 
After following the sea for many years he finally 
left the service and came to America, locating in 
Canada prior to the War of 181 2. While there 
he was impressed into the British Naval Service, 
but succeeded in effecting his escape while sta- 
tioned on the Detroit River. Being able to cross 
the line into the States he located in Ravenna, 
Ohio, where he met and married Miss Rachel R. 
Ward, a native of Westmoreland, Pa. They 
made their home in Ravenna continuously until 
their death, the father passing- away October i, 
1872, when eighty-five years of age, and his wife 
survived until July 26, 1882, aged eighty-four 
years. Frederick William was the eldest son of 
John Wheeler, a country gentleman residing at 
Belfast, Ireland, who married Elizabeth Black- 
wood. Frederick William became the father of 
eight children, of whom two sons served as sol- 
diers in the late war. 

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wad- 
ley three children, of whom Frederick James is 
traveling salesman for W. P. Hollister, of Detroit ;, 
and Frank Weston makes his home in Albany, 
this state. The subject of this sketch, who was 
the second of the family, has very vivid recollec- 
tions of camp life in Washington, D. C, when 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his father was with his regiment in the winter of 
1862-63. The greater part of his childhood days 
were, however, spent with his parents in Clyde, 
where he was educated in the high schools. In 
1872, when a lad of thirteen years, he tended 
Clyde Lock on the Erie Canal, doing a man's 
work. His next work was in driving a team for 
his father, who was engaged in contracting, and 
later, when his father became proprietor of a gro- 
cery, he entered the establishment as clerk. 

Being desirous of gaining a better education, 
young Wadley began attending school again in 
the fall of 1875. During the winter of the follow- 
ing year he assisted his father, who was watch- 
man on the principal streets of Clyde, doing duty 
every other night. While thus engaged he car- 
ried a Latin grammar in the pocket of his big 
overcoat and whenever an opportunity presented 
itself opened it and began studying. He con- 
tinued to go to the public schools in the winter 
months until the spring of 1878, when he ob- 
tained a position as bookkeeper for H. C. Hem- 
ingway & Co., being thus engaged during the 
summer months and teaching school the rest of 
the year. Some time thereafter he was taken 
sick and after fully recovering his health began 
the study of law in the office of Vandenburg & 
Saxton, the junior member of the firm now being 
lieutenant-governor. He continued to read 
Blackstone in their office for several months, in 
the meantime doing odd jobs whenever he could 
find them, as he had to support himself. For 
two summers he ran a twenty-eight-foot sloop 
on Sodus Bay, but each fall found him back again 
in the office. 

In September, 1882, Mr. Wadley came to New 
York City and took a position with John Mat- 
thews, manufacturer of soda water apparatus. 
■He remained in the latter's employ as storekeeper 
until September 29, 1884, when he entered the 
law office of Judge L. N. Manley. Since 1883 he 
had made his home in Long Island City and had 
always kept up his study of law. September 23, 
1886, he was admitted to the bar in Brooklyn and 
continued with Judge Manley until 1887, when 
he was taken into partnership with that gentle- 
man, the firm becoming Manley & Wadley, gen- 
eral law practitioners. March i, 1894, our sub- 
ject was appointed assistant district attorney for 
Queens County by the attorney, Daniel Noble, 
and since entering upon the duties of his office 
has filled all required of him in a thoroughly effi- 
cient and praiseworthy manner. His success in 



life is but another example of what untiring in- 
dustry will accomplish for a young man possess- 
ing good habits with a proper aim in life. Al- 
though scarcely yet in life's prime, he is in the 
possession of a lucrative practice, is well con- 
nected socially, and financially ranks among the 
active business and professional men of the city. 

February 9, 1888, in Clyde, N. Y., Mr. Wadley 
was married to Miss Lillie May Salzman, a native 
of New York City, who departed this life in Long 
Island City February 28, 1892. Two children 
were born to them: Charles S., January 12, 1890, 
and Anna Lillian, January 21, 1892. October 30, 
1895, Mr. Wadley married Miss Eliza L. Bost- 
wick. 

Our suljject is a stanch Republican in politics 
and has been an active member of the party for 
some time. At one time he was United States 
supervisor of elections, in charge of Long Island 
City, under Allen, of Brooklyn, and has been an 
officer of elections every year since. He takes a 
very prominent part in county and city conven- 
tions and is at all times interested in the success 
of his chosen party. Socially he is a member of 
Mariners' Lodge No. 67, F. & A. M., of New 
York City. 



GABRIEL W. WILLIAMS, one of the 
most successful business men of Long 
Island City, is also one of its most hon- 
ored citizens. He stands very high in business 
circles and is at present trustee of the Long Island 
City Savings Bank. Mr. Williams was born in 
Malmo, near Mandel, Norway, July 26, 1833. His 
father, William Williams, was a seafaring man, 
who lived and died in his native land. His wife, 
Guri Tostensen, was also born in Norway, and her 
father was likewise a sea capain. Tlie latter was 
awarded three pensions by the government on ac- 
count of his gallant rescue of the mails which were 
attacked by the English off the coast of Jutland. 
He commanded a vessel during the Danish War, 
and was recognized by his superior officers in the 
navy to be one of the government's most efficient 
and brave captains. He died, firm in the faith 
of the Lutheran Church, when over one hundred 
years old. 

To William and Guri Williams there were 
born seven children, of whom our subject is the 
only survivor. He was the youngest of the house- 
hold and spent his childhood days in attending 
the public schools of his native town. Soon after 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



297 



his confirmation, when a lad of sixteen years, he 
went to sea as a cabin boy on a brig which was 
bound for the shores of France and other foreign 
ports. After one year he was taken on board a 
new barge whose destination was Finland. On 
landing there it loaded with lumber which it con- 
veyed to Marseilles, France, and then went to 
Alexandria, and afterward to Syria, where a cargo 
of maize was taken on board. Young WilHams 
then returned home and the next year was given 
a position on the same vessel, this time going to 
Odessa, Russia, and on its return in the fall he 
set sail for Belfast, Ireland. Here our subject 
boarded a vessel bound for the shores of the New 
World, and in 1853 he was landed at Charleston. 
S. C. He did not abandon his seafaring life for 
some time to come, however, and was engaged 
in the ocean trade. In 1854 he was in the employ 
of the government acting as boatswain on the 
United States revenue cutter "Tanna," under 
Lieutenant Wilson. After holding this position 
for a period of eighteen months, he was honor- 
ably discharged. 

In 1856 Mr. Williams was taken sick with a 
fever, and coming North regained his lost health 
by a visit to New York and Boston. He then 
returned South and was engaged in running a 
steamer out of Newport, Fla., for several seasons, 
when he was again taken sick. This time he de- 
termined to make his permanent home in the 
North, and coming hither was engaged on the 
yacht "Julia," then owned by Mr. Waterbury. 
His next position was as pilot on the Thirty- 
fourth Street ferry, but in 1867 he resigned this 
position, and, forming a partnership with John 
Gregror, embarked in the hotel and livery business 
at Long Island City. The firm of Gregror & Wil- 
liams erected a hotel on the corner of Third and 
Front Streets and in the rear of the same erected 
their stables. After three years spent together the 
partnership was dissolved, our subject purchas- 
ing Mr. Gregror's interest in the business, and 
although he continued to manage the livery alone, 
leased the hotel. His business soon grew to such 
proportions that his present building would not 
accommodate him and he therefore built another 
brick barn at No. 164 Front Street and continued 
to manage both stables for a time. He kept con- 
stantly on hand from eighteen to thirty horses 
and almost every variety of vehicle, which he let 
at popular prices. 

In 1890 Mr. Williams sold out his new stable 
to Mr. M. E. Conway and, leasing his hotel and 



other barn, which he still owns, retired from busi- 
ness. He occupies a beautiful residence in 
Eleventh Street and is regarded as one of the 
substantial business men of the city. In Brook- 
lyn, in 1884, he married Miss Anne M. Peterson, 
who was also born near Malmo, Norway. They 
are now the parents of four children: George 
Waldemar, Helen, Norman Willum and Heral 
Andelo. In 1885 our subject visited his relatives 
and friends in Norway, spending some months 
amid the scenes of his old home. Socially he be- 
longs to Long Island City Lodge No. 586, F. 
& A. M., and also is a member of Banner Chap- 
ter, R. A. M. He is regarded as one of the influ- 
ential members of St. George's Episcopal Church, 
of which he has been junior warden and is now 
vestryman. He has taught in the Sunday-school 
for a long period and his influence, which is ever 
on the side of right, is felt to be a power for 
good in his community. In politics he is a true 
blue Republican, having voted that ticket ever 
since Lincoln became president in i860. In 1881 
Mr. Williams became trustee of the Long Island 
City Savings Bank, which is one of the reliable 
institutions of the city and which is patronized by 
the most prominent and wealthy citizens of the 
community. 



M' 



ICHAEL E. FAY. In reviewing the in- 
dustrial enterprises of Long Island City 
it is the aim of this history to mention 
those men who are the best representatives of each 
separate calling and who contribute most to its 
reputation as a business center. Among those 
worthy of distinct mention, not only on account 
of their prominence and loyal citizenship, but 
owing to their long business career, is Michael 
E. Fay, who has been a prominent blacksmith of 
Astoria, Long Island City, since 1862. He was 
born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1844, a son 
of Edward and Catherine (Clark) Fay, natives re- 
spectively of Counties Tipperary and Galway. 
The father was a farmer by occupation and died 
in the prime of manhood. His widow came with 
her family to America in 1848 and located in 
Oneida County, N. Y., but in 1861 she came to 
Flushing, and eventually passed from life at 
Greenpoint when in the seventy-eighth year of 
her age. She bore her husband four daughters 
and one son. 

Michael E. Fay lived in Oneida County until 
1857, and unfortunately had no educational ad- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



298 

vantages. He was an ambitious youth, however, 
and by self-application at night succeeded in ac- 
quiring a practical education, and is now consid- 
ered an exceptionally well informed man and a 
sound reasoner. He began working on a farm, 
but afterward followed blacksmithing in New 
York City for a short time. Thereafter he began 
making a specialty of horseshoeing on Long 
Island, but again returned to his old home. 
1862 found him in New York City, where he 
worked as a journeyman for some time, then 
again turned his attention exclusively to horse- 
shoeing. In the latter part of that year he took 
up his residence in Astoria, Long Island City, 
bought a blacksmith's shop in Fulton Avenue 
and there remained until 1870, when he moved 
his place of business to Main Street and has built 
up his present large estabHshment at No. 18 
Flushing Avenue since 1875. He has always 
made a specialty of horseshoeing and has had 
daily opportunity to manifest a humane spirit 
toward man's most faithful servant. During the 
many years that he has devoted to this business 
he has won the confidence of leading horse own- 
ers, turfmen, drivers, owners of private driving 
studs, horse breeders, in fact of all classes. His 
patrons rest assured that when their horses go 
to the shop of Michael E. Fay they will come 
out properly shod, with no pending danger of 
sore feet or pierced hoofs. Two of the most noted 
animals that he has shod were "Dexter'' and 
"Molly Tinker." He is a thorough master of his 
trade, as is well known. 

Mr. Fay has been in the real estate business also 
and has built houses in Long Island City, some 
of which he still owns. He has a fine residence 
at No. 59 Flushing Avenue, and was married in 
Flushing to Miss Catherine Ryan, who was born 
in Richmond, Va., a daughter of Michael Ryan, a 
large railroad contractor of that state. Six chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fay: Ed- 
ward, WiUiam, JuHet, Josephine, Frances and 
Dell. Mr. Fay was a member of the Astoria 
school board for some time and in 1874 was elect- 
ed alderman-at-large on the Democratic ticket, 
which office he filled two years. He was chair- 
man of the finance committee, but at the expira- 
tion of his term refused renomination, as it inter- 
fered with his business. In 1893 he was appointed 
by Mayor Sanford a member of the board of 
health from the fifth ward and in every office 
that he has filled he has discharged the duties with 
credit to himself and to the universal satisfaction 



of the people. He was a member of the commit- 
tee that improved and widened Flushing Avenue, 
in which cause he did some effective lobbying 
in the legislature. He has been an active church 
and school patron, is a JeiTersonian Democrat, a 
member of the Jefferson Club and was one of its 
organizers. He has been a delegate to many con- 
ventions in the past twenty-five years and is a true 
and tried Democrat. 



D PRESTON WYSONG, M. D., of Port 
Washington, was born in Bedford, 
• Bedford County, Pa., February 2, 
1853, and is a son of Thomas Turner and Sarah 
F. (Preston) Wysong. The family is of Alsacian 
origin, the first of the name in this country having 
removed from the picturesque scenes of Alsace 
and made settlement in the then wilderness of 
Pennsylvania. Later, members of the family re- 
moved to Virginia, where, in Darkesville (now 
W. Va.), the Doctor's father was born in 1817. 
Early exhibiting unusual mental powers, he was 
given excellent educational advantages and for 
some years attended Dickinson College at Car- 
lisle, Pa. His talents and inclinations led him 
to adopt the profession of a minister, and he en- 
tered the conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

It was while Rev. Mr. Wysong was stationed 
at Bedford as pastor of the Methodist Church that 
his son, D. Preston, was born. Later he removed 
to Washington, D. C, where he accepted the 
pastorate of the McKendre Church. After a few 
vears there he went to Berkeley Springs, thence 
to Elk Ridge, and somewhat later retired from 
the ministry, since which time he has made his 
home in Harford County, Md. He is a man of 
considerable eloquence, deep insight into human 
nature and interested in everything that will up- 
lift mankind, and both in pulpit and in private life 
he has aimed to do good unto all as he has had 
opportunity. 

Accompanying the family in the various re- 
movals which fah to the lot of a Methodist min- 
ister, our subject received his education in early 
boyhood principally at home, under the over- 
sight of his parents. Later he attended the acad- 
emy at Belair, in the county where his father now 
lives, making a specialty of the study of classics 
in that institution. From there he entered the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti- 
more, at the age of sixteen, and graduated two 




J. ENSOR HUTCHESON, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



301 



j'ears later, after which he began to practice at 
Rocks, Harford County, having a large patron- 
age from the first, and remaining there from 1872 
until 1884. 

At Philadelphia, Pa., June 17, 1880, Dr. 
Wysong was united in marriage with Miss Re- 
becca Mitchell Newbold, daughter of Charles and 
Margaret (Mitchell) Newbold. Mrs. Wysong 
was born in Philadelphia and received an excel- 
lent education in a young ladies' seminary there. 
A lady of superior culture, she is president of the 
Woman's Guild at Port Washington, and holds 
membership in the Woman's Club, of which she 
has been secretary. At this writing she is also 
treasurer of the Woman's Exchange. Interested 
in religious work, she is a teacher in the Sunday- 
school and a contributor to all church enterprises. 

In 1884 Dr. Wysong came to Queens County 
and for a time made his home in Manhasset, from 
which place he came to Port Washington, and 
here he has established a large and profitable 
practice. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 
1888 was elected coroner of the town of North 
Hempstead. With his wife he holds member- 
ship in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is 
a regular attendant at church services. Five chil- 
dren comprise his family, namely: Charles, who 
was born at Forest Hill, Md., June 15, 1881 ; 
Thomas Shirley, born in Maryland, December 4. 
1882; David Preston, Jr., born in Maryland, Feb- 
ruary II, 1884; Allison Cleveland, born at Man- 
hasset, Queens County, September 29, 1889; and 
Donald DuPuy, who was born at Port Wash- 
ing, September i, 1894. 



JENSOR HUTCHESON, M. D. Among 
professional men, and especially those of 
• the medical profession, there is so much 
competition in every large city that the man who 
rises to special prominence and distinction" 
through his own efforts, may justly be accredited 
with the possession of more than average ability. 
Such a man is Dr. Hutcheson, who is one of the 
foremost, as well as one of the most popular, phy- 
sicians of Rockville Center. In a comparatively 
few years he has attained a professional position, 
for which many strive throughout a lifetime. He 
has brought such energy^ and such marked ability 
to his life work that it is not too much to expect 
from him even greater achievements in the fu- 
ture. 

Dr. Hutcheson was born in Lynbrook, in 1869, 
10 



a son of Dr. Robert William and Elizabeth (En- 
sor) Hutcheson, the former of whom was born on 
the Bahama Islands and was brought by his par- 
ents in his early youth to this country and with 
them located on Long Island. Dr. R. W. Hutche- 
son received his preliminary education and also 
his medical education in England, after complet- 
ing which he went to Brooklyn, where he fol- 
lowed his profession for a time, then came to 
Rockville Center, where he was continuously and 
successfully engaged in his work of healing the 
sick and afflicted for some twenty-five years. He 
was then compelled to temporarily retire from his 
labor owing to cataracts which had formed on his 
eyes, but he is at present (1895) doing consulting 
work at Lawrence. He was left a widower in 
1892. 

Our subject obtained his preliminary educa- 
tional training at the Polytechnic, Brooklyn, and 
as his father's profession had considerable fas- 
cination for him, he entered upon its study in 
1886; the following year he entered Bellevue Hos- 
pital Medical College, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1890. He received a hospital appoint- 
ment immediately after, but declined the same 
and came to Rockville Center, where he has been 
very successfully engaged professionally up to the 
present time. Here he has pursued his calling 
with such success that the sick and ailing have 
learned to repose unbounded confidence in his 
knowledge of the ills that the human body is heir 
to and his skill in dissipating them. 

In 1890 Dr. Hutcheson was married to Miss 
Jessie Vernon Turner, daughter of J. V. D. Tur- 
ner, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and their marriage has 
resulted in the birth of one daughter, Gladys 
Ensor. Dr. and Mrs. Hutcheson are active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and so- 
cially the Doctor is a member of the Royal Arca- 
num, the Knights of Pythias, as well as of several 
college societies. Politically he has always af- 
filiated with the Democratic party, having always 
supported its men and measures, and is one of the 
health officers of his village. 



TJ. FLYNN, M. D. Among those in 
Queens County who are aiding in the 
• development of the science of medicine 
we mention the name and present the sketch of 
Dr. Flynn, of Jamaica. He is a genial, affable 
gentleman, a physician who has applied himself 
conscientiously to his profession, and the distinc- 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion he enjoys is well deserved. He is popular 
both professionally and socially, and, being young 
in years, has every prospect of becoming promi- 
nent among the medical fraternity in the state. 
As the family name indicates, Dr. Flynn is of 
Irish lineage. He, however, is a native of Wales, 
born there February 22, 1866, when his father, 
John Flynn, a native of Ireland, was engaged as 
a contractor in that country. In 1868, when he 
was two years old, his parents came to America 
and settled in North Adams, Mass. His father 
was connected with the building of the great 
Hoosac tunnel and remained with the company, 
in one capacity or another, up to the time of his 
death, which occurred December 3, 1891. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Calla- 
ghan, was born in Ireland and is now living with 
her children in North Adams. 

The parental family consisted of three daugh- 
ters and three sons. The oldest son, Morgan, was 
connected with the building of the Hoosac tunnel 
and died January 7, 1892; James L. is a drug- 
gist in Portland, Me. ; Kate is the wife of James 
Nagle, of North Adams ; Mary T. and Elizabeth 
L. reside with their mother in North Adams. 
The Doctor's boyhood years were spent in North 
Adams, and his literary education was obtained 
in the schools of that place. In early manhood 
he entered the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of New York City and graduated from 
that institution in 1 89 1, after which he became 
an attending physician at Bellevue Hospital and 
had an office at No. 48 Henry Street, New York. 
Later he was on the staff of the Kings County 
Hospital at Brooklyn and from there came to 
Jamaica in February, 1893. At once his talents 
won recognition and he took a place among the 
leading physicians of the village, where he now 
has a large practice. In addition to his general 
practice he is serving as health officer for the 
town and viUage of Jamaica. He is a member of 
the New York Medical Society and various other 
associations connected with the profession. 

Recently Dr. Flynn completed a comfortable 
and modern residence in Hardenbrook Avenue, 
and here his leisure hours are spent in the society 
of his family and friends. He was united in mar- 
riage, May 10, 1893, with Miss Elizabeth L. 
Lyons, a graduate of Drury Academy of North 
Adams, and a teacher in the schools of that place, 
where her father, Captain Lyons, a war veteran, 
resided. They are the parents of one child, Mar- 
garet Kathleen. A stanch Democrat in politics. 



he takes an interest in all the councils of the party 
and aids its candidates with his influence and bal- 
lot. He is a public spirited gentleman, ever ready 
to assist in enterprises pertaining to the welfare 
and growth of the village. In his chosen 'profes- 
sion he has met with flattering success, and gives 
abundant evidence of the ability that quaHfies 
him for a high place in the medical fraternity. 



THOMAS FOLEY. Of the citizens of 
Jamaica, none has a higher place among 
the people than the gentleman named, who 
is serving as one of the trustees of the village. 
Farseeing, discreet, prudent, and possessing ex- 
ecutive ability, he is well qualified to take the 
lead in matters of local government. He is a 
progressive and public spirited man, ready and 
anxious to do all that is for the advancement of 
the people and the advantage of the village. In 
his capacity of trustee he is careful and energetic, 
a man of unswerving fidelity to the interests of his 
fellow-citizens. 

From County Wexford, Ireland, where he was 
born in 1848, Mr. Foley came to America with 
his parents when he was seven years of age, the 
family settling in the first assembly district of 
New York City. His father, Patrick Foley, was 
engaged in the trucking business there. Seven 
years after coming to this country his mother 
died and he was obliged to discontinue his stud- 
ies in the public schools and begin to earn his 
own way in the world. In youth he learned the 
cooper's trade, but never followed that occupa- 
tion for a livelihood. During the Civil War he 
was in the employ of the government. At the 
age of twenty-three he was elected to the com- 
mon council from the first assembly district of 
New York, which position he filled from 1873 
until 1875. In the latter year the lower house 
of the New York Board of Aldermen was legis- 
lated out of existence. Among the other mem- 
bers of the board at that time was Hugh J. Grant, 
since mayor of New York, and ex-Sheriff John 
Riley, who was president of the board and after- 
ward register of the city of New York. In 1876 
Mr. Foley was a member of the assembly, was 
clerk of Washington Market in 1878, and in 1879 
was made deputy sheriff. 

During Mr. Foley's period of service as alder- 
man there was a great deal of excitement over 
"boodling," and several members of the board 
were convicted, but the finger of suspicion was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



303 



never pointed to him and his record was dean 
and honest. In 1883 he was the Tammany Hall 
candidate for alderman from the first district, 
and was elected. He ran again in 1884, but in 
that year a hard fight was made against Tam- 
many, and he was defeated by only three hun- 
dred votes. At different times he filled other 
positions of trust. 

In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Foley 
and Miss Margaret McAuley, whose father, James 
McAuley, left a large estate, including consider- 
able realty in Jamaica ; her sister is the wife of John 
Adikes, the extensive wholesale and retail grocer 
of Jamaica. For two years Mr. Foley was en- 
gaged in the hotel business in this village, but 
his property was burned and he then retired from 
that occupation. Since then he has given his at- 
tention to the management of his real estate in- 
terests and the supervision of his wife's property. 
They and their children, James P. and Maggie 
Edna, occupy a pleasant home on Vanderbilt 
Avenue and Fulton Street. In the spring of 1895 
Mr. Foley was made a candidate for the position 
of village trustee and was elected to the office, 
which he has since filled. The duties pertaining 
to his office he has discharged with judgment and 
tact, so that the people of the village feel con- 
fidence in his abilitv. 



GEORGE E. CLAY. People who have 
real estate for sale should appreciate the 
importance of placing it with an agent 
who is thoroughly acquainted with the business 
and has business connections that enable him to 
reach the purchaser promptly and secure as early 
a transfer of the property as is consistent with 
the best interests of the owner. Prospective pur- 
chasers should also consult with an agency that 
is well acquainted with values and has the repu- 
tation of dealing honorably with all parties to a 
contract in every instance. Such an agency is 
conducted by Mr. Clay, who, at his conveniently 
located office, is prepared at all times to exhibit 
an excellent fine of property, as well as to enter 
on his books any additional business that may be 
ofifered him. 

Mr. Clay was born in the city of New York in 
1851 to George and Mary (Martine) Clay, the 
former of whom was born in Greenfield, Mass., 
and the latter in New York City. The Clays orig- 
inally came to this country from the Isle of Man, 
and one member of the family, Stephen Clay, 



from whom the subject of this sketch is descend- 
ed, settled in Massachusetts, while another broth- 
er went West and founded the family of which 
the famous Henry Clay was a member. The pa- 
ternal great-grandfather of our subject, Stephen 
Clay, was born at Cape Cod, Mass., and became 
a sea-faring man in the coasting trade. He died 
at sea. His son, Daniel Clay, was born at New 
London, Conn., and owned a privateer during the 
War of 1812. He finally became a druggist of 
New London and later of Greenfield, Mass., 
where he was a substantial and well-known citi- 
zen. When in his prime he met with an accident 
which resulted in his death. His wife was a Miss 
Cook, whose mother fitted out manv privateers 
during the War of 1812. 

George Clay was reared in Greenfield, Mass., 
and followed in his father's footsteps so far as to 
become a druggist. He also practiced dentistry 
for about thirty-five years on Chnton Place and 
Forty-fifth Street, New York City. In 1886 he 
removed to Brooklyn and there died the follow- 
ing year, a worthy member of the Episcopal 
Church. His wife was a daughter of Samuel Mar- 
tine, a native of New York City, and of French 
extraction. The latter's wife was of Dutch de- 
scent. Her father, Stephen Martlyn, held the 
rank of sergeant in the Revolutionary War, and 
his name appears on the soldiers' monument of 
the Colonial army, at Tarrytown, N. Y. The 
widow of George Clay resides in Brooklyn, and 
of her six children five are living, of whom the 
subject of this sketch is the third in order of 
birth. 

In the public schools of New York City George 
E. Clay received a practical education, after 
which he entered the College of the City of New 
York, from which he was graduated with the de- 
gree of B. S. in 1870. After leaving this institu- 
tion he was in the civil engineer's office of Spiel- 
man & Brush, at Hoboken, for six years, during 
which time he had charge of their office, all their 
railroad and city surveys and had control of fif- 
teen engineers. In 1876 he came to Long Island 
City as assistant engineer on the first ward im- 
provement and filled this position with marked 
ability until 1880, when he resigned and embarked 
in the real estate and insurance business, which 
he has followed with marked success up to the 
present time. He also began the publication of 
the insurance map of Long Island City, which he 
is still conducting and which is the only one of its 
kind in the city. Mr. Clay has built and im- 



304 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



proved property in all parts of Long Island City, 
handles a large amount of real estate annually, 
and, has one of the finest residences in the place. 
It is a commodious and substantial structure, with 
brown stone front, and is located at No. 167 
Eleventh Street. 

Mr. Clay was married in Long Island City to 
Miss Margai-et O. Hunter, a native of the place, 
and daughter of Jacob Hunter, a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume. They have three chil- 
dren: Mary, George Hunter and Edna. Mrs. 
Clay is a leader in the social Hfe of Long Island 
City, entertains elegantly, and her home is noted 
for its hospitality. The family are attendants of 
St. John's Episcopal Church. Politicallv Mr. 
Clay is a Republican in national politics. He is 
a member of the alumni association of his alma 
mater, is connected with one of its Greek letter 
societies, and is one of the trustees of the public 
library of Long Island City. 



GEORGE GEMUNDER. The venerable 
gentleman who forms the subject of 
this article and who has gained wide dis- 
tinction as a violin maker, was born in Ingel- 
fingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, April 13, 1816, 
being the son of Johan George Gemiinder, him- 
self a well-known maker of musical instruments. 
From his earliest boyhood he displayed unusual 
skill in artistic devices made with his pocket knife 
and it was his custom, while his playmates en- 
joyed the usual boyish games, to draw designs or 
study books pertaining to the history of music. 
In school he excelled in mathematics, drawing 
and penmanship, which led his father to send him 
to a seminary to be fitted for the teacher's pro- 
fession. 

Three weeks of this Hfe was sufficient for the 
boy, whose ambitions were in an entirely different 
direction. Going home, he obtained the reluctant 
consent of his parents that he should devote him- 
self to his father's occupation. At the age of 
nineteen, having lost his father, he went abroad 
and worked successively for various masters at 
Pesth, Munich, Strasburg and Vienna. He soon 
knew more than any of his teachers, excepting 
Vuillaume, the noted viohn maker at Paris, in 
whose atelier he secured employment. The cel- 
ebrated maestro took such a liking to the skillful 
German youth that he gave him a place close to 
himself in his studio and personally instructed 
him in all the branches and secrets of the art. 



Under his instruction the student became so fa- 
miliar with the construction of the old Italian vio- 
lins that he could not only perfectly imitate but 
completely reproduce them. 

In 1845, when Ole Bull brought his wonderful 
Caspar di Salo to Vuillaume to be .repaired by 
him personally, Vuillaume told him he had a Ger- 
man in his atelier who could do the work better 
than himself. Ole Bull was reluctant to intrust 
his vioHn in the hands of an unknown German, 
but Vuillaume had his way. So weh was the 
work done that Ole Bull was profuse in his thanks 
and expressions of gratitude. For four years 
Gemiinder remained with Vuillaume, but in 1847 
he crossed the Atlantic and has since made his 
home in the United States. Soon after arriving 
here he made a concert tour of the country in 
company with his brothers, but the enterprise was 
a financial failure. He then established himself 
as a violin maker in Boston, but in 1851 went to 
New York, where he remained for some time. On 
closing out his business there he had his atelier 
in his home at Astoria, Long Island City, where 
he continued work until advanced years obliged 
him to retire from active labors. The business 
is now carried on by his sons, of whom the eldest, 
George, Jr., is considered the greatest violin mak- 
er in America since the retirement of his father. 

The viohn, the soul of the orchestra, which, 
with its brilliant tone, more than any other in- 
strument accords with the human voice, has been 
for ages a miracle, an unsolved problem to the 
musical world. It is generally known that the 
great Italian master Caspar di Salo, also Maggini 
of Brescia, N. Amati, A. Guarneri, Joseph Guar- 
neri and Antonio Stradivarius of Cremona, made, 
up to the eighteenth century, by far the finest 
violins, and that after their death the art of violin 
making was lost sight of for a long time. These 
old Brescia and Cremona vioHns, so renowned 
for their pure, full and sweet tone, command fab- 
ulous prices on account of the prevaihng opinion 
that they were perfect, and that, the seci'et of their 
manufacture having been buried with the old 
masters, all further experiments would be useless. 
If it were true that the original violins cannot be 
reproduced, there would be nothing left but to 
imitate their construction as nearly as possible. 
However, even the most perfect imitation en- 
countered another seemingly unsurmountable dif- 
ficulty, growing out of the universal behef that 
age alone imparts the desirable tone to the in- 
struments and that it is impossible to make new 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



305 



violins capable of competing with the genuine 
old Cremonas. 

At that period Vuillaume began the manufac- 
ture of his instruments, which inaugurated the 
second era in the history of the violin. His imi- 
tation of the old masters was so perfect that in 
appearance and outer construction his violins 
could not be distinguished from the Cremonas. 
In addition to this, by means of a peculiar chem- 
ical treatment of the wood, he gave them an ap- 
parently old Italian tone. For a time he removed 
all objections, but it was soon discovered that the 
tone, though brilliant, was wooden and sharp, and 
that no soul can be infused into the violin by 
chemical treatment of the wood. It also became 
apparent that the artificially created tone wore 
away in a few years. For this reason the preju- 
dice against new violins became stronger than 
ever. 

The third and last era of the history of the vio- 
lin is that inaugurated by Gemiinder. He found 
that selection of proper material is the first re- 
quirement. He also found that not every piece 
of wood is appropriate,- but only such as are en- 
dowed with a mysterious musical vibration. A 
lucky accident bestowed upon him a rich treasure 
of "singing" wood. H. Eckhardt, one of the fa- 
mous musicians of America, formerly of New 
York, but now of Columbus, Ohio, an intimate 
friend of Gemiinder, met somewhere in New York 
many years ago workmen engaged in tearing 
down an ancient Dutch church, from which they 
were hauling away cartloads of the old pine 
boards and rafters. The veined timber attracted 
Eckhardt's attention. He at once determined 
that Gemiinder should have it, and he according- 
ly followed the carts and marked the place where 
the timber was unloaded. Then hastening to 
Gemiinder's shop, he brought the violin maker 
back with him. It was at once apparent to the 
practiced eye of the expert that this was the finest 
violin wood he had ever seen, and he gladly prom- 
ised Eckhardt the first instrument made from it. 
The whole pile was bought for a few dollars and 
carefully stowed away for future use. This is the 
richly veined "singing'' wood used in the manu- 
facture of all his violins, and the first instrument 
manufactured, a masterpiece of art, is now one 
of the most prized treasures of the musician. 

While imitating the Cremonas, Gemiinder still 
has essential differences in the manufacture of 
his instruments. Profiting by their experiments, 
he has avoided their errors. His intelligence, his 



mastership in mechanics, his thorough familiarity 
with all applicable rules of mathematics and 
acoustics — in a word, his genius — enabled him, 
while discarding the artificial means of Vuillaume, 
to impart to his violins at first and for all time that 
noble sympathy and tone quality otherwise only 
found in the old Cremonas. 

The greatest artists of the century have been 
unanimous in their praise of the Gemiinder vio- 
lin. Ole Bull, after having long played upon one, 
said it was one of the "most splendid and best 
conserved Stradivarius" he had ever seen, and 
when he finally discovered his mistake, he ex- 
claimed: "No man in the world but Gemiinder 
can do that !" ■ The renowned Vieuxtemps also 
mistook a Gemiinder violin for a Strad. Ge- 
miinder sent one of his instruments, called the 
Kaiser violin, to the World's Exposition at Vi- 
enna. That he made it with his own hands was 
attested by his own evidence and that of num- 
erous prominent musicians. The "Vienna Ex- 
position Gazette," August 17, 1873, says: "The 
sound of this instrument is really strong, beauti- 
ful and sympathetic, yet it has not that peculiar 
young tone characteristic of even the best mod- 
ern violins." The prize judges and art critics, 
though unanimovis in their praise of the Kaiser 
violin, refused to award it the prize, contending 
that it was an old Cremona, which certainly is the 
highest compliment attainable by any violin 
maker. 



ISAAC C. HENDRICKSON. To be descend- 
ed from ancestors whose names are honorably 
associated with the annals of our country is 
an honor in which one may take just pride, but it 
is equally gratifying to the biographical writer to 
record the deeds of those who, through active and 
useful careers, have preserved untarnished the 
good name they bear and have even added lustre 
to the ancestral history. 

It is therefore a pleasure to present the life 
sketch of Mr. Hendrickson, for the benefit of this 
and coming generations. His position through- 
out Queens County is one of such influence that 
a narration of the events of prominence in his life 
will be of common interest to all. Residing in 
Jamaica, he wields an influence in business and 
monetary matters not only in this village, but 
throughout the surrounding country, and his suc- 
cess as a lumber merchant has been such as to 
prove his staying qualities in commerce. 



3o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Born in the town of Hempstead, Queens Coun- 
ty, June II, 1834, our subject was the only child 
of Isaac C. and Ann (Remsen) Hendrickson. His 
father, who was born in 1814, began farming pur- 
suits in early manhood, but died when only twen- 
ty-three. The grandfather, Richard, was a son 
of Maj. John Hendrickson, who gained his title 
through service in the Revolution. The history 
of the family in America dates back to 1635, when 
two brothers, Hendrick and William, came from 
Sweden, one settling in New Jersey, the other in 
Queens County. The descendants of the latter 
are now very numerous, and many of them still 
remain in this county. 

The mother of our subject was a daughter of 
Rem Remsen, of Springfield, and a sister of Isaac 
B. Remsen, of Jamaica, to whose sketch the read- 
er is referred for the family history. After the 
death of Isaac C. Hendrickson, in 1837, the moth- 
er married Benjamin Smith; she died in 1853. 
Our subject grew to manhood in Jamaica and was 
educated in the old Union Hall Academy. At 
the age of eighteen he began to teach a district 
school in Ulster County, N. Y., and for two years 
he followed that occupation. In 1856 he began 
in the coal and lumber btisiness in Jamaica and 
this he has since followed with marked success, 
having at different times had several partners, but 
for the past few years has been alone. 

The connection of Mr. Hendrickson with local 
affairs has been important and noteworthy. For 
several years he was a member of the board of 
village trustees and for some time he was on the 
board of education. Assisting in founding the 
Bank of Jamaica, he is now a stockholder and di- 
rector in this flourishing institution. Perhaps the 
work of which he is most proud is his connection 
with the estabhshment of a State Normal School 
at Jamaica. He was a member of the board of 
control with Gov. Richard C. McCormick and 
John O'Donnell, and they succeeded after hard 
and judicious work in securing an appropriation 
of $100,000 from the state. The buildings are 
now in process of erection and the school will 
soon be opened. Without doubt it will be of the 
greatest value to the village, increasing its fame 
and advancing its material progress. 

For many years Mr. Hendrickson has been a 
trustee in the Presbyterian Church and is now a 
deacon. Socially he is a Mason, and at one time 
was senior warden of his lodge. In 1855 he mar- 
ried Annie Carpenter, sister of John R. Carpen- 
ter, one of the leading business men of Jamaica. 



At her death she left a son and daughter, Na- 
thaniel C. and CaroHne E., the latter a graduate 
of Union Hall Seminary, Jamaica. The former, 
who is a graduate of the University of New York 
and of the Columbia Law School, has his law 
ofHce in the Potter building, New York City. For 
his second wife Mr. Hendrickson was united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Baylis, who is 
a member of one of the old famihes of Hunting- 
ton. He is a man of sterling worth, upright and 
honorable in all the relations of life, and a 
straightforward business man whose worth is ac- 
knowledged throughout the village and county. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. 



HENDRICK HENDRICKSON, who for 
several years has served as one of the jus- 
tices of the town of Jamaica, was born in 
the village of Springfield, Queens County, Octo- 
ber 3, 1833. The family has been identified with 
the history of Long Island since a period very 
early in its settlement, and while some have re- 
moved to other portions of the United States, 
there are still many of the name to be found in 
this locality. Grandfather Abram Hendrickson, 
who was a native of the island, served with valor 
in the War of 181 2. 

The parents of our subject, William L. and 
Maria (Bennett) Hendrickson, were born re- 
spectively in the villages of Springfield and Ja- 
maica. The former was one of four brothers, the 
others being Hendrick, Abraham, a resident of 
Jamaica, and James, whose home is in New York. 
The early days of William L. were spent upon 
the homestead, and, arriving at man's estate, he 
devoted himself to the cultivation of a farm. In 
this occupation he continued to engage until his 
death, which occurred in 1856. His wife sur- 
vived him many years, dying in October, 1894, 
when nearly ninety-four years of age. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of four sons, of whom he and John S., 
of Jamaica, are the only survivors. Daniel B., 
who was a farmer, died on the old homestead in 
1888; William L., who carried on a large express 
business in New York City, accumulated a for- 
tune and died there. The education which our 
subject obtained was such as the common schools 
afforded, but while it was limited, he has con- 
tinued in self-culture throughout life, and has at- 
tained a far better intellectual development than 
many whose opportunities were greater. He is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



307 



blessed with quick perceptive faculties and a mind 
adapted to logical reasonings and sound conclu- 
sions. Of his personal characteristics, it may be 
said that he is a man of great natural force, strict 
integrity and unquestioned veracity, endowed 
with strong impulses and an inherent love of truth 
and justice. He is a warm friend to all who prove 
themselves honest and true, and an unrelenting 
foe to all that is treacherous, mean and dishonest. 
In early life Mr. Hendrickson gave his atten- 
tion largely to the management of a farm, upon 
which he raised cereals and garden products. 
Later he was engaged as a dairyman and still later 
carried on a meat business. His interest in pub- 
lic affairs has continued throughout his mature 
years and has led to his recognition as a man of 
fitness for positions of trust and responsibility. In 
1867 he was elected town collector and served in 
that capacity for three years. He was excise com- 
missioner for six years, and in 1884 was chosen 
a justice for the town of Jamaica, which position 
he has held since, discharging its duties with cred- 
it to himself and to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. In his political faith he is a Democrat, 
and has never swerved from his allegiance to that 
party. 

In 1854 Mr. Hendrickson married Miss Anna 
C. Snediker, of Jamaica, who passed away in 1870, 
having had two children, Georgia E., wife of Ben- 
jamin Doughty, and Anna C, widow of the late 
Harry Hardenbrook. The second marriage of 
our subject took place in 1880, when Catherine 
L. Clark, of Brooklyn, became his wife. They 
have a neat and comfortable home, and are high- 
ly esteemed by the people of the town. 



M 



AXIMILLAN F. IvASTNER, president 
of the board of education of Long Island 
City, was born in New York City, No- 
vember 26, 1854. He is a son of Adolph Kastner, 
a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and a 
goldsmith journeyman by trade, who, after his 
marriage, came to New York City and for a short 
time worked at his trade there. From that he 
turned his attention to ornamental decorations, in 
which he worked, in conjunction with his brother 
Carl, until 1864, when he accepted the position of 
ornamenter and japanner for the Steinway Piano 
Manufacturing Company. He continued with 
that firm in Steinway until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1878 at the age of fifty-one years. In 
religious belief he was a Lutheran. His wife. 



who passed away four years after his demise, bore 
the maiden name of Rose Schmauder and was 
born in Eslinger, Germany. 

The family of Adolph Kastner consisted of nine 
children, all of whom survive, five being residents 
of Steinway, while the others are in New York. 
Maximilian F., who is fourth in order of birth, 
was educated principally in the Fifty-first Street 
Grammar School, New York City. At the age of 
sixteen he began to assist his father, under whom 
he learned his trade. Leaving the factory, he be- 
came interested in glass sign painting, a trade 
that was then in its infancy and in which he con- 
tinued successfully for six years in New York 
City. In 1878 he succeeded, at his father's death, 
to his position of ornamenter and japanner for 
Steinway & Sons, and returned to Steinway, 
where he was thus employed for seven years, fin- 
ally resigning in order to engage in business on 
his own account. 

The first contract given Mr. Kastner was that of 
painting the cars for the Steinway Railroad, and 
later he did considerable house and sign painting, 
the latter being his specialty. His contracts are 
made, not only with parties in Long Island City, 
but also for work in Brooklyn and New York, 
and during the busy season he employs from fif- 
teen to twenty men. His business location is on 
the corner of Potter and Albert Streets. Among 
his contracts were those for finishing William 
Steinway's private office in Fourteenth Street, 
New York; the Foster residence in Grand Ave- 
nue, Astoria; the house owned by Francis J. 
Oaks in Steinway; the Steinway residence, kin- 
dergarten and library; the LTnion Church in 
Steinway, including the decorations of the pipe 
organ, and the homes of Philip Burkhart and 
Adolph Burkhart. He also erected and designed 
the interior decorations for his residence at No. 
229 Purdy Street. 

In New York City, Mr. Kastner was united in 
marriage with Miss Kate Bender, daughter of 
Louis Bender, who was engaged in the whole- 
sale meat business in that city. They are the par- 
ents of four children : Rose, Matilda, Maximilian 
F., Jr., and Norbert C. 

Under the last administration of George Retry 
as mayor our subject was appointed a member of 
the board of fire and water commissioners of Long 
Island City. In the fall of 1893 Mayor Sanford 
appointed him to fill the vacancy caused by the 
resignation of Alfred Nelson as a member of the 
school board, and the following year he was 



3o8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



elected president of the board, which position he 
still holds. Socially he is connected with Advance 
Lodge No. 63s, F. & A. M., at Astoria, in which 
he is past junior warden. He is also a member 
of the John Alleai Lodge, A. O. U. W., at As- 
toria. For six years he was president of the Har- 
monia Singing Society in Steinway, and is still 
associated with the organization. His family at- 
tend the Union Church, of Steinway. His politi- 
cal affiliations have always been with the Re- 
publican party, which he has represented fre- 
quently in county, congressional and senatorial 
conventions. 



M' 



AJ. GEORGE A. HICKS. The life of a 
good man in a world containing so much 
of sorrow and evil shines out like the 
noonday sun and redeems the earth from the 
gloom that would otherwise envelop it. The per- 
ilous times of the Civil War developed many brave 
and courageous spirits who encountered untold 
hazards in the struggle for the Union and aided 
in preserving the flag as the emblem of a free 
and united people. Among the thousands who 
went to the front and met the enemy on many 
a bloody battlefield none were braver, more loyal 
or more valiant than Major Hicks, late of Ja- 
maica, now deceased. 

The patriotic spirit displayed by Major Hicks 
was his by inheritance, for his ancestors took 
active part in the stirring events of the Revolu- 
tionary War, and the family, which is one of the 
oldest on Long Island, has always displayed the 
utmost loyalty to the government. He was born 
in the city of Brooklyn, August 5, 1828, and was 
the son of George A. Hicks, a prominent resident 
of that place. When President Lincoln issued his 
first call for troops he was one of the first to re- 
spond, and in April, 1861, was enrolled in Com- 
pany D, Third Battalion, Massachusetts Rifles, 
being chosen adjutant-general, with the rank of 
captain. With his regiment he was attached to 
Burns' Brigade, formerly commanded by Colonel 
Baker, who was killed at the battle of Ball's Blufl. 

Among the engagements in which Major Hicks 
participated were the battles of the Peninsula, 
Fair Oaks, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp 
and Malvern Hill. With General McClellan he 
went to the defense of Washington after the rout 
of the Union army at the battle of Bull Run. He 
took part in the battles of Antietam and Fred- 
ericksburg, was then transferred to the Army of 



the Tennessee and concluded his active service 
before Petersburg, later witnessing the surrender 
of General Lee. He was brevetted major for his 
gallant and meritorious service, which extended 
over a period of more than four and one-half 
years. ' - 1 ! 

Retiring from the army in November, 1865, 
Major Hicks returned to his northern home, con- 
tent to devote his remaining years to the less ex- 
citing life of a civilian. Soon afterward he 
opened an insurance office at No. 68 William 
Street, New York, and continued in that business 
up to the time of his death, February 22, 1894. 
He always took a warm interest in Grand Army 
affairs, and besides that order also belonged to 
the Loyal Legion, Royal Arcanum, Masonic Or- 
der and the Jamaica Club. In religion he was 
an Episcopalian and held the office of vestryman 
in Grace Church. 

By his first marriage, which united him with 
Zelia Stanton, of the island of Cuba, Major Hicks 
had five children, of whom four are still living. 
In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Hel- 
en M., daughter of Lyman G. Morgan, and cousin 
of ex-Governor Morgan. She and her two living 
children, Helen E. and Emeline E., occupy the 
family residence in Clinton Avenue and are 
prominent in the best social circles of the village. 

Throughout the entire county Major Hicks was 
known as a man of genial personal characteristics, 
companionable and accommodating, one whom 
it was a pleasure and privilege to know. His rec- 
ord is that of an honorable, upright man, whose 
high personal character made him an influence 
for good in his locality and who, in advancing his 
own prosperity, promoted the welfare of the vil- 
lage where he made his home. 



ELMER G. STORY, member of the law firm 
of Weed, Story & Stratton, New York 
City, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., 
April 21, 1862, and is a member of one of the 
oldest and most influential families of that sec- 
tion. His education -was commenced in the pub- 
lic schools and carried on in Bishop's English 
and Classical School, a preparatory institution, 
where he was fitted for college. In the fall of 
1880 he entered Cornell University, from which 
he graduated with high honors and the degree 
of B. S., in 1884. For one year following his 
graduation he was principal of an academy in 
Berne, Albany County, N. Y., after which for a 




T. A. McNICHOLL, M. D, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



311 



similar period he was principal of the school at 
Stony Point, N. Y. 

Turning to another occupation, Mr. Story en- 
tered the government service, becoming an em- 
ploye in the New York custom house, where he 
remained six years. During the latter portion of 
this time he began the reading of law, and later 
entered the law department of the University of 
the City of New York, from which he graduated 
in 1894, having been admitted to the bar prior 
to his graduation. Immediately afterward he 
opened an office at No. 1 1 William Street, New 
York, and in the intervening years, as a mem- 
ber of the firm of Weed, Story & Stratton, has 
built up a good practice and a valuable clientage. 

June I, 1887, Mr. Story married Miss Ella J., 
daughter of John W. Butts, one of the most 
prominent men of Dutchess County. The chil- 
dren of this union are Ethel B., born June 13, 
1888; and Ernest D., September 27, 1892. Mr. 
Story is a member of All Saints' Episcopal 
Church and holds the position of vestryman in 
the congregation. Socially he is connected with 
the Cornell University Club of New York City, 
the Phi Delphi fraternity and the Niantic Club of 
Flushing. His interest in all matters pertaining 
to popular education has led him to accept a po- 
sition on the school board and he has served in 
other important capacities in the village of Bay- 
side, of which he is a well-known and honored 
■citizen. 



THOMAS A. McNICHOLL, M. D., of Sea- 
cliff, is one who has always loved knowl- 
edge, and as a physician is devoted to his 
profession, careful in his investigations and gives 
all the time he can find in his busy life to books 
and periodicals devoted to medicine and surgery. 
He is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in County 
Armagh, Province of Ulster, February 21, 1867, 
a son of Rev. Robert T. and Eleanor (Brown) 
McNicholl. The McNicholl family came origin- 
ally from Scotland, but for four generations its 
members were residents of Ireland, whither they 
made their way with the Wesleyan Methodists 
who settled in that country. 

The grandfather of our subject was a large 
farmer of Ireland, but when a young man he 
came to America and made his home here for 
about thirty years. Returning to his native land, 
he was married there when about sixty-five years 



old, and there spent the remainder of his days. 
His son, Robert T. McNicholl, received a liberal 
education in Ireland, and after growing up be- 
came principal of Abbey Street National School 
in Armagh. At the same time he performed his 
duties as a clergyman in the Wesleyan Methodist 
Church. Failing health caused him to come to 
America, where he expected to remain only long 
enough to see improvement in his condition, leav- 
ing his family in Ireland. Within a week after 
coming here he was placed in charge of a church 
at Roxbury, Conn., and as he liked the country 
very much, sent for his family, his wife and chil- 
dren joining him at Roxbury in 1875. 

At the time of leaving Ireland our subject was 
reading in the third reader, and in Roxbury, when 
eight years old, was placed in the fifth reader. 
Later, for about three years, he attended school 
at Williams Bridge, Westchester County, where 
his father was pastor, and while there the mother 
died. During her sickness he was kept out of 
school, as he was the eldest child, and had to 
assist a great deal at home. The family was next 
stationed at Brooklyn, N. Y., where young Thom- 
as attended School No. i, and where his father 
married again. After this for some time his 
studies were again interrupted by sickness in the 
family, and after the father moved to New York 
City our subject entered the public schools, from 
which he was graduated in June, 1884. In the 
fall of that year he entered the City College, and 
after studying there one year, the family moved 
to Brooklyn. There our subject decided to start 
out in life for himself, as his father's position at 
that time was not a very lucrative one. 

Leaving school, Thomas became bookkeeper 
for the firm of Bryan, Taylor & Co., remaining 
one year, and subsequently became manager of a 
refrigerator company, with which he remained 
until the company was dissolved. Subsequently 
he became bookkeeper for the Haskell & Post 
Publishing Company, with which he remained 
one year. After that he began the study of ar- 
chitecture, but on account of difficulty with his 
eyesight had to abandon this after two years' hard 
study. While with Haskell & Post he was per- 
suaded by Dr. Heber N. Hoople to study medi- 
cine, and, giving up his bookkeeping, he went on 
the road, canvassing for a thirty-dollar work of 
art in order to get funds for his lectures. He left 
the road in 1889, and as he had kept up his medi- 
cal studies, he entered college in the fall of that 
year, Bellevue Hospital, New York City, being 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his choice of an institution, and graduated from 
the same in May, 1892. 

Dr. McNicholl began practicing in New York 
City and resided there until April, 1895, when he 
moved to Seaclifif. He has an office in New York 
City, where he spends two days in the week. The 
Doctor was married June 14, 1893, to Miss Elsie 
E. Robinson, of Meriden, Conn., where she was 
born in the year 1868, and where her parents, 
Benjamin and Laura (Blakesley) Robinson, reside 
at the present time. She is a woman of more 
than ordinary intelligence and is a graduate of 
the Meriden High School. Dr. McNicholl is a 
Prohibitionist in poHtics, voting that ticket in 
1888, and was a candidate for Alderman in 
New York. While studying medicine he 
lectured for prohibition in New Jersey, New 
York and Connecticut. In 1892 he re- 
ceived the appointment of surgeon of Red Cross 
Hospital, of New York City, which position he 
still fills. For some time Dr. McNicholl has been 
a member of the New York County Medical As- 
sociation, the New York State Medical Associa- 
tion and the American Medical Association. In 
1894 he was appointed local preacher in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church at Beekman Hill, New 
York City, where his father is pastor. 



THOMAS CHARLES KADIEN. Among 
the successful and able lawyers of Long 
Island City noted for their skill in hand- 
ling cases is Mr. Kadien, who possesses far more 
than the share of ability with which the average 
man is endowed. He has won his enviable posi- 
tion in the legal fields by the exercise of the talent 
with which nature endowed him, and few can con- 
scientiously accept the praise which he so well 
merits. He is at present prosecuting attorney and 
assistant counsel to the general improvement 
commission and is one of the foremost men of 
the city. His birth occurred in the town of Nev- 
ersink, Sullivan County, N. Y., in 1857, and he 
is a son of Nicholas and Bedelia (CarHss) Kadien, 
both natives of the Emerald Isle. In tracing the 
genealogy of the Kadien family we find that they 
came originally from Spain, whence it is thought 
they went to England and then to Ireland. Nich- 
olas was a yotmg man when he came with his 
mother to America and settled in Sullivan County, 
N. Y. Here he learned the trade of tanner and 
became superintendent of J. N. Young & Co.'s 
tannery in Parksville. When this company failed 



Mr. Kadien bought a large farm near Liberty, 
Sullivan County, conducting the same until he re- 
tired from active duties. He is now an influen- 
tial citizen of Middletown, N. Y., and is in inde- 
pendent circumstances. His wife died in 1888. 

Of the three children in the parental family 
only our subject and M. A. Kadien, of New York 
City, are now living. The childhood days of 
the former were spent in Parksville, N. Y., and 
in addition to a good, practical education received 
in the public schools, he attended Eastman's Busi- 
ness College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and after- 
wards St. John's College at Fordham. Following 
this he began the study of law under Benjamin 
Reynolds, a noted attorney of Parksville, and was 
admitted to the bar at Ithaca, N. Y., in 1881. 
Then turning his face toward the setting sun he 
went to Denver, Colo., and was engaged in busi- 
ness there for eighteen months, after which he re- 
turned to his native state and settled in New York 
City, where he practiced his profession for two 
years. 

About 1886 Mr. Kadien located in Hunter's 
Point, Long Island City, at No. 104 Third Street, 
and has since been engaged in his chosen profes- 
sion. He has had a hand in many matters for the 
public welfare and continues with energy and 
good will to further all enterprises for the ad- 
vancement of the city. He was married in Long 
Island City to Miss May Denen, a native of this 
city, and their three children are named as fol- 
lows: Thomas C, Jr., Adelaide and Frank. The 
pleasant home of this family is at No. 140 Twelfth 
Street. Mr. Kadien is a Democrat in politics, 
though liberal, and is ex-secretary of the Jefferson 
Club. He is also a member of Ravenswood Boat 
Club, and the Queens County Bar Association. 



ELIAS C. HENDRICKSON. To perpetu- 
ate the memory of one of the energetic and 
successful business men of Jamaica this bio- 
graphical review is presented. The life which it 
records began at Springfield, town of Jamaica, 
March 15, 1826, and closed in Jamaica, October 
I, 1892, having faithfully fulfilled the purpose for 
which God gave it entrance into the world of ac- 
tion. Mr. Hendrickson was gifted with firmness,, 
sagacity and foresight to a marked degree, which 
traits were no doubt instrumental in gaining him 
a position among the influential men of Long 
Island. Starting from an humble station and 
from small beginnings he achieved a competence. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



313 



and what is still better, gained the universal re- 
spect and confidence of the community, a just 
tribute to the upright life of the man and his 
trustworthiness of character. 

January 10, 1809, occurred the marriage of 
Charles Hendrickson and Alletta Snediker, the 
parents of our subject. The former was born 
in Queens County, April 29, 1787, and died March 
10, 1829; the latter was a member of one of the 
old families of the island, where she spent her 
entire life, dying October 20, 1845. They had 
ten children, but none are now living. Their son, 
Elias C, grew to manhood at the home place, but 
in young manhood went to Brooklyn, where he 
was employed in a boot and shoe store. Later 
he went into the newspaper business, for some 
time being connected with the "New York Sun," 
but subsequently returned to his farm at Spring- 
field. In 1862 he embarked in the lumber busi- 
ness in Jamaica and soon became one of the prin- 
cipal business men of the place, accumulating a 
fortune as the result of his energetic efforts. 

For many years Mr. Hendrickson had the com- 
panionship of a devoted helpmate, to whom much 
of his success may justly be attributed, for in all 
his enterprises she was his counselor and con- 
fidant. She bore the maiden name of Ehzabeth 
Denton and was born in the town of Jamaica, 
where her father, Amos Denton, was a farmer, 
and from which place he had gone forth as a sol- 
dier in the War of 181 2. Her mother. Patience 
(Ludlum) Denton, was a member of one of the 
oldest families of Long Island. Of the children, 
she and her two brothers, Wihiam and Amos, of 
Jamaica, are the only survivors. Unto the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson there were born 
nine children, of whom four are now living: 
Amos D., who married Sarah Lewis, was connect- 
ed with his father in the lumber business and at 
his death succeeded to the management of the 
concern, being now the head of the large lumber 
firm of Hendrickson & Co. Samuel E., who is in 
the employ of his brother in the lumber business, 
married Hattie Barto and has three children, 
Florence, Clara and Ethel. Anna E. is the wife 
of Elmer E. Bergen, the clothing merchant of 
Jamaica. Jennie, the youngest of the family, is 
single and lives with her mother. 

In addition to building up an extensive busi- 
ness, Mr. Hendrickson always took an active part 
in local matters and supported any project for the 
advancement of the people. A sincere Christian, 
he was for a number of years a trustee of the 



Presbyterian Church, also maintained a warm in- 
terest in the Sunday-school. Those who had tried 
to help themselves but had been unfortunate al- 
ways found in him a friend, and he was also 
known for the charitable and forgiving spirit 
which he manifested toward his erring fellow men. 
His widow is connected with the Presbyterian 
Church, in which her brothers are elders. She 
and her daughters and son-in-law have a pleas- 
ant home in Union Avenue and are highly re- 
garded by the best people of the community. 



CHARLES H. HARRIS. Viewed in the 
light of his useful and honorable exist- 
ence, Mr. Harris may be regarded as one 
of the best citizens of Jamaica. For more than 
forty years he has made his home in this village, 
and few of its residents are better known through- 
out the county than is he. While he started in 
life without capital, yet by persistent energy and 
industry, with the exercise of sound common 
sense, he has succeeded in securing a competency 
and at the same time has made for himseh a name 
for strict honor and uprightness. 

Born in Worcester County, Mass., May 25, 
1830, the subject of this article is a son of William 
and Epsie (Flint) Harris, natives of Ashburnham, 
Mass. His boyhood years were passed in the 
place of his birth, where he obtained a fair edu- 
cation in the pubHc schools. In 1855, when twen- 
ty-five years of age, he came to Jamaica as a 
telegraph operator for the Long Island Railroad 
Company. He remained in that capacity until 
1861, when, in recognition of his ability, he was 
given charge of the station as agent. This is the 
most important station on the Long Island sys- 
tem, and the fact that Mr. Harris retained the 
position until he voluntarily retired in the sum- 
mer of 1895 proves his fidelity to the trusts com- 
mitted to his care. 

At the time of his arrival in Jamaica, the Long 
Island Railroad was a small affair, and he has 
been connected with it during the entire period 
of its great, development, and has witnessed its 
steady progress until now it extends to every part 
of the island. He became one of the stockhold- 
ers in the road, the interests of which he has 
guarded with fidelity through all these years. At 
the same time he has not been unmindful of the 
interests of Jamaica, and it has been due largely 
to his management that the village now has such 
excellent service to and from the two great cities. 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



No man connected with the road has had such 
long and continuous service on the system, and 
he is now enjo3ang a well earned rest, having 
gained a competency during his forty years' ser- 
vice. His form on the platform at the station was 
a familiar figure to all old residents, who knew 
him better than any man connected with the road. 
In politics Mr. Harris is a Republican, yet so 
reasonable in his political views that he desires to 
give exact justice to all parties and that political 
supremacy shall not be secured by intrigue or par- 
ty machinations. He has served on the board of 
village trustees and held other local offices of 
trust. In the Reformed Church, of which he is 
a member, he has served both as deacon and elder. 
His first marriage, which united him with Betsey 
Sarah Woods, a niece of Dr. Leonard Woods, of 
Andover, Mass., occurred in Fitchburg, Mass., 
in December, 185 1. One son, Herbert W., was 
born of this marriage. He is now a resident of 
New York, but is employed by a Philadelphia 
house. In Jamaica, June 18, 1867, Mr. Harris 
married Miss Florence Hall, and they occupy a 
comfortable residence in Union Avenue, where 
they have made their home for more than a quar- 
ter of a century. Dr. H. D. Hall, father of Mrs. 
Harris, was a surgeon in the army during the 
Civil War and made his home in this village until 
his death, which occurred July i, 1895, at the age 
of eighty-seven years. 



JOHN SUTTER. The unwritten history of 
our country contains many a story of poor 
boys who landed on the shores of America 
without a dollar in their pockets, but who, 
through their own inherent qualities of enter- 
prise, industry and perseverance, conquered a 
handsome fortune or a comfortable competency. 
In this class we mention the name of John Sutter, 
proprietor of one of the leading marble and gran- 
ite works at Middle Village, and who, from pov- 
erty, has worked his way up to prosperity and 
success, depending solely upon his own efforts 
to surmount the obstacles in his path. 

Mr. Sutter was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
March 20, 1831, and was one of eleven children 
(eight still living) who comprised the family of 
John and Elizabeth (Sieber) Sutter. His father, 
who was born in Bavaria in 1803, learned the 
trade of a stone-cutter, which has been the occu- 
pation of four successive generations of the fam- 
ily. This he followed until his death in 1875. In 



185 1, our subject emigrated to America, landing 
in New York City on the 23d of July, with but 
two francs in his pocket. Going to Cypress Hill, 
he secured work at his trade, but after six weeks 
went back to New York, where for three weeks 
he was employed in a grocery. Next he went to 
Hastings, N. Y., and worked at the stone-cutter's 
trade, cutting stone for the custom house in 
Charleston, S. C. Four years were spent in that 
employment", after which he spent a short time in 
Jersey City and then came to Middle Village in 
1859.' 

Here Mr. Sutter formed a partnership with a 
brother-in-law, John Diehlmann, in the tomb- 
stone business, but as the venture did not prove 
profitable, he left its management in the hands of 
his partner and went to Jersey City, where he 
worked at ship carpentering and various other 
trades. After one year he came back to Middle 
Village to accept the position of superintendent of 
the Lutheran Cemetery, in which capacity he was 
employed until 1878. In 1868 his partner died 
and he took charge of the business, which has 
become one of importance in the intervening 
years. 

The first wife of Mr. Sutter, with whom he was 
united May 8, 1858, was Miss Gesche Wendel- 
ken, and they became the parents of eight chil- 
dren; only one, however, survives, this being 
Elizabeth, wife of Richard A. Homeyer, a sketch 
of whom appears in this work. January 3, 1884, 
Mr. Sutter was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Catherine Schumacher. Politically he is a firm 
and loyal supporter of the Republican party, to 
which he always gives his vote. Socially he is 
connected with Schiller Lodge No. 304, F. & 
A. M.; Atlair Chapter No. 237, Brooklyn; and 
St. Elmo Commandery No. 57, Brooklyn; also 
the Charles T. Schmitt Lodge No. 348, I. O. O. 
F., the Knights of Honor, Centennial Lodge No. 
261 of New York, and Concordia Lodge No. 290, 
New York, Knights and Ladies of Honor. He 
was one of the founders of the Lutheran Church 
here and has ever been one of its most active 
members, being at this writing the president of 
the congregation. 



GEORGE HERBERT HIGBIE is a rep- 
resentative farmer of Queens County, one 
who is identified especially with the town 
of Jamaica and who has been of great assistance 
in developing and extending its agriculture. His 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



315 



is the record of an upright life, and he is an influ- 
ence for good in the community with whose high- 
est interests he is associated. He is a man of 
sound nature, standing among our best men 
whose push and energy have placed this section 
of the country in the front rank as an agricul- 
tural and commercial center. 

On the place where he now resides the subject 
of this sketch was born March 25, 1859, and he 
and a brother, Robert W., were the only children 
of Alexander and Sarah F. (Davison) Higbie. 
His father, who was born in Brooklyn in 1833, 
came to Springfield, town of Jamaica, in child- 
hood, with his father, Daniel, and here grew to 
manhood, when he entered upon the active life 
of an agriculturist, and this occupation he fol- 
lowed until within five years of his death. Aban- 
doning that calling, he engaged in the insurance 
and real estate business. He was a man of sincere 
Christian character, a devoted member of the 
Methodist Church and for several years was sup- 
erintendent of the Sunday-school. His public 
spirit was shown in his endeavors to forward every 
movement that would in any way enhance the 
prosperity of his town and county. 

His education, commenced in the public 
schools, our subject completed in the University 
of the City of New York, where he took a course 
of three years. The death of his father, in 1876, 
caused him to leave the university and prevented 
him from completing a course in civil engineer- 
ing, for pressing farm duties kept him at home. 
In 1880 he was united in marriage with Miss Alice 
A., daughter of Cornelius Amberman, of Spring- 
field. They are the parents of two daughters, 
namely: Mabel F., a bright girl of thirteen, and 
Alice Cecilia, who is one year old. 

In the Methodist Church, of which he is an ac- 
tive member, Mr. Higbie holds the offices of treas- 
urer and trustee and he is also leader of the choir. 
He is active in the work of the Epworth League 
and is the second vice-president of the Brooklyn 
district. Associated with the Good Templars in 
their great work, he holds the office of past grand 
marshal and is a member of the board of state 
managers and county deputy of Queens County 
lodges. Politically he always supports Repub- 
lican principles. He is serving his fourth term of 
three years each as a member of the board of 
school trustees and for four years has been presi- 
dent of the board of education. In this connec- 
tion, while his work has required considerable 
thought, yet it has been amply repaid, for the 



school is well graded and now ranks among the 
best in the county. In 1891 he was chosen to 
occupy the position of commissioner of highways, 
and notwithstanding the fact that he is a strong 
Republican, while the town at that time was Dem- 
ocratic by a decided majority, he was elected to 
fill the office — and that, too, without special ef- 
fort on his part — ^which shows that he is popular 
among his fellow citizens. He is generous and 
obliging in his intercourse with others and is al- 
ways interested in whatever will advance the pros- 
perity of Springfield and the town of Jamaica. 



GEORGE ILCH. Geologists acquaint us 
with the fact that our great coal beds are 
but the remains of primeval forests which 
the action of the elements through innumerable 
ages has changed into its present state. What- 
ever its radical condition was, the provision of 
wise nature for the comfort of man is apparent, 
for fuel is necessary for life on three-quarters of 
the globe. The well-known firm of George Ilch 
& Sons do a very extensive retail business in coal 
and wood, and their facilities are corresponding- 
ly large, being such as to enable them to furnish 
all kinds of family and steam coal, charcoal, hard 
wood, etc., and to execute large and small com- 
missions with exceptional promptness. The 
yards are located in Tenth Street, between Sixth 
and Seventh Avenues, College Point, and are 
sufficiently spacious to accommodate a very large 
stock. Steam power is used in hoisting and un- 
loading coal, also for sawing wood, so that it can 
be furnished, cut to any desired dimensions, with- 
out delay. Employment is given to eleven men, 
and the teaming facilities are proportionally ex- 
tensive, four and five teams being in use for de- 
livery purposes. The firm is composed of George 
Ilch and his two sons, H. and A. F. Ilch. 

One of the oldest and most highly respected 
men in College Point, Mr. Ilch is a native of 
Baden Baden, Germany, born April i, 1830. His 
parents, Michael and Elizabeth (Eberhart) Ilch, 
were natives of the old country and there spent 
their entire lives. The father was a manufac- 
turer and distiller and also followed the cooper's 
trade. The children born to this estimable 
couple were seven in number, and two of these, 
Michael and David, besides our subject, came to 
America. George Ilch grew to mature years in 
Germany, where he attended school, and when 
fourteen- years old was apprenticed to learn litho- 



3i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



graphing. Not liking this, however, he gave it up 
at the end of a year and then began learnnig the 
baker's trade, which he followed at Strasburg, 
Alsace, for three years. In 185 1 he came to 
America, taking passage on the sailer "Ava- 
lanche," at Havre, and reaching New York City 
after six weeks' voyage. In Brooklyn he worked 
at his trade for four years, and in September. 
1855, came to College Point when there were 
very few houses here. At i^rst he rented a bak- 
ery shop in Seventh Avenue and in 1856 he built 
and remodeled it, carrying on the business for 
thirty-three years. In 1857 he started in his pres- 
ent business, dealing principally in wood then, 
and about twelve years later began handling coal 
also. For a number of years he also carried on 
farming. He built two residences and owns oth- 
ers in the city, and has ever been wideawake, 
stirring and industrious. 

In the month of September, 1855, Mr. Ilch was 
married in Brooklyn to Miss Elizabeth Stark, a 
native of Bavaria, and they came immediately to 
College Point, where Mrs. Ilch died January 28, 
1888. Five children were born to them: Eliza, 
Mrs. Kraemer; Emma, Mrs. Muell; and Freda, 
Mrs. Barth, all of College Point; and Herman 
and Alfred, both in the coal business with their 
father. Mr. Ilch has been trustee of College Point 
six years, chairman of the water works com- 
mittee and also street commissioner. Socially he 
is a member of the Harmony Society, of which he 
was 'treasurer. For eight years he was in the 
Eagle Hook and Ladder Company, No. i. and 
is a charter member of the first company here. 
For many years he has been an Odd Fellow, be- 
ing a charter member of the lodge here. In re- 
ligion he is a Lutheran, and in politics was for- 
merly a Lincoln man, but is now independent. 



BENJAMIN W. SCHENCK, who operates 
a farm situated six miles southeast of 
Flushing, in the town of the same name, 
was born in this locality in February, 1846, being 
a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Remson) Schenck. 
On his father's side he is a member of a family 
long identified with the history of Queens Coun- 
ty. His paternal grandfather, Abraham Schenck, 
was a native of Great Neck, where he engaged 
in farm pursuits until his death. Daniel, who was 
also a native of Great Neck and a farmei by occu- 
pation, was a prominent member and official of 
the Reformed Church of Manhasset; he died at 



the old homestead in 1892, having survived his 
wife many years. In his family there were five 
children: Maria, widow of Peter Walters; Wil- 
liam, deceased; Benjamin W. ; Susan, who mar- 
ried John Haviland, a farmer of Little Neck; 
and Daniel R., who resides on the old home- 
stead at Great Neck. 

The first independent business enterprise made 
by our subject was when he was twenty-seven 
years of age. Then, forming a partnership with 
Peter Walters, a brother-in-law, he embarked in 
the mercantile business at Little Neck, carrying 
on a general store under the firm title of Walters 
& Schenck. After fifteen years Mr. Walters died 
and C. A. Van Nostrand was taken into partner- 
ship, the firm of Schenck & Van Nostrand con- 
ducting business for three years, when they sold 
to the present proprietors, Sutphen Brothers. At 
the same time our subject settled at the old home 
of John Hicks, his father-in-law, where he has 
since engaged in farming. Politically he is lib- 
eral in his views and independent in his vote. 

In May, 1879, Mr. Schenck married Emma L. 
Hicks, whose father, John Hicks, was a well- 
known farmer of Little Neck. They are the par- 
ents of a daughter, Maude. In religious belief 
they are identified with the Episcopal Church 
of Little Neck, in which our subject has been a 
vestryman since 1886. By all who know them 
they are respected as upright, genial and cul- 
tured people. 



EPENETUS SMITH, a retired carpenter 
living at Little Neck, was born in Garrick 
Street, New York, November 11, 1829, be- 
ing a son of Epenetus and Jane (Nelson) Smith. 
Through his maternal ancestors he is a descen- 
dant of one of the signers of the Declaration, 
and on his father's side he is of direct English 
descent, his grandfather, Thomas Smith, having 
been a native of England. Epenetus, Sr., was 
born at Whitestone, Queens County, in 1776, and 
in boyhood left home and with a brother served 
an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. Later 
he opened a mercantile establishment in Front 
Street, New York, and continued in business un- 
til middle life, when he removed to Whitestone 
and bought a farm of one hundred acres. The re- 
mainder of his life was devoted to agricultural 
pursuits, and he died at his home farm in 1846. 
His first wife died leaving an only child, our sub- 
ject, who was then an infant of one year. By his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



second wife, Phoebe Starkins, he had five chil- 
dren, four of whom are living: Phoebe A., 
widow of Samuel Berrian of Flushing, where she 
resides; John, a retired policeman of Brooklyn, 
who for twenty-five years was connected with the 
New York and Brooklyn police force; Mrs. Han- 
nah E. Petty of Brooklyn, whose first husband 
was the late Sidney Pearsall of Hempstead; and 
Emily, wife of Henry L'Hommedieu of Brook- 
lyn. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
public schools of Whitestone. At the age of 
nineteen he began an apprenticeship to the wheel- 
wright's trade at Whitestone, but after three years 
ill-health obliged him to seek another occupa- 
tion. He took a three months' voyage on a fish- 
ing expedition along the coast, after which, his 
health being restored, he began to learn the car- 
penter's trade under a master mechanic of Flush- 
ing. This occupation he afterward followed un- 
til increasing years induced him to give up active 
labors. In 1877 he bought four acres on the 
East Alley road, one mile south of the Douglas- 
ton depot, and rebuilt the house, making of it a 
neat and commodious residence. 

The first presidential ballot cast by our subject 
was in support of Fillmore, and he has been a 
stanch Republican since the organization of the 
party. For forty-five years he has been a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bay- 
side, in which he was a trustee for some time. 
August 3, 1854, he married Susan Jane Carpen- 
ter, who was born January 13, 1836, and died 
August 10, 1866. The children born of their 
union were as follows: William H., Charles A., 
Henry C, Mary E., Lewis E., Mary E., wife of 
Julius Doncourt of Flushing, and the only sur- 
vivor of the first family; and Jane Louisa. The 
second marriage of our subject took place April 
7, 1867. when Eunice Starkins became his wife. 
To them were born three children: Sarah L., de- 
ceased; Walter J., and Ida L., who is bookkeeper 
for Sutphen Brothers of Little Neck. 



JOHN NIEDERSTEIN, JR., proprietor of 
the Grand Hotel at Middle Village, was 
born in New York City, March 21, 1871, to 
John and Apolina (Bauer) Niederstein. He was 
one of six children, of whom three now survive, 
those besides himself being Louis, who is con- 
nected with the Equitable Insurance Company 
of New York City; and Richard, who is attend- 



ing school. John Niederstein, Sr., was born in 
Bonn, on the Rhine, April 2, 1838, and learned 
the trade of a cook in the kitchen of Frederick 
William, afterward Emperor Frederick of Ger- 
many. For a time he was chief cook in Hotel 
Masquardt, Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, and later 
held a similar position in the Duval restaurant. 
He came to this country April 22, 1866, and Sep- 
tember 13 following, married Apolina Bauer. Aft- 
er serving as chief cook in the Metropolitan 
Hotel in Broadway, New York, he opened a 
first-class boarding house at No. 11 First Street, 
and later opened the Five-Mile House in New 
York City, and the Yorkville assembly rooms, 
No. 1393 Second Avenue, where he made his 
fortune. His next venture was the purchase of 
Mrs. Catherine Sutter's hotel in Middle Village. 
This place, which he calls the Grand Hotel, he 
has greatly improved and to it he is constantly 
making valuable additions. The building is three 
hundred and forty-six feet in length and has about 
thirty-two rooms for the accommodation of tran- 
sient visitors and summer guests. 

In 1880, when our subject was about nine years 
of age, he took passage on the steamer "Elba," 
for Bremen, Germany, from which place he went 
to Bonn and took a four years" course in the 
gymnasium. In 1884 he returned on the steamer 
"Westernland," and at once began to assist his 
father, whose principal business man he soon be- 
came. When the father came to Middle Village 
and opened Grand Hotel, the son was his confi- 
dential assistant. April i, 1896, the business was 
formally turned over to him, the father retiring 
from active life. 

October 18, 1890, Mr. Niederstein married 
Miss Minnie Siebs, daughter of Christian Siebs 
of this place. Two children were born to them, 
of whom Henrietta is the only survivor. The 
wife and mother passed from earth March 10, 
1895. The second marriage of our subject took 
place March 25, 1896, and united him with Miss 
Louisa, daughter of John Reimers of Ridgewood. 
In 1895 our subject was the candidate of the Re- 
publican party for the position of assessor, and 
although the district is strongly Democratic, he 
was defeated by only fifteen votes, a fact which at- 
tests his popularity. Previous to this, he had 
served as town auditor. In 1890 he was one of 
the organizers of the Fearless Hook and Ladder 
Company No. 7 and the same year was elected 
second assistant foreman of the company. A 
vear later he became first assistant foreman and 



3i8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in i8qs was chosen foreman, in which office he kill Landing, he went to Brooklyn, where he was 
served a year. During the two following years variously employed for a year. In 1851 he em- 
he was district chief of the company, and at the barked in business for himself as a contractor, 
expiration of his term of service he was presented and the following year had a contract which 
with a handsome silver trumpet as a testimonial brought him to Maspeth 



from his friends. Though pressed to contmue m 
the office, he withdrew in favor of a friend. He 
is a member of the Lincoln Lodge No. 748, F. & 
A. M., of New York City, the Arion Singing So- 
ciety of New York and the Williamsburg Volun- 
teer Fire Association. For four years he was 
trustee of the fire department. In addition to the 
organizations named, he is identified with various 
minor societies and lodges. 



JUDGE FRANCIS McKENNA, president of 
the Newtown Light & Power Company, at- 
torney-at-law and real estate dealer at Mas- 
peth, and formerly justice of the peace, is one of 
the well-known residents of Queens County and 
one who, though of foreign birth and ancestry, 
is loyally devoted to our government and its in- 
stitutions. Since first coming to Maspeth in 
1852, he has been intimately associated with the 
progress of the village and has contributed large- 
ly to the development of its interests, both 
through his labors as a private citizen and his 
official connection with municipal affairs. 

In County Tyrone, Ireland, the subject of this 
article was born June 15, 1828, being the young- 
est child of Francis and Jane (Hagen) McKenna. 
In the family there were six children, four sons 
and two daughters, of whom the only survivors 
are Francis and Ann, widow of Felix McCusker, 
The father, grandfather, great-grandfather and 
great-great-grandfather, were natives of County 
Tyrone, and the estate of the first named, who 
was a wealthy farmer there, is now in the pos- 
session of our subject's nephews. 

While the family were well-to-do, it was impos- 
sible in those days and amid those surroundings, 
to give children the excellent educational advan- 
tages which even the poorest may now enjoy. 
Our subject, however, attended the common and 
private schools, also was a pupil in a night school 
for a time, and in this way he laid the fotmda- 
tion of knowledge on which he afterward built 
the superstructure of self-culture and experience. 
In the early part of 1849 ^^ came to America and 
began life in this country by securing employ- 
ment in the construction of the Hudson River 
Railroad. After some six months' work at Fish- 



Here he established 
his home and has since remained. He continued 
as a contractor until 1880, and meantime was also 
engaged in the grocery and feed business for fif- 
teen years, but gave up these interests on being 
elected to the office of police justice, which posi- 
tion he filled for two terms. It is worthy of note 
that at the second election, he was the accepted 
candidate both of the Republican and Democratic 
parties. 

Some years prior to this, in the early '60s, 
Judge McKenna was elected to the office of jus- 
tice of the peace and served in that capacity for 
two successive terms, discharging the many du- 
ties attached to the office in a manner satisfac- 
tory to all. Since the expiration of his last term 
of office he has concentrated his attention upon 
the practice of law and the real estate business, 
also the supervision of the Newtown Light & 
Power Company, of which he has been presi- 
dent since its incorporation in 1895. The other 
officers of the company are Jacob C. Smith, vice- 
president; George S. Jervis, secretary, and 
George B. Gallagher, treasurer, the office being in 
Grand Street, Maspeth. 

In 1854 Judge McKenna married Miss Mary 
Cunningham, and nine children were born of 
their union. Their surviving children are as fol- 
lows: Margaret J., wife of Michael Loughran 
and mother of three children; James E., an em- 
ploye in the Brooklyn postoffice; and Eugene, 
who is with his parents. Politically our subject 
is an active supporter of the Democratic party, 
and never fails to cast his ballot for its candi- 
dates when an opportunity is presented. In re- 
ligious belief he is a Catholic. 



A 



UGUSTUS T. O'DONNELL, proprietor 
of a grocery at Bayside, was born in this 
village, April 25, 1868, and is a son of 
James and Olivia (Dermody) O'Donnell. His 
father was born at Yonkers, N. Y., in 1818, and 
at the age of nine years accompanied his parents 
from his birthplace to Jamaica, where he re- 
mained about twenty years. Then going west, he 
settled at Prairie du Chien, Wis., where he en- 
gaged in the lumber business, residing there for 
four years. Returning to Newtown, L. I., he rented 






^^ ■^■•'SSI 



„,«i**-''>™^, 




CAPT. A. P. BLANCHARD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



321 



a farm for four years and then purchased the Piatt 
Carll place at Bayside, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life engaged in farming. On that 
place he passed away August 2, 1874. The prop- 
erty still remains in the family and is the home 
of his widow, who controls its management. He 
was a man of keen intellectual faculties and took 
an active part in the Bayside Literary Society of 
which he was a member. In religious belief he 
was a Catholic, belonging to the church at Flush- 
ing. 

There were four sons and four daughters in 
the family of James O'Donnell, as follows: La- 
vinia; John, who is engaged in business in New 
York City; William, a resident of Brooklyn; Au- 
gustus T.; Mary, wife of James Estegard of 
Brooklyn ; Frank, who is engaged in cultivating 
the home farm; Olivia and S. Emma. Our sub- 
ject commenced his education in the common 
schools and completed it in the LaSalle Institute 
of New York City. In April, 1891, under the 
administration of President Harrison, he was ap- 
pointed postmaster at Bayside and served until 
the election of President Cleveland. In April, 
1893, his mother bought out the grocery busi- 
ness of Millang Brothers of Bayside, and he took 
charge of the store, which he has since con- 
ducted. In January, 1896, he moved to his pres- 
ent stand, where he keeps a full line of fancy 
and staple groceries. He also has a position as 
traveling salesman for Conor Brothers, whole- 
sale grocers of New York, whom he represents 
in Queens County, a portion of his time being 
given to this work. In politics a Republican, he 
ib active in party matters and is vice-president of 
the Republican Club. • He is a member of the 
Bayside Hook and Ladder Company No. i, and a 
charter member of the Improved Order of Red 
Men. 



CAPT. ALVAH P. BLANCH ARD, of 
Manhasset, was born at Prospect (now 
Stockton Springs), Me., April 12, 1835, 
being a son of Thomas S. Jr., and Harriet T. 
(Treat) Blanchard. The father, who was a mer- 
chant by occupation, spent his entire life in his 
native village of Prospect, v/here he died in 1840, 
leaving his wife and seven children, of whom Al- 
vah P. was the fifth. As he died suddenly the 
property was sacrificed to pay off a few debts 
which he had incurred, hoping to settle them in 
the near future. This left the family with lim- 
II 



ited means, but the mother succeeded, with the 
help of the children, in keeping the family to- 
gether. , I ! 

When our subject was only about ten years old 
he began to work in a ship-yard, and at the age 
of thirteen, in 1848, he made his first voyage, 
going as far south as Georgia. On the return 
trip a heavy storm was encountered, and the ves- 
sel was in great danger of being wrecked. In the 
midst of the storm our subject was ordered to 
duty at the wheel, where he remained until all 
was once more still and the danger past. His 
work was varied during his youthful years, some 
of the time being spent on a farm and some in the 
ship-yard. When sixteen years old he became a 
clerk in a store, into which he was later taken as 
partner. While there, and before he was yet 
twenty-one, he became a candidate for clerk of the 
House of Representatives at Augusta, Me., at the 
time James G. Blaine was a member of the House, 
and lacked only six votes of election. 

Concluding to follow the sea for his life calling, 
our subject entered the foreign trade with the 
West Indies and Europe. October 9, 1859, he 
married Miss Elizabeth Dickey Griffin, who was 
born in Stockton Springs, Me., July 3, 1836, being 
a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Dickey) Grif- 
fin. As long as he followed the sea, his wife ac- 
companied him on his voyages, one of 'the first 
being on the bark "Topeka." Tliree children were 
born to them. James A., the eldest, was born at 
Stockton Springs, Me., graduated from the 
Brooklyn public schools and a business college in 
that city, and is now in the wholesale drug busi- 
ness in New York; he married Mary E., daughter 
of Capt. Melville Smith, of Brooklyn, and they 
have two children. Mildred, the only daughter, 
was born in Stockton Springs, September 13, 
1866, and was educated in the public and art 
schools of Brooklyn as an artist and musician. 
Thomas, who was born at sea, near the coast of 
England, latitude 48 degrees, longitude 24.30 de- 
grees, June 24, 1870, died in Brooklyn in 1878. 

In 1875 Captain Blanchard settled in Brooklyn, 
his home having been on shipboard most of the 
time until then. In 1858 he was made captain of 
the brig "Orella,"' which was burned soon after- 
ward in the great fire at East Boston. Later he 
was in command of various vessels and finally 
took charge of the bark "Grand Turk," which, 
when near San Domingo, was wrecked on the 
Silver Key Bank and in about thirty minutes the 
ship went to the bottom. It was in the night 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time, and the Captain's wife and child were on 
board. When the boats were launched he tossed 
his child to a sailor, who caught him, and Mrs. 
Blanchard jumped into the boat. On account of 
the great danger of remaining alongside of the 
ship, the sailors were about to put off without 
the Captain, who had gone to save the compass 
and chart in order to enable them to reach land, 
but at Mrs. Blanchard's request they waited until 
his return. Out of everything on the ship noth- 
ing was saved except what they wore. 

When their vessel was in danger of being 
wrecked the sailors discerned a sail ahead, but it 
proved to be a vessel that had been wrecked, and 
when our subject's ship was wrecked on the rocks 
and deserted by the crew, the two were bow to 
bow, and there they remained for all time. The 
other vessel had previously been deserted. When 
wrecked they were one hundred miles from the 
Island of San Domingo and had saved nothing 
but a teakettleful of water and a scant supply of 
provisions. The two boats lay by a short time, 
but finally the Captain concluded to steer for the 
north coast of San Domingo, as there was little 
chance of being rescued where they then were. 
Many times the frail crafts were almost wrecked. 
After being out two days and two nights they 
came near the coast, but as the breakers were very 
high, it was perilous to attempt to land, so they 
continued along the coast, hoping to reach a port. 
In the distance they saw a steamer and signalled 
with a small scarf that Mrs. Blanchard had 
brought along for her boy. The signal was seen 
and they were taken on board the vessel, which 
was a Spanish war ship. After fourteen days they 
landed at Havana, whence they returned to New- 
York. . While aboard the Spanish warship they 
were treated with great kindness and attention. 
The Captain told our subject it was wise they did 
not land on the coast of San Domingo, as the na- 
tives are savages and would most Ukely have 
killed them for what plunder they could get. 

In 1868, while returning from a trip to 
Cronstadt, Russia, in the bark "Topeka," the Cap- 
tain was again wrecked in the Gulf of Finland 
and was obliged to abandon his ship. His wife 
was ill with smallpox and they had both children 
with them. In navigating down the gulf, in the 
midst of a snow storm, the ship struck a reef of 
rocks and was wrecked. When the storm cleared, 
after two days of peril, they were rescued by a tug 
from the city of Helsingfors, Finland, twenty 
miles away, where they remained until June, 1869, 



making necessary repairs to the vessel, which was 
badly damaged. The first sewing machine ever 
seen in that country was brought there by them, 
and they were obliged to sell it to them, as well 
as the first and only American cooking stove and 
washboard. They found the people to be honest, 
intelligent and hospitable, and have often wished 
that life and property were as safe in this coun- 
try as in Northern Russia. They know how to 
punish a criminal. 

While on a voyage from Bordeaux, France, to 
Cartagena, Spain, early one morning in Febru- 
ary, 1862, after a severe storm, the Captain saw a 
vessel in the distance with a flag of distress. This 
ship, which was apparently two miles away, 
proved to be the brig "Carrs," of England. They 
signalled that they were sinking, and our subject 
answered that he would stand by. The EngHsh 
sailors then launched their boats and all were fin- 
ally saved. In recognition of this service the 
Captain received the following letter from the of- 
fice of the Commissioner of the Privy Council for 
the Trade Marine Department: 

"Whitehall, London, England, April 12, 1862. 
"Gentlemen: 

'T am directed by the Lords of the Committee 
of Privy Council to acknowledge the receipt of 
your letter of the 28th of March, with its enclosure 
relative to the rescue of the master and crew of 
the brig 'Carrs' of North Shields, by United States 
vessel 'Grand Turk,' A. P. Blanchard, master, and 
to acquaint you that my Lords have awarded Cap- 
tain Blanchard a telescope, which, when ready, 
will be forwarded to the foreign of^ce for pre- 
sentation to him through his own government. 
I herewith enclose an order on Her Majesty's 
Postmaster-General for the sum of ten pounds 
seventeen shillings, for subsisting the rescued 
crew, calculating at the usual rates allowed by 
this department, viz.: two shillings per diem for 
the master and one shilling six pence a day for 
each of the seamen. 

"I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

"(Signed) T. H. Farrer." 

"Messrs. Baring Brothers." 

The telescope thus presented is still in our sub- 
ject's possession. 

In 1874 Captain Blanchard became owner of 
the bark "Masonic," and in 1879, on a voyage to 
Japan, the ship put into the port, Manilla, for re- 
pairs. There the captain, Thomas W. Killman, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



323 



was killed by the steward, Edward Bertran, a 
Frenchman. Finding the vessel unprotected, the 
Spanish authorities at Manilla imposed a heavy 
and outrageous fine for alleged violation of rev- 
enue laws. This our subject refused to pay, an- 
swering from New York in a cablegram ; so the 
authorities seized the vessel and finally sold it 
against the protest of the Secretary of State, Will- 
iam M. Evarts. The resultant controversy lasted 
seven years and was brought to a successful con- 
clusion in 1885 by Hon. John W. Foster, then 
Minister to Spain, in which our subject was 
awarded $51,674.07 by Baron Blanc, the Italian 
Minister at Madrid, who was arbitrator. This 
was a great victory for the State Department and 
American commerce, for in previous affairs of a 
similar nature they had never succeeded in bring- 
ing the Spanish government to terms. President 
Arthur personally told Captain Blanchard that 
he, as President, had more trouble with the Span- 
ish government in matters of this kind than with 
all other nations of the earth. The decision and 
settlement has gi'eatly benefited American ship- 
ping interests, for since then Spain has desisted 
from imposing illegal and unwarranted fines on 
American vessels. 

About 1878 Captain Blanchard retired from the 
sea, after which he lived in Brooklyn until 1893, 
and then came to his present home. Politically 
a Republican, he was a candidate for alderman 
while in Brooklyn, but was defeated. He aided 
in organizing the Union League Club of Brook- 
1vn and helped by his subscriptions in the erec- 
tion of the building. The Marine Society of New 
York, to which he belongs, is older than the 
United States government, and has charge of the 
institution for disabled seamen at Snug Harbor, 
Staten Island, where about one thousand seamen 
and shipmasters are provided with all the com- 
forts of life free of charge. The Captain is also 
an associate member of Grant Post, city of Brook- 
lyn, and a subscriber to the fund for the erection 
of the statue to General Grant, unveiled at Grant 
Square, April 25, li 



R 



ICHARD W. MARVIN. One of the well- 
improved farms of the town of Flushing 
is situated one mile from the village of 
Floral Park and is owned and occupied by the 
subject of this sketch. Here his birth occurred 
November 14, 1853, and on this place he has al- 
ways made his home. His father, Harry P. Mar- 



vin, was born at Herrick's, town of Hempstead, 
and for forty years was one of the influential citi- 
zens of the town of Flushing, during all of which 
time he made his home on the farm near Floral 
Park. The property which he acquired con- 
sisted of one hundred and fifty acres and repre- 
sented a lifetime of toil and earnest endeavor on 
his part. He married Pellatiah Williams, a native 
of the town of Hempstead and daughter of Rich- 
ard Williams, for whom our subject was named. 

Gaining the rudiments of his education in the 
public schools of the home neighborhood, Mr. 
Marvin later entered Union Hall Academy of Ja- 
maica, where he carried on his studies until the 
time of graduation. Since then he has given his 
attention to the cultivation of the home place, 
which he devotes partly to general and partly 
to market farming. In planting and harvesting 
he shows good judgment, using good, sound, 
common sense in his decisions regarding the farm 
work. His time is closely occupied in superin- 
tending the management of his place, which, un- 
der his management, is kept in first-class condi- 
tion. 

The first marriage of Mr. Marvin took place 
March 10, 1880, his wife being Emma D., daugh- 
ter of George Valentine of Herrick's, where she 
was born. She died August 22, 1883, three years 
after her marriage. The second wife of Mr. Mar- 
vin, with whom he was united December 8, 1886, 
was Phoebe K., daughter of William Valentine of 
A-Iineola, where she was born, and a member of 
one of the oldest famiHes of the county. Two 
daughters, Jennie E. and Emma V., bless this 
union. In his political views our subject is a 
Republican and always votes that ticket. He is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Searingtown, North Hempstead, and a con- 
tributor to its maintenance. 



VAN NEST OWEN. The village of Wood- 
side can boast among her citizens a num- 
ber of men whose activity, ability and 
broad experience make them of value to the com- 
munity and bring to them the respect of their fel- 
low-citizens in other parts of the county. While 
Mr. Owen has been a resident of this place for a 
comparatively few years only, yet in that time he 
has risen to a position of prominence in business 
and political affairs. He is proprietor of a gen- 
eral mercantile establishment and is also post- 
master of the village, having been appointed to 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the latter position in 1893 by Postmaster-General 
Bissell. 

In Dutchess County, N. Y., April i, 1859, the 
subject of this notice was born to David and 
Ann (Mond) Owen, being one of eight children, 
of whom seven are still living. His father, also 
a native of Dutchess County, born in 1838, was 
a son of Tohn Owen, who was born in that coun- 
ty, engaged in farming pursuits, and died there at 
the age of eighty-four. Passing the years of boy- 
hood on the home farm, David Owen selected ag- 
riculture for his life calling and has since given 
his attention to that occupation, in which he has 
gained prosperity. 

At the age of eighteen, having completed his 
education in the common schools, our subject left 
the home farm and went to New York City, 
where he secured employment in the furnace and 
range house of T. L. Mott & Co. Being an am- 
bitious young man, economical, judicious and 
enterprising, he invested his earnings in town lots 
in Woodside, and this property having since in- 
creased in value, has proved a remunerative in- 
vestment. In 1892 he resigned his position with 
T. L. Mott and coming to Woodside established 
himself in the hardware business. As his trade 
increased, he extended it to include general mer- 
chandise, and now carries on a thriving business. 

Those who are acquainted with Mr. Owen have 
no need to ask his political opinions, as his en- 
thusiastic support of the Democracy and loyalty 
to its principles are well known. At this writing 
he is vice-president of the Democratic Associa- 
tion of Woodside. He is foreman of the Wood- 
side Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, local sec- 
retary of the Co-operative Building and Loan As- 
sociation of New York City and president of the 
P. C. Social Club. In 1882 he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Lawlor, a lady of great ten- 
derness of disposition and admirably adapted by 
her many virtues to dignify and adorn domestic 
life. Five children blessed their union, of whom 
there now survive: Sadie, Van Nest, Jr., John 
and Mary. 



JOSEPH A. LAWRENCE, JR., of the town 
of Newtown, was born April 22, 1845, the 
oldest son of Joseph A. and Eliza D. (Gor- 
sline) Lawrence. The place of his birth has con- 
tinued to be his home, and he is now operating 
the farm in connection with his brother, Peter 



G. Since eighteen years of age he has been a 
member of the fire department of Newtown, in 
which he has filled every office and is now the 
chief. For one year he served as district chief. 
Socially he is a member of Mizpah Lodge No. 
738, F. & A. M., in which for two years he held 
the position of master, and he is also connected 
with Ancient Chapter No. i, R. A. M., of New 
York City. 

"Tracing the lineage of the family, we find that 
our subject's father, Joseph A., was a son of Jos- 
eph and a grandson of Jonathan, who was a son 
of John and grandson of Capt. John, the latter in 
turn being a son of Maj. Thomas Lawrence. All 
of these ancestors were men of prominence and 
influence throughout Queens County. The first 
representative of the family of whom there is any 
authentic knowledge was Sir Robert Laurens 
of Ashton Hall, Lancashire, England, who ac- 
companied Richard the Lion-Hearted in his ex- 
pedition to Palestine and signalized himself in 
the siege of St. Jean d'Acre in 1191, by being the 
first to plant the banner of the cross on the bat- 
tlements of that town, for which he received the 
honor of knighthood. Later the family gained 
eminence in England. Faulkner's History of 
Chelsea states that they "were allied to all that 
was great and illustrious — cousins to the ambi- 
tious Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to the 
Earl of Warwick, to Lord Guilford Dudley, who 
expiated on the scaffold the short-lived loyalty 
of Lady Jane Grey, to the brilliant Leicester, who 
set two queens at variance, and to Sir Philip Sid- 
ney, who refused a throne." 

Many of the name of Lawrence in America are 
descended from three brothers, John, William 
and Thomas, who came here from Great St. Al- 
bans, Hertfordshire, during the political troubles 
that terminated in the death of Charles I. The 
family coat-of-arms is found on the seals ap- 
pended to some of their wills on file in New York 
and on old plate still in the family. John and 
William came on the ship "Planter," in April, 
1635, landing in Massachusetts, but subsequent- 
ly removing to Long Island. John was one of 
the six men to whom the patent of Hempstead 
was granted by Governor Kieft in 1644. The 
next year he and William, with others, obtained 
the patent of Flushing, where he established his 
home. Soon he removed to New Amsterdam, 
where he became prominent. He served as al- 
derman and mayor of New York and was for 
years a member of the council. In 1692 he was 





HON. A. N. WEUvER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



327 



appointed judge of the Supreme Court, which 
office he lield up to his death in 1699. 

The youngest of the three brothers, Thomas, 
is thought to have joined them after their emigra- 
tion. For a time he resided in Fhishing, whence 
in 1656 he removed to Newtown and took part 
in the purchase of the town lands from the In- 
dians the same year. Afterward he purchased 
and improved farms extending along the East 
River from Hell Gate Cove to Bowery Bay. De- 
cember 30, 1689, he accepted the command of the 
forces of Queens County, Governor Leisler com- 
missioning him Major, on receipt of the news of 
the revolution in England, and the removal of 
Sir Edwin Andross as Governor of Massachu- 
setts. Thomas was frank in asserting the reasons 
which had led to his departure from England and 
his opposition to domineering principles. In Feb- 
ruary, 1690, he began to raise troops in Queens 
County to aid in defending Albany against the 
French, and in July was commissioned to pro- 
ceed to Southold with a force to protect Eng- 
lish subjects there against French cruisers. He 
died in Newtown in 1703. 

Our subject's father was born in Newtown, 
March 16, 1817, and died October 16, 1889. His 
grandfather, Jonathan, was a Revolutionary 
patriot, whose career is portrayed in the "Annals 
of Newtown," and Thompson's History of Long 
Island. The father of Joseph A. died when the 
son was only six weeks old and at an early age 
he was obliged to become self-supporting. When 
sixteen he entered the store of Lawrence & Mun- 
sell in New York, where he clerked for two 
years. Later going to New Orleans, he worked 
in a store for a short time, then returned to his 
native town and became a member of the firm of 
Lawrence & Bush. After twelve years the firm 
removed from Newtown to the head of Flushing 
Bay, where they established a lumber yard and 
carried on a large lumber and coal trade. In 
1879 they leased their property to Harry Hill, aft- 
er which Mr. Lawrence retired from business. A 
Republican and an Abolitionist, he condemned 
the slave system and labored for its overthrow. 
From 1872 to 1879 he served as tax receiver, but 
with that exception declined public office. 

By his marriage to Miss Eliza D. Gorsline of 
Newtown, Mr. Lawrence had six children, name- 
ly: Joseph A., of this sketch; Margaret D., who 
married Edward F. Richardson, and has three 
children; Mary, deceased; Mary Anna; Peter G., 
who is assisting in the management of the home 



farm; and Elizabeth A., wife of James Newton of 
Brookl}^, and mother of one child. Mr. Law- 
rence was conceded to be one of the most popular 
men of Long Island, his companionable nature, 
genial disposition and pleasant manners win- 
ning for him the esteem of all with whom he was 
acquainted. 



HON. AUGUSTUS NOBLE WELLER, 
Judge of the Queens County Surrogate 
Court, was born in Chautauqua County, 
N. Y., December 5, 1836, and is a son of Benjamin 
T. Weller, a farmer of moderate means. His boy- 
hood years were spent on the home farm, his time 
being divided between attendance at the district 
schools and work on the place. Early inured to 
toil, he laid in youth the foundation of his future 
success, for he then gained the habits of persever- 
ance, determination and industry that later se- 
cured his prosperity. 

Soon after completing his education in the Fre- 
donia Academy, Mr. Weller became a law student 
in the office of Snow & Morris, the leading firm 
of attorneys in Fredonia, and with them he spent 
two years. Then going to New York City, he en- 
tered the law office of Mott & Gary, eminent at- 
torneys, with whom he remained three years. Aft- 
er his admission to the bar in i860, he went to 
Batavia, N. Y., where he formed a law partner- 
ship with Harry Wilbur of that place. The con- 
nection continued for three years, when he re- 
turned to New York City and in 1863 entered 
into partnership with Hon. Charles Crary, well 
known as a member of the Committee of Seventy 
who broke up the notorious Tweed ring. The 
office of the firm was first at No. 104 Broadway, 
but later was removed to Nassau Street, the con- 
nection being continued until the death of Mr. 
Crary. Judge Weller is a member of the Chap- 
ter of the Cathedral of the Incarnation of the Dio- 
cese of Long Island, which has over three millions 
of money besides the buildings. This is a corpo- 
ration created by his wife to perpetuate the mem- 
ory of her husband, the late A. T. Stewart. It 
has developed into one of the finest preparatory 
schools in America. 

'It was not long before Mr. Weller secured rec- 
ognition among the promising young lawyers of 
the metropolis, and he was engaged as attorney 
in many important cases, with the most eminent 
lawyers of the New York and Brooklyn bar for an- 
tagonists. One of the most important of these 



328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was the "scissors grinders' case," Balleman vs. 
Blake, involving several blocks of buildings in 
Brooklyn worth a half million dollars. In this 
suit he was opposed by the celebrated New York 
lawyer, F. R. Coudert. Another important case 
was Wight vs. James Gordon Bennett of the "New 
York Herald," in which he secured the largest ver- 
dict for libel ever recorded in America, viz.: $25,- 
000. His opposing counsel in this case were 
Joseph H. Choate, Judge Strong, John Townsend 
and others equally eminent. The case was fought 
with great pertinacity and skill on both sides, and 
ended in a complete victory for Judge Weller's 
client. 

In 1873 Judge Weller . married Miss Kate 
Ward, daughter of Hon. Henry M. Onderdonk, 
ex-State Senator of Ohio, niece of William H. 
Onderdonk, who held the offices of district attor- 
ney, county judge and surrogate of Queens 
County, and granddaughter of Bishop Onderdonk 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. During the 
year of his marriage Judge Weller came to Hemp- 
stead, which has since been his place of resi- 
dence. To himself and wife were born four chil- 
dren, viz. : Katharine, wife of Charles L. Addison ; 
Henry Selden, now a student at Yale; Augustus 
Noble, Jr., and Hobart Courtney, the two latter 
students at St. Paul's at Garden City. Mrs. Wel- 
ler died November 13, 1888. 

While our subject has never desired to gain 
prominence in the political field, yet he has been 
regarded as a leader of the Democratic party in 
Queens County, and in 1885 his party nominated 
him for the position of Judge of the Surrogate 
Court, to which he was elected. The Secretary of 
State had certified that a Surrogate was to be 
elected in this county to take office January i, 
1886, but after his election a controversy arose as 
to the term of office of the gentleman then hold- 
ing the office, and who had been elected to fill an 
unexpired term. The question was submitted to 
the courts and the Court of Appeals finally de- 
cided that the then acting judge had been elected 
for six years, and that his term did not expire until 
January i, 1887, which rendered Judge Weller's 
election null. However, in the fall of 1886, he was 
again nominated by the Democratic convention 
and received the endorsement of the Republican 
convention, being elected without opposition and 
taking the office January i, 1887. In the fall of 
1893 he was elected for a second term of six years. 
In litigation and in all branches of the law Judge 
Weller has had a wide experience, and when 



elected Surrogate he brought to the bench a thor- 
ough knowledge of the law, with a keen insight 
into the merits of the cases tried before him. That 
his decisions are just is evidenced by their uni- 
versal affirmation in the Appellate Courts; as a 
rule, however, they are recognized as so clear and 
convincing that few appeals are taken. Since his 
election to the office, the people of the county 
have recognized the importance of his court and 
have furnished him with one of the finest and most 
complete offices in the state. 

Through extensive reading, not only of legal 
publications, but also of general literature; 
through travel in this country and abroad; 
through habits of close observation, and through 
intercourse with the leaders of thought in New 
York and other cities. Judge Weller has gained 
a breadth of culture that renders him a dehghtful 
conversationalist and a most entertaining com- 
panion. While he is broad in his views, yet he is 
conservative in action, prudent, sagacious and 
discriminating, a man fitted by natural endow- 
ments and education for a position of responsi- 
bility and trust in the service of his fellow-men. 



CHARLES G. J. FINN, M. D. Not only 
in Hempstead, where he resides, but in 
the adjoining country, Dr. Finn is known 
as a successful and skillful physician and sur- 
geon, one who has given years of thought and 
painstaking preparation to his profession and who 
is thoroughly qualified for its practice. Nature 
endowed him with the qualities necessary for suc- 
cess as a practitioner, for he is sympathetic, pa- 
tient and thoughtful, and in the hour of extremity 
cool and courageous. Though his practice en- 
grosses much of his attention he still finds time 
to keep posted upon the practical details in the 
improvements of the science and avails himself 
of every development in remedial agencies. 

The Finn family originated in England, where 
the Doctor's grandfather, John, was born and 
where, at one time, he was an editor of the "Lon- 
don Times." After coming to America he held 
the position of associate editor on the "New York 
Herald" under the senior Bennett, being thus oc- 
cupied for many years. His son, John T., our 
subject's father, was born in Brooklyn, where he 
still resides, being a large real estate owner and 
an extensive coal and wood dealer; he married 
Phoebe G. Jenkins, a native of Nantucket, now 
living in Brooklyn. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



Born in Brooklyn, N. Y., January 29, 1855, the 
subject of this sketch was given the best advant- 
ages this country affords. His literary education 
was acquired at Pennington and Princeton, after 
which he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- 
lege, New York, from which he graduated in 
1876. For one year he engaged in practice in 
New York and then came to Hempstead, where 
he has built up a large and remunerative practice. 
Socially he is connected with the Masons and 
Odd Fellows, and in religious belief holds mem- 
bership in St. George's Church. In 1880 he mar- 
ried Miss Addie, daughter of the late B. F. Rush- 
more, ex-sheriff of Queens County. They have 
one child, a daughter, Lillian R. 

Interested in everything pertaining to his pro- 
fession. Dr. Finn has taken a prominent part in 
the work of various associations. In the Queens 
County Medical Society, of which he is a mem- 
ber, he served for ten years as secretary and treas- 
urer and for three years as president, filling the 
various offices with credit to himself. In addi- 
tion to this, he is connected with the New York 
Academy of Medicine and the Pan-American 
Medical Association, being one of the vice-presi- 
dents of the latter organization. He is visiting 
physician and surgeon to St. Mary's and St. Paul's 
colleges in Garden City. For ten years he was 
physician to the village and for a similar period 
held the position of consulting surgeon to the 
Queens County Almshouse Hospital and consult- 
ing physician and surgeon to Queens County 
Children's Hon^e. 

Dr. Finn is Justly regarded as one of the most 
skillful surgeons and physicians of his locality. 
His knowledge and skill in medical and surgical 
science and all matters pertaining to the health 
of the body, his intelligence in other lines of study, 
and his manly character alike entitle him to es- 
teem, and he is regarded with the highest respect, 
not alone in this community, but in other places 
where he is known. 



a farm hand, after which he went to Richmond 
Hill, where he worked for nine years. He then 
came to Newtown, where he married Helena Kin- 
sey and shortly afterward began farming in part- 
nership with his brother-in-law, David Kinsey. 

In his political views Mr. Leibrock is a Repub- 
lican, always ready to advocate party principles. 
He is a member of the German Reformed Church, 
in which he has served as elder since 1890. Of 
his marriage seven children have been born, 
namely: Henry Nicholas, who is married and has 
two children; Peter, Minnie, Catherine, Annie, 
Helena and Amanda W. 



LOUIS LEIBROCK, a farmer of the town 
of Newtown, was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, on Christmas Day of 1833, and was 
one of seven children, three of whom now survive. 
He is a son of Charles and Phillipina (Leibrock) 
Leibrock, the former of whom, a farmer by occu- 
pation, died in Germany in 1852. The year after 
his father's death our subject came to America 
and for three years was employed in Brooklyn as 



M 



ARTIN KRUDOP, the leading and well- 



known grocer of Whitestone, was born 
near Bremen, Germany, in 1855, and 
spent his early boyhood years in his native pro- 
vince. At the age of fourteen he crossed the At- 
lantic, prepared for active association with busi- 
ness affairs by a practical knowledge of the Ger- 
man, English and French languages— a knowl- 
edge which has been of the greatest value to him 
m his work. After coming to America he at- 
tended evening school in Brooklyn, thus adding 
to the store of information he had gained in his 
own country. 

After clerking in a New York store for a few 
years, Mr. Krudop opened a grocery establish- 
ment in that city, and continued with fair suc- 
cess until he sold out a few years later. Then for 
a number of years he was employed as traveling 
salesman for Lautz Brothers of Buffalo. In 1879 
he was united in marriage with Miss Celia Wag- 
oner, who was born in Brooklyn of German par- 
entage, and is an estimable lady, possessing many 
noble attributes of heart and mind. Two chil- 
dren, Albert W. and Walter G., bless the union. 

On retiring from the road, Mr. Krudop took 
charge of the wholesale soap department of a gro- 
cery store in Newark, where he remained for sev- 
eral years. In 1888 he came to Whitestone and 
began in the grocery business, succeeding so well 
that after a time he bought a lot and erected the 
business block which he now occupies. In his 
store may be found a full assortment of staple 
and fancy groceries, the stock being the largest 
carried by any merchant of the village. 

While Mr. Krudop is loyal to the land of his 
adoption, he has never considered it necessary 
to identify himself with any political party, but 
has preferred to retain an independence in poll- 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tics, though he has an incHnation toward the Re- 
publican platform and principles. He was reared 
in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, but 
has not become a member of that or any denomi- 
nation,' though he is a believer in Christianity. 
Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. 



D 



AVID KINSEY. This name will be rec- 
ognized by many of our readers as that 
of a gentleman who has borne an im- 
portant part in the development of the agricul- 
tural resources of Queens County and who has 
also been a potent factor in municipal afifairs in 
the town of Newtown. The property upon which 
he makes his home is on Trotting Course Lane, 
near Metropolitan Avenue, three and one-half 
miles northwest of Jamaica, and is one of the old- 
est places in the locality. During the Revolu- 
tionary War it was the headquarters of a colonel, 
and in the cemetery on the place still rest the re- 
mains of a colonel and other Revolutionary par- 
ticipants. 

February 14, 1842, was the date, and the town 
of Newtown the place of our subject's birth. His 
parents, Henry and Catherine Kinsey, had six 
children, of whom four survive, namely: William 
Henry, of East Williamsburg; David; Peter, 
whose home is in Brooklyn, and Helena, wife of 
Louis Leibrock. The father was born in Ba- 
varia, Germany, in 181 1, and after his marriage 
emigrated to America, where he landed without 
other possessions than the clothes he wore. Se- 
curing work in Brooklyn at $3 per month, he 
began the problem of life as a farm hand. After 
about one year he came to Newtown and worked 
as a farm employe here for some eight years, when 
he began farming for himself. Later he became 
the owner of the property where David now re- 
sides, and in addition to this he acquired the 
ownership of a small farm in Newtown, on the 
Brooklyn line, which is still held by the estate. 
In spite of adversity and hardships he gained a 
fair measure of success and was well-to-do at the 
time of his death, in April, 1875. 

The common schools of Newtown afforded our 
subject his initiation into the realm of knowledge, 
and the information there obtained has been sup- 
plemented by reading and observation. As he 
grew toward manhood he determined to try a 
business life, but after less than a year with the 
Williamsburg City Fire Insurance Company and 
with a book and stationery firm he returned to the 



home farm and acted as assistant to his father in 
the management of his agricultural interests. In 
1870 he married Miss Wilhelmina Rudolph, a na- 
tive of Fromesheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 
who came to America in 1865. Of the four chil- 
dren born to this union the only survivor is Dav- 
id Peter, who was born August 2, 1880, and is liv- 
ing at home with his parents, but employed in the 
wholesale clothing house of Smith, Gray & Co., 
of New York. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Kinsey was elect- 
ed overseer of the poor in 1879 and served for one 
term in that capacity. For five years he held the 
office of school trustee, during which time he 
labored judiciously for the advancement of the 
schools. His membership is in the Lutheran 
Church, toward the good works of which he is a 
liberal contributor, as he is in all charitable pro- 
jects. Endowed by nature with good business 
ability, he has made the most of his opportunities, 
and his enterprise, perseverance and good man- 
agement have gained him a weU-deserved pros- 
perity. 



JOHN HEEG. The hfe of this well known 
resident of Ne^vtown has been one of stirring 
adventure. His experiences in the West, 
when in the service of the regular army, and when 
connected with the renowned "Buffalo Bill," were 
many and varied, and if recorded would make a 
large and interesting volume. Aside from this, 
he has spent considerable time in traveling 
through Great Britain, France, Germany, and 
the various points of interest in the old world, 
in that way gaining a knowledge of mankind that 
makes him a typical cosmopolitan. 

The father of our subject, Frank Heeg, was a 
native of Germany, and coming to this country 
at an early age settled in East WiUiamsburg, 
where he made his home for thirty-six years. He 
was engaged in the milk business and was the 
first man in the town of Newtown to establish a 
large dairy, the sale of its products bemg in 
Brooklyn. Identified with the history of Wil- 
liamsburg from the time when it was inhabited 
by only a few market gardeners, he witnessed its 
rapid growth until it was merged into the thriving 
city of Brooklyn. His death occurred when he 
was seventy-three years of age. 

During the residence of his parents in East 
Williamsburg our subject was born, December 
31, 1848. At the age of eighteen he entered the 




REV. ALOYSIUS STEFFEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



333 



regular army, enlisting January 30, 1867, in Com- 
pany I, Fifth Regiment of cavalry, and serving 
for five years, after which he received his hon- 
orable discharge January 30, 1872. During the 
war with the Cheyennes and the Arapahoes, in 
1868-70, he was orderly under Gen. E. A. Carr, 
and received a wound in the leg July 13, 1868. 
For a time he accompanied "Buffalo Bill'' in his 
Western expeditions, gaining a personal acquaint- 
ance with the man whose unique ability has made 
him famous throughout the world. 

After his return from army service Mr. Heeg 
engaged in the milk business in Newtown for 
eight years, and for eleven years he was con- 
stable of the town. For a time he was proprietor 
of the Lafayette House in East Williamsburg, 
and in 1883 returned to Newtown, where he en- 
gaged in the hotel business. In 1891 he was 
elected supervisor and held that position for three 
years; from 1885 until 1891 he served as assessor 
of the town. 

Mr. Heeg, who carries on an extensive business 
as an auctioneer, became associated with Thomas 
Pettit in 1889. The latter died in April, 1894, 
since which time Mr. Heeg has practically carried 
on the business alone. His political affiliations 
are with the Democratic party, in which he is an 
active worker. In religious belief he is a Catholic 
and holds membership in the Catholic Benevolent 
Legion. Socially he is connected with John J. 
Mitchell Lodge, Long Island City. He is also 
a member of the Providence Association of Mas- 
peth. 

In 1876 Mr. Heeg married Miss Mary Eaton, 
of East Williamsburg, and their union resulted 
in the birth of two daughters : Anna, wife of Cor- 
nelius Burke, and mother of a son, John; and 
Henrietta, who is postmistress of East Williams- 
burg. By the second marriage of our subject, 
which was to Mary Hanck, he had one child that 
is now deceased. His third wife bore the maiden 
name of Anna Hirsch. In his public life he has 
displayed the same energy and resoluteness of 
purpose that characterized him in private affairs, 
and he may justly be numbered among the lead- 
ing men of the town. 



REV. ALOYSIUS STEFFEN, rector of St. 
Mary's Help of Christians, Winfield Junc- 
tion, was born in Wildeshausen, Olden- 
burg, Germany, September 15, 1857. His father 
was Conrad Steffen, a business man of Old- 



enburg, where he passed his entire life. The 
family were all devout Catholics. Frederick, two 
years older than our subject, acquired a fine edu- 
cation in the Fatherland and after coming to 
America studied in one of the famous institutions 
of Pittsburg, Pa., fitting himself to enter the 
priesthood. For three years he was rector of St. 
Peter's and St. Paul's churches in Rochester, Pa., 
but his promising career was cut short by his 
death, which occurred when he was twenty-six 
years of age. Mary, the sister of our subject, is 
known as Sister Adeline of Charity. She lives in 
Detroit, Mich. 

Father Steffen received his early education in 
the model schools of his native land. He was 
especially gifted as a sculptor, and while he might 
have made a name for himself in the world of arts, 
it was his desire, as well as that of his parents, 
to become a priest, and with this end in view he 
gave his entire time and attention to studies in 
This direction. Many of the pieces which he exe- 
cuted in his youth indicate plainly that had he 
confined himself to thestudy of art he would have 
become famous. His father gave him his choice 
of professions, and without any hesitancy he 
chose the ministry. 

After completing his studies in his native land, 
Mr. Steffen came to America and entered St. 
Michael's College, of Pittsburg, Pa., and later 
took a course in St. Vincent's College in West- 
moreland County, Pa. In 1880, having com- 
pleted his theological studies, he was ordained 
a priest by Bishop Faber, of Montreal, Canada. 
It is a fact worthy of note that he was the young- 
est member in his class, which included over forty 

students. 

Father Steffen was first sent to St. Michael, in 
East New York, where for four years he was the 
assistant of Father August M. Nienmann, his cou- 
sin. In 1885 he was made pastor of St. Eliza- 
beth's at Woodhaven, where he continued in 
charge until October 10, 1895, when he became 
rector of St. Mary's Help of the Christians at 
Winfield Junction. He deserves great credit for 
his zealous efforts in building up the church, and 
is faithfully working to advance the CathoHc 
cause in this vicinity. Since he took charge of af- 
fairs here a school has been organized and a com- 
fortable building erected, the church greatly im- 
proved and a parsonage built. He superintended 
the construction and remodeling of the buildings 
and performed much manual labor. The grounds 
about the church and school are adorned with 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I 



several varieties of trees and slirubs, every one of 
which Father Steffen set otit himself. Although 
the greater part of his time and attention is given 
to looking after his people, he takes great interest 
in affairs outside and no good cause is allowed 
to fail for want of support on his part. St. Mary's 
cono-regation numbers two hundred and fifty fam- 
ihes and about one thousand persons, and the 
work is in a very flourishing condition. Father 
Steffen is a distinguished linguist, speaking sev- 
eral languages fluently. 



GUSTAVE W. HILBERS, who is engaged 
in the grocery business at Whitestone, 
was born in Geestendorf, province of 
.Hanover, Germany, August 25, 1844, being a son 
of B. D. and Margherita (Kellers) Hilbers. At 
the age of twelve he graduated from the public 
school of his native place, after which he attended 
a private school for three years. When about 
fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the dry- 
goods business in one of the largest stores of 
Hamburg. At the expiration of his term of ser- 
vice he clerked in Bremen for six months and 
then, at the age of eighteen, crossed the ocean, 
landing in New York in 1863. For a year he was 
employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store there, 
after which he was assistant bookkeeper for 
Henry Millard, the chocolate manufacturer, for 
one and one-half years. His next position was 
that of conductor on the Erie Railroad sleeping 
car line, which he held for two years. 

About one year after our subject left Germany 
his father died, and not long afterward his mother 
and the younger children came to America and 
he cared for them until they were able to do for 
themselves. After leaving the railroad he clerked 
for Jacoby & Heller for a year, and then opened 
a grocery in Long Island City. After a few years 
there he went back to New York, but later re- 
turned to Long Island City, where he was en- 
gaged for two years in the soda water trade. 
Removing to Flushing, he opened a grocery and 
carried on business for fourteen years. Just be- 
fore going to that village he married Miss Hen- 
rietta Stegemann, of College Point, and they be- 
came the parents of three children: Johanna, 
who became the wife of Henry M. Ludder, died 
March 28, 1896; Gustave W., born January 9, 
1873, died at the age of nine years; and Carl, who 
was born in Flushing March 25, 1875, is assist- 
ing his father in the store. 



In 1872 Mr. Hilbers voted for Horace Greeley 
for president and has since supported Democratic 
principles. He is a trustee of the town of Flush- 
ing, having been elected to that position three 
different times, and is now treasurer of the board. 
In January, 1895, he was elected water commis- 
sioner for a term of three years. Frequently ^le 
has been chosen to serve as delegate to local con- 
ventions. Reared in the faith of the German 
Lutheran Church, he identified himself with that 
denomination on coming to America, and is now 
treasurer of the church at Whitestone. At one 
time he was a member of the Pacific Lodge of 
Odd Fellows, but withdrew by card. As a busi- 
ness man he is energetic and capable, and has 
built up a good trade in staple and fancy groceries. 



JUDGE JAMES L. CAIN, proprietor of 
Broadway Hotel, Bayside, is a native of that 
place and was born on the ist of March, 
1861. His father, Nicholas V. B. Cain, was born 
in Brooklyn September 7, 1837, and was the son 
of James and Elizabeth (Pangborn) Cain. (See 
sketch of James W. Cain). The father passed 
his boyhood days in the city of Brooklyn, where 
he received a good practical education. When 
fifteen years old he removed with his parents to 
Bayside, and was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until his marriage in i860. From there he 
then removed to a farm in the same town, 
which had been purchased for him by his father, 
and tilled the soil there until the death of his wife, 
which occurred March 31, 1862. Returning to 
the parental roof he remained there one year, 
after which he purchased a hotel in Little Neck. 
Later he married Miss Ida Rapalyea, whose father 
owned the hotel property, and afterwards con- 
ducted the Little Neck Hotel for two years. In 
1867 he sold the property and went to New York 
City, where he engaged in the milk business, 
which he conducted most successfully for ten 
years. Returning to the home farm after that he 
resided on the same until his death, September 
26, 1893. His widow is still a resident of the old 
place. 

Our subject was the only child of the first 
marriage, his mother being Miss Sarah E. Law- 
rence. " He remained with his father until of age 
and received his education in the common schools 
and in the Nazareth Hall Military Academy, 
from which he graduated in June, 1878. On ac- 
count of ill heahh he returned to the farm, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



335 



for two years was engaged in the duties of the 
same, thus regaining his heahh. Finding that 
this Hfe suited him he continued on the farm up 
to 1889, when he was appointed to fill the unex- 
pired term of justice of the peace. In 1890 he 
was elected to the office on the Democratic ticket, 
and after finishing the term was renominated, but 
was defeated with the entire ticket. 

In 1890 Mr. Cain purchased his present prop- 
erty and has since given his entire time and at- 
tention to managing his fine hotel. From 1888 
to 1893 he was president of the school board, 
and he is an honorary member of the Enterprise 
Hook and Ladder Company, of which he was 
one of the organizers, and is now a charter mem- 
ber. At one time he was chairman of the Dem- 
ocratic town committee, of which for four years 
he was a member, and from 1888 to 1891 he was 
the representative of the Democratic County Cen- 
tral Committee. Socially Mr. Cain is a member 
of the Arcanum, the Foresters and the Improved 
Order of Red Men. He is a member of All Saints 
Episcopal Church of Bayside, and is one of the 
substantial and worthy citizens of the community. 
November 23, 1889, Mr. Cain was married to 
Miss Hester M. Shackell, of Bayside, and they 
have one child, a bright little boy named Lloyd. 



JACOB JOHN MOORE, a retired farmer of 
Newtown, was born May 20, 1829, in the 
house where he still makes his home. He 
is a member of one of the oldest and most highly 
respected families of Long Island, members of 
which have, at different times, gained prominence 
in business, agricultural or professional affairs. 
From the "Annals of Newtown" we learn that 
the several families of English extraction bearing 
the name of Moore are said to find a common 
origin in Thomas De Moore, who came from 
Normandy with WilHam the Conqueror in 1066, 
and whose name is enrolled in the ancient list 
taken at their embarkation at St. Valery, also in 
the list of those who survived the memorable bat- 
tle of Hastings, fought October 14, 1066. Rev. 
John Moore, the more immediate ancestor of the 
Newtown family, was doubtless of English birth. 
He was an independent preacher and was the 
first minister of the town, having been "permitted 
in New England to preach, but not authorized to 
administer sacrament." In remembrance of his 
active interest in the purchase of Newtown from 
the Indians, the town awarded eightv acres of land 



to his children thirty years after his death, in 1657. 
The father of our subject, Benjamin Moore, 
was born in the village of Newtown late in the 
eighteenth century, and here spent his life en- 
gaged in farming; he was the son of Jacob and 
Elizabeth Moore, natives of this locality. By his 
marriage to Jane Rapelye he had four children, 
of whom two daughters, Elizabeth and Lemma 
A., and one son, Jacob John, survive. The sub- 
ject of this record grew to manhood under the 
parental roof and acquired his education in the 
common schools. When he was twenty-five he 
was bereaved by the death of his father, since 
which time he has had charge of the estate. He 
has never married, and his two sisters, who still 
reside at the old homestead, keep house for him 
and look after his welfare. They attend the Epis- 
copal Church and are interested in religious mat- 
ters. Politically Mr. Moore is a supporter of Re- 
publican principles, but has never actively iden- 
tified himself with political matters in a partisan 
wav. 



JOHN VINCENT. The bar of Queens 
County has won an enviable reputation 
throughout its length and breadth for the 
erudition, success and courtesy of its members, 
many of whom have achieved a wide reputation 
for their ability and a correct apprehension of 
what pertains to the profession. Among those 
who stand deservedly high as a member of the 
bar is John Vincent, who has been successfully 
engaged in the practice of his profession in New 
York and Long Island for many years. He has 
always been a close student of law and has won 
the confidence and esteem of all as a careful and 
efficient lawyer. He is a New Yorker by birth 
and education and inherits his wit and quick per- 
ception no doubt from his Irish ancestors, his 
father and mother being natives of the Emerald 
Isle. 

When but children the parents were brought 
to this country, and subsequently became ac- 
quainted in New York City, where they were 
soon after married and where most of their days 
were spent. Mr. Vincent died when a compara- 
tively young man and his estimable wife passed 
away in 1894, when eighty-seven years old. Their 
son John was educated in the public schools of 
New York City and was but fourteen years old 
when his father died. He then left school and 
entered a law office as an errand boy, and his 



336 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



subsequent education was received mainly 
through his own exertions. While managing 
clerk in a law office he managed to get a fair 
knowledge of law, and in 1868 was admitted to 
practice at the New York bar. Afterwards he 
entered the office of another attorney and as- 
sumed the management of the latter's business, 
with the privilege of controlling all of the busi- 
ness of his own which might fall in his way. 

Some time later Mr. Vincent opened an office 
for himself and for twenty years has practiced his 
profession most successfully in Nassau Street, 
New York City. For the past ten years he has 
been a resident of Rockville Center, where he has 
a beautiful home. This is presided over by his 
excellent wife, formerly Miss Augusta Grant, a 
native of Troy, and daughter of John Grant. 
Their nuptials were celebrated in 1866, and four 
children have blessed the union. The eldest child, 
James, is married and resides at Jersey City 
Heights; Robert W. is at home; Estella is a stu- 
dent at Mt. St. Vincent, on the Hudson River; 
and Charles is a student at De La Salle Military 
Institute of New York City. 

Every day, except Sundays and holidays, Mr. 
Vincent goes to and returns from New York City. 
He is now in the prime of life, having been born 
in the year 1845, and is one of the most success- 
ful members of the legal profession. The family 
are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and 
he was one of the founders of the same at Rock- 
ville Center. In politics he is a stanch supporter 
of Democratic principles and in 1882 was ap- 
pointed to the position of assistant district attor- 
ney at New York, a position he filled most cred- 
itably for three years, during one year of which 
time he was at the head of the office. While very 
prominently established in his practice in New 
York City, Mr. Vincent is closely identified with 
the growth and prosperity of Rockville Center, 
where his home interests are centered. He is 
one of the few who have assisted in wrenching 
this section from fogyism to a bright and en- 
lightened cominunity. 



THOMAS SEAMAN WILLETS, one of 
the highly esteemed residents of the vil- 
lage of Bayside, is a breeder of fine horses 
and also conducts a boarding stable, wintering 
many fine animals owned by wealthy New York 
and Brooklyn residents. An energetic and enter- 
prising man, he has advanced the pubHc interests 



of the village in many ways, and is thoroughly 
identified with all movements calculated to benefit 
his community and county. 

A representative of one of the old and highly 
esteemed families on the island, Mr. Willets is a 
native of the place where he now lives, as was 
also his father and grandfather before him. He 
has in his possession an old deed which shows the 
property to have been in the family prior to the 
year 1740. Thomas Seaman was born July 18, 
1852, and was the eldest but one of the five chil- 
dren who came to bless the union of Thomas S. 
and Rebecca F. (Leggett) Willets. Four of this 
household now survive: Anna W. is the wife of 
William E. Townsend of Westbury, and they have 
two children; Eliza L. married C. A. Willets, and 
they make their home in Flushing; S. Clinton, 
who is also a resident of the above place, is em- 
ployed by the New York Central in the auditing 
department of that village. 

The father of the above family was born in 
1819, and departed this life in 1885, while his good 
wife, who was also born in 1819, survived him one 
year, dying in 1886. The former was the son of 
Seaman and Ann (Pearsall) Willets, by whom he 
was reared to a life of usefulness. He adopted 
the occupation of a farmer when beginning life 
for himself and in this line became prominent and 
well-to-do, and it may be truly said of him that 
he was one of the most highly esteemed men in 
the county. The reputation which he enjoyed 
was that of a man whose word was at all times 
considered as good as his bond. For many years 
he was trustee of the town, for several terms filled 
the office of assessor, and for two terms he served 
as supervisor. He was a very capable business 
man, which fact was fully recognized by his many 
friends and neighbors, and it was no unusual 
thing for him to be intrusted with important busi- 
ness affairs. In the Flushing Turnpike Road and 
Bridge Company he was one of the leading spir- 
its, and was director and treasurer of the same 
for many years. 

As soon as he was old enough, the subject of 
this sketch was sent to a private school at Bay- 
side, and after completing 'his education returned 
home and assisted his father in the management 
of the place. As the years passed by, however, he 
gradually assumed more control, until the entire 
oversight of the business virtually rested on his 
shoulders. In 1880 he erected a stable and began 
boarding horses. This business became so popu- 
lar with city people that it was not long before 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



337 



he was compelled to erect more commodious 
quarters for the accommodation of the animals 
which were entrusted to his care during- the win- 
ter months. His stables have been enlarged from 
time to time since then and he is regarded as one 
of the best business men in this line in the county. 
The lady to whom our subject was married in 
November, 1882, was Miss Almy R., daughter of 
J. B. Hoover, for many years a resident of New 
York City. To them have been granted three 
children, of whom Almy R., who is now attending 
the seminary at Flushing, and Thomas S., Jr., 
are the only survivors. In politics Mr. Willets, 
while in no sense of the word an office-seeker, 
supports the candidates of the Republican party. 
He is a member of the Society of Friends, in 
which faith he was reared, and Mrs. Willets is a 
■ consistent member of the Congregational Church. 



JOHN HENRY TAYLOR, one of the lead- 
ing horticulturists of New York State, is 
well known to the residents of Bayside and 
vicinity, where he has made his home for many 
years. He is energetic, persevering, capable and 
judicious, and it is largely due to these qualities 
that he owes the prosperity which has attended his 
efforts in business. He was born in the metropo- 
lis August 28, 1857, and was the eldest of the 
family of seven children comprising the household 
of John and Elizabeth N. (Gilson) Taylor. 

When only three years of age the subject of 
this sketch was brought by his parents to Bayside, 
where they remained for seven years. In 1867 
they took passage on a steamer for Europe, spend- 
ing the following ten years in traveling through 
different portions of the Old World. John Henry, 
who accompanied them on this tour, studied in 
Switzerland, Italy and Berlin, Germany, and on 
his return he entered Harvard College, graduat- 
■ing from that institution with the class of 1881, 
and having conferred upon him the degree of 
bachelor of agricultural science. 

After completing his education our subject 
spent one year traveling in Europe, and on his 
return at the end of that time assumed charg-e 
of his father's horticultural business. On the 
death of the latter he purchased the interest of 
the other heirs in the place and since 1882 has 
had entire control of the business. He resides in 
one of the palatial homes on the north side of the 
island and is recognized as one of the stirring 
and progressive business men of Queens County. 



His greenhouses, which are fitted out with all the 
latest appliances and conveniences for heating, 
lighting, etc., cover some five acres of ground 
and in them may be found a splendid collection of 
roses and orchids. Mr. Taylor has a large whole- 
sale trade in New York City. 

John Henry Taylor and Miss Julia, daughter of 
James Armstrong, of New York, were united in 
marriage in that city in 1883. Their union has 
been blessed by the birth of two children, Adele 
A. and Reginald Dodge, both of whom are at- 
tending Schuler's Seminary in Flushing. 

Socially Mr. Taylor belongs to the University 
Club, the Lawyers' Club, the New York Athletic 
Club and the Douglaston Yacht Club, and fra- 
ternally is identified with Cornucopia Lodge, F. 
& A. M., at Flushing. In everything pertaining 
to floriculture he takes a warm interest and is ac- 
tively connected with the New York Florists' Club 
and the New York Horticultural Society. He is 
likewise a fellow of the American Geographical 
Society of New York City and belongs to the 
Niantic Club of Flushing. Having always the 
welfare of his community at heart, he does what 
he can to further its best interests and has rep- 
resented this locality very efficiently as president 
of the town board of trustees. For the past five 
years he has been president of the school board of 
this district and has been an active worker in rais- 
ing the standard of scholarship. Politically he is 
a stanch Democrat and has held the honored of- 
fice of president of the Democratic Club, of Bay- 
side. He belongs to the Episcopal Church, to the 
support of which he is a regular and liberal con- 
tributor, and is justly numbered among the sub- 
stantial and valued residents of the countv. 



JORDAN WRIGHT, a retired farmer of the 
town of Flushing, makes his home in a beau- 
tiful place on the Whitestone Road, just off 
Broadway. His accurate judgment and superior 
ability have been displayed in the successful man- 
agement of his affairs and he is now living retired 
and is regarded with the highest respect and con- 
fidence as a man of unimpeachable integrity. He 
was born in this town March 29, 1817, and was 
the son of Abraham and Susan (Wright) Cock. 
He was the favorite grandson of his mother's 
father, a very wealthy resident of this section, and 
it was owing to his wishes that his name was 
changed, by a special act of the legislature, from 
Cock to Wright. 



338 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Benjamin and Hannah (Prior) Cock, and their 
son, Abraham, was born in Fkishing in the year 
1779, and departed this hfe in 1827. After com- 
pleting- a limited education in the schools of his 
district, the father of our subject gave his atten- 
tion to learning the milHng business, and for years 
operated the old Bowne mill, which still stands 
near the junction of Lawrence Street and Mill 

Road. 

The Cock family is one of the oldest on the 
island, its various members here being enabled 
to trace their ancestry back to one of three broth- 
ers who emigrated hither from England some 
time in the sixteenth century. One of this trio 
settled in Pennsylvania, another in New York 
State, and the third made his home at Norwich. 
Grandmother Hannah (Prior) Cock was a cousin 
of John Bowne, who came from Holland in Colo- 
nial days and, as history tells us, was the first 
Quaker to make his home on the island, and 
because of his faith suffered many persecutions. 
The mother of our subject was a daughter of 
Jordan Wright, for many years one of the wealthy 
merchants of New York City. On retiring from 
business he made his home in Flushing, owning 
the property which is now in the possession of 
Captain Hinman. His wife, prior to her mar- 
riage, was Miss Elizabeth Titus. 
. At the time of his father's death the subject 
of this sketch was a lad of ten years, and his grand- 
father, who was very fond of him, prevailed upon 
his daughter to let him have the boy to rear and 
educate. He finally became so attached to him 
that it was his earnest desire to have him bear 
the name of Wright, and by a special act of the 
legislature this change was effected, so that he 
is now known to his many friends as Jordan 
Wright. The latter attended an academy at Wil- 
mington, Del., for a time, after which he carried 
on his studies in a private school in Westchester 
County, N. Y. It was the wish of his grandfather 
that he should fit himself for an active business 
life, and accordingly, when a lad of sixteen years, 
he went to New York and obtained a position as 
clerk in a commission house. 

In 1842 our subject, together with Messrs. 
Baker and Cox, organized a wholesale dry goods 
establishment, the firm name being Baker, Wright 
& Cox. The venture not proving a success, how- 
ever, they dissolved partnership four years later, 
Mr. Wright investing his interest in the busmess 
in a nice tract of land in this town. Thereafter he 



gave his attention to farming, and for fifty years 
his efforts in this direction were attended with 
good results. 

The lady to whom Mr. Wright was united in 
marriage June 14, 1843, was Miss Mary P. Wil- 
lets, the daughter of Seaman Willets, whose fam- 
ily is spoken of at length in the biography 
of Thomas S. Willets, elsewhere in this volume. 
Thomas S., the eldest son of our subject and his 
wife, is clerk in the Mechanics Bank of New 
York ; he is married, and the father of a daughter, 
Elinor, and son, John J., who was educated in 
Fairchild Institute. Charles H. was for twenty- 
eight years employed in the Mechanics Bank, 
but is now a member of the New York Stock Ex- 
change ; he is also married and has two children, 
Mazie and Robert. Maggie P. married Sidney 
S. Eadie, an insurance broker of the metropolis, 
and their children are named respectively, Sidney 
and Millie. In politics Mr. Wright is a Repub- 
lican. Religiously he and his family are members 
of the Society of Friends. 



JAMES DEMAREST, A. M., D. D. Heredi- 
ty and environment, two great agencies, 
show their results in the development of 
character and ability, as well as in the growth of 
a physical organism. If the assertion of Dr. Oli- 
ver Wendell Holmes be true, that the time to be- 
gin medical treatment of a sick man is a hundred 
years before his birth, it is also a fact that no 
biography is complete without some reference to 
ancestors and progenitors. Dr. Demarest's fath- 
er. Rev. James Demarest, spent the best years of 
his life in the Christian ministry, as did his grand- 
father. Rev. John Demarest. Both were pastors 
of the Reformed Dutch Church, to which denom- 
ination the Demarest family has been attached 
for many generations. The first ancestor of the 
family in this country, David Des Marest, was 
born in Beauchamp, Picardy, France, about 1620. 
He came to America in 1663 and figured promi- 
nently in the early history of Harlem, N. Y. In 
1677 he purchased of the Tappan Indian chiefs 
two thousand acres on the Hackensack River, 
in New Jersey, and thither removed, accompanied 
by his children and grandchildren. He with four 
other families that came with him organized a 
church for which a building was erected on Des 
Marest's land. 

Rev. John Demarest, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born near Newbridge, N. J. He was but 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



339 



a boy during the Revolutionary War and was 
seized and carried off by a troop of Hessians. He 
was placed on a horse behind one of the soldiers, 
and as they rode along he noticed that the man 
was drunk. Arriving at the foot of a hill, the 
horse stopped to drink from a brook, while the 
rest of the troops pushed on and disappeared from 
sight. This was young Demaresfs opportunity 
and he improved it. With a sudden ef- 
fort he threw the drunken Hessian from 
his horse, and turning, made his escape 
with the horse and saddle. This gentleman be- 
came the owner of a farm at Tappan, where Major 
Andre was buried. When the latter's body was 
to be taken back to England the following oc- 
curred: In August, 1821, the British govern- 
ment, at the request of Andre's sisters, sent a man- 
of-war to transfer the remains to England. The 
Duke of York was on board and was entertained 
by Mr. Demarest. Being very much pleased by 
his entertainment, he presented Mr. Demarest 
with a gold-lined snuff box made from the cedar 
tree whose roots were found entwined about the 
skeleton. On it was this inscription, "From his 
Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to mark his 
sense of Rev. John Demaresfs liberal attention 
upon the occasion of the removal of the remains 
of the late Major Andre at Tappan, on August 10, 
1821." Andre's sisters also sent him a silver com- 
munion service designed for the use of a Roman 
Catholic priest under a mistaken idea that he was 
such. This he returned with explanations and it 
was replaced with a large silver cup appropriately 
inscribed. He was a minister in the Reformed 
Church, but during the secession movement in 
1822 he, with his old preceptor. Rev. Solomon 
Froeligh, resigned from it and formed the True 
Dutch Reformed Church. He was a profound 
scholar and noted linguist. 

Rev. James Demarest, M. D., father of the Doc- 
tor, was born near Albany, N. Y., and was a grad- 
uate of the old College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons of New York City. As a physician he prac- 
ticed in New York City and subsequently began 
the study of theology in the theological seminary 
at New Brunswick, N. J., from which he was 
graduated in 1829, and ordained for the Reformed 
Church the same year. His first charge was in 
the First Church of Williamsburg, now Brooklyn. 
After a number of years he took charge of a 
church at Wawarsing, Ulster County, and subse- 
quently was superintendent of the Leake Watts 
Orphan House, New York City. Later he settled 



at Manhasset, Queens County, and was pastor 
there until he retired. He spent his last days in 
Belleville and Newark, N. J., but died at the home 
of a daughter in Illinois when ninety years old. 
He was an able minister and preached even in his 
advanced age. In politics he w"as originally a 
Whig, but later became a Republican. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Mary Schoonmaker, was 
a native of Flatbush, Kings County, and the 
daughter of John Schoonmaker, who died in early 
life. Her great-great-grandfather. Rev. John 
Schoonmaker, was pastor of a Dutch Reformed 
Church and his charge covered the whole western 
part of Long Island. He was of much service to 
the patriot cause on Long Island during the Rev- 
olutionary War and had a narrow escape from 
being imprisoned. 

Springing from such a lineage, and with tinc- 
tures of Schoonmaker, Van Beuren, Christie and 
Bassett blood in his veins, mingling with the 
Huguenot strain, it is not strange that Rev. James 
Demarest, D. D., our subject, should prove to be 
a diligent, efficient and successful pastor in the 
Reformed Protestant (Dutch) Church in Ameri- 
ca. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. After prep- 
aration at a classical school in Ulster County, and 
at the Albany Academy, he entered Union Col- 
lege, from which he was graduated with the high- 
est honors, although one of the youngest in his 
class. He pursued his theological studies in New 
Brunswick, N. J., at the seminary of the Reformed 
Church. Immediately upon the conclusion of his 
theological course he was ordained to the ministry 
and installed as pastor of the Second Reformed 
Church at Hackensack, N. J. While there he 
received many calls from other churches, and fin- 
ally accepted an invitation from the North Re- 
formed Church of Newark, where his work was 
so prosperous that he was selected to undertake 
the saving, consolidating and building up of the 
Livingston Reformed Church, of Chicago, 111. He 
accepted this, but the climate of Chicago was too 
severe for him and he returned to the East. 

Dr. Demarest became successively pastor of the 
Second Presbyterian Church, of Peekskill, N. Y., 
and of the Fair Street Reformed Church, of King- 
ston, N. Y., where his health soon improved. 
While at Kingston, Dr. Demarest received the 
degree of D. D. from his alma mater and was 
prominently mentioned in connection with a pro- 
fessor's chair in a theological seminary, and also 
with the presidency of an important college. His 
next pastorate was at Ft. Plain, N. Y., where, be- 



.PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



340 

sides securing a large addition to the member- 
ship, he was instrumental in building a large new 
church— the handsomest in the Mohawk Valley 
—which was dedicated free of debt. From there 
the Doctor went to Flushing, in December, 1890, 
to a small and' struggling church, with an made- 
quate building most unhappily situated. The 
parish, to the ordinary observer, seemed to offer 
a most unpromising field. None but a pastor of 
great courage and faith and rare executive abili- 
ty could have assumed direction of the work with 
any hope of success. Such a pastor was found m 
Dr. Demarest. who accepted the caU with the 
proviso that the church should erect a new build- 
ing upon valuable and well-located property long 
inlts possession. A new church, of Romanesque 
style of architecture, is the result. 

Dr. Demarest's personality is characterized by 
composure, that suggests— and rightly— depth of 
thought and conviction, sturdiness of purpose 
and singleness of devotion. He is erect and easy 
in carriage. His manner, while dignified and for- 
mal, is natural and urbane. He is moderate in 
the use of gestures and of facial expression. His 
voice is strong and orotund and possesses a wide 
range. It is tender and sympathetic to an un- 
usual degree, and is skillfully used. He preaches 
without notes almost invariably, or with very brief 
ones. His enunciation is clear, his pronuncia- 
tion scrupulously accurate, and his delivery im- 
pressive and deliberate. His sermons give evi- 
dence of careful preparation, and are logical and 
finished productions, in which unity of plan and 
development of climax, together with felicity in 
his choice of words, are noticeable to the critical 
hearer. There is no approach to sensationalism, 
no discussion of useless themes, no introduction 
of thoughts and ideas which might unsettle the 
weak or cause doubt or indecision. Under^ the 
leadership, fostering care and evangelical minis- 
try of Dr. Demarest the Reformed Church of 
Flushing has indeed entered upon a new period 
of its history. 



WILLIAM CASS BAKER, a well known 
business man of Jamaica and the pres- 
ent under sheriff of Queens County, 
was born in Oneida County, N. Y., October 16, 
1853, and is a descendant of German ancestry. 
'His father, Frederick Cass Baker, was born in 
Germany, but emigrated to this country at an 
early age and settled in Oneida County, where 



he met with success in his labors as a farmer. 
After coming to the United States he married 
Miss Phoebe Drexel, a relative of the senior mem- 
ber of the great banking house of Drexel & Mor- 
gan. Mr. Baker died when his son was sixteen 
years of age, and the wife and mother is also 
deceased. 

William Cass Baker, who was one of four 
brothers, spent his youthful years on the home 
farm and obtained his education in the common 
schools. At the age of seventeen he secured em- 
ployment as a traveling salesman, his salary at 
first being small, but he worked his way steadily 
and perseveringly until his ability was recognized 
by a salary of $1,500 per annum. He came to 
Jamaica for the purpose of engaging in the nur- 
sery business, and going to a boarding house con- 
ducted by Mrs. Napier inquired if he could secure 
board there. In the conversation that ensued 
she inquired what his business, was, and when 
told that he was a nurseryman she promptly said 
that it was useless for him to come to Jamaica, 
as two men had just left who were unable to make 
anything out of that Hne of work. Failing to see 
why their ill fortune should mean that it was 
impossible to build up a trade here, he replied 
that he had come to do business and he was 
going to do it, but even if he did not, he had a 
sufficient amount of money to pay his board. 

As might be imagined, the pluck, energy and 
determination exhibited by Mr. Baker brought 
him success. The money which he made he care- 
fully and shrewdly invested in real estate, buying 
property at what is now the village of Dunton. 
In that place he built the first house. He was 
instrumental in interesting F. W. Dunton in the 
property in that locality, and as a consequence 
the village of Dunton was established. Some 
years ago he commenced to deal largely in fertil- 
izers and is now one of the most extensive dealers 
on Long Island. In fact, it may be said that every 
enterprise that he has been connected with since 
coming to Jamaica has been successful, and as 
a result he is numbered among the wealthy men 
of the place. 

Politically Mr. Baker is a RepubHcan, and a 
stanch advocate of the principles of the party that 
has done so much toward promoting the welfare 
of the nation. For three years he has been a 
member of the board of highway commissioners 
of Queens County and is now its chairman, hav- 
ing been elected in the spring of 1894, on the Re- 
publican ticket, by a majority of nine hundred 







JOEL FOWLER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



in a Democratic town, which fact shows his pop- 
ularity among all voters, irrespective of party. 
January i, 1895, he was appointed under sheriff 
of the county, a position which he is now filHng 
with much credit to himself, and to the satisfac- 
tion of the general public. 

In 1883 Mr. Baker married Miss Helen Napier, 
daughter of the lady with whom he boarded on 
first coming to Jamaica, and whose father, An- 
drew Napier, was a member of one of the old- 
established families of the island. Mr. and Mrs. 
Baker have three children, Edna, Elmer Wayne 
and Fred Dunton, the youngest being a name- 
sake of F. W. Dunton, a warm friend of Mr. 
Baker. The family residence is a comfortable 
abode and is situated in Herriman Avenue. So- 
cially Mr. Baker is a member of the Chub Club 
of Jamaica, the Jamaica Club, the Royal Arcanum 
and the Masonic fraternity, and the Tamaque 
Wheelmen. 



JOEL FOWLER is an enterprising business 
man of Richmond Hill, where he is exten- 
sively interested in real estate. He was born 
at Guilford, Conn., in 1848, the son of Oliver B. 
Fowler, who was born in the same town about 
the year 1820. The latter, who was a manufac- 
turer of iron and various kinds of machinery, 
made some of the first hard-coal stoves in that 
section, and, indeed, was the first to engage in 
this line of trade at Guilford. 

John Fowler, ancestor of Oliver B. Fowler, 
was named among the list of gentlemen desig- 
nated upon the colonial records of Connecticut 
with the prefix of "Mr.," previous to the union 
of that colony with New Haven, in 1665, includ- 
ing those who bore military titles of nearly equal 
rank. He came to Milford, Conn., in 1639, and 
is mentioned on the first list of planters made in 
that town. He went to Guildford before 1648, 
was one of the seven pillars of the church, was 
made a Freeman, and from that time he and 
members of his family were members of Colonial 
house of Burgesses and of the State Legislature. 
In 1869 Oliver B. Fowler came to Richmond 
Hill, being solicited to take charge of the real 
estate interests of A. P. Man and Edward Rich- 
mond. He became one of the leading spirits of 
this place, favoring all measures having for their 
object the upbuilding and betterment of the com- 
munity. He had much to do with the laying out 
of this now thriving village and was one of its 
12 



substantial and prominent residents until 1882, 
the date of his death. Religiously, he held mem- 
bership with the Episcopal Church, of which he 
was vestryman. His life was most exemplary 
and was devoted to upholding and promoting the 
best interests of his fellows. He was in favor of 
having the best schools which the place could 
af¥ord and rendered efficient service during the 
years in which he was trustee of Richmond Hill 
School Board. 

Oliver B. Fowler was an only son, his father 
having been killed by a runaway team when he 
was an infant of a few months. The grandfather 
was a manufacturer of hats, and when ready to 
establish a home of his own was married to 
Catherine Thomas, who, after the death of her 
husband, made her home with her father. Oliver 
was given a good education, and after attaining 
mature years was married to Jane M. Landon, 
also a member of one of the old families of Guil- 
ford. On her mother's side she is descended 
from two colonial governors, Welles and Leete, 
Her father became a prominent merchant and 
trader, owning vessels which made trips to the 
Bermuda Islands. He was a wealthy gentle- 
man and became influential in political circles 
in his state, being elected to the legislature, the 
state senate and also serving as probate judge. 
His family comprised two sons and three daugh- 
ters, Mrs. Fowler being the only member of this 
household who is now living. We quote from 
the New Haven register at the time of Mr. Lang- 
don's death: "Honorable George Langdon, aged 
eighty. Mr. Langdon was one of the most sub- 
stantial and intelligent of men, remarkable for his 
purity of character, dignity of person and upright- 
ness of life. He served his town in several ca- 
pacities and in the Legislature with ability and 
credit." 

To Oliver B. and Jane M. Fowler there were 
granted six children, of whom five are living, 
namely: Ruth H. and Mary L., at home; 
Thomas L., who is engaged in business at No. 
104 Fulton Street, New York; and George L., 
interested with our subject in the real estate busi- 
ness. The latter was given a good education, 
completing his studies in the Guilford (Conn.) 
Academy. He came to Richmond Hill at the 
time the family removed here and for many 
years thereafter was engaged in the railroad busi- 
ness, contracting for building roads in various 
portions of the Middle and Western states. In 
1892, however, he became interested in real es- 



344 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tate in Richmond Hill, and, like his father before 
him, has been an important factor in the up- 
building and improvement of this beautiful sub- 
urb. In order that more people might be induced 
to make their homes here, he has built many 
beautiful residences, which he has never failed to 
sell at a good profit. He is very liberal and 
progressive in his ideas and is now serving the 
pubHc as president of the Board of Education. 

Mr. Fowler and Miss Nina H., daughter of 
the late Capt. Jeremiah Briggs, were united in 
marriage in 1877. Mr. Briggs was one of the 
old sea captains of the island, who established 
his home in Richmond Hi-11 in 1847, purchasing 
a very pleasant residence, in which he made his 
home until his decease in 1876, when eighty-four 
years of age. The old home has since been 
occupied by our subject and his wife. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fowler have one daughter, Edna B., a young 
miss of sixteen years. 



PETER N. BOAVERS. To attain success in 
any calling it is necessary that a man should 
be possessed. of a keen and discerning mind, 
with the energy and determination to push his 
business or profession instead of allowing it to 
push him. These qualities are possessed in an 
eminent degree by Mr. Bowers, the efficient fore- 
man of the Alart McGuire pickle factory of Hicks- 
ville. He was born at Farmingdale, Queens Coun- 
ty, March 5, 1861, a son of Henry and Anna A. 
(Barto) Bowers. The grandfather, Henry Bow- 
ers, was a native of Germany, as was also his son, 
Henry. He came to America when the latter was 
fifteen years old, in 1844, and located near Farm- 
ingdale, but soon after moved to Valley Stream, 
where he passed the remainder of his days en- 
gaged in farming. His death occurred about 
1882. 

Henry Bowers grew to manhood in Queens 
County, following agi'icultural pursuits until mid- 
dle Hfe, when he turned his attention to the un- 
dertaking business at Farmingdale, remaining 
thus engaged until one year previous to his death, 
in August, 1895. He was a prominent and active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he was steward, trustee and sexton for 
years and was well respected by everyone. To 
his marriage with Miss Barto there were born 
twelve children, six of whom are living at the 
present time, as follows: William, a carpenter at 
Seacliff; Margaretta; Peter N., our subject; Cor- 



nelia J., wife of Alexander Court; Louise, wife of 
Eugene Velsor, a merchant of Amityville, and 
Georgianna. 

Peter N. Bowers was reared in Farmingdale, 
received his scholastic training in the schools of 
that place, and when starting out to fight his own 
battles in life selected agricultural pursuits as 
his chosen occupation. This he continued for 
three years and then took a position as salesman 
in a store at Farmingdale, remaining there for 
three years. After this he held a position for 
seven years in the pickle factory of George E. 
Fuechsel at that place, and after the first five years 
was foreman. Following this he took a position 
as foreman with the Long Island pickle works 
of Farmingdale, but at the end of one year ac- 
cepted his present position as foreman of the 
works at Deerpark, where he continued for two 
years. 

When the company built the eastern plant at 
Hicksville Mr. Bowers was appointed foreman of 
the establishment and has since had charge of the 
works. He attends to the buying of the vast 
amount of produce used, and has supervision of 
the work and manufacturing, as well as attending 
to the pay roll. Politically Mr. Bowers is a Dem- 
ocrat, and in religion he is a member of the Re- 
formed Church. Fraternally he is a charter mem- 
her of the Royal Arcanum of Farmingdale, Coun- 
cil No. 1052, and has filled a number of important 
offices. At the organization of the lodge he was 
appointed collector, and later became treasurer. 
During his residence in Farmingdale he held the 
office of inspector of election one year, but since 
assuming his present duties has refused all office. 
Mr. Bowers was married in Farmingdale, October 
I, 1885, to Miss Anna A. Smith, a native of Hemp- 
stead, born in i860, and the daughter of Gilbert 
and Sarah (Ketcham) Smith. Four children have 
been born to this union: Grace, Blanche, Henry 
and Leona. 



ELMER S. REDMAN, Ph. B., M. A. The 
American public schools are the safety of 
the republic, and nothing approaching 
them in extent, influence and cost of maintenance 
is to be found upon the face of the earth. This 
country is the only one where the children of the 
poorest may receive a good education, or be pre- 
pared to enter college free, and where provision 
is made for sparsely settled sections as well as for 
those living in cities. Rockville Center is es- 



PORTR.\IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



pecially favored in having at the head of its 
schools a man of progressive ideas, of practical 
purpose, an organizer of great ability and a man- 
ager who rules efficiently, yet so gently that the 
appearance of enforced system is withheld from 
the governed. The growth and success of the 
Rockville Center schools since he took charge 
of them have been almost phenomenal and these 
results are almost entirely due to his own per- 
sonal ability and energy. He is eminently quali- 
fied for the position that he holds, and, so long as 
he is the superintendent, the best possible resuhs 
may be sanguinely expected. 

In Allegany County, N. Y., Elmer S. Redman 
was born in 1861, and is a son of John D. and 
Clarissa A. (Scoville) Redman. He comes of 
good old Revolutionary stock, his great-grand- 
father having fought bravely for independence. 
His grandfather, John D. Redman, was born in 
Boston, as was also his father, John D., Jr. The 
latter accompanied his parents to Allegany Coun- 
ty, N. Y., at an early age and there grew to man- 
hood. For a number of years he was employed 
as teacher and held several town offices, but was 
principally engaged in agricultural pursuits, and 
was a man universally liked. His death occurred 
in 1866. His wife, who is still living, was a daugh- 
ter of D. Scoville and a member of an old Vermont 
family. 

The subject of this sketch was trained to the 
arduous duties of the farm. At the age of eigh- 
teen he entered the high school at Belfast, N. Y., 
and subsequently graduated from the normal 
school at Geneseo and the Illinois Wesleyar. Uni- 
versity at Bloomington, where he received the 
post-graduate degree of A. M. Prior to his grad- 
uation from college he had charge of the Angelica 
(N. Y.) schools, and subsequently for three years 
was principal of the Genesee Valley Seminary, at 
Belfast, N. Y. In both these positions he was 
very successful. At Angelica the attendance dur- 
ing the last two years of his administration was 
larger than it had ever been before or has been 
since. At Belfast he more than quadrupled the 
attendance and graduated more students in three 
years than had been graduated during the pre- 
vious twenty years history of the institution. In 
1892 he came to Rockville Center, where he has 
since been successfully employed. Self-made and 
self-educated, teaching to obtain means to defray 
his expenses through college, he deserves much 
credit for his push and perseverance. His repu- 
tation as an educator is most excellent and in the 



enthusiasm displayed in his chosen profession he 
has awakened public sentiment to a higher ap- 
preciation of education than before held by the 
people. In 1884 he married Miss Mary L., daugh- 
ter of William Dexter, both natives of Allegany 
County, N. Y., and two children comprise their 
family, lona Fern and Homer Gladstone. Pro- 
fessor and Mrs. Redman are members of the Bap- 
tist Church and are popular in the best social cir- 
cles of the community. 



HON. HENRY D. HALL, M. D., came to 
Queens County many years ago and made 
his home in Glencove, by whose residents 
he was held in the highest esteem. He is nov/ 
deceased, having departed this life in 1895, at the 
home of his daughter, Mrs. Benjamin J. Brenton, 
of Jamaica. He was born in Norway, Herkimer 
County, N. Y., in August, 1808. After acquiring 
a good education in the schools of his native place 
he began reading medicine in the office of one 
of the best physicians of the place, and when 
about twenty-one years of age received a license 
to practice his profession from a board of county 
examiners. 

On the outbreak of the Civil War Dr. Hall 
volunteered his services and was mustered in as 
assistant surgeon of the Sixty-third Regiment, 
New York Infantry. On the expiration of his 
term of enlistment he returned home, but not 
being content to stay when his country needed 
his services so much, he raised a company and 
returned 'again to the field of battle. Shortly 
thereafter, while on duty, his horse fell, thus dis- 
abhng him from further service, and he was forced 
to give up his military career. After the close 
of the war he located at Glencove, where he be- 
gan the practice of dentistry, which profession 
he had mastered while engaged as a physician. 
He became the pioneer dentist of Long Island, 
outside of Brooklyn, and instead of having one 
office as is usual now, he traveled about from town 
to town treating patients. 

Dr. Hall was twice married, his first union 
being with Miss Mary Jane Henderson, who de- 
parted this life in 1858, leaving a family of three 
children. The Doctor chose for his second com- 
panion Mrs. Wilcockson, but they had no chil- 
dren. After the death of this lady our subject 
made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Orvetta 
Brenton, of Jamaica, until his decease. Charles 
J. Hall, his son, has been for many 3'ears one of 



346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the most prominent physicians and skilled sur- 
geons of this portion of the state. He is now re- 
siding at Glencove and those who are interested 
in his history will find it published under his name 
on another page of this volume. 

The subject of this sketch was a charter mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Roslyn and was 
also connected with the Masonic fraternity and 
the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a well 
read gentleman and had few equals in debate. 
During the year i860 he represented his district in 
the General Assembly and was very popular with 
the people, making friends wherever he went. 

Some time during the '40s Dr. Hall went to 
Kansas, where he helped to start the town of 
Quindaro. He practiced dentistry in that state 
for some time and invested his means in property, 
nearly all of which he later lost through the bor- 
der ruffians. Besides Dr. Charles J. Hall and Mrs. 
Brenton, of whom we have already made mention, 
our subject had another daughter, Mrs. Charles 
H. Harris, a resident of Jamaica. 



REV. URIAH DE HART GULICK. The 
Reformed Church of Steinway is fortunate 
in having for its pastor a gentleman of 
blameless character and upright life, a sympa- 
thizing helper to the needy, and a practical Chris- 
tian in all the details of everyday existence. He 
is richly endowed with those gifts of mind and 
heart that appeal most strongly to the deepest af- 
fections of his parishioners. His pen is that of a 
ready writer, who feels keenly every truth that he 
writes, while he is also a deep thinker and a fluent 
speaker. 

The Gulick family was for several generations 
identified with the history of Somerset County, N. 
J., where were born our subject, his father, Isaac 
J., and grandfather, Jacob, the latter being a far- 
mer and an old settler there. The original home 
of the family was in Holland, and its first repre- 
sentatives in this country settled in New York 
City. Isaac Gulick was a farmer in New Jersey 
for some years, but in middle life removed to Jer- 
seyville. III, where he died at the age of about 
sixty-two. His wife, who is now ninety years of 
age, resides near Jacksonville, 111. She bore the 
maiden name of Siche de Hart and was born in 
New jersey, where her father, Uriah de Hart, was 
a farmer. The family is of French Huguenot de- 
scent and was represented among the early settlers 
of New York. 



The family of Isaac J. Gulick consisted of six 
children, of whom two sons and a daughter are 
still living. Those besides our subject are Rev. 
Jacob I., who is pastor of the Reformed Church 
at Constantine, Mich., and Mrs. Martha Cark- 
hufif, of Roodhouse, 111. Our subject was reared 
in Somerset County, N. J. At the age of four- 
teen he entered a grocery store at New Bruns- 
wick, N. J., and while employed there devoted his 
leisure hours to preparation for college. At the 
age of twenty he entered Rutgers College, from 
which he was graduated four years later with the 
degree of A. B. He then began his preparation 
for the ministry by entering the theological sem- 
inary of the Reformed Church at New Brunswick, 
N. J., from which he graduated in 1862 with the 
degree of A. M. 

Immediately after concluding his studies, the 
young minister accepted a call to Pekin, 111., where 
he was ordained and installed as pastor of the 
Reformed Church in the fall of 1862. After a 
pastorate of eight years there he started a new 
church at Norwood Park, a suburb of Chicago, 
where he organized the congregation and built a 
house of worship, remaining two years. He was 
then called to a Reformed Church in Chicago, 
where he remained three years, and in the sum- 
mer of 1875 he resigned to accept a call to Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. For twelve years he was pastor of the 
Twelfth Street Reformed Church, which has a 
large congregation and splendid Sunday-school. 
In 1888 he resigned and soon afterward began 
to gather together the scattered members of the 
denomination living in Long Island City. 

November 27, 1891, a church was organized by 
the North Classis of Long Island. The work has 
steadily grown from the first and there has been 
an encouraging increase in numbers and interest. 
A church building has been erected at a cost of 
nearly $20,000 and a parsonage built costing 
$7,000. Since the church was organized nearly 
$50,000 has been raised for various purposes and 
the congregation is entirely free from debt. There 
is a Sunday-school of about four hundred mem- 
bers, under the charge of an efficient superin- 
tendent and teachers. That the church is not sel- 
fish in its aims is proved by the fact that the con- 
tributions for foreign and home missions average 
more than $5 per member. Mr. Gulick is still 
connected with the South Classis of Long Island, 
of which he was president at diiTerent times. For 
six years he was a member of the board of edu- 
cation of the Reformed Church in America and 




SAMUEL J. UNDERHILL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



349 



was chosen its secretary, but declined the honor. 
In national politics he is a Republican, but in 
local matters he votes for the best man, no mat- 
ter to what party he may belong. 

At Millstone, N. J., in 1863, Mr. Gulick mar- 
ried Miss Virginia, daughter of Ernestus Schenck, 
who was prominent in business, politics and 
church work in New Jersey. He was an elder in 
the Reformed Church and a stanch defender of 
the faith of his Dutch ancestors. Mrs. Gulick 
received an excellent education in the female 
seminary at Lawrenceville, N. J., and at Great 
Barrington, Mass., and is an accomplished lady, 
a helpmate to her husband in all his work. They 
are the parents of four children. Ernestus S. is 
one of the leading real estate men of Brooklyn; 
Marie Antoinette, who was educated at Professor 
West's school in Brooklyn, is the wife of George 
W. Copley, of Jefferson County, N. Y.; Virginia, 
who is well educated and an accomplished musi- 
cian, attended Miss Dana's Seminary at Mor- 
ristown, and Herbert de Hart, the youngest, is 
a student in the Berkeley School of New York. 



SAMUEL J. UNDERHILL comes of an old 
and highly honored family of Long Island, 
and traces his ancestry back to his great- 
great-great-grandfather, Adonijah Underbill, who 
was the first known member of the family to settle 
in this country. He was eventually married to 
Miss Phoebe Willits, a native of Queens County, 
and located on the old Underbill farm, which is still 
in possession of the family, and which has been 
added to until it now contains two hundred acres. 
One of the early ancestors of the subject of this 
sketch was Capt. John Underbill, who obtained 
his title in one of the early Indian wars. The 
great-grandfather of our subject was Daniel Un- 
derbill, his grandfather was Samuel Underbill, 
and his father bears the name of Daniel. The 
latter was married to Miss Caroline Post, whose 
people had long been residents of Westbury, 
Queens County. 

Our subject was born in the village of Jericho, 
Queens County, November 14, 1848, and was 
the only child of his parents. He was reared on 
the old home farm, received a practical educa- 
tion in the common schools in the vicinity of his 
home, and this was supplemented by attendance 
at a seminary in New York City, conducted by 
the Society of Friends, jvith which his family had 
long been identified. At the time he attained his 



majority he assumed the management of the 
home farm and entered actively into the various 
duties of stock-raising and farming. October 
30, 1872, he married Miss Emma Albertson, 
daughter of Richard Albertson of Mineola, now 
deceased. His wife was formerly Miss Phoebe 
W. Prior. Mr. Albertson was a prominent and 
well-known farmer, as was his father, Benjamin 
Albertson, before him. Mr. Underbill com- 
menced his married life under the roof which had 
sheltered him from infancy and he pursued the 
various duties of his calling with energy and 
foresight. 

Mr. Underbill has always been a Republican 
politically. In the spring of 1894 he was elected 
to the ofiice of town supervisor, in a 
Democratic town, and in 1896 was re- 
elected for two years, discharging his duties 
faithfully and efficiently. He has always taken 
great interest in county matters, and for twelve 
years was trustee in his school district, and for a 
number of years has been trustee of the Friends" 
Academy, founded by Gideon Frost, and of which 
for about ten years he has been treasurer. 
For the past ten years he has been a director 
of the Roslyn Savings Bank, and for some fifteen 
years past has been actively engaged in settling 
the estates of others, in which capacity his good 
judgment and intelligence have made him univer- 
sally successful. His family consists of the fol- 
lowing children: Daniel, Jr., a graduate of the 
Swarthmore College, near Philadelphia, and now 
a student of the New York Law School; Henry, 
who is receiving an academic education; and 
Helen, who is still at home with her parents and 
is attending the schools of Jericho. Mr. Under- 
bill and his family are members of the Society of 
Friends. 



JOHN T. WOOLLEY, who is numbered 
among the progressive farmers of the town 
of North Hempstead, was born August 29, 
185 1, in Lakeville, near his present place of resi- 
dence. His grandfather, John Woolley, a native 
of Long Island, was a member of one of the old 
families here and traced his ancestry to England ; 
in addition to operating a farm, he was also pro- 
prietor of a country store. The father of our 
subject, who was born in this town in 1815, has 
been a lifelong farmer, but is now living retired. 
In political views he was originally a Democrat, 
but since the Civil War has always voted the Re- 



350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



publican ticket. For many years he officiated as 
vestryman in Christ Chnrch at Manhasset. He 
was also a trustee of the schools. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Abba Ann Seaman, was 
born about 1832, and has four children, of whom 
John T. is the eldest in order of birth and the only 
son. 

As a boy our subject attended the district 
schools of this locality and later became a pupil 
in a private school kept by an Episcopal minister 
at Norfolk, Conn. Afterward he spent a year at 
Union Hall Academy, Jamaica, where he studied 
Latin and German and took a course in higher 
mathematics. When about twent)^ years of age 
he began to carry on the home place of eighty 
acres, and later, by purchase, added to the orig- 
inal property, so that there is now a farm con- 
sisting of one hundred and sixty acres in one 
body. 

February 24, 1881, Mr. Woolley married Miss 
Jane M. Allen, daughter of Benjamin B. and Cath- 
erine C. (Bergen) Allen, and a native of Douglas- 
ton, Queens County, though at the time of her 
marriage a resident of Lakeville. Our subject 
cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant 
in 1872 and has since always voted for Republican 
candidates in local and general elections. For 
man}' A'ears he has served as a member of the 
school board, and while filling that position in- 
troduced some important reforms in the manage- 
ment of affairs. For one year he served as col- 
lector of taxes and supervisor of the town, and he 
also served as commissioner of highways for 
North Hempstead. At various conventions he 
has represented his party as a delegate. With his 
wife he holds membership in the Episcopal 
Church, in which he has officiated as warden and 
vestryman. In the Shield of Honor at Hyde- 
park he has held the office of chaplain. 



EUGENE P. HICKS, a leading farmer of 
Little Neck, was born in i860 on the home- 
stead where he now resides, being a son of 
Ruscum and Addie (Pinkney) Hicks. He was 
one of four children, of whom the only survivor 
besides himself is John F., born Christmas Day 
of 1864, now a resident of New York City. His 
father was born October 10, 1827, at Little Neck, 
near the present family homestead, being a son 
of Thomas and Sarah (Sweet) Hicks, who were 
born August i, 1776, and January 22, 1783, re- 
spectively. He grew to manhood under the 



parental roof and then settled down on a portion 
of his father's property, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. October 11, 1854, he married Addie Pink- 
ney, who was born September 4, 1829, and died 
October 4, 1867. After her death he rented the 
home place and thenceforth lived in retirement 
until his death, February 10, 1893. 

Educated in the public schools, at the age of 
seventeen our subject became an employe of Gil- 
bert & Lever, wholesale commission merchants 
in Broome Street, New York City. After some 
three years he returned home to spend a vacation, 
and the property being without a tenant, he took 
charge of the place and settled doAvn to agricul- 
tural pursuits. October 5, 1882, he married Mary 
Frederick, daughter of Thomas H. Frederick, of 
Queens. Of their four children, three survive: 
Ruscum, Edgar and Addie. 

After having farmed the place on shares for 
five years, our subject rented it, in which way he 
continued until the death of his father. The 
home farm and property in Great Neck then re- 
verted to him as his share in the estate. Here he 
expects to make his home permanently, and he 
therefore introduces such improvements, year by 
year, as will enhance the value of the property 
and make it in every respect an ideal home for his 
wife and children. In his political belief he is a 
Democrat, while in religion he is identified with 
the Dutch Reformed Church. 



OWARD GARRISON, proprietor of Gar- 
rison's' Hotel at Willet's Point, was born in 
the village of Whitestone, July 28, 1866, 
to Charles W. and Emily (Kissam) Garrison. His 
father, who was a son of David Garrison, was 
born in New York City and settled at Willet's 
Point soon after the close of the war. In 1881 
he purchased a hotel property from Tony Miller, 
who had established the place in 1870; the house 
became known by his name and was conducted by 
him until April, 1895, when his son, Howard, be- 
came the proprietor. In his family there were 
four children, as follows: Cornelius V., who is 
engaged in business in Flushing; Willard, also 
a business man of Flushing; Howard, and Archi- 
bald, who is connected with his brother in the 
hotel business. 

The education of our subject was obtained in 
common schools and the high school of Flushing. 
His first position was that«of cashier of the United 
States Hotel, New York City, where he remained 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



351 



a short time. From there he went to the Hoff- 
man House and later accepted the position which 
he now holds. October 28, 1890, he married Ed- 
na Germain, who was born in Brooklyn and edu- 
cated in Flushing, where her father, George W. 
Germain, now resides. Politically Mr. Garrison 
has identified himself with the Democratic party, 
but has never taken an active part in public affairs. 
Garrison's Hotel is a popular summer resort 
for tourists. Its location is superb; near it lies 
Little Bay, and away in the distance stretches the 
waters of the Sound. Immediately adjoining it 
stands the fort, with the barracks for government 
soldiers and quarters for officers. These diver- 
sified attractions have brought the place populari- 
ty, and a number of the best families of the city are 
regular summer visitors, some being attracted by 
the delightful, invigorating sea breeze and others 
by the charm of scenery and association. Mr. 
Garrison is worthy of special praise from the fact 
that pool, billiards, cards and gambling are strict- 
ly prohibited in the hotel. He is courteous and 
genial, and is popular among his guests. 



GEORGE T. VAN RIPER. Many of the 
public buildings and private residences 
in Queens Cotmty give evidence of the 
skill and ability of this gentleman and his brother, 
F. G., who are the leading builders and contract- 
ors in this section. Honorable and upright in 
whatever they undertake to do, they merit and 
receive the confidence of those who know them 
and have built up an excellent reputation in their 
chosen business. 

Our subject was born in New York City Sep- 
tember 12, 1857. His father, Isaac Van Riper, 
was a native of Gravesend, L. I., while the grand- 
father, also Isaac Van Riper, came from New 
Jersey. He later in life settled at Gravesend, 
where he was engaged as a general merchant. 
His wife was before her marriage Huldah Stout. 

The father passed the first eighteen years of his 
fife on Long Island, after which he went to New 
York and was apprenticed to a good workman 
in order that he might learn the trade of a plas- 
terer. Later he engaged in contracting in this 
line on his own account, and as the years passed 
by and he was prospered he branched out and 
became an expert mason and builder. He lo- 
cated in Long Island City in 1861, being engaged 
in business here until 1892. That year, on 
account of ill-health, he made permanent resi- 



dence at his country home in Freeport, where he 
is now engaged in business, having for his part- 
ners his two youngest sons, E. H. and A. M. Van 
Riper. 

The wife of Isaac Van Riper prior to her 
marriage was Deborah Talmadge, a native of 
New Jersey and the daughter of John and Mary 
(Hegiman) Talmadge. Her father was of English 
descent and on leaving his native state located 
in Long Island City. His last years, however, 
were spent in Brooklyn. Of the ten children born 
to Isaac Van Riper and his wife seven are 
now living. Of these the subject of this sketch 
was the second eldest. His eldest brother, Fran- 
cis G., is engaged in business with him. Alice 
is now Mrs. Miners of Freeport, L. I., where her 
husband is engaged in the practice of medicine. 
Laura married John Higgs and they make their 
home in Long Island City. Edwin H. is a resi- 
dent of Jamaica, L. I. Albert M. lives in Free- 
port, and Irene is at home. 

George T. Van Riper was a resident of this city 
from 1861, when his father first located here, until 
1886. This now large and flourishing city bears 
but little resemblance to the small viUage it was 
when our subject settled here. For fifteen years 
he carried on his studies, attending school in 
Sixth Street. He was thus admirably qualified to . 
begin life for himself, and, desirous of learning his 
father's trade, he served an apprenticeship of 
three years under him. Later he took up mason 
work, and it was four years before he was thor- 
oughly proficient in this trade. 

Our subject continued to work for his father 
until 1889, when he, with his brother, F. G., was 
taken into partnership, with his father and uncle, 
the firm name being I. & J. Van Riper & Co. This 
connection lasted until February 15, 1894, when 
the senior members of the firm retired, leaving our 
subject and his brother to manage aft'airs alone, 
which they have done in a very able and profitable 
manner. Under the superintendence of F. G. & 
G. T. Van Riper the Masonic Temple at Green- 
point, L. I., was built, the Freeport Flats at the 
same place, the private stables of Fleishman & 
Co. in Brooklyn, the Borden Building in Sev- 
enth Street, Long Island City, the Freeport Pub- 
lic School Building, the Fourth Ward Station 
House, and several structures in Wallabout Mar- 
ket, in Brooklyn. They have also erected some 
of the finest residences in this section and have 
succeeded in not only making a good living for 
themselves and families, but by industry and per- 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



severance have accumulated a competence. The 
brothers give employment the year round to 
fifty or eighty men, and are, perhaps, the most 
reliable and competent firm of contractors on the 
island. 

The subject of this sketch was married in this 
city to Miss Ida E. Graham, a native of Florida. 
Her father, Rev. Alexander Graham, who was 
for many years an active minister of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, is now living retired from 
pastoral work in Long Island City. Mrs. Van 
Riper departed this life at Freeport June 21, 1895, 
leaving a son and daughter, Alexander G. and 
Estelle G. The family made their home here until 
1886, when, on account of the ill-health of Mrs. 
Van Riper, they went to California, traveling 
through the state for nine months. At the end 
of that time they returned to Long Island City 
and in 1890 located in Freeport, where our sub- 
ject later erected a beautiful residence. 

The firm of Van Riper Brothers built three 
residences in Jackson Avenue, which they later 
sold, and also easily disposed of five which they 
owned in Ely Street, and the same number which 
were located in Huron Street, besides two in 
Milton Street. In all business undertakings they 
display good executive ability and have been re- 
markably successful. In religious affairs our sub- 
ject is a consistent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Freeport, of which he is 
steward, chorister and assistant superintendent 
of the Sunday-school. He is also an active 
worker in the Epworth League and deems it a 
great pleasure to be able to do what he can toward 
carrying forward the work of the church in this 
locality. In his political affiliations he is a very 
strong Republican and is zealous in everything 
pertaining to the welfare of his party. He is a 
man of progressive ideas, and is in favor of giving 
to the children of this generation the best possi- 
ble educational advantages that they may be 
fitted for the duties of life. 



BLACKWELL FAMILY. This family is 
of English origin. That the name is of 
some importance in England appears from 
the fact that no less than six towns bear the 
name of Blackwell. Upon examining Hollen's 
list of emigrants, I find that the ship "Truelove" 
came over in 1635, the third vessel after the "May- 
flower." Among her list of passengers is one 
Jeremy Blackwell, aged eighteen years — the first 



known mention of the name in America. It was 
evidently a large family in Cape Cod from the 
frequent mention of the name in "Freeman's His- 
tory of Cape Cod." Rev. William Leverich left 
Cape Cod in 1635 and settled in Newtown and 
surrounding towns, bringing many with him. 
The first mention of the name whereby a lineal 
descent to the present family is traced is that of 
Robert Blackwell, merchant of Elizabethtown, N. 
J., 1661, a widower with two children. By the 
burning of the town hall, all record of his birth- 
place is lost. He removed to Newtown in 1676 
and married Mary Manning of Manning's Island, 
August 26, 1676. He died about 1717. The 
island belonging to him was called b}^ the Indians 
Minnohannoclx, by the Dutch Verken, then Man- 
ning's, finally Blackwell's, coming into his pos- 
session by marriage. 

By the second marriage of Robert Blackwell 
were born nine children, the youngest of whom, 
Jacob, was the lineal ancestor of the Astoria fam- 
ily. He was born August 4, 1692, and died De- 
cember I, 1744. Jacob married Mary, daughter 
of Capt. William Hallett, August 10, 1711. They 
had seven children, the third of whom was Jacob, 
of historical mention. He was a man of extraor- 
dinary size and strength, six feet two inches in 
height, and weighed four hundred and twenty-nine 
pounds several years before his death. It is said 
it was necessary to remove the door jambs to get 
his coffin out. Though so large, he retained his 
strength to an unusual degree and performed 
many difificult feats. (Annals of Newtown.) 

He succeeded to the paternal estate and occu- 
pied the stone house in Ravenswood which he is 
supposed to have erected. Upon the double door 
may still be seen the mark of the broad arrow 
of confiscation branded there by the British to 
note that it was the property of a rebel and as 
such seized by the crown. It was branded there 
during the occupancy of his son, Col. Jacob 
Blackwell. 

Col. Jacob Blackwell first married Frances 
Sachett, daughter of Joseph Sachett, by whom he 
had three children, Joseph, Robert and James. 
■ His second wife was Lydia, daughter of Joseph 
Hallett. Their children were Jacob, Samuel, 
Josiah, Lydia and Mary. On account of his en- 
thusiastic defense of American principles, he was 
known as "Rebel Blackwell." Born November 
20, 1717, and dying October 23, 1780, he lived to 
witness much of the struggle with England, but 
his death occurred before victory had been 




FRED W. DUNTON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



355 



achieved by the colonies. He was an enterpris- 
ing man, and with his brother-in-law, Joseph 
Hallett, erected a grist mill on Sunswick Creek. 
Prior to the French and Indian War he held a 
captaincy in the Newtown militia, afterward be- 
coming a colonel. At the breaking out of the 
Revolution he stood prominent among the Whigs, 
but was forced to flee at the invasion of the 
British, at which time his property was seized 
by them. (Annals of Newtown.) 

Deeming his presence in the provincial con- 
vention, of which he was a member, to be of little 
importance, now that Queens County was over- 
come by foreign troops, he returned to Newtown, 
trusting to the assurances of protection contained 
in the proclamation of Lord Howe. But the 
privations and pecuniary losses that he continued 
to suffer from the enemy are beHeved to have has- 
tened his death. (Annals of Newtown.) 

Previous to returning to Newtown seeking 
Lord Howe's protection he was a delegate to the 
first provincial convention held in New York, 
April 22, 177s, but was not permitted to vote, as 
the other towns of Queens County had refused to 
send delegates. However, he and other delegates 
from the county wrote and signed a letter, up- 
holding the action of the convention. His son, 
Samuel, by his second marriage, is the grand- 
father of the few that bear the name in Astoria. 
He was twice married. By his frrst marriage to 
Sarah Moore he had one child, Sarah. His sec- 
ond marriage was to Mary Whitehead Field, by 
whom he had sixteen children, Jacob, Lydia, 
Eliza, Maria, Samuel, Charity, Henry, Robert, 
John, Margaret, Josiah, Anna, Patience, Francis, 
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. These 
were the grandfathers and grandmothers of the 
families now residing in Astoria. 



FRED W. DUNTON, president of the Bicy- 
cle Railroad, with office in New York and 
residence at Hollis, was born in Newport, 
N. H., June 9, 185 1. He is the son of Wilham and 
l^ois (Corbin) Dunton, the former a native of 
Massachusetts and a manufacturer of local note; 
the latter a sister of Austin Corbin, the well- 
known millionaire president of the Long Island 
Railroad. In youth his educational advantages 
were very meager. In fact, it is said that he 
never went to school after he was twelve years 
•of age. About that time he started out to make 
his own wav in life and became a clerk in a coun- 



try store at Millbury, Mass. At the age of fifteen 
he was employed in the postoffice in that place, 
and a year later came to New York, where he 
entered the office of his uncle, Austin Corbin. 

It was not long before the shrewd financier 
saw in the boy the making of a thorough busi- 
ness man and he reposed in him the utmost con- 
fidence. In a few years Mr. Dunton was given 
charge of the business in the West and in Europe, 
and crossed the ocean on many different excur- 
sions in the interest of his uncle's business, dis- 
playing in that capacity an unusual amount 
of tact, discernment and judgment. In 
1883 he became interested in the devel- 
opment of real estate on Long Island, 
seeing- in advance that the time was near at hand 
when the business men of New York and Brook- 
lyn must seek homes outside of those two great 
cities, and that there was no reason why the tide 
should not be turned to the territory adjacent 
on Long Island. Locating at Morris Park, he 
started a substantial boom that spread to all the 
adjoining villages; even the staid old village of 
Jamaica, that had stood still for half a cenutry, 
caught the fever a few years later and started on 
a boom. The villages of Morris Park, Richmond 
Hill, Dunton and Hollis were but little more 
than ordinary farming lands when his magnetic 
hand touched them, but under his direction the 
farms gave way to thriving villages; beautiful 
homes were built by him and sold to desirable 
citizens on easy payments. It was an unwritten 
law with him that he would build none but good 
houses and sell them to none but good people. 
This attracted a desirable class of buyers to the 
neighborhood, and thousands of the better class 
of business men found in these convenient sub- 
urbs a desirable location for a home. 

From the time that Mr. Dunton turned his at- 
tention to Long Island real estate he commenced 
to advocate good roads as one of the prominent 
factors in attracting attention to the locality, but 
the people did not take kindly to the project of 
voting a heavy debt to improve roads that had 
been good enough for them and their ancestors 
for several generations back. He met with a 
strong opposition from the class who were con- 
tent to jog along in the old ruts made by their 
ancestors before the American Revolution. They 
were anxious to share in the boom, but not will- 
ing to aid its coming. However, in spite of oppo- 
sition, he v,forked up no small amount of interest 
in the project, and from year to year the feeling 



356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grew apace that good roads were what the county 
needed. By his logical reasoning he was able to 
convince many that it would not only enhance 
the value of their property but would be a great 
saving to the farmers in getting their products 
to the New York and Brooklyn markets. 

In 1889 Mr. Dunton was elected a member of 
the board of supervisors and served as chairman. 
Previous to this he had declared that, if elected, 
he would run the people in debt $400,000 and 
expend the amount on the roads. He kept his 
word good, the full amount was appropriated and 
has been spent, with the result that Queens Coun- 
ty now has a most excellent system of macad- 
amized roads, for which he is entitled to the 
greater part of the credit. It is also noteworthy 
that those who at first opposed the improvement 
are now enthusiastic in its praise, for they see that 
it has proved of lasting benefit to Jamaica and 
other villages of the vicinity. He was a second 
time elected supervisor of Jamaica, April 7, 1896, 
against the "machine" and the local press. 

While Mr. Dunton made money rapidly, he 
spent it lavishly. From $25,000 to $35,000 was 
expended annually for special trains on the Long- 
Island Railroad to take home-seekers to the vari- 
ous villages of the county, and in this way tens 
of thousands were shown the advantage of a 
home on Long Island. Among other things that 
proved a boon to the village of Jamaica was the 
establishment by Mr. Dunton of the Bank of 
Jamaica, which kept in the village hundreds of 
thousands of dollars that formerly went to the 
banks of New York and Brooklyn. Of this in- 
stitution, now one of the most solid in the county, 
he was the first president. While at the height 
of his prosperity differences arose between him 
and his uncle, who was president of the Long 
Island Railroad, and the latter, without a 
moment's warning, refused to let him charter any 
more special trains. This came to Mr. Dunton 
like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky, and, his 
whole future being dependent upon the success 
of these places, he made an assignment in order 
to avoid disaster. His obligations were not large, 
and as one man of large means said, he could have 
raised in two hours every dollar that he needed. 

Fortunately, the financial embarrassment was 
only temporary. It does not require many months 
for a man of Mr. Dunton's energy to surmount 
difHculties and secure success in spite of apparent 
failure. He is president of the famous Bicycle 
Railroad and is ready to put the same under con- 



struction as soon as permitted by the courts, to 
which his company has appealed from the iniqui- 
tous decision of the railroad commissioners. 
When this wonderful invention is put in active 
operation throughout Long Island it will revolu- 
tionize this section completely. 

With his wife and four children Mr. Dunton 
lives in one of the finest mansions of Long Island, 
situated on the high hill north of the village of 
Hollis, and commanding a view of the beautiful 
country, as well as the ocean, far away to the 
south. He is now in the prime of life, and what 
he has accomplished in the past is but a precur- 
sor of what will result from his labors in the fu- 
ture. While many with like opportunities for 
success have stmk beneath the waves of unpro- 
pitious circumstances, never to rise again, he, by 
an indomitable will, has advanced step by step, 
until he has attained his present honorable posi- 
tion and can hand down the noblest legacy man 
can bequeath to posterity — a successful life. 



UGUST H. EBERHARDT. The travel- 
ing public is well acquainted with the 
Charlotteville Hotel at Woodside, and 
those who have once visited it never fail to make 
it their headquarters whenever returning to this 
place. The popularity of the hotel is due to the 
genial manners and excellent management of the 
proprietor, Mr. Eberhardt, who is ably seconded 
in all his labors by his amiable wife. Not alone 
by those who are entertained by them, but also 
by those with whom they meet in social circles, 
they are held in high esteem for their worth of 
character. 

In the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, the 
subject of this notice was born September 8, 1846, 
being the son of Philip and Rosina (Haiisler) 
Eberhardt. The parental family consists of nine 
children, all living. The father, a native of Wur- 
temberg, born September 16, 1807, grew to man- 
hood in the land of his birth and on completing 
his education took a trip through France and 
Gei'many, his mind being broadened by contact 
with the world and observation of the customs 
of people. This trip he was enabled to take 
through an ample allowance from his father, who 
was a well-to-do miller, while his grandfather, 
Karl Haiisler, was for many years comptroller of 
the city where he lived. On the completion of his 
trip he settled in the north of Wurtemberg and 
established a flouring mill. For the eleven en- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



357 



suing years he did a remtmerative business and 
also engaged extensively in contracting. His 
wife's health failing in that locality, he decided to 
seek another home, so disposed of his business 
and removed to Mezingen, Wurtemberg, where 
he opened a bakery and restaurant. In the years 
that followed he carried on an extensive and lu- 
crative business. He was a man of sterling quali- 
ties and for years was a member of the common 
council of his city. He lived retired for some ten 
years prior to his death, which occurred Febru- 
ary 24, 1885. His wife, who was born December 
I, 1821, died June 5, 1893. 

In the common schools of Germany our sub- 
ject began his education, which he finished in col- 
lege, becoming fluent in the German, French and 
EngHsh languages. On graduating from the col- 
lege at Mezingen, he was awarded the second 
prize of Wurtemberg for proficiency in drawing 
and carving. While attending college he served 
an apprenticeship at building and at the age of 
seventeen began work as a journeyman. After 
working about two years he took a trip through 
Germany and France, then went to Southampton, 
England, and took passage on the steamer "Sax- 
onia" for New York City, arriving at his destina- 
tion July 8, 1866, after a voyage of eight days, a 
record at that time unprecedented. 

Though without means, on his arriyel in Ameri- 
ca Mr. Eberhardt had the advantage of being 
conversant with the English language. He se- 
cured employment with Herter Brothers, cabinet 
makers, but after six months in New York City 
he went to Winfield Junction and secured work 
with Adam Kessler. There he attended the Luth- 
eran Church, and becoming acquainted with the 
congregation, he was asked one day to- draw plans 
for a new church building. This he did, and the 
plans were accepted. He was then asked to bid on 
the building, but refused, saying that if his bid was 
accepted he would have no money with which to 
build the structure. Some members of the church 
told him to bid and they would back him, which 
he did, the result being that he secured the con- 
tract and built the church. 

September 27, 1868, in the church which he had 
erected the previous year, Mr. Eberhardt married 
Miss Elizabeth Dengler. Soon afterward he 
formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Adam 
Dengler, and erected his present hotel at Wood- 
side, which the two conducted together until 1873. 
Mr. Eberhardt then took charge of the business 
and has since carried it on successfully. Active 



in public affairs, he was largely instrumental in 
having Jackson Avenue macadamized, which im- 
provement has greatly increased the travel on 
that thoroughfare. He is justly proud of his 
hotel, his wife and children, and there are very 
many who agree with him in his opinion that his 
wife has not an equal, as a cook, on the whole 
island. 

A friend of public education, Mr. Eberhardt has 
served on the school board continuously since 
1880. A stanch supporter of the Republican par- 
ty, he has repeatedly been tendered nominations 
for some of the important local offices, but has al- 
ways decHned. Socially he is a member of Miz- 
pah Lodge No. 738, F. & A. M., of Newtown; 
Long Island City Lodge No. 395. I. O. O. F., and 
Newtown Council No. 717, Royal Arcanum. He 
and his wife are the parents of eight children, of 
whom five are living, namely: Elizabeth, wife of 
C. H. Plate, superintendent of F. Oppermann, 
Jr.'s, brewery; August F., who is engaged with 
his father; Clara M., a student in Packard's Busi- 
ness College in New York City; Paulina, who is 
an accomplished and talented musician, and Rosa, 
who is attending the Woodside Academic School. 
Emma C. died April 16, 1896. 



SEYMOUR CARLL, who resides upon a 
portion of the old Carll homestead in the 
town of Flushing, was born here February 
4, 1855, and is a son of Alonzo S. and Mary A. 
(Buffett) Carll. His paternal grandfather, John 
Carll, who was a prominent citizen and large 
landowner of this -section, at one time owned the 
farm, half of which is now occupied by James 
Cain, and consisting of two hundred acres near 
Bayside. Alonzo Carll was born in the town of 
Flushing and here spent his entire life engaged as 
an agriculturist, his death occurring at the old 
homestead in 1884; his wife passed away April 

3, 1888. 

The parental family consisted of ten children, of 
whom seven are living, as follows: Lewis B.; 
John H., a civil engineer of Toledo, Ohio ; lanthe, 
Marianna, Seymour, Frederick and Addison B. 
The oldest son, Lewis B., graduated in 1879, hav- 
ing among his classmates Seth Lowe, afterward 
mayor of Brooklyn, FeHx Adler, and a number of 
other men who became prominent in New York 
and Brooklyn. At his graduation from Colum- 
bia College he received the second honors of his 
class and later accepted the position of a professor 



358 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the post-graduate course of that institution. He 
is widely known in scientific circles as the author 
of "Carll's Calculus of Variations," which ranks 
high as a mathematical work. 

After receiving his education in Flushing Insti- 
tute, the subject of this sketch commenced the 
cultivation of the home farm. It had been his 
intention to take a mathematical course with the 
hope of becoming a civil engineer, but circum- 
stances were such as to oblige him to take up 
farming instead. To this occupation, including 
both general farming and market gardening, he 
has since given his attention. In March, 1881, 
he married Lydia A., daughter of George W. Ed- 
wards, who has been in business in Christie 
Street, New York City, for fifty years, his home 
being in Newtown. The mother of Mrs. Carll 
was Ann Maria Wilkinson, whose ancestors came 
to America in the "Mayflower." Politically our 
subject is a Republican. He and his wife, with 
their children, L. Adele and S. Edwards, occupy 
a comfortable and conveniently arranged resi- 
dence erected by Mr. Carll in 1894. 



WILLIAM L. CORNELL, secretary of 
the board of highway commissioners of 
the town of Flushing and of the joint 
board for the towns of Flushing and Newtown, 
also one of the most extensive growers of small 
fruits on Long Island, was born July 24, 1841, 
where he now lives on the East Alley Road, town 
of Flushing. He is one of six children, of whom 
five are living, those beside himself being John 
H., of Bayside, and Benjamin H., of Whitestone, 
who are twins ; Catherine, widow of John Foster, 
of Little Neck, and Jane, widow of Jeremiah Val- 
entine. 

William H., our subject's father, was also born 
on this place, which has been in possession of 
some member of the family since 1740. He was 
a son of Lewis Cornell, a prominent farmer of 
this section and at one time sheriff of the county. 
His birth occurred January 8, 1800, and he grew 
to manhood on the home farm, becoming one of 
the respected farmers of this locality. Politically 
he supported Democratic principles. An Episco- 
palian in religious belief, for years he was a ves 
tryman of the church. He passed from earth 
November 19, 1876. 

At the age of nineteen years our subject went 
to Flushing and was employed in the engine 
house of the Flushing & New York Railroad. 



Under the instruction of Mr. Frazier, an engineer, 
he was beginning to prepare himself for that oc- 
cupation, when the breaking out of the war in 
1861 changed his career. He enlisted in Com- 
pan}^ I, Twenty-second New York Infantry, un- 
der Capt. Asa B. Gardner and Col. James Monroe. 
In later years Captain Gardner became attorney- 
general of the United States army and a Demo- 
cratic politician of New York. Our subject was 
mustered out of service in New York in the spring 
of 1862, and about a year later he embarked in the 
produce business in West Washington market in 
New York, but his father's enfeebled health 
obliged him to dispose of the business and return 
home to superintend the farm. At the deatli oi 
his father he inherited the estate, where for some 
twenty years he has given his attention to the 
growing of small fruits. 

April 27, 187 1, Mr. Cornell married Emily A., 
daughter of W. J. Bennett, of Bayridge. The 
only child of this union, Lewis H., born July 19, 
1874, graduated from Eastman College at Pough- 
keepsie, also from Graham's School of Phonog- 
raphy, in New York City, and holds a number of 
diplomas, including an academic diploma from 
the University of the State of New York. He is 
now official stenographer for the receivers of the 
Union Pacific Railroad, a position which takes 
him all over the LTnited States. In 1881 our sub- 
ject was elected to the board of highway commis- 
sioners and for fifteen successive years has filled 
this office. Other positions have been tendered 
him, but these he has declined. Socially he is 
connected with the Grand Army of the Republic 
and in religion is a member of the Episcopal 
Church. 



L 



OUIS DIETZ, proprietor of Metropolitan 
Park, has fitted up his place with every de- 
vice for amusement, including shooting 
galleries, rifle ranges, swings and a commodious 
and elegant dancing pavilion which was erected 
at a cost of thousands of dollars. He also has a 
well-appointed dining-room, capacious enough 
for the accommodation of several hundred per- 
sons, and a large kitchen containing every mod- 
ern convenience for facilitating the work. 

Born on the last day of the year 1848, the sub- 
ject of this record is one of seven children (all liv- 
ing) of Charles and Mary (Schnabel) Dietz, all na- 
tives of Bavaria, Germany. His father, who was 
born about 1825, at an early age learned the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



359 



butcher's trade, which he followed constantly un- 
til his death in 1888. Our subject gained his edu- 
cation in the common schools of Germany, and 
at the age of fifteen years, determining to come to 
America, he took passage on a vessel at Bremen 
and landed in New York City, August 29, 1863. 
At once proceeding to Brooklyn, he secured work 
at the butcher's trade, which he had learned un- 
der his father's instruction. Three years were 
thus spent, and he then went to New York City, 
where he worked at the same business for some 
time. 

In 1870 Mr. Dietz established himself in the 
butcher business in Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, 
where he remained in charge of a large trade for 
twenty-four years. Then selling the business, he 
came to East Williamsburg (now Metropolitan) 
and purchased from Gustav Schomacher the place 
which he has since conducted. January 15, 1870, 
he married Miss Louisa Beekman, of New York 
City, and seven children were born of their un- 
ion, of whom three are living, namely: Mary, 
wife of George Berger, of Brooklyn; Charlotte, 
and Louis, Jr. Politically Mr. Dietz is a Repub- 
lican, and socially belongs to Herter Lodge No. 
698, F. & A. M., and the Order of Odd Fellows. 
He is a member of the volunteer fire department 
and was captain of the E. D. Butcher Guard, 
Brooklyn, New York State Militia. He holds 
membership with several singing and benefit so- 
cieties and is also one of the charter members of 
the Newtown Liquor Dealers' Protective Asso- 
ciation. 



RICHARD M. BELL, a member of one of 
Long Island's old and influential families, 
was for many years actively engaged in 
farming. He is now living retired from work of 
any kind, with the exception of looking after his 
real estate interests, and is residing in a very pleas- 
ant and comfortable home at Bayside. Mr. Bell 
is a native of this place and was born February 20, 
1842, to Robert M. and Catherine H. (Lawrence) 
Bell. He had six brothers and sisters, and was 
third eldest of the family. Lydia A. is now the 
wife of J. W. Ahles of this place. 

In 1807 Robert M. Bell was born in Maryland, 
where he was reared to the age of eighteen years. 
At that time he came to Bayside and assumed the 
management of two different farms, which he 
worked for the owners, continuing thus engaged 
for about eight years, when he was married to 



Miss Lawrence and purchased a farm of his own. 
This property included a quarter section of excel- 
lent farming land, to the cultivation of which he 
gave his entire time and attention, and it was not 
long before he was classed among the progres- 
sive and influential farmers of the neighborhood. 
He spent the remainder of his hfe here, and a 
portion of this estate is now owned and occupied 
by our subject. Mr. Bell was prominently iden- 
tified with all matters of moment in his commu- 
nity, and for two years was vice-president of the 
Queens County Fair Association. 

Mrs. Catherine H. Bell was the daughter of 
Henry Lawrence, who was the original owner 
of the farm which the father of our subject pur- 
chased. One of his sons, Cornelius W. Lawrence, 
was for many years a prominent business man 
of New York City and was chosen the first mayor 
of the metropolis. Joseph Lawrence, who was 
likewise one of the influential residents of the 
city, was for a long time president of the Bank 
of the State of New York. 

After completing his education in the public 
schools near his home, and Flushing Institute, 
the subject of this sketch vmdertook the manage- 
ment of the old homestead. All his ventures in 
farming were attended with such good success 
that he continued to give this vocation his undi- 
vided attention for about fifteen years. At the 
end of that time he rented the property and has 
ever since devoted himself entirely to looking 
after his valuable real estate interests in this sec- 
tion. He is the owner of several houses in Bay- 
side, besides much unimproved property, which 
is increasing in value every year. 

The lady to whom Mr. Bell was married in 
1874 was Miss Julia, daughter of John Black, a 
prominent farmer making his home in Mt. Holly, 
N. J. Their union has been blessed by the birth 
of four children, three of whom survive: Lillie 
B. is an accomplished lady and a graduate of 
Schuler Seminary of Flushing; Henry L., a 
graduate of the Columbian Institute of New York 
City, is now employed by the dry goods firm of 
Lawrence, Taylor & Co., which business was es- 
tablished by his great-uncle, Joseph Lawrence; 
Emily Newbold is at present a student in Shep- 
hard's private school in Flushing, having pre- 
viously attended Schuler Seminary, of the same 
place. 

Politically speaking, Mr. Bell is independent, 
supporting the man who in his judgment will 
best discharge the duties of the office. He still 



36o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



adheres to the faith of the Friends, which was 
the religion of his parents, while his wife and 
daughters belong to the Episcopal Church. He 
is prominently identified with all affairs of public 
moment, and for two years was trustee of the 
town. Since then, however, when other offices 
were tendered him, he refused. He is a man of 
unswerving honesty, whose word is considered as 
good as his bond, and the confidence of the en- 
tire communitv is his. 



JOHN A. BURDETT. The older members 
of a community are doubly entitled to the 
respect and esteem of their neighbors when 
their whole lives have been replete with acts of 
kindness, and their career marked by integrity 
and uprightness. The venerable gentleman 
whose name introduces this sketch is one who 
enjoys the regard of a wide circle of acquaintances 
and whose closing years are being spent in the 
enjoyment of an ample competence gained 
through years of judicious effort. He owes his 
present circumstances solely to his own industry, 
and in his career he has shown himself to be pos- 
sessed of those faculties that are requisite to suc- 
cess — sagacity, far-reaching forethought and 
practical tenacity of purpose. 

The property owned and occupied by iVIr. Bur- 
dett is situated two miles northwest of Jamaica, 
in the town of Newtown. Though much of his 
life has been spent here, he is a native of New 
York City, born there in April, 1810. He is the 
only survivor of six children comprising the fam- 
ily of John and Abigail (Lester) Burdett, the for- 
mer of whom was born in Hackensack, N. J., 
about 1764, grew to manhood there and learned 
the trade of a blacksmith, which he afterwards fol- 
lowed in the city of New York until his death in 
1832. 

In the subscription schools popular in the early 
days the subject of this notice grained a fair edu- 
cation, but his advantages were greatly inferior to 
those enjoyed by the boys and girls of the present 
generation. Having served an apprenticeship to 
the blacksmith's trade, he became his father's suc- 
cessor in the business, which he conducted suc- 
cessfully for about twenty-five years. Since re- 
moving to his present home he has at different 
times, with the shrewd judgment characteristic of 
him, purchased various pieces of property that 
have afterward increased in value, thus bringing 
him financial prosperity. 



In 1837 Mr. Burdett married Miss Julia A. Ed- 
munds, an estimable young lady, and a member of 
one of the old New York families. Four daugh- 
ters and two sons were born of their marriage, 
of whom two daughters and one son are now liv- 
ing. They are as follows: Mary E., wife of Wil- 
lis Jackson, of Cypress Hill; Caroline M., who 
married O. C. Jackson, a well-known stock breed- 
er of the town of Flushing, and William Henry, 
who is unmarried and resides with his father. The 
faithful wife and mother, after a long wedded life 
devoted to the welfare of her family, passed from 
earth December 10, 1881, leaving behind her the 
memory of a loving, patient and affectionate help- 
mate and friend. 

In his political views Mr. Burdett is liberal, with 
a leaning toward the Democratic party. While in 
Williamsburg he served for one term as trustee of 
the town. He is a man of sincere Christian faith, 
adhering to the doctrines of the Methodist 
Church. Although he is a quiet, unassuming 
man, the people among whom he has dwelt at 
peace and amity these many years hold him in 
high regard and have a high opinion of his per- 
sonal character, knowing him to be a man of prin- 
ciple and integrity. 



AMES W. CAIN, an extensive farmer of 
Bayside, town of Flushing, was born April 
16, 1848, in the city of Brooklyn in what is 
now Fifth Avenue. The house in which he was 
born, a portion of which still stands, is one of the 
oldest on Long Island and was used by General 
Washington as headquarters during the Revolu- 
tionary War; iron figures, bearing the date 
1735, adorned the wall on one end of the build- 
ing. This place was the home of our subject's 
parents, James and Elizabeth (Pangbourn) Cain, 
of whose seven children the following still sur- 
vive: Samuel, who is married and has four chil- 
dren, his home being in Brooklyn, where he is 
engaged in the trucking business ; William T., of 
Flushing, married, and the father of three chil- 
dren; Agnes A., wife of Charles Daniel Law- 
rence, son of the late Cromeline Lawrence, who 
was a prominent public man and held many of- 
fices of trust; James W., and Hance, who is mar- 
ried and is employed as foreman by ex-Senator 
Childs. 

At the age of four years our subject was brought 
to Bayside by his parents and here he grew to 
manhood. His education, begun in the common 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



361 



schools, was completed by a four years' course 
in Fairchild Institute at Flushing. While many 
promising business positions were open to him 
at the conclusion of his studies, he yielded to the 
wishes of his father and became his assistant on 
the farm. On the death of the latter he took 
charge of the estate, later purchasing the interest 
of the other heirs. The place consists of one hun- 
dred and seventeen acres and is one of the finest 
in this locality. 

While Mr. Cain has been often tendered im- 
portant offices on the Democratic ticket, he has 
declined these, although he is one of the party's 
stanchest supporters. Prior to 1882 he was for 
twelve years a member of the school board, of 
which he was clerk for eleven years. In 1894, 
when the agitation arose in regard to a new school 
house, he was made a member of the board and 
one of the trustees: after accepting the plans, the 
new building, costing $13,500, was erected, and 
is regarded as one of the best buildings for school 
purposes in the county. He is a member and 
chairman of the executive committee of the Far- 
mers' Association, and has held the office of in- 
spector of elections ever since this election dis- 
trict was established. He has been content, thus 
far in hfe, to remain a bachelor. Among the peo- 
ple of the town he has many warm friends, who 
regard him as a capable farmer and progressive 
citizen. 



ISRAEL W. VAN SISE. The occupation to 
which this gentleman has devoted his atten- 
tion throughout life has been known and fol- 
lowed since the world began. In addition to farm- 
ing, he has also been engaged in butchering, and 
in this business has become expert. He was born 
in the house in which he is now living, September 
2, 1829, a son of Jeremiah and Maria (White) Van 
Sise, the former of whom was also born in the 
same dweUing. His father, Charles Van Sise, 
came to this country from Holland with a cousin, 
Cornelius Van Sise, and settled on the farm now- 
owned by the subject of this sketch, which has 
been in the family for over one hundred and 
eighty years. Cornelius located in the same vicin- 
ity, on the place now owned by his grandson, 
George W. Van Sise. Charles Van Sise becaine 
an extensive land holder and ver}' prominent citi- 
zen. His family consisted of the following chil- 
dren: Maria, wife of Cornelius Powell; Sarah 
A., wife of Thomas Velsor; Gretchen, wife of 



Daniel Velsor; Cornelius, who married Rebecca 
Piatt; James, who married Miss Othney Ketch- 
am; Jeremiah; and Charles, who married Doro- 
thea Mitchell. 

Jeremiah Van Sise was reared on the old home- 
stead, and when the estate was settled it came 
into his possession and that of his brother Charles, 
whose share he later purchased, making it his 
home the rest of his life. He gave his attention 
to farming and marketing and was very success- 
ful in his business ventures. Besides the old 
homestead he owned several farms, and was quite 
extensively engaged in stock buying on different 
parts of the island, disposing of his purchases in 
the New York markets. In public affairs he took 
great interest, was a leader in the affairs of his 
section and held a number of local offices for 
many 3'ears, such as road commissioner, and dis- 
played excellent executive ability in the discharge 
of his duties. He was always a stanch Democrat 
politically, was highly respected, and his word 
was universally considered as good as his bond. 
He died on the old homestead after a well spent 
life, his wife preceding him to the better land. 
She was a worthy member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Of their children we mention the 
following: lantha became the wife of D. P. 
Brown; Charles A., who lives at Huntington, 
was first married to Amelia Whitney and next to 
Elizabeth A^an Cott; Sarah A. was first married 
to Jacob Bumstead and then to John Powell; 
Emeline became the wife of Jesse Whitney; Edna 
became the wife of A. Rogers; Israel W. is our 
subject; Susan was married to Samuel Titus; and 
Margaret is the wife of Henry Oakley. 

In the common schools in the vicinity of his 
present home, Israel W. Van Sise received a prac- 
tical education. He remained with and assisted 
his father on the farm until after his marriage, 
when he located on one of his fathers other farms 
in the same neighborhood, where he remained 
about eleven years. He was first married April 
25, 1849, to Hannah M. Blachley, a daughter of 
Henry Blachley. She was born in Suffolk Coun- 
ty but was of English descent, her father having 
been a native of the mother country. After the 
death of his father Mr. Van Sise settled on the old 
homestead of one hundred and thirteen acres, 
besides which he owned another farm of over one 
hundred acres in the same vicinity, and some 
valuable town property in Oyster Bay. About 
thirty years ago Mr. Van Sise took up the butch- 
er's business and this he still follows, in connec- 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion with farming. Like his worthy father before 
him, he has taken an active interest in pubUc 
affairs, and in 1880 was elected one of the three 
trustees of Oyster Bay. They had charge of the 
Jones trust fund, amounting to $30,000, left by 
Samuel Jones for the poor of Oyster Bay and 
North Hempstead. 

For over thirty years Mr. Van Sise has been 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Woodbury, of which he has been trustee for 
twenty years and Sunday-school superintendent 
for ten years. He was a school trustee of his dis- 
trict for twenty years, or until he resigned, and 
like his worthy father he is a stanch Democrat 
and has taken an active part in the political affairs 
of his locality. He is a member of the Central 
Committee and has represented his party in vari- 
ous conventions. Mrs. Van Sise passed away 
August 25, 1887, and the high regard in which she 
was held is shown by the following eulogy by 
Revs. T. M. Terry and Benjamin Oilman: "I 
have known the family for twenty years, and the 
many acts of kindness I have received at her 
hands makes me feel that I ought to be sitting 
among you instead of standing before you, and 
when Mr. Oilman referred to her as a model 
mother he could have said no truer words. The 
affection between herself and children was deep 
and abiding, and although she was a sufferer for 
eight years she was ever hopeful and cheerful, 
and in her death a worthy church member and a 
lovely spirit passed away." 

Mr. Van Sise was married February 19, 1890, 
to Elizabeth A. Smith, daughter of Daniel Smith, 
of Suffolk County. His first marriage resulted in 
the birth of five children : Jeremiah, in the butch- 
er business at Oyster Bay; Clarence S., a farmer 
and wheelwright of Woodbury; Caroline M., wife 
of Dr. I. C. Barnhart, of Bedford Avenue, Brook- 
lyn; Edward H., who is associated in business 
with his brother Jeremiah, at Oyster Bay; and 
Hannah M., wife of Daniel S. Whitney. 



JOSEPH S. FLETCHER is a man of much 
influence in his community, for he is highly 
respected and is justly regarded as a man 
of sound judgment in public affairs, as well as in 
matters relating to the farm. Although retired 
from the arduous duties of farm life, he still retains 
possession of his nice property, which is located 
in the town of Newtown. 

One of the old and highly esteemed citizens ot 



Queens County, Mr. Fletcher was born in Belvi- 
dere, Vt., March 2"], 181 5. He was the elder of 
two children born to Stephen and Hannah 
Fletcher, and is the only survivor. The father 
was of English ancestry, being descended from 
one of three brothers, who left England in the 
year 1642. On landing on the shores of the New 
World two of them settled in Vermont, while the 
third made his home in the Bay State. Stephen 
Fletcher was reared to farm life, which vocation 
he followed with signal success until his decease, 
which occurred when he was only thirty-two 
years of age. He was a veteran of the War of 
1812, while his father was a patriot in the Revo- 
lutionary War, and in one of the many battles in 
which he participated was quite seriously 
wounded. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad of eight 
years when deprived of the care and protection of 
his father, and being kindly taken into the home 
of one of the neighboring farmers, he remained 
with his friends until reaching the age of fifteen. 
In the meantime he was permitted to attend the 
schools of the district, and being ambitious to be- 
come well informed, made the most of his oppor- 
tunities. At the age above mentioned he left the 
home of those who had cared for him so many 
years, and, going to St. Albans, Vt., apprenticed 
himself to a hatter. After working six years at 
this trade he completed his apprenticeship, and, 
coming to New York, secured work as a journey- 
man hatter. One year later he opened an estab- 
lishment of his own, and for a period of eighteen 
years conducted a flourishing business. This 
brings us to the year 1854, when he determined 
to take life easy, and, purchasing a farm in the 
town of Newtown, removed hither and from that 
time until about twelve years ago was actively 
engaged in cultivating the soil, which he found 
to be a very pleasant as well as remunerative vo- 
cation. 

In 1842 our subject and Miss Ellen Slowey, a 
most estimable lady of New York City, were 
united in marriage. To them were born four sons 
and four daughters, of whom only one son and 
two daughters are now hving. Josephine is the 
wife of James Hall, of Brooklyn, and they have 
one child; Ellen H. married WeUington Roe, of 
Flushing, who is now deceased ; he was a member 
of one of the oldest families here and was enabled 
to trace his ancestry back to the year 1660. Mrs. 
Roe has one daughter, Ella W. One daughter, 
Emma J. Roe, died in 1893. George E. Fletch- 




J. TYIvER WATTS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



36s 



€r is a widower and has two children, Joseph S. 
and Ella. He is a resident of Flushing and is 
engaged in the real estate and auction business. 
The wife and mother departed this life in 1891, 
mourned by all who knew her. In religious mat- 
ters Mr. Fletcher is an ardent member of the 
Presbyterian Church, Politically he votes the 
Republican ticket. 



J TYLER WATTS. Men are to be judged 
by achievements, and it is usually safe to 
• accept results as proof of the possession 
of the powers and capabilities that lead up to 
them. Of success in the business world, earned 
by the exercise of sound judgment, tact and ener- 
gy, an example is found in the career of Mr. 
Watts of Jamaica. Not alone in business, but in 
public affairs as well, he has wielded a large in- 
fluence and been an important factor in promot- 
ing the welfare of the people and the prosperity 
of the village. 

Born near Far Rockaway, L. I., March 23, 
1843, the subject of this notice is a son of William 
Watts, whose birth took place on the old family 
homestead at Valley Stream, then known as 
Watts' Mill. By trade he was a blacksmith, 
which occupation he followed until his death, 
March 5, 1884. Pie married Susan Tyler, a na- 
tive of Queens County, and daughter of Joseph 
Tyler, who was born in England, but emigrated 
to the United States and settled at Far Rocka- 
way, on what is now known as the Tyler proper- 
ty; she is now (1896) eighty-one years of age, and 
resides on the old home place at Woodsburgh, 
near Far Rockaway. Our subject's paternal 
grandfather, Joseph Watts, was born on Long 
Island and was the owner of Watts' Mill. 

The only child of his parents, our subject was 
in boyhood given the best educational advant- 
ages the county afforded. For a time he attend- 
ed the common schools, after which he carried on 
his studies in Union Hall Academy at Jamaica. 
His first employment was that of clerk in the 
general .store of Herriman & Van Zandt in this 
village. In 1862 he entered the United States 
navy and served on board the steamer "Sonoma,"' 
under Admiral Wilks, spending one year in the 
West India waters. In 1865-66 he worked in the 
Pennsylvania oil fields, where he was promoted 
to the position of assistant superintendent, but 
like thousands of others, the fortune he sougiit 
failed to materialize, and he returned to Jamaica. 
13 



For about seven years Mr. Watts was employed 
in the mercantile establishment of J. T. Lewis, 
and meantime learned the tinners trade. The lat- 
ter, however, was not to his liking, and he turned 
his attention to civil engineering, which occupa- 
tion he followed with E. W. Conklin for seven 
years. During that time he assisted in surveying 
the entire town of Jamaica. In 1880 he embarked 
in the insurance business, which he has built up 
until it is now the largest in that hne in the coun- 
ty. Other enterprises have also engaged his at- 
tention. For fourteen years he was superintend- 
ent of the Jamaica Gas Works, retiring from that 
position in 1894. At present he is one of the trus- 
tees of the Jamaica Savings Bank. For eighteen 
years he served on the board of trustees of Ja- 
maica, during eight years of which he was presi- 
dent, but resigned in the spring of 1895, refusing 
to accept the position again. While he is an 
ardent Republican, he received a large number of 
votes from among the Democrats, and is popular 
with all citizens, irrespective of political belief 

October 4, 1866, Mr. Watts married Miss Nan- 
cy Dawson, a native of Pennsylvania, and they 
occupy a comfortable and attractive residence in 
LTnion Avenue. The elder of their sons, James 
Fletcher, is married, resides in Shelton Avenue, 
and is engaged in business with his father. The 
younger, George Tyler, is also associated with 
Mr. Watts in business. Socially our subject is 
identified with the Masons, and in religious con- 
nections he is a regular attendant at the Metho- 
dist Church. 

, The high commercial character, the discrim- 
inating judgment, the eye that sees and the execu- 
tive ability that is enabled to improve oppor- 
tunities are attributes possessed by Mr. Watts in 
a marked degree. His personal character is as 
high as his business reputation, his honorable de- 
portment in all the relations of life commanding 
the confidence and respect of all who know him, 
and his generous nature shows itself in frequent 
gifts to worthv charities. 



CHARLES H. AERY is widely and favor- 
ably known in this county, and the fact 
that he is well spoken of by high and low, 
rich and poor, is sufficient indication of his char- 
acter. One of the influential farmers of this sec- 
tion, he occupies a pleasant home on the Jamaica 
and Flushing Road. Like many of the best resi- 
dents of this portion of 4he island, he was born 



366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Germany, the date thereof being January 12, 
1832 He is the son of Charles H. and Dorothy 
(Hartdagen) Aery, also born in the Fatherland. 
To them were granted four children, of whom our 

the wife of 



subject and Lizzie, the latter now 

Charles Ohl, of New York City, are the only 

survivors. . . 

Charles H. Aerv, Sr., spent his entu-e life m 
Germany, where he was engaged as an agricul- 
turist up to the day of his demise, which occurred 
when his son, our subject, was only four years of 
age The latter remained at home with his mother 
until attaining the age of thirteen, when he em- 
barked on a vessel bound for the United States. 
Being without means, he did not delay in lookmg 
for employment, and soon obtained a position 
in a bakery, he having learned the business under 
his step-father in Germany. 

In 1848 our subject became a pastry cook on 
board the "Falcon," a steamer plying between 
New York City and the Isthmus of Panama, 
which made stops at Charleston, Savannah, Ha- 
vana and New Orleans. This gave him employ- 
ment for some two years, and after remaining in 
the metropolis for a time he went to WiUiams- 
burg, where he was successful in business for a 
year 'and a half. He then returned to New York, 
and in 1853 became the proprietor of the bakery 
in which he first obtained employment when com- 
ing to America. For eleven years he conducted 
this establishment in a very profitable manner, 
and during that time laid by a handsome compe- 
tence. 

In the year 1864 Mr. Aery came to his present 
home, which he had purchased two years pre- 
viously, and prepared to give his attention to 
farming. In this neighborhood he is widely 
known for his industrious habits, his courteous 
treatment of all with whom he has dealings, and 
his sterling integrity. The property is the result 
of his own earnings and of this fact he has every 
reason to be proud. 

The lady to whom Mr. Aery was married in 
1853 was Miss Mary Duffy, of New York City. 
Four children were born to them, of whom Ann 
Mary is the wife of Anton Fisher, of Flushing; 
Charles H. is married and is at present living in 
Boston, Mass., where he is conducting a bakery ; 
EveHne is now Mrs. Thomas Sullivan, of College 
Point; and Henrietta died in April, 1896. 

Mr. Aery has never been interested in politics 
in the sense of office-seeking, but never fails to 
cast a ballot during elections in favor of Demo- 



cratic candidates. He has always taken an active 
part in everything pertaining to the welfare of 
his community and has been instrumental in pro- 
viding it with better schools during the thirty 
years of his service on the board of education, in 
which he has officiated for ten years as president 
and trustee. 



I 



SAAC VAN RIPER. It is said that "a man's 
house is his castle," therefore it behooves one 
to see that his "castle" is well constructed, and 
if pleasing in appearance so much the better. The 
first, however, is almost a necessity, for the health 
of those residing within it depends upon its ability 
to withstand the constant wear of wind and 
weather. These desirable results are brought 
about in a great measure by the builder and con- 
tractor, and one who has been especially success- 
ful in this Hne of work is Isaac Van Riper, who 
is a representative of a fine old American family. 
He was born on Long Island in 1832 to Isaac 
and Huldah (Stout) Van Riper, natives of New 
J ersey, but who became residents of Long Island 
in their youth. The father was engaged in gen- 
eral woodwork, carpentering, wheelwrighting and 
cabinet-making, and was a quiet, unassuming and 
useful citizen. After a well spent life, he died in 
1840. His widow survived him until 1884, when 
she, too, passed away. 

The subject of this sketch had but limited edu- 
cational advantages in his youth, owing to the 
fact that his father died early and his mother was 
left with seven small children to care for. For 
about three months out of the year he attended 
the old time subscription schools in vogue at 
that time. At the age of seventeen years he 
started out to learn the mason's trade, after com- 
pleting which he began business as a contrac- 
tor and builder in New York City, where he suc- 
cessfully pursued his calling for fifteen years. At 
the end of that time he came to Long Island City 
and established a like business, which was con- 
tinued with marked success for thirty-one years, 
when his sons took the active management of 
the same off his hands and he practically retired, 
not so much from the fact that he had reached 
the age of three score and three years, but from an 
injury which he received in 1892 by an explosion, 
which occurred near his place of business, al- 
though his general health, at present, is excellent. 
In 1853 Miss Deborah Talmage, daughter of 
John Talmage, of New Jersey, became his wife. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



367 



Of their ten children, those living are: Frank, 
who is a business man of Long- Island City; 
George, who resides at Freeport, but is also in 
business in Long Island City; Alice, wife of Dr. 
W. W. Miners, of Brooklyn; Laura, wife of John 
Higgs, of Long Island City; Edward H., of 
Jamaica; Albert M., of Freeport; and Irene L., 
who is still at home. Mr. Van Riper is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been 
an active worker in the same for thirty years. 
All of his children are members of this church 
also. Fraternally he belongs to the Free and 
Accepted Masons, and politically he is a stanch 
Republican. Although he has never aspired to 
political distinction, he has creditably discharged 
the duties of trustee of Freeport for two years. 
Mr. Van Riper is a highly respected citizen, is a 
ihan of practical and intelligent views, and is in 
good financial circtmistances. 



ROBERT C. HASLAM, coroner of Queens 
County, occupies a very pleasant residence 
at Woodside. He is a native of the island, 
having been born at Greenpoint August 14, 1858. 
His parents were Peter and Julia F. Haslam, to 
whom there were granted nine children, of whom 
only two survive: Etta Frances and Robert C. 

Our subject acquired a common-school edu- 
cation in the village of Newtown, and when sev- 
enteen years of age secured a position with the 
American Sardine Company, of New York City, 
with whom he remained for some two years. He 
was then hired as brakeman on the Long 
Island Railroad, and two years later was made 
messenger in the state senate, where he re- 
mained for two years. At the end of that time 
he was employed in the United States Public 
Stores in New York City, and the next we hear 
of him was four years later, when he obtained a 
position with the Brooklyn Wire Nail Company. 
After remaining in their employ for some two 
years he became bridgeman with the Metropoli- 
tan Ferry Company, ten months later was pro- 
moted to be gateman, and afterward ticket sales- 
man, serving this corporation in these various 
positions for some seven years. 

About this time Mr. Haslam became the Re- 
publican candidate for the office of coroner of 
Queens County and his popularity is shown in 
the fact that, although the county is strongly 
Democratic, he was elected by a majority of 
twenty-seven hundred and fifty-six votes over 



his opponent. The marriage of Mr. Haslam and 
Miss Charlotte A. Wagner, of Corona, occurred 
m 1884, and to them have been born three chil- 
dren: Lillian F., Robert W. and Gracie J. Fra- 
ternally our subject is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, and he is also connected with the 
Woodside Fire Department. Religiously he is 
an Episcopalian. 



EDWARD MOTT WEEKS, one of the 
prominent oyster planters of Port Wash- 
mgton, was born in this place August 8, 
1843, and is the son of Stephen S. and Abbie 
(Wilkie) Weeks. The former, who was also a 
native of Long Island, followed the occupation of 
a shoemaker during the early years of his life in 
Roslyn. Later, however, he removed to Port 
Washington, where he was similarly engaged for 
many years. He departed this life when seventy- 
eight years of age. His wife survived him for sev- 
eral years, being in her eighty-sixth year at the 
time of her decease. 

The parental family included nine children, all 
of whom grew to mature years, and four are now 
living, making their homes in Port Washington. 
As a boy Edward Mott attended school during 
the winter months and in the summer worked 
out on farms, giving his wages to his father in 
order to help support the family. A short time 
before attaining his majority he began learning 
the blacksmith's trade, getting wages from the 
start. After being two years thus employed he 
abandoned the business and in company with his 
brother began oyster planting, which business he 
has followed ever since. 

Mr. Weeks was married December 29, 1869, to 
Miss Adelia McKee, of Port Washington. She 
was born in Jamaica and was the daughter of 
Thomas and Amelia (Allen) McKee, who are 
spokeii of at more length in the sketch of Thomas 
J. McKee, which also appears in this volume. 
The young couple began housekeeping on the 
property which they still occupy and which Mr. 
Weeks inherited. They have two children : Eu- 
gene M., born April 4, 1871, and Charles R., born 
June 13, 1876. The elder son will graduate from 
the State Normal school at Newpaltz, Ulster 
County, in June, 1896. Charles is a student at 
Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa. 

In his political relations our subject gives his 
support to Republican candidates, which party 
he has supported ever since casting his first vote 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. With his wife, he 
is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which he has served as trustee, steward, 
class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. His reputation for honesty and integrity 
is of the best, his social qualities are well known 
and appreciated, and he has hosts of friends whose 
confidence and esteem are his highest eulogium. 



WILLIAM HEINZE. Real estate values 
are apt to change rapidly in any town 
or city, but particularly is this true 
•n a place like College Point, which is a summer 
resort as well as a prosperous mercantile and 
industrial center. The services therefore of a 
thoroughly well informed and absolutely reliable 
real estate agent are of almost inestimable value 
to the intending investor or to one who wishes 
to dispose of his property. No other man in this 
vicinity is better informed regarding the value of 
real estate than Mr. Heinze, who makes this his 
business. He is thoroughly devoted to the inter- 
ests of those doing business with him, and, being 
a notary public, is very often enabled to expedite 
matters' considerably. He embarked in business 
in College Point i^i 1889 and from the very first 
was popular with its residents. 

July 16, 1834, Mr. Heinze was born in Ger- 
many, where he received a fine education, and 
when a young man held the office of what corre- 
sponds in America to district attorney. His father, 
Diederich Heinze, crossed the Atlantic in 1836, 
and engaged as a shoemaker in Eighteenth Street, 
New York City. William, being desirous of join- 
ing him in the New World, settled up his affairs 
in" Germany and emigrated hither. The father 
was fairly successful in all his undertakings, and 
lived to the advanced age of seventy-six years. 
The lady whom he married was Katrina Himmel, 
also a native of Germany, who bore him eleven 
children. Of this large family, only two are now 
living: Wilhelmina, who makes her home in 
New Jersey, and our subject, who was the young- 
est member of the household. 

On landing in New York City Mr. Heinze 
accepted the first position which was offered him 
and for a period of ten years clerked in a grocery, 
after which he learned the painter's trade, work- 
ing at the same for a quarter of a century. Al- 
though he has only been engaged in his present 
business since 1889 he has made his home in 
College Point for the past thirty-five years, and 



is therefore well known to the people of this com- 
munity, by whom he is held in the highest regard. 
When he first located here the town bore little 
resemblance to its now flourishing condition and 
in bringing about this state of affairs Mr. Heinze 
has been no unimportant factor, for he has always 
had the welfare of his community at heart and 
in various ways has materially added to its up- 
building. He is not only prepared to buy, sell, 
exchange and rent property, but also makes out 
policies of insurance in many of the leading com- 
panies of the East. 

When twenty-four years of age Mr. Heinze 
was united in marriage with Miss Margaret 
Manck, and to them were granted eight children, 
of whom one is deceased. Maggie is the wife of 
Henry Draeger, of New York, and their house- 
hold includes Minnie, Etta and George; Mary 
was the second daughter born ; Emma is now Mrs. 
Ivan James Quaid, of College Point, and they 
have two sons, James and Charles ; George, John, 
Willie and Fred are at home with their parents. 

Politically our subject is a stanch Democrat. 
For the past thirty-one years he has been a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, and in this 
organization has held many of the offices. He 
likewise belongs to Volunteer Eagle Hook and 
Ladder Company. Mr. Heinze's office, which is 
located in Fourth Avenue near Thirteenth Street, 
is often the scene of important councils and in- 
terviews when matters regarding the welfare of 
the community are being presented, and in all 
such meetings he is a prominent factor, using 
his influence at all times for furthering those 
measures which will tend to. enhance the value of 
the property of College Point, and by so doing 
benefit its inhabitants. 



WILLIAM HENRY HEWLETT, whose 
home is on the east side of Manhasset 
Bay, in the town of North Hempstead, 
was born in the house in which he still lives, and 
is the son of William and Martha (Thorn) Hew- 
lett, the former of whom was reared to farm life 
in this county. Shortly after starting out in life 
for himself he occupied the farm now in the 
possession of a Mr. Morrell, and still later located 
upon the tract of land which is now the home 
of his son, our subject. This property includes 
one hundred and seventy acres and is one of the 
most productive tracts in Queens County. Wil- 
liam Llewlett became well-to-do in this world's 




G. HOWIvAND IvEAVITT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



371 



g;Oods, and until the day of his death, which oc- 
curred soon after the close of the Civil War, he 
was one of the most prominent residents of his 
neighborhood. 

The father of our subject was twice married, 
William Henry and his sister Martha being the 
children of the first union. The latter is now the 
wife of John S. Morrell. William carried on his 
studies in the district school near his home until 
a lad of about twelve years, when his parents sent 
him to Flushing, where he enjoyed one year of 
uninterrupted study. He then returned to the 
home farm and assisted in its management until 
he fell heir to the property, when he assumed 
entire control. A saw and grist mill are located 
on the place, which is supplied with water power 
and all those modern conveniences which make 
it a pleasant home. 

The lady to whom Mr. Hewlett was married 
was Miss Lena Fitchett, a native of Poughkeep- 
sie, N. Y. She survived her marriage but a few 
short years and died without issue. Our subject 
was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church. 
He takes but little interest in political affairs, but 
during presidential elections generally supports 
the candidate of the Republican party. He is a 
man of unswerving honesty, whose word is con- 
sidered as good as his bond, and the confidence 
of the entire community is his. 



GHOWLAND LEAAarr. To write a 
history of Flushing and omit the name 
• of Mr. Leavitt would be to do injustice 
to a man of rare intelligence, extended informa- 
tion, broad and Hberal culture, with clear and 
concise opinions on all important questions, and 
one whose ability and success have won for him a 
high rank among the people of the county. In 
him the community has a faithful and judicious 
friend, ever alert to promote her best interests, 
and generous in his contributions toward every 
movement tending to the general advancement. 

Born in the town of Flushing in 1845, the sub- 
ject of this article is a descendant of an old Con- 
necticut family that originated in England. His 
father, Rufus, was born in Litchfield County, 
Conn., and was a son of Samuel Leavitt, a native 
of the same county, where he engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits until his death. The former, also 
a merchant by occupation, went to New York 
in early manhood and assisted in building up one 
of the largest wholesale dry-goods houses in the 



United States, that of J. & R. Leavitt, his brother 
John being in partnership with him. He became 
well known in commercial circles, and after many 
years of successful business enterprises he re- 
tired, well-to-do. Meantime he had established 
a summer home in Flushing, and about 1855 be- 
came a resident of this place, where he died in 
1867, at the age of seventy-three. In religious 
belief he followed the faith of his forefathers and 
identified himself with the Congreg-ational 
Church, in which he was an active member, and 
to which he gave with the greatest liberality. Po- 
litically he adhered to the principles of the Re- 
publican party. 

The marriage of Rufus Leavitt united him with 
Annabella Edgar Howland, daughter of Gardner 
Green Plowland, both natives of New York City. 
Her father was a member of the old and well- 
known firm of Howland & Aspinwall, shipping- 
merchants of New York, who were pioneers in 
the California and China tea trade. Mr. Aspinwall, 
who was a cousin of Mrs. Leavitt, was the son 
of an Englishman and for many years held rank 
among the foremost shipping- merchants of the 
world. In his honor was named the village of 
Aspinwall, on the Isthmus of Panama. Mrs. 
Leavitt still makes her home in Flushing and is 
in full possession of her faculties, though now 
(1896) eighty years of age. 

The third among six children, all of whom are 
living, the subject of this article was reared in 
Flushing and New York City and received his 
education at Williams College, from which he 
graduated in 1864 with Jhe degree of A. B. His 
first enterprise was the mercantile business, but 
in 1873 he became connected with the Cotton 
Exchange, of which he remained a member about 
five years. Since retiring from the exchange he 
has devoted his attention to the supervision of his 
large real estate, farming and stock interests in 
the town of Flushing. His winter residence is at 
No. 143 Bowne Avenue, Flushing, while his sum- 
mer home is at Bayside, on Little Neck Bay, ad- 
joining the military post of the United States en- 
gineering corps at Willet's Point. Here he has 
a commodious dwelling, erected in the colonial 
style of architecture, and admirably adapted for 
a country home. On the farm are a number of 
Hambletonian high-bred horses, also others of 
the best breeds, the fancy stock business being a 
department of agriculture in which Mr. Leavitt 
is particularly interested. 

At Bayside, in 1878, occurred the marriage of 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Leavitt and Miss Amelia Willetts, grand- 
daughter of Samuel Willetts, the well-known 
Quaker merchant of New York City and at one 
time president of the American Exchange Bank. 
Her parents, Robert and Margarett Willetts, were 
people of wealth and culture, and owned the 
place, "Shore Acres," at Bayside, now owned by 
Mr. Leavitt. They were members of the Society 
of Friends, to which Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt and 
their daughters, Sarah W. and Margaret H., also 
belong. 

At the present time Mr. Leavitt is president of 
the Flushing Gas Light Company and a director 
in the Flushing Bank, also a member of the board 
of managers of the Niantic Club. For two years 
he was president of the Queens County Agricul- 
tural Society, one of the oldest and most success- 
ful organizations of the kind in the state, and 
he is still an active member of it. He is a de- 
mitted Mason, having been a member of the 
lodge and chapter at Flushing. Politically he is 
a stanch Republican. 



CHARLES J. HALL, M. D., a prominent 
physician and surgeon of Glencove, was 
born at Mineola, this county, December 
27, 1846. His father, who was likewise a distin- 
guished physician, was Henry D., and his mother, 
Mary J- (Henderson) Hall. Charles passed the 
first nine years of his Ufe in his native village, 
after which he accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Jamaica, where he attended the pub- 
lic schools, from which he was graduated with 
honors when fifteen years of age. 

The subject of this sketch, after completing his 
studies in the schools of Jamaica, went to Poland, 
Herkimer County, N. Y., and began reading 
medicine in the office of Dr. Millington. After 
studying under the instruction of the latter for 
two years he went further West, attending lec- 
tures at the University of Michigan, from which 
institution he was graduated March 30, 1870, with 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 

When looking about him for a suitable loca- 
tion. Dr. Hall found a good opening for a wide- 
awake young physician in Norway, Herkimer 
County, and, opening an office there, engaged 
in practice for a period of thirteen years. One 
year after making that place his home, or May 
24, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Elvena Randall. Mrs. Hall was born and reared 
in Norway and was the daughter of Elisha and 



Maria (Reynolds) Randall, well-to-do residents 
of that locality. 

The Doctor was ambitious to stand at the head 
of his profession in his community, and in order 
to gain more information he entered Bellevue 
Medical College in 1881, taking a post-graduate 
course. The following year we find 'him located 
at Glencove, which has been the scene of his oper- 
ations ever since. 

While in the central portion of the state Dr. 
Hall served two years as president of the Herki- 
mer County Medical Society, and ever since com- 
ing to Glencove has been an active member of 
the Queens County Medical Society. Although 
engaged in general practice, the Doctor is a 
skilled surgeon and makes a specialty of this de- 
partment of work. He has successfully performed 
many difficult operations and his skill and advice 
are sought 'from far and wide, as his reputation 
has extended far beyond the borders of Queens 
County. One remarkable case which he handled 
was in 1892, when he operated on a boy by the 
name of Cecil Yokum, who had fallen on a fence 
picket and not only tore open his abdomen but 
bruised the intestines. After a few days' treat- 
ment the Doctor found that it would be neces- 
sarv to remove two inches of the intestine, which 
he did successfully. This case was not only re- 
ported in American but in the leading European 
journals and gave the Doctor a wide reputation 
among the various medical fraternities of the 
country. 

Dr. Hall has voted the Democratic ticket for 
the past twenty-five years. In 1886 he was elected 
coroner of Queens County, holding the office for 
a term of three years. The Episcopal Church of 
Glencove numbers him among its most active 
and influential members. In social affairs he is 
a Mason, holding membership with the lodge at 
Jamaica. While residing in Herkimer County 
he took both the chapter and commandery de- 
grees at Little Falls. Although a very busy man, 
he has made it a point to attend the various meet- 
ings of the orders to which he belongs, and in 
1883 attended the Knight Templar conclave, 
which was held at Washington, D. C. He holds 
membership with the Royal Arcanum at Glen- 
cove, and at one time was connected with the 
Ancient Order of LTnited Workmen. 

In 1862, while the Civil War was in progress, 
our subject was attending school in Jamaica. 
Being fired with the spirit of patriotism he, with 
several other boys, ran away from home, and. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



373 



•gomg'to BrookljTi, enlisted, being mustered in as 
members of Company B, Thirteenth Brooklyn 
Regiment, and with the other members of the 
company were sent to Suffolk, Va, Charles J. 
enlisted for a period of three months, but on 
accottnt of the hardships and privations which he 
had to endure he was glad enough to rettirn home 
at the end of that time. He is a member of 
George L. Downing Post as Glencove. 



CHARLES HENRY GEORGI, a resident 
of Corona, whose place of business is at 
No. 21 Cortlandt Street, New York City, 
was born in Sch'ornscheim, Germany, in 1854. 
At the age of two A'ears he was brought to Amer- 
ica by his parents, Karl and Catharine (Biittell) 
Georgi, who settled in New York City, and there 
his boyhood years were passed in attendance up- 
on the public schools. In the home the German 
language was used in conversation, so that he 
became familiar with it as well as with English. 

Commencing to work for himself at the age 
■of thirteen, Mr. Georgi took a position in an office, 
and when fourteen began to work for Kuhn, Loeb 
■& Co., bankers of New York, with whom he re- 
■mained for a year. So satisfactory were his ser- 
vices that the firm promised to send him to busi- 
ness college if he would remain another year, but 
"he refused the oiTer and began to learn the trade 
of a barber. On completing his apprenticeship 
he was employed as a journeyman for six months 
and then was offered an opportunity to run the 
barber shop of the old Washington Hotel, where 
he at once received a man's wages, though only 
sixteen. One year was spent there, after which he 
worked for his brother as journeyman for a sim- 
ilar period. When nineteen he took a trip to 
Evirope as a companion for two wealthy English- 
men, remaining about four months across the 
water. Afterward he made several similar trips to 
the Old World, and when not thus engaged has 
followed his trade. Eor a few months he carried 
on the barber business on an Albany steamboat, 
which proved a profitable venture. 

After his fourth trip to Europe Mr, Georgi 
estabhshed himself in business in New York City, 
where he remained for seven years. He then 
went on his last trip to the continent, after which 
he opened a shop at his present location in Cort- 
landt Street. In addition to his tonsorial business 
he carries on a trade in bric-a-brac, in which he 
became interested through his visits to the lead- 



ing art galleries of Europe. In New York City, 
December 21, 1880, he married Miss Caroline 
Hague, a native of that place. They came to 
Corona in 1886 and have since made their home 
in this village. 

The first presidential ballot cast by Mr. Georgi 
was for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and from 
that time to this he has been a stalwart advocate 
of the Repubhcan party. He served as commit- 
teeman in the seventh election district and has 
represented the district in the county convention 
on several occasions. In 1892 he was the dele- 
gate-at-large to the congressional convention. A 
friend of the public schools, he is now serving as 
a member of the school board. In religious be- 
lief he is a Lutheran and holds the office of trus- 
tee in the church. Socially he is regent of the 
Royal Arcanum and was treasurer of the Knights 
and Ladies of Honor, also past protector of the 
lodge. For a time he held the position of treas- 
urer of the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company. 



I CHARD P. JEEEREY. Among the sub- 
stantial and well-to-do residents of the 
town of Hempstead is our subject, who 
for the past twenty-five years has devoted his 
energies to the business of a nurseryman and 
florist, although previous to that time he had 
been interested in general agricultural pursuits. 
Mr. Jeffrey was born in Lincolnshire, England, 
in 1822, and is the son of Robert and Ehzabeth 
(Perrin) Jeffrey, also born in that county, but 
who emigi-ated to America about the year 1827. 
The father was a farmer by occupation and fol- 
lowed this business during the greater part of his 
life in America. He died about 1845, mourned 
bv all who knew him. His estimable wife sur- 
vived him many years. 

Being a man of limited means the father was 
unable to give his children a very thorough edu- 
cation, but early in life trained them to use their 
hands as well as their brains. Richard was thus 
brought up to look out for himself, which fact 
he has never regretted, although in his younger 
days it often appeared hard and unjust. The 
greater part of his life has been passed on Long 
Island, where his parents located when he was 
quite young. He chose farming as his vocation 
in life, and for three-score years has been a resi- 
dent of his beautiful estate in this town. General 
farming occupied his attention for many years, 
but for the last quarter of a century he has made 



374 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a specialty of raising and shipping flowers. He 
also keeps on hand a large number of ornamental 
shrub and shade trees. 

In 1847 Mr- Jeflfrey was married to Miss 
Mahala Valentine, the daughter of William Val- 
entine, of Long Island. To them were born two 
children, one of whom is deceased. William F., 
who is one of the enterprising young business 
men of the county, is his father's partner. He 
was educated in the schools of this his native 
county, and in 1875, when ready to establish a 
home of his own, was married to Miss Ida M., 
daughter of Isaac Williams, an old time resident 
of this section of the island. They had born to 
them two children, named respectively Ida A. 
and Eveline M. 

In 1870 Mrs. Mahala Jeffrey departed this life, 
and three years later our subject was married to 
Amelia (Reeves) Williams, who is also deceased. 
Socially Wilham F. Jeffrey is an Odd Fellow of 
good standing and also belongs to the American 
Legion of Honor and the Wautaugh Mutual Ben- 
efit Association. He is popular in his community, 
and as his father has now reached an advanced 
age, he takes much of the responsibility of the 
business on himself and is managing affairs in a 
most competent and satisfactory manner. 



GEORGE W. HAYDEN. Some men can 
turn their attention to many things and 
carry on several businesses at the same 
time with pronounced success, and this is a qual- 
ity which especially marks Mr. Hayden, who is 
postmaster and a general merchant in the village 
of Great Neck. 

Samuel Hayden, the father of our subject, was 
born at Great Neck and lived to be seventy-eight 
years of age. By trade he was a blacksmith, and 
after following this industry for many years es- 
tabHshed a general store at Great Neck and was 
a pioneer in this branch of business. He was a 
man of influence in his community and the repu- 
tation which he enjoyed, both as regards educa- 
tion and finances, was that of one who had over- 
come the difficulties of life and was self-made. 
He married Miss Susan Leacock, and to them 
were born eleven children. Of those living we 
mention the following: Benjamin F. and Emma 
J. both reside at Great Neck; George W., of this 
history, was the third born; Isabel makes her 
home in New York; Samuel A. is employed in 
our subject's store; Annie A. is assistant in the 



postofflce; and James L. is working at the car- 
penter's trade in Great Neck. 

George W. Hayden was born February 16, 
i860, at Great Neck. After gaining a good edu- 
cation in the common schools he began the battle 
of life on his own account with the result that he 
is now regarded as one of the substantial business 
men of the place, and he numbers among his 
customers some of the best people of the com- 
munity. The building which he occupies is fitted 
up in a modern way and is filled with an extensive 
assortment of general merchandise and all those 
articles usually carried by a first-class estabhsh- 
ment of this nature. 

In politics Mr. Hayden is an enthusiastic Dem- 
ocrat, and on this ticket was elected collector of 
taxes of the town of North Hempstead. He is 
exceedingly popular in his community and was 
appointed postmaster under Cleveland's second 
administration. Socially he is an Odd Fellow 
and a Mason, and in religious affairs he is an 
Episcopalian. 



EDWARD Z. ENGLAND, who is one of the 
highly esteemed residents of Queens 
County, owns and occupies a pleasant 
home on the AVhite Pot Road. He was born in 
New York City February 3, 1851, and is the son 
of Edward and Emily J. (Mills) England. The 
parental family included four children, of whom 
the eldest, Angehne, is now the wife of Daniel C. 
Conklin, and besides our subject, is the only sur- 
vivor. 

Edward England, Sr., was of English birth 
and parentage, his home having been in Devon- 
shire, where he was born in the year 1815. He 
acquired a good education in his English home 
and when a young man came to America. Con- 
cluding to remain for a time in the metropolis, 
he established a news route, supplying a large 
number of people with the morning and evening 
papers. As soon as his means would allow he set 
up a news-stand and conducted the same for many 
years, or until coming to what is now Middle 
Village, and purchasing the property upon which 
his son, our subject, now resides. He made set- 
tlement here some time in 1853, taking up his 
abode in a house, a part of which had been used 
as a hospital for the wounded soldiers during the 
Revolutionary War. He had been reared to 
farm life, his father having followed that industry 
a portion of his life, and he now gave his atten- 




MICHAEL SEITZ. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



377 



tion to cultivating the soil, but as this kind of life 
did not agree with him he rented his farm and re- 
turned to the city, resuming his former business. 
The next we hear of him he is again living on 
his estate in Queens County, making this place 
Ills home for the remainder of his life. Mrs. 
England makes her home in Belmont, N. J. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
tinder the parental roof, and after he was of 
sufficient age attended the common schools for 
many years. During vacations he assisted his 
father in the management of the farm, and after 
his marriage, settled permanently upon the old 
place,, which he now manages. The lady who 
became his Hfe partner in 1872 was Miss Sarah 
Frances Miner, also born in New York City. To 
them were born two children, of whom Edward 
Franklin, a young man of nineteen years, is the 
only survivor. He is his father's able assistant in 
running the farm and is very highly regarded by 
all those who know him. 

Politically Mr. England uses his influence and 
■casts his vote in favor of Republican candidates. 
He has ever been interested in school affairs and 
for five years served the people of his district 
acceptably as trustee of the board. Socially he is 
-a member of the Templars Liberty of America 
Lodge, also of the Providence Association. 



M" 



ICHAEL SEITZ, who is engaged in the 
brewery business in Brooklyn under the 
firm name of N. Seitz's Son, was born in 
New York City, October 16, 1844, and was one 
of seven children, three of whom now survive. 
His parents were Nicholas and Catherine (Stahl) 
Seitz, the former of whom, a native of Bavaria, 
Germany, born in 1810, emigrated to America 
in the year 1843, having previously learned the 
trade of a brewer. On arriving in New York he 
secured employment with the brewery firm of 
F. M. Schaeffer, with whom he remained for two 
years and nine months. He then embarked in 
business for himself, choosing the business title 
■of Nicholas Seitz's brewery. As such he carried 
on the trade until 1871, and then retired from 
the business, from that time living c^uietly until 
his death in 1886. 

The subject of this article was educated in a 
parish school in Brooklyn. At sixteen years of 
.age he became connected with his father's brewery 
and soon gained a thorough knowledge of the 
business, to the ownership of which he and his 



brother Joseph succeeded at the death of their 
father, the firm title being changed to N. Seitz's 
Sons. In 1873 a brother-in-law, F. X. Bill, who 
also had an interest in the concern, entered busi- 
ness for himself, retiring from the firm, and in 
1878 the brother withdrew, leaving Michael the 
sole owner. 

February i, 1896, Mr. Seitz purchased the Jack- 
son property and here he intends to build, intro- 
ducing all modern improvements, so that the 
place will undoubtedly be one of the popular re- 
sorts of the north shore. In 1893 he purchased in 
Grand Street a place known as Washington 
Grove, also a plot now leased to the Maspeth 
Ball Club, situated in Grand Street, near Flush- 
ing Avenue. Through judicious investments he 
has become a large property owner and is num- 
bered among the wealthy real-estate men of Long- 
Island. His business is increasing, and under his 
management the capacity has been increased to 
about one hundred thousand barrels per annum. 
Politically he votes for the candidates whom he 
deems best qualified to fill the positions in ques- 
tion, never having aUied himself with any party. 
In religious belief he is a Catholic. 

The marriage of Mr. Seitz, which took place in 
Brooklvn in 1878, united him with Miss Eliza- 
beth Huwer. Their eight children are named as 
follows : Mary, a graduate of St. Ann's Academy, 
of Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Michael, who is attending 
a college in Buffalo, N. Y.; Anna, a student in 
the academy at Wilkesbarre; Teresa, who is at- 
tending a parish school in Brooklyn; John and 
Catherine, also students in the parish school; 
Elizabeth and Joseph, who are with their par- 
ents. The family residence is at No. 280 Mau- 
jer Street, Brooklyn. 



GEORGE H. BOWLEY. The products 
which sustain daily existence are con- 
stantly in demand by the ever-increasing 
population, and public providers are a necessity 
of the times. Meat is one of the most important 
articles of diet, and one of the most substantial 
men engaged in the meat business in Astoria is 
George H. Bowley. He was born in Brooklyn, 
N. Y., in i860, a son of Jacob Bowley, of Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, a more extended account of 
whom is given in the sketch of Frederick Bowley. 
The subject of this sketch was the youngest of 
four children born to his parents, and from the 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time he was one year old his home was in the 
city of New York, at Harlem. There he re- 
ceived a good grammar school education in One 
Hundred and Fifteenth Street and Third Avenue, 
and when he had reached the age of fourteen 
years he was a butcher's apprentice in New York 
City for two and a half years. At the end of that 
time, however, he took up painting, which he 
continued for five years, then returned to his for- 
mer occupation in New York City and spent one 
and one-half years at Brande's Hotel at Forty- 
second Street and Fourth Avenue, as meat 
dresser. He then engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness with his brother Frederick, with whom he 
came to Astoria, and until 1892 was foreman of 
their establishment. In May of that year he 
opened business at No. 128 Flushing Avenue, con- 
tinuing there four years, and is now proprietor of 
the large packing house in Jamaica Avenue and 
Winans Street. 

Mr. Bowley was married in Harlem, N. Y., to 
Miss Elizabeth Doyle, a native of that city and a 
daughter of James Doyle, a carpenter and builder 
by trade, who died in that city. His wife was 
Miss Rose Quinn, formerly, and she now lives in 
Long Island City, Mrs. Bowley being her only 
child. The latter has borne her husband one 
son, Edward. Mr. Bowley is a wideawake, enter- 
prising man of affairs, and is a Republican po- 
litically. 



CHARLES DOWNING. As a man of 
sound understanding, of sagacious and 
prompt business methods, and known to 
be thoroughly honorable and reliable, Mr. 
Downing has been influential in the commercial 
and public life of East Norwich and the village of 
Jamaica. In his career may be found an illustra- 
tion of the worth of good principles and habits of 
industry and prudence. He did not inherit the 
wealth that falls to some men, but has fought his 
own way through life, provided only with the ad- 
vantages that a beneficent nature has granted him. 
While he has not become the possessor of a large 
fortune, he has secured a competency sufficient to 
provide his declining years with comfort. 

The Downing family has resided in Queens 
County for several successive generations. Our 
subject's father, George S., was a son of Richard 
and Catharine Downing, and was born in the vil- 
lage of East Norwich, March 30, 181 5. Upon at- 
taining manhood he entered upon his chosen call- 



ing of an agriculturist, to which he devoted his 
attention through the succeeding years of his ac- 
tive life. A man of stirring activities and deep 
interest in public measures, he found a political 
home within the Democratic party, to which he 
has always adhered. At different times he has 
been chosen to serve in important public capaci- 
ties. From 1844 until 1848 he was collector of 
taxes. In 1850 he was appointed under sheriff 
of Queens County, from which he was promoted 
to the office of sheriff, serving in that capacity 
from January i, 1853, to January i, 1856. He 
was again appointed under sheriff and continued 
in that position until January i, 1859. In i860 he 
was chosen supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay 
and held the office for seven years. After a short 
interval he was again elected supervisor in 1875, 
serving until- 1 88 1. While his vote was always 
given to Democratic principles, he was popular 
with both parties, and often received the nomina- 
tion from both organizations, a fact which evinces 
his popularity among the people. 

In addition to his interest in public matters of a 
political nature, George S. Downing was in touch 
with every enterprise that promised to develop 
the commercial interests of his section. Organi- 
zations for the purpose of advancing the welfare 
of the county received his hearty endorsement. 
To this day he retains his warm interest in pro- 
gressive affairs, though his advanced years com- 
pel him to relinquish to other hands the carrying 
forward of public plans. He was for years a di- 
rector in the Queens County Agricultural Society, 
of which organization he had the honor to be 
president for two terms. He is a director of the 
Roslyn Savings Bank and the Glen Cove Mutual 
Insurance Company, of which he was treasurer 
several years, or until he resigned. 

By his marriage to Eliza Lewis, a native of 
Westbury, Queens County, George S. Downing 
had four children, namely: Charles, Ann E., Mary 
J. and Daniel L. The wife and mother died when 
our subject was six years old and the father sub- 
sequently married again, having by that union 
two children, Richard and Maria Louise. Of this 
family two sons and two daug'hters are still living, 
Charles, Richard, Mrs. Mary J. White and Mrs. 
Maria Louise A-^ernon. Daniel L. enlisted in Au- 
gust, 1862, in the Second New York (Harris 
Light) Cavalry and was killed in a cavalry charge 
at Aldie, Va., June 17, 1863. 

The subject of this sketch was born at East 
Norwich, Queens County, December 20, li 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



379 



He spent his early life on the home farm, but 
not caring to make agriculture his vocation, he 
secured a position as clerk in a country store, 
where he remained from the age of sixteen until 
he was twenty. Before he attained his majority 
he became a partner in the firm of Vernon & 
Co., at East Norwich, where he remained for four 
years. In 1864, with William McKay, he bought 
the interest of Mr. Vernon and H. H. Frost, and 
from that time until 1885 conducted a general 
country store business under the firm naine of 
Downing & McKay. 

December i, 1863, Mr. Downing was united in 
marriage with Sarah Jane Hicks, who was born 
in Brookville, Queens County, May 9, 1844. Four 
children bless the union, namely: Mary Louise 
and Esther Hicks, who were educated at the 
Friends Academy, Locust Valley, Queens Coun- 
ty; George S., who is a student at Adelphi Acad- 
emy, Brooklyn, and Grace J., at present attend- 
ing the public schools of Jamaica. The oldest 
daughter is the wife of Halstead H. Frost, Jr., 
by whom she has two children. Esther H. is the 
wife of Joseph P. Stearns. 

Raised in the faith of the Democratic party, 
Mr. Downing has seen no reason for changing 
the views implanted in his mind in thildhood. 
He is interested in political matters and takes an 
active part in local elections. Under John H. 
Sutphin, county clerk of Queens County, he was 
appointed deputy county clerk, January i, 1879, 
and has held this position satisfactorily ever since. 
From 1893 to 1895 he was a trustee of the village 
of Jamaica. At present he is a trustee of the Ja- 
maica Savings Bank and a director of the Bank 
of Jamaica. Socially he is identified with the Ja- 
maica Club, a prominent social organization. In 
the First Reformed Church of Jamaica, to which 
he and his wife belong, he is serving as an elder. 



ROBERT F. MACFARLANE, M. D., is one 
of the leading citizens of Long Island City, 
and in the line of his profession has long 
been in the front ranks. He is especially skillful 
as a surgeon, though he has a large general prac- 
tice, and during the conventions of the various 
medical societies to which he belongs he has de- 
livened many addresses. Dr. Macfarlane comes 
of a very distinguished family in Queens County, 
and his father was at one time the editor of the 
"Scientific American.'' By his ability as a writer 
and by his energy and perseverance as a business 



man he placed that journal in the front rank and 
achieved for it great success. He was obliged 
to resign this position several years later on ac- 
count of having severely strained his eyes writing 
in that gloomy room in the old Sun building 
in New York. This affliction later resulted in 
the loss of one of his eyes, and as it was impossi- 
ble for him to write longer, he established a dye 
house and for many years was at the head of a 
very successful business. Besides being a brill- 
iant writer, the father of our subject was a distin- 
guished orator and was well known as one of the 
most cultured and highly educated men of his 
day. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of this 
state, and was born in May, 1842, in Orleans 
County. Grandfather Robert Macfarlane, who 
was a manufacturer in Scotland, during his early 
married life was very desirous of making his 
home in America, and accordingly came hither, 
taking up his abode in Orleans County, N. Y., 
where he afterward gave his attention to farming. 
He died in that locality firm in the faith of the 
Presbyterian Church, in which he had been reared 
from his earliest infancy. The father, Robert 
Macfarlane, was a native of Scotland, his early 
home having been at Rutherglen, on the Clyde. 
After carrying on the home farm for some time, 
he went to Albany and engaged in the dyeing 
business for himself. While a .member of the 
Young Men's Association in Albany he 
was awarded the first prize as an essayist. 
After adopting the profession of a journalist he 
first became editor of a small paper which was 
published in Albany called the "Mechanics 
Mirror." His articles attracted so much attention 
and comment that he was called to the editorship 
of the "Scientific American," issued in New 
York Citv. At once he moved his family to the 
metropolis, and through his earnest efforts, made 
that journal what it is to-day. He was a distin- 
guished lecturer on scientific subjects and a fine 
speaker. He was an honorary member of some 
of the foremost scientific societies in the United 
States and Scotland and was a thoroughly good 
and honest man. He contributed many articles 
of interest to Scotch and American journals and 
was an active member of the Albany Institute of 
Science. In political affairs he always voted for 
Republican candidates and in rehgious matters 
was an influential member of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he was elder for many years. 
In 1883, when sixty-eight years of age, he depart- 



38o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ed this life. He was the first patent attorney 
of the country, and through his aid many deserv- 
ing men were enabled to get their inventions pat- 
ented. Through his influence Gail Borden, the 
patentee of Borden's Condensed Milk, which is 
used all over the United States, succeeded in get- 
ting a patent after he had spent a small fortune. 

The mother of our subject was Annie Garth, a 
native of Glasgow, Scotland. She was the daugh- 
ter of William Garth, whose birth occurred in 
England, where the family originated. Her 
grandfather was a very prominent manufacturer 
of Scotland, having been for many years en- 
gaged in making the famous Paisley shawls, and 
was located in the city bearing that name. Mrs. 
Macfarlane died in 1894. 

The parental family included five children who 
grew to mature years, of whom Robert F. was the 
eldest. He carried on his studies in the schools 
of New York and later in Brooklyn, and was 
graduated from the Williamsburg school of the 
latter city in 1854,' when only twelve years of 
age. He then engaged in the dry goods busi- 
ness in the metropolis, where he was located on 
the outbreak of the late war. He volunteered and 
became a member of the Seventy-ninth New York 
Highlands, and later aided in the organization of 
Company K, Twelfth New York State Militia. 
He was mustered into service as second lieuten- 
ant. Going South with his regiment to the Val- 
ley of the Shenandoah, he remained in active ser- 
vice there until the expiration of his term of en- 
listment, when he was honorably discharged. 

On his return home from the field of battle Dr. 
Macfarlane engaged in the wholesale tobacco bus- 
iness in Water Street, in New York City, and for 
several years thereafter condticted a very paying 
business. His father's health beginning to fail 
about this time, he closed out his establishment 
there, and, going to Albany, took charge of his 
dye house, which was known as the Macfarlane 
Dye Establishment. He continued as general 
manager until after his father's decease, when he 
settled up his affairs and then gave his attention 
to fitting himself to attend the Albany Medical 
College. He had studied a short time prior to 
the outbreak of the war and also attended lec- 
tures in the old New York Hospital, but was pre- 
vented from carrying out his plans until 1884, 
when it was his determination to take a thorough 
course. He was graduated from the above in- 
stitution in 1888, with the degree of Doctor of 
Medicine, and was valedictorian of the occasion. 



Being ambitious to stand at the head of his 
profession in America, and knowing what the 
schools of the old country had to offer, our subject 
sailed for Europe that year and studied in Glas- 
gow, Edinboro, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, also vis- 
iting the hospitals of Paris. During the two 
years which he spent abroad he gave special at- 
tention to surgery, receiving instruction from 
some of the most noted physicians of the Old 
World. While in England he was made a fellow 
of the British Medical Association and also joined 
the Society of Physicians in Vienna. Being 
thoroughly conversant with the German and 
French tongues, he had the advantage of many 
who had to master those languages before rapid 
progress could be made in their studies. In the 
3rear 1890 he returned to America and located for 
one year in Albany. At the expiration of that 
time, however, we find him living in Long Island 
City, where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. 
Lyttle. His office is located at No. 429 Jackson 
Avenue. 

Dr. Macfarlane and Miss Eleanor Moore, a na- 
tive of England, were united in marriage in 1877. 
Mrs. Macfarlane is highly cultured and a mem- 
ber of the Froebel Society. To the Doctor and 
his wife has been born a daughter, bearing the 
name of Florence. The Doctor belongs to the 
Long Island City Medical Society, is vice-presi- 
dent of the Queens County Medical Society, and 
while a resident of Albany was very active in the 
societies there. He is a forcible writer and has 
contributed many articles of importance and in- 
terest to the various medical and scientific jour- 
nals of the country. He is a Master Mason, 
holding membership with Island City Lodge No. 
586. In politics he votes for Democratic candi- 
dates and in religious affairs is considered one 
of the most consistent and devoted members of 
the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, from 
which congregation he has never taken his letter. 



GUSTAVE HARMS has devoted his life 
almost entirely as a painter and decorator, 
with the result that he is now numbered 
among the progressive and substantial residents 
of Schuetzen Park. He was born in Mecklen- 
burg, German)', in 1841, a son of Frederick 
Harms, also a native of the Fatherland, where he 
was a miller, distiller and merchant. He became 
well-to-do in this world's goods and departed this 
life when seventy-five years of age. Without 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



381 



waiting to be drafted into the service of his coun- 
try he volunteered, and for some time was a sol- 
dier in the standing army. Grandfather Frederick 
Harms was a finely educated gentleman, and dur- 
ing the years in which he vv'as engaged in teaching 
school in Germany was known as Professor 
Harms. The family were Lutherans in religion. 

Mrs. Mary (Rambow) Harms, mother of our 
subject, was also born in the province of Meck- 
lenburg, where her father was engaged as a farm- 
er. She became the mother of a family of eight 
children and departed this life when in her fifty- 
fifth year. Only four of this household now sur- 
vive, and of these our subject, who was the young- 
est member, is the only one to make his hoiiie 
in America. He was reared in his native land 
and attended the model school until a lad of four- 
teen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a 
painter and decorator, whom he served for four 
years. Being pronounced an expert in this in- 
dustry at the end of that time, he traveled through 
various parts of Germany and Switzerland, en- 
gaged in his work, until 1868, when he embarked 
at Havre on the steamer "Atlanta," and after a 
voyage of eighteen days was landed in port at 
New York. He had no difficulty in obtaining 
work, and remained in the metropolis until May, 
1S70, when he located in Long Island City, and 
was one of the first to purchase a home in Broad- 
way. This he later lost on account of certain de- 
fects in the deed which he had overlooked, and 
in 1874 he became the owner of five lots in Eighth 
Street and Graham Avenue. On this property 
he erected a residence and shop, the former being 
one of the most conveniently arranged dwellings 
in the city. He was one of the first here to have 
private water works, erecting his own wind mill, 
which was connected with an artesian well on the 
premises. 

After locating here Mr. Harms immediately 
commenced contracting in painting and decorat- 
ing, and about the first work he did in this line 
was for the North Beach Improvement Company. 
He also received the contract for the painting of 
the fii'st and fourth ward school houses, the 
Steinway factory, besides scores of private resi- 
dences in Long Island City and its suburbs. Dur- 
ing the busy season he gives employment to fronj 
eighteen to twenty-three men. Through his un- 
tiring industry and good business qualities he 
has accjuired a handsome competency and it may 
be said of him that he is one of the most highly 
respected residents of the county. He is inter- 



ested in the Long Island City Building and Loan 
Association and every worthy movement in the 
city receives his support. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna 
Brodbeck, a native of Switzerland, occurred in 
New York in 1869. To them were born two 
children: Emma, who died when fourteen years 
of age, and Gustave, who is now in Berlin, Ger- 
many, where he is perfecting himself in the trade 
which his father adopted in early Hfe and which 
he has followed ever since. On the death of his 
first companion our subject was married in this 
city to Miss Catherine Schwinge, a native of Han- 
over, Germany. Of the children resulting from 
this union we mention the following: Frederick 
is engaged in the grocery business in Brooklyn; 
Til lie is working at the dressmaker's trade at 
home, and Henry departed this life at the age of 
eight years. 

In social affairs Mr. Harms is a member of Ad- 
vance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M., of Astoria, 
with which he has been connected since 1872. 
He is also a charter member of the Knights of 
Pythias and belongs to Hermann Lodge, A. O. U. 
W. He is one of the workers in the Chosen 
Friends Society, the Harugari and the Turners' 
Society. Mr. Harms is quite a musician and 
takes great pleasure in meeting with the Frohsinn 
Singing Society and the Astoria Mannerchor, 
being a member of both organizations. In politics 
he is a Democrat and belongs to the Jefferson 
Club. 



CAPT. RICHARD BROWN is one of the 
best known and most successful pilots on 
East River, and owing to his faithful ser- 
vice and ability, has been rapidly promoted to his 
present position. He is now connected with the 
New York & East River Ferry Company. In 
April, 1861, he was born on Brown's Point, As- 
toria, his father being Capt. Joseph Brown, a na- 
tive of Connecticut. The latter came to New 
York with his brother Richard, who, in 1851, won 
the American cup with the yacht "America," 
owned by James Gordon Bennett, and later died 
in Brooklyn. Joseph Brown was but twelve years 
of age when he and his brother started some fish- 
ing smacks off the coast of Sandy Hook. This 
occupation he followed for a few years, then be- 
came inspecting superintendent of Webb's ship- 
yard, which position he held until about 1855, 
when he opened Brown's Hotel, on what is now 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



known as Brown's Point, and at the same time 
was proprietor of the yacht "Chief." Succeeding 
this he followed the calhng of a wrecking master 
for about seventeen years, during which time he 
rescued from total destruction about three hun- 
dred vessels. He was a skillful pilot and boatman 
and had a love for the sea that only ended with 
his life in 1888, when in his sixty-second year. 
His wife was Catherine Wood, a native of Staten 
Island, and a daughter of Samuel Wood, who 
was a well-known blacksmith of that place. 

The subject of this sketch was the youngest in 
a family of four sons and two daughters. He was 
reared on Brown's Point and was educated in the 
Fourth Ward schools, but at the age of fourteen 
left school to become a deck hand on the yacht 
"Dream," owned by William P. Dangloss, where 
he remained two seasons. A Uke length of time 
was then spent on his father's yacht "Chief," after 
which he was on the steamboat "Shadyside" for 
one season. Subsequently he entered the employ 
of the New York & East River Ferry Company 
as a deck hand and continued thus for two and a 
half years. In April, 1882, he became a Hcensed 
pilot, and to this calling his time and attention 
have since been given. So well does he under- 
stand his duties and so careful and painstaking 
is he that he has won a wide reputation and has 
never cost the company a dollar through any 
carelessness on his part. He is now the oldest 
pilot in point of service in Queens County, and 
is without doubt one of her most trustworthy ones. 

November 27, 1882, Captain Brown was united 
in marriage with Miss Fannie Pryor, who was 
born and reared in Astoria. She is a daughter 
of John Pryor, who was in the employ of a wealthy 
gentleman as gardener. The Captain and his wife 
have four children: Joseph, May, Viola and Rich- 
ard, Jr. The Captain and his brother Joseph have 
taken part in several rowing races, two of which 
were on East River, around Blackwell's Island, a 
distance of five miles, and both times they won 
against the other boats. Captain Brown is a Re- 
publican in his political views. 



honesty and fair deahng has never been ques- 
tioned, and the confidence which the people have 
in him has never been abused. His intelligence, 
enterprise and other estimable qualities have 
gained for him a popularity not derived from fac- 
titious circumstances, but a tribute to his worth. 

A native of Italy, the subject of this sketch is a 
son of P. Bigoth, who emigrated to this country 
and settled in New York, where, having an abund- 
ance of means, he never entered any business. At 
the time of coming to the United States Eugene 
was about sixteen years of age, and prior to that 
he had served an apprenticeship to the tailor's 
trade, gaining a thorough knowledge of the oc- 
cupation. In 1879 hs began to work at his trade 
in Brooklyn, also followed the occupation in New 
York City and other places. In 1891 he estab- 
lished himself in business at No. 27 Jackson Ave- 
nue, Long Island City, where he has since had 
charge of an increasing trade. His hard work 
and close application have brought him a rea- 
sonable measure of success, to which future years 
will no doubt add considerable. 

In Rockland County, N. Y., Mr. Bigoth mar- 
ried Miss AUce Jacox, who was born and edu- 
cated there. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren, Georgia, Lillie, Annie and Agnes A. The 
religious home of the family is St. Mary's Catholic 
Church, of which they are regular attendants. 
Socially Mr. Bigoth is connected with the For- 
esters, John J. Mitchell Lodge No. 338, A. O. 
U. W., also the Catholic Benevolent Legion and 
Catholic Club of Long Island City. He is fond 
of sports and is a member of the Ravenswood 
Boat Club. Politically he is a Democrat first, last 
and all the time, and stands by his party through 
good and evil report. 



EUGENE BIGOTFI. In giving a list of the 
business men of Long Island City the 
catalogue would be incomplete if mention 
were not made of Mr. Bigoth, who is well known 
throughout this locality as a successful merchant 
tailor. During the period in which his attention 
has been devoted to this calling his reputation for 



P 



ROF. HERMAN BOETTCHER, teacher 
of languages and music of Astoria, has a 
beautiful home at No. 475 Lathrop Street. 
He is one of the finest educated gentlemen in 
this section and in addition to giving instruction 
in the languages and music, is principal of the 
German Second Reformed Parochial School of 
this place. 

Mr. Boettcher was born in the province of Sax- 
ony, Germany, March 4, 1854, and is the son of 
Frederick Boettcher, whose birth also occurred in 
that province. He emigrated to America in the 
year 1872, first locating in New York City. Later 
he came to Long Island City, but at the present 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



383 



time he makes his home in Hudson City, N. J. 
Grandfather Boettcher served in the Prussian ar- 
my and was wounded at the battle of Leipsic. He 
followed the express business in Germany and 
was well and favorably known. 

Mrs. Wilhelmina (Rupert) Boettcher, mother of 
our subject, departed this life in 1888. She be- 
came the mother of two sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom three are living at the present time. 
The subject of this sketch, who is the eldest mem- 
ber of the household, was reared in Reuss-Greitz, 
first attending the common schools. Later he 
entered the lyceum, from which he was grad- 
uated when only fifteen years of age. Subse- 
quently he took a course in the seminary of that 
place, completing his studies therein when nine- 
teen years of age, or in the spring of 1873. 

Our subject began teaching in his native land, 
and after he came to America found a position 
in a school conducted by a Mr. Worferts, in Sixth 
Avenue, New York City. He remained as 
teacher of languages and music in this institution 
for a time and then took a vacation of about a 
year. When ready to begin work again he was 
made principal of the school located in Avenue 
B and Ninth Street, and next went to Newark, 
N. J., as teacher, but shortly thereafter was 
obliged to give up some of his work on account of 
an affection of the throat. In order that he might 
regain some of his former robustness he went to 
Germantown, Pa., located on the Schuylkill Riv- 
er, and taught school until he was very much bet- 
ter. This relief was only temporary, however, for 
as soon as he returned to New Jersey his throat 
troubled him again and he was obliged to aban- 
don all work for the following year. At the ex- 
piration of that time the Professor went to Mor- 
risania, N. Y., where he taught in a private in- 
stitution for a year, after which he moved to New 
York City and gave private instruction. 

October i, 1877, Mr. Boettcher accepted a call 
from Rev. C. D. F. Steinfuhrer to become prin- 
cipal of the German Second Reformed School of 
Astoria, L. I. This institution had been in ex- 
istence for four years, but during that time had 
not been very prosperous. The Professor began 
teaching when there were but sixteen pupils ; now, 
however, he has an enrollment of sixty-six schol- 
ars. He teaches both German and Enghsh, m 
which languages he also gives private instruction. 
Several evenings of each week are spent in Stein- 
way, where he has a splendid evening school. 
The Professor is a talented musician and has been 



remarkably successful in teaching instrumental 
music since coming here. He is organist for 
Rev. Mr. Steinfiihrer's church, and is also leader 
of the choir. 

The marriage of Professor Boettcher and Miss 
Wilhelmina Boettcher occurred in New York City 
m 1884. She was born in the metropolis March 
12, 1855, and was the daughter of Charles and 
Margarita Boettcher, residents of that city. She 
became the mother of two daughters, Wilhelmina 
M. L. F. and Elizabeth H., and departed this life 
August I, 1893. In social affairs our subject be- 
longs to Hermann Lodge No. 341, A. O. U. W., 
of Long Island City. Religiouslv he is a devoted 
and consistent member of the Reformed Church. 



WILLIAM E. EVERITT, supervisor of 
the town of Jamaica, stands high in 
business circles and has an excellent 
financial record, his present enviable position 
being the result of his ability and sound judg- 
ment. His life of industry and usefulness, and 
his record for honesty and uprightness, have giv- 
en him a hold upon the community which all 
might well desire to share. The position which 
the village of Jamaica enjoys to-day as an indus- 
trial center is due to the energy and ability of 
such men as he. 

In Jamaica, where he now lives, the subject of 
this notice was born March 14, 1859. His father, 
the late Joseph B. Everitt, also a native of the 
town of Jamaica, was engaged in the undertak- 
ing business throughout his entire life and until 
his death in 1884. A member of an old family 
on the island, he was in every respect worthy of 
his honorable and energetic ancestry, and was a 
leading citizen, also an active member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. He married Miss Ellen Parcell, 
a native of Philadelphia, now a resident of Ja- 
maica, and they were the parents of two sons, 
William E. and Benjamin F. Of the latter fur- 
ther mention appears on another page. 

Educated in the schools of Jamaica, our subject 
was fitted by careful training for practical contact 
with the business world, and the habits of indus- 
try and perseverance, formed in youth, were of the 
utmost value to him in after years. For fifteen 
years he was engaged in the undertaking business 
with his father and brother, and during that time 
he and his brother embarked in the livery busi- 
ness. At the death of his father, the partnership 



384 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was dissolved, he taking the livery trade and his 
brother the undertaking estabUshment. 

Believing the principles declared by the author 
of the Declaration of Independence to be the cor- 
rect ones for American citizens to follow, Mr. 
Everitt is a stanch Democrat. He held the office 
of town clerk of Jamaica for about seven years, 
and in the spring of 1893 was elected supervisor, 
which position he still fills, having been re-elected 
for a second term. In the fall of 1895 he received 
the nomination of his party for the General As- 
sembly, but the Republican tide was too strong 
to be checked, and even his personal popularity 
failed to carry him through. Politically he has 
many friends, and socially every one is his friend, 
for his genial, companionable nature and gener- 
ous disposition win the esteem of all who meet 
him. Socially he is a leading member of the 
Chub Club of Jamaica, and socially holds mem- 
bership in the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Orders 
and the Royal Arcanum. 

The marriage of Mr. Everitt took place in 1880 
and united him with Miss Jessie Burger, of Ja- 
maica. Three children comprise their family. 
Jessie, Edna and Willie. 



WILLET C. DURLAND. No resident 
of Jamaica has pursued a more honora- 
ble career or been of greater value as a 
citizen than the gentleman whose name intro- 
duces these paragraphs and who is well known 
throughout Queens County. His life and char- 
acter are well worthy of imitation by those who, 
like himself, must be the architects of their own 
fortunes and destinies. His habits are unosten- 
tatious, his judgment impartial, his convictions 
strong and his benefactions, like his labors, gen- 
erous and constant. 

In the village of Springfield, town of Jamaica, 
the subject of this notice was born April 14, 1859. 
His father, William W., was born in what was 
then Bedford (now a part of Brooklyn), N. Y., 
August 5, 1 83 1, but when small was taken by his 
parents to Springfield, where his remaining years 
have been spent. For some time he was engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, but at present is carrying 
on a coal and fertilizer business. He is deeply 
interested in political movements and espouses 
the cause of the Republican party. In religious 
belief he is connected with the Presbyterian 
Church. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Smith 



Durland, was born on Long Island in 1796, and 
in vouth learned the carpenter's trade, which he 
followed throughout life. During the War of 
1 81 2 he rendered brave service in defense of our 
country. He attained the age of about sixty- 
three and died in Springfield in 1859. The moth- 
er of his eight children bore the maiden name of 
Ann Williamson and was born in Brooklyn, but 
now makes her home in Springfield. Her nine- 
ty-three years rest lightly upon her, and she is 
still bright and active. In her possession she has 
a quilt that belonged to her grandmother more 
than one hundred and fifty years ago. 

Our subject's mother, Letitia, was born in 
Springfield and was the daughter of Capt. Henry 
Sprague, a sea captain. She had two sons and 
three daughters, namely: Annie, wife of Fred- 
erick Moles, who is engaged in business in Brook- 
h-n ; Emma, who is with her parents ; Henrietta, 
who died at the age of about twenty-six ; George, 
who married Lida Tohn and is employed in a 
large mercantile house in New York City; and 
Willet C, of this sketch. The last-named grew 
to manhood on the home farm, receiving a fair 
education in the schools of Springfield and at Ma- 
ple Hall Institute, a private school in Jamaica, 
kept by Prof. Emil Vienot. When still a mere 
lad he secured employment in the wholesale gro- 
cery house of R. C. Williams & Co., in New York, 
where he remained for one year, and then accept- 
ed a better position with Floyd & Newins, who 
were in the same line of business. After two 
years he became connected with Valentine Ber- 
gen & Co., of Brooklyn, and remained in their 
grocery for four years. For the past nine years 
he has been connected with the firm of F. H. Leg- 
gett & Co., wholesale grocers of New York. 

Starting out in life a poor boy, without means 
or influential friends to aid him, he has made his 
own way in the world, and by honest methods and 
faithful service has gradually advanced until now 
he occupies a high and responsible position. It 
may with truth be said that no man in the whole- 
sale grocery trade has more or warmer friends 
than has he. His pleasing manners and frank, 
open way of doing business commend him to the 
trade, and all the merchant asks is whether the 
goods are of a certain quality and whether the 
price is the lowest market price. Upon being 
assured of this, he gives his order, relying con- 
fidently upon the opinion expressed by Mr. Dur- 
land. 

As before stated, Mr. Durland attended the pri- 




WILLIAM EVERETT CLARK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



vate school conducted by Professor Vienot in 
Jamaica and subsequently formed an attachment 
for the sister of the professor's wife, Miss Fannie, 
daughter of the late Rev. P. D. Oakey, who was 
for twenty years pastor of the Jamaica Presby- 
terian Church. This attachment resulted in their 
marriage April 27 j 1882. For four years after- 
ward they lived at Freeport, but since that time 
have made their home in Jamaica. In addition 
to their residence here they own a summer home 
in New Jersey. They are the parents of four 
children, Alice, Oakey, Fannie and Howard. 

The political views of Mr. Durland have led 
him to affiliate with the Republican party, in the 
progress of which he feels a keen interest. 
Though at no time an aspirant for political hon- 
ors, he has held various positions. In 1891 he 
was elected a member of the board of village trus- 
tees and continued in office until the spring of 
1894, when he refused to longer hold the position. 
For some years he was secretary and treasurer of 
the Long Island Traveling Men's Association, 
which is now out of existence. Religiously both 
he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. In every sphere of hfe he has proved 
himself well equipped and able to meet the serious 
emergencies which come before a man of affairs, 
and since coming to Jamaica he has maintained a 
constant interest in its welfare and in every proj- 
ect for its advancement. 



WILLIAM EVERETT CLARK, by rea- 
son of his long connection with the 
business interests of Woodhaven, has 
become well known throughout this section of 
Long Island. He is a native of New York, born 
in Vernon, Oneida County, March 27, 1838, being 
a son of Erastus W. and Lucretia Hyde (Buell) 
Clark. His father, who was born in Lebanon, 
Windham County, Conn., April 4, 1796, in early 
years learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he 
followed for some time. November 13, 1817, he 
was united in marriage with Lucretia H., sister of 
Col. Abel Buell, and a descendant, in direct line, 
from the same ancestry as are President Grover 
Cleveland, Maj.-Gen. John Pope, Maj.-Gen. John 
E. Sedwick and William E. Dodge. On her 
mother's side she was descended from William 
Hyde, one of the original settlers of Hartford, 
Conn., whose son, Samuel, was one of the found- 
ers of Norwich, Conn.; Elizabeth, daughter of 
14 



Samuel, was the first white child born in that 
place. : 

In 1818, the year after his marriage, Erastus W 
Clark removed to Schenectady County, N. Y, , 
and later went to Schoharie County, where he 
worked at his trade. In 1824 he settled in Oneida 
County, where he engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness, furnishing much of the lumber used in build- 
mg what was known as the New York cotton 
mills. Four years were spent in that occupation, 
after which, in 1828, he removed to Westmore- 
land, the same county, where he carried on busi- 
ness with his brother. In 1836 he was made 
Indian agent at Green Bay, Mich., and thither 
he went, remaining for two years. Our subject 
now has in his possession a deed. granting to his 
mother a tract of land in that state, the paper 
bearing the signature of President Van Buren, 
in the year 1837. 

Becoming prominently identified with public 
affairs, Erastus W. Clark filled the position of 
United States marshal in 1840-41, and in 1842 
served as supervisor of Oneida County. For four 
years he was justice of the peace. In 1846 he was 
the Free Soil candidate to the constitutional con- 
vention. Few men of the county were more in- 
timately connected with the growth of its material 
interests than was he. As a citizen he was cap- 
able, well informed and energetic; as a business 
man shrewd and farsighted. He attained a ven- 
erable age and passed from earth in April, 1881. 

Of the brothers and sisters of our subject we 
note the following: Deha B., who was born June 
9, 1818, married N. F. Metcalf, a merchant at 
Westmoreland; she is now a widow and still 
makes her home in that place; Anna B., whose 
birth occurred November 22, 1819, is the widow 
of William B. Seymour, and fives in Maryland; 
Harriet E., born December 20, 1820, married 
William J. Clark, now deceased; she is a resident 
of Rome, N. Y. ; James M. was born March 26, 
1824, and is engaged in farming at St. Michaels, 
Md. ; Sophia was born April 18, 1830, and died 
February 12, 1845; Parker H. was born June 13, 
1833, and died in Massachusetts in 1868. 

On completing his studies in the home schools 
William E. Clark in 1855 went to Brooklyn, 
where for five years he was a clerk in a wholesale 
clothing house. In 1863 he entered the Union 
army as a member of Company K, Fifteenth New 
York Artillery, and served until the close of the 
Rebellion, being on detached duty much of the 
time under General Meade. On being discharged 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from the army he came to Woodhaven and 
opened a general store, in which he was success- 
fully engaged for many years, retiring with an 
ample competence as the result of his labors. 
Meantime, for six years he was postmaster under 
Presidents Garfield' and Harrison. 

No resident of Woodhaven takes a more lively 
interest in its welfare than does Mr. Clark, and 
every progressive measure is sure of his support 
and co-operation. He was the first to advocate 
the placing of the Union flag on the schoolhouse 
here, and purchased the first flag used for that 
purpose. As a Republican he has taken an inter- 
est in politics and has been active in local affairs. 
He is a member of the Grand Army and interested 
in the work of the post here. He takes an interest 
in and has been generous in his contributions to 
the Congregational Church here, his gifts includ- 
ing the bell now in the edifice. 

September 29, 1863, Mr. Clark married Miss 
Anna, daughter of James G. Martin, a paper 
manufacturer of Hempstead. This estimable lady 
died March 27, 1884, and since that time Mr. 
Clark has spent much of his time in travel, mak- 
ing extended sojourns on the Pacific coast and 
visiting other parts of the country. His resi- 
dence, which is one of the finest places in Wood- 
haven, is occupied by C. C. Schuster, who married 
a sister of Mr. Clark's wife, and with them he 
makes his home when in the village. 



JACOB S. BERGEN. The agrictiltural in- 
terests of Queens County have no better 
representatives than its native-born citizens, 
many of whom are classed among its most prac- 
tical, enterprising and successful farmers. While 
Mr. Bergen does not now identify himself active- 
ly with the tilling of the soil and gathering in of 
the harvest, yet he is still interested in everything 
pertaining to farm life and was for many years 
engaged industriously in the cultivation of land. 
At this writing ( 1896) he resides in Fulton Street, 
in the village of Queens. 

Born in HolHs, this county, April 2, 1828, the 
subject of this notice is a son of Benjamin and 
Phoebe (Skidmore) Bergen, of whose three chil- 
dren he and his sister, Mary Ann, widow of Ben- 
jamin T. Bergen, are the survivors. After the 
death of his first wife the father married Elizabeth 
Tones. He was born in Queens (then called 
Brushville) and at this place and Hollis his entire 
active life was spent, but in his declining days he 



removed to Jamaica, where he lived in peaceful 
retirement until his death at the age of eighty- 
nine years. He was a son of Jacob Bergen, a 
prominent agriculturist and formerly owner of the 
farm now belonging to his grandson, our subject. 
Grandfather Bergen was a son of John Bergen, 
concerning whom there is no authentic informa- 
tion. 

Under the parental roof the subject of this 
sketch grew to manhood, vigorous and energetic, 
prepared for the active duties which life might 
bring to him. His education was obtained in the 
Union Hall Academy, which he attended for sev- 
eral terms. At the age of twenty-one he took 
charge of the farm which had been bequeathed to 
him by his grandfather some seven years before, 
and upon this place he began actively to engage 
in fai-m pursuits. He built the residence that still 
stands on the place, and two years later, in 1856, 
married Miss Aletta M. Hendrickson, daughter of 
Isaac S. Hendrickson, of Springfield, this county. 
Two daughters and one son were born to bless 
this marriage, but the son alone survives, Ben- 
jamin J., who manages the home farm and who, 
with his wife and daughter, reside with his father. 
Mrs. Aletta M. Bergen passed away March 26, 
1880, mourned by her family, to whose welfare 
she had been so tenderly devoted, and also by her 
neighbors, who had often been the recipients of 
kindnesses from her hands. 

Unassuming in manner and upright in life, Mr. 
Bergen has by his noble attributes of character 
gained the respect of his associates. He has been 
a witness of much of the growth and progress of 
the county, and has watched its upbuilding and 
advancement year by year until it now occupies 
a foremost place in one of the greatest common- 
wealths of the nation. He is a stanch supporter 
of the Republican cause, having advocated its 
principles since the organization of the party. In 
the Presbyterian Church, to which he belongs, he 
has served as an elder for a number of years 
and has ever been active in promoting its wel- 
fare. 



HENRY DOHT. One of the most promi- 
nent German-American citizens of Long 
Island City, and one who has done much 
for the advancement of the county is the gen- 
tleman whose biography it now becomes our duty 
and pleasure to write and who is the present sher- 
iff of Queens County. He is a true-blue Repub- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



lican in politics ard is deservedly popular with the 
best residents of the county. 

Mr. Doht was born in Versmold, Westphalia, in 
1858. His father, Frederick Doht, was at one 
time a merchant of the above place, but later 
came to America and established himself in New- 
town, N. Y., where his death occurred. His wife 
was prior to her marriage Augusta Loeper, a na- 
tive of Munster. She became the mother of four 
sons and four daughters, all of whom are now 
residents of Long Island. Mrs. Doht, however, 
departed this life in her native land prior to the 
emigration of the family to the New World. 

Henry, of this sketch, was the third in order 
of birth, and, although coming to America when 
a lad of thirteen years, had previous to this time 
attended the public schools of his native land and 
also carried on his studies for a time in the college 
at Osnabriick. One son of the family, Theo, pre- 
ceded the other members of the hotisehold to the 
New World, but in 1871 was joined by our sub- 
ject, who came hither via Bremen. His honest 
face readily obtained for him employment and he 
at once entered upon the duties of clerk in a gro- 
cery on the corner of Sixth and Tenth Streets, 
New York City. After an experience of eighteen 
months, in which he learned the ways of the 
American people and also became quite con- 
versant in the English language, he formed a 
partnership with his brother Theo, and established 
a meat market in Broadway and Lexington Ave- 
nue and Ralph Street, Brooklyn. They continued 
to operate together under the style of Doht Broth- 
ers for a year and a half, when they disposed of 
their business and together engaged in the milk 
business. They were greatly prospered in this 
undertaking and soon did a large wholesale and 
retail business, having seven routes in New York 
and Brooklyn. This was later merged into the 
dairy business, the brothers locating upon a small 
farm in Wycoff Avenue, near Myrtle, Brooklyn. 
They bought good milch cows in Buffalo, N. Y., 
and on one of their trips into the western por- 
tion of the state found Cortland County to be so 
admirably adapted to this business that they es- 
tablished two creameries there, shipping the pro- 
duct into the city. They also handled from two 
hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty cans 
of milk per day, which gives the reader some idea 
of the enormity of their business. The brothers 
continued together until our subject was elected 
sheriff of the county, when he sold out his share 
to Theo Doht, his partner. 



In 1879 Henry Doht located in Newtown, this 
county, making his home on Fresh Pond Road, 
known as the Dairymen's Feed Company, of 
which, on its incorporation, he was made director 
and general manager, both of which positions he 
still holds. Mr. Doht was highway commission- 
er for a period of five years, rendering very ef- 
ficient service, and during four years of that time 
he served as chairman of the board. In the fall 
of 1894 he was nominated on the Republican tick- 
et as candidate for sheriff, and being one of the 
party's most popular men, ran five thousand 
ahead of his ticket, in fact receiving more votes 
than was ever before accorded a Republican can- 
didate for that responsible oi^ce. In January, 
1895, he took the oath of office and entered upon 
a term of three years. Although Queens County 
is not so large as many others in the state, yet it 
is very thickly populated, and Sheriff Doht has 
seventy-five deputies and five hundred special as- 
sistants. 

The marriage of our subject, which occurred 
in Newtown, in 1888, united him with Miss Louisa 
Bimbrink, also a native of the Fatherland, but 
who during the greater part of her life has made 
her home in Newtown. She has become the 
mother of four children, Annie, Augusta, Louisa 
and Frederick. 

Socially Mr. Doht is a Knight of Honor and 
belongs to the Knights of Temple Lodge of 
Long Island City. He is a devoted member of 
the Lutheran Church, attending services at Mid- 
dle Village. He has been an active worker in 
the county Republican central committee for a 
period of nine years and is one of the best known 
men on the island. 



T HERON H. BURDEN is a self-made man, 
one of those men whom the American 
people have always delighted to honor. 
Garfield drove a canal mule, and afterwards be- 
came president. The tannery experiences of 
Grant, the rail-splitting of Lincoln, are familiar 
to the world. Those employments were honor- 
able, and the men were not ashamed of them. 
They had abiHty and were honest, so the people 
honored them. Theron H. Burden, our subject, 
started life as the driver of a New York horse car. 
He is not ashamed of it. He has ability and he is 
honest, so he has made his way to the front, un- 
aided and alone. His career has been an interest- 
ing one, showing as it does, how a poor boy, 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



endowed with brains and ambition, can make 
his way in the world by close application to busi- 
ness, honesty, and a determination to treat every 
man fairly. 

Mr. Burden was born in New York November 
8, 1857, but has lived the greater part of his life 
in Ravenswood and Steinway, each now a por- 
tion of Long Island City. His education was 
acquired in the public schools and at Grammar 
School No. 40, in New York, of which William 
H. Harrison of Flushing is principal. When 
eighteen years old young Burden started life in 
earnest as the driver of a horse car on the Battery 
Place line, and afterwards went to work for the 
East River Ferry Company as gateman at the 
Thirty-fourth Street ferry, continuing in this em- 
ployment until 1880. On the loth of October of 
that year he was appointed by President Garfield 
to the position of postmaster of Steinway with 
a salary of $300 per year, and out of this he was 
obliged to pay $29 per month rent. While acting 
as postmaster William Steinway discovered that 
Mr. Burden was a trustworthy young man, and 
let him handle some of his real estate. It was 
there that he got his first real start in life. 

In 1883 Mr. Burden opened the Ravenswood 
granite quarries. He continued to hold the posi- 
tion of postmaster until 1888, when President 
Cleveland removed him for being an "offensive 
partisan." In the same year George W. Smith, 
of Hempstead, L. I., declined the nomination of 
sheriff conferred upon him by the Republican 
County Convention, and on September 27 the 
county committee met at Mineola and insisted on 
Mr. Burden accepting the nomination at their 
hands and staying in the race until the polls 
closed. He acceded to their request, no other 
member of the party being willing to make the 
sacrifice for the good of the party, and he went 
into the campaign so heartily that he was de- 
feated by only one thousand and sixty votes, and 
in Long Island City by only three hundred and 
fifty-eight. Tlie rest of the ticket ran behind 
about fifteen hundred in this city. Mr. Burden 
lost money in this and had to sell his coal yards 
to pay his debts. 

On the 15th of November, 18S9, our subject 
was appointed deputy collector of internal reve- 
nue for part of Queens County, and held that 
office until July 20, 1892. October 6, 1891, Mr. 
Burden was nominated for sheriff for the second 
time, and although it was an unfavorable time 
for the Republicans and the whole ticket went 



down, Mr. Burden led all the other candidates 
in the number of votes polled, again demonstrat- 
ing his exceptional strength. This left him again 
bankrupt, but he was never the man to be deterred 
by temporary adversities, as his success has since 
demonstrated. In 1894 he was again solicited to 
try for that position, but failed to get the nomina- 
tion, although Long Island City's twenty-six del- 
egates were solid for him. 

At the present time Mr. Burden is engaged 
to some extent in the real estate business and for 
some time has been connected with the firm of 
Smith & Burden, contractors, which is one of 
the best known on Long Island. They have 
had a quarter of a million dollars of sewer work 
in Long Island City in the last two years, about 
five miles of macadamizing in the town of 
Jamaica, and four miles in Flushing. These are 
the best roads in the county to-day, the two cost- 
ing about $100,000. This firm, which does all 
of Mr. Steinway's work here, employs three hun- 
dred and fifty men, and daily pays out $800 for 
services. 

Mr. Burden has a beautiful residence at No. 
449 Ditmars Avenue, Steinway, Long Island 
Citv, all improved from the rough, and which 
was erected in 1889. He was married in New 
York City, in 1875, to Miss Margaret Loonie, 
a native of that city, and daughter of James 
Loonie, a prominent merchant there. Five chil- 
dren were born to this union. Margaret is a 
graduate of the high school, as is also the sec- 
ond child, Minnie. The others are, Harry, Flor- 
ence and Eugene Piatt. 

Henry Burden, the father of our subject, was 
a native of New York City, and there grew to 
manhood. He became captain of the police there 
and filled that position until 1876, when he re- 
tired. Since 1844 the Burden family has resided 
in Ravenswood, the old homestead having been 
bought by the grandfather in that year, and there 
the father of our subject resided until his death, 
October 30, 1895, at the age of seventy-one years. 
His wife was formerly Miss Lavinia Adelaide 
Hebberd, a native of New York City, and a de- 
scendant of old Peter Stuyvesant, ex-governor of 
New York. She is now sixty-two years old. Of 
their children, four are now Hving : Lavinia, now 
Mrs. William Wilson, of Ravenswood ; Walter H., 
with Steinway & Sons, in the New York office; 
and Charles E., who is with the same company. 
Our subject, the second child, has served as a 
delegate to countv conventions since 1884, and 




GEORGE L. PECK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



also to the state conventions since about 1886. 
The family holds membership in the Dutch Re- 
fornred Church. Socially Mr. Burden is a Knight 
■of Pythias, belonging to Astoria Lodge, and Ad- 
vance Lodge, F. &A. M., of Astoria. He was 
.•aprpointed police commissioner in February, 1889, 
but resigned in July of the same year. 



GEORGE LYMAN PECK, who is en- 
gaged in the drug business at Jamaica, 
was born in Wallingford, Conn., Septem- 
ber 30, 1834. The family of which he is a mem- 
ber dates back to Deacon WilUam Peck, who re- 
ceived from the English government a grant to a 
tract of land at New Haven, Conn., and became 
one of the earliest settlers of that place, where 
his body lies in the old Central churchyard. The 
grandfather of our subject. Ward Peck, was born 
in New Haven, Conn., and often referred to the 
fact that in childhood he sat upon the knee of his 
great uncle. Gen. Artemus Ward, for whom he 
was named. During the Revolutionary War he 
served for seven years in the Continental army 
and rendered valiant service in the cause of inde- 
pendence. For several years he represented his 
district in the Connecticut legislature and was 
regarded by his fellow-citizens as a man of supe- 
rior ability and sound judgment. 

William A. Peck, father of our subject, was 
born in Waterbury, Conn., in August, 1804, and 
followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of 
his life. He owned a farm at what is now West 
Haven, and this land he divided into town lots 
and platted an addition to the place. There the 
last twenty-seven years of his life were quietly 
and happily passed, and there he died in June of 
1 89 1, aged nearly eighty-seven years. His wife, 
Lucretia, was a daughter of George Leete and a 
lineal descendant of Governor Leete of Connec- 
ticut. Her parents died when she was a child and 
she was reared by her' grandmother Sanford, of 
North Haven, Conn.; she died in 1870. 

Of the brothers and sisters of our subject, the 
following is noted: EHza J. is the wife of Joseph 
Andrews, of Orange, Conn.; William A. is an 
engineer in the service of the United States gov- 
ernment and resides in Orange, Conn.; Caroline 
D. is the wife of George H. Anderson; Nancy is 
the widow of Albert Chase; Sherman died at the 
age of twenty years; James H. resides in West 
Haven; Emma L. is unmarried; and Clara A. M. 
died when twenty-three years of age. 



The early years of our subject were spent in 
Waterbur}^, Conn., where he received an academi- 
cal education. At the age of nineteen he came 
to Jamaica as a clerk in the store he now owns, 
then carried on by the late J. S. Seabury. A few 
years later he bought the business and took a 
partner, the title being G. L. Peck & Co., but 
after two and one-half years he took back as part- 
ner the former proprietor, and for the five suc- 
ceeding years the firm name was Seabury & Peck. 
In 1865 he became the sole proprietor and has 
continued as such from that time. In everything 
pertaining to the progress of the village he takes 
a warm interest. He is one of the trustees of the 
Jamaica Savings Bank, was a director in the Elec- 
tric Railroad Company and also in the Jamaica 
Gas Company. Various other public enterprises 
have received his stanch support. In the Presby- 
terian Church he served for twenty years as trus- 
tee and president of the board of trustees. 

The first wife of Mr. Peck was Fannie C. Fos- 
dick, daughter of Judge Morris Fosdick. She 
died in 1875. Of her five children, Catherine 
Lucretia died in 1874, Sherman Fosdick in 1873, 
and William Morris in infancy; George Leete, 
a graduate of the literary department of Yale 
College in 1893, and of the law department in 
1895, is now a member of the Connecticut bar; 
Fannie C, a graduate of Mrs. Cady's Female 
Seminary at New Haven, is an accompHshed 
young lady and has traveled considerably, both 
in this country and abroad. In 1889 Mr. Peck 
married Miss Elizabeth D., daughter of Isaac 
Hendrickson, of Jamaica. 



H MELVILLE DE RONDE, one of the 
leading business men of Woodhaven, 
• was born at Haverstraw, N. Y., May i, 
1856. His father was Jacob De Ronde, a native 
of Stony Point, which is located near the birth- 
place of our subject. For many years he was 
captain of a vessel which pHed the Hudson, being 
well and favorably known among the river men, 
and was also appraiser of the Tomkins estate at 
Haverstraw. He now follows the trade of a car- 
penter, and has a comfortable residence at Ozone 
Park, L. I. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject bore 
the name of William De Ronde. He was a ship 
carpenter by trade and in all he undertook in his 
department of work acquitted himself with great 
credit. The ancestors of H. Melville De Ronde 



394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were French Huguenots, who fled from their na- 
tive land during the Revolution and settled in 
Holland, whence several of the name came to 
America. 

Jacob De Ronde married Elizabeth Miller, a 
native of Putnam County, N. Y., and a worthy 
representative of one of the oldest families of 
that section. This lady had three brothers, 
Charles, John and George. The second named 
volunteered his services in defense of the Union 
during the Civil War, and during the period of 
his enlistment participated in many hard-fought 
engagements. Mrs. De Ronde departed this life 
in 1865, leaving a family of four children. Of 
these, George is employed in the shipping de- 
partment of the Lalance & Grosjean Manufac- 
turing Company, of Woodhaven; John W. is the 
partner of our subject in business, the firm name 
being De Ronde Bros. & Co.; and Carrie, the 
sister, makes her home with an aunt in Philadel- 
phia. 

The father of our subject chose for his second 
wife Sophia Martin, and to them have been born 
three sons : Joseph, Jacob, and Arthur. H. Mel- 
ville, of this history, had only the advantages of 
a common-school education, and was not per- 
mitted to attend these institutions very long, for 
we learn that when only fourteen years of age he 
began running on the Hudson River on his fath- 
er's vessel. In 1872, however, he came to Wood- 
haven and began clerking in the grocery of W. 
E. Clark. He remained in the employ of that 
gentleman for a period of eight years, and then 
took a position as time-keeper in the Lalance & 
Grosjean factory, continuing thus until he re- 
signed and became a partner in the store of which 
he is now part owner. The gentleman associated 
with him was H. A. Cobleigh, and until 1886 
they operated under the style of Cobleigh & De 
Ronde. The senior member wishing to retire 
about that time, our subject took in his brother, 
John W., as his partner, also Franklin Corwin, 
both of whom are still interested in the business. 
Mr. De Ronde deserves great credit for the posi- 
tion in life which he holds, for when he started 
out to battle with the world he had no capital, 
save a determination to make a success of what- 
ever he undertook. Through his good judgment 
and untiring efforts the business of which he is 
now the head has been increased until the sales 
of the firm now reach something like $50,000 per 
year. Mr. De Ronde is one of the most popular 
business men in the community and possesses the 



entire confidence of the people. He has many 
other interests in the place, being treasurer of the 
Columbia Building and Loan Association and 
stockholder in the Woodhaven Bank. He is also 
interested in the contemplated bicycle railroad 
from the Brooklyn City Line to Far Rockaway. 
Socially he is a Mason and one of the leading 
members of Jamaica Lodge No. 546. 

The marriage of Mr. De Ronde and Miss Anna 
S. Bergen occurred in 1879. The name of Bergen 
is a very familiar one on the island and those who 
bear it are invariably people of honest and up- 
right characters. Mr. and Mrs. De Ronde's only 
child, Howard Melville, died when eight years 
of age. Although our subject is not connected 
with any church organization, he attends the Con- 
gregational Church, of which his wife is an act- 
ive member. In politics he is an ardent admirer 
of Republican principles and never fails to vote 
for that party's candidates whenever an oppor- 
tunity presents itself. 



ERNST T. BURGER. Few persons realize 
the magnitude and importance of the 
business of the plumber and gas-fitter, or 
its relations to the general good and health of the 
community. In reality its importance cannot be 
overestimated, and is the one calling of all others 
which will permit none other than the most 
skillful workmen to engage in it. A man partic- 
ularly worthy of note in this line is E. T. Burger, 
whose work is done in the best and most satis- 
factory manner possible, neatness, thoroughness 
and dispatch being particularly observed. Feb- 
ruary 10, 1834, he was born in Berlin, Germany, 
which country was also the birthplace of the 
father and grandfather, both of whom bore the 
given name of Fritz. The latter was a prominent 
brickmaker in the old country. The father also 
followed the brickmaker's trade in Berlin, and 
was a soldier in the War of 1812-15. He married 
Miss Henrietta F. Wildbredt, a native of Meck- 
lenburg, Germany, and nine children were given 
them, only two of whom are now living. 

Ernst T. Burger, the youngest child, and only 
one in America, was reared in Berlin, and there 
learned the machinists' trade. He was married 
in 1859 in Berlin, to Miss Louisa Schwartz, a 
native of Pasewalk, and to them were born two 
children: Max, who has been in business with 
a partner since 1885, is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



395 



fire department: Jennie died when but six years 
old. In 1863 Mr. Burger and family came to 
the United States and located in New York City, 
where he followed the plumber's trade until he 
became chief engineer in the Steinway Piano 
Factory, Fifty-third Street, New York City. 
After the works were completed in Steinway Mr. 
Burger became the first superintendent, holding 
this position for two years, when he resigned and 
became chief engineer of Holstgad & Co. Still 
later he became chief engineer for Church & Co., 
importers of Brooklyn, and was with this con- 
cern for eight years, or until 1883, when he started 
in business for himself. He is engaged in plumb- 
ing and gas-fitting, and dealing in steam and hot 
water pipes, roofing, metal, tin, etc., and is doing 
an excellent business. Mr. Burger owns resi- 
dences at Nos. 475 and 477 Flushing Avenue, 
and erected another building at No. 521 Titus 
Street. Besides this he owns other property in 
Long Island City. In 1872 he built a fine resi- 
dence in Astoria, and here he has resided ever 
since. He and his wife hold membership in the 
German Second Reformed Church and are most 
worthy and esteemed citizens. In politics he is 
a Democrat. 



JOHN BRIANT WOODRUFF. The phil- 
osophy of success in life is an interesting 
study and affords a lesson from which others 
can profit. In choosing a pursuit in life, taste, 
mental gifts, opportunity and disposition to labor, 
should be considered, if any young man who has 
a disposition to become a respectable and useful 
citizen desires to succeed therein. John Briant 
Woodruff, now a resident of Arlington, N. J., 
but still a very large property holder in Long 
Island City, was one of the earliest settlers of 
Hunter's Point, a suburb of that thrifty city, and 
is a man who has made no mistake in his chosen 
calling, contracting. He possesses rare business 
ability, is well read and well posted on nearly 
every subject, and is a most entertaining and in- 
teresting conversationalist. 

Mr. Woodruff' was born in Elizabeth, N. J., 
October 29, 1830, and is of English origin on 
the paternal side, two members of the family leav- 
ing England for this country and locating in 
Connecticut as early as 1625. Great-grandfather 
Woodruff was born in Connecticut, but moved 
from that state to Westfield, N. J., where Noah 
Woodruff, grandfather of our subject, was born. 



The latter became a successful farmer and passed 
his entire life there. His son, John T. Woodruff, 
father of our subject, was born in Westfield and 
there reached mature years. He became a brick 
and lime manufacturer, also a farmer, and for 
many years resided near Elizabeth, N. J., where 
his death occurred, the result of an accident. He 
was born in 1785 and died in 1854. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Betsey Briant, was born 
in Springfield, N. J., and was the daughter of 
Samuel Briant, who was also a native of Spring- 
field. She passed away when sixty-five years old. 

The eight children born to this worthy couple 
grew to mature years: Amos C, a contractor 
and mason, died in Philadelphia; Mary A., widow 
of C. H. Tucker, resides in Orange, N. J. : Anna 
E. is now Mrs. Daniel Halsee, of Newark; John 
B. is our subject; Charles A., now deceased, was 
in the employ of the Standard Oil Company in 
New Jersey, in which state Jonathan Lyman also 
resides; Ithamar B. is deceased; and Sarah L. is 
now Mrs. J. F. Boyce, of Paterson, N. J. 

The subject of this notice was reared in his 
native city and educated in the pubHc schools of 
the same. When but twelve years old he in- 
vented the first propeller ever used, put it on a 
scow, but later the patent-right was sold by a 
Mr. Munn. When sixteen years old he went to 
Rahway, N. J., to learn the cabinetmaker's trade, 
and in 1849 was taken with a severe attack of 
gold fever, which he thought nothing would allay 
but a trip to the Pacific coast. He first went 
home, but there had to stay and take charge of 
his father's business, the latter having received 
an injury which disabled him. Later young 
Woodruff learned the trade of mason in Eliza- 
beth and was in the employ of Davis Brothers 
for eight months. On his own accord he built an 
annealing furnace for annealing iron, the first in 
the United States, and m.ade a success of it. From 
there he went to Troy, N. Y., where he put in one 
that is still in operation, and then returned to 
Ehzabeth, where he remained until 1851. From 
there he went to New York City, built the ware- 
house in John Street and then built the New 
York Bank Building. He also built thirty-one 
school houses in that city, and was engaged as 
.foreman for Tucker until 1859. After that he 
began contracting for himself and his career has 
been a most successful one since then. 

In the fall of i860 Mr. Woodruff bought prop- 
erty in Long Island City, erected a fine residence, 
and in 1862 moved to this place. Many of the 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



finest residences and most imposing business 
houses in this city and vicinity are his handiwork. 
He built a nine-story sugar house in Brooklyn 
in 1862 and has built a great many since, besides 
numerous buildings for the different oil com- 
panies. Mr. Woodruff has been a director in the 
Bank of Queens County since its organization, 
and for some time was interested in the Hildreth 
Varnish Works. He was one of the organizers 
of the Long Island City Savings Bank, of which 
he was trustee from the first, and was on the 
estimating committee until he resigned. 

In the year 1891 Mr. Woodruft removed to 
Arlington, N. J., where he owns a beautiful place 
and where he is one of the representative citizens. 
He was first married to Miss Anna Randolph, a 
native of Elizabeth, N. J., and daughter of Louis 
F. Randolph. She was active in church work, 
being a prominent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and her life was full of good 
deeds. The three children born to this marriage 
were as follows: Willetta Nutt, now Mrs. Daniel 
Creed, of Arlington ; Ella L., who married George 
Sloan, of Roselle, N. J. ; and Anna F., Mrs. Crow- 
el, of Arlington. 

Mr. Woodruff is a member of the fire and 
water board, which he has benefited very mate- 
rially. He is a charter member of Island City 
Lodge, F. & A. M., taking a deep interest in the 
welfare of this order, and in politics is a Repub- 
lican, being a prominent man in his party. 
Our subject was one of the organizers of the 
board of trade in Long Island City and was its 
president for a time. He is a member of the 
Methodist Church, was Simday-school superin- 
tendent for years, and class leader for over twenty- 
one years. At present he is helping to organize 
a second Methodist Church in the city. Mr. 
Woodruff's second marriage united him with 
Fannie H. Winans, of Elizabeth, N. J. Her 
mother's maiden name was Hatfield, wliich was 
also Mrs. Woodruff's middle name. Mrs. Hat- 
field was a daughter of Job Hatfield. 



FRANZ BERGMANN inherits the energy 
and perseverance of his Austrian ancestors, 
and the practical value of shrewdness and 
discrimination is exemplified in his present pros- 
perous condition. He was born in Hungary, 
Austria, September 6, 1856, a son of Philip Berg- 
mann, who was a hunter under the Prince of Es- 
terhazy. His father, Franz, who came of an old 



Saxon family, was born in Saxony, and was also 
a hunter under a well-known Prince of Hungary. 
Philip Bergmann died in his native land in 1870, 
at the age of fifty years, from an injury received 
by a fall while chasing poachers. His wife, Anna 
Hulper, also a native of Hungary of German de- 
scent, still resides in her native land. She bore 
her husband eight children, two of whom are resi- 
dents of the LTnited States. 

Our subject was the third eldest of the family 
and up to the time he was twelve years old attend- 
' ed the schools of Hungary. From that time until 
he was about seventeen years of age he was an 
apprenticed clerk in stores, after which he worked 
for some time as a merchant journeyman, during 
which time he visited many of the most famous 
cities of Austria. His ambition and enterprise 
finally led him to cross the Atlantic in 1883, com.- 
ing thither via Rotterdam, where he embarked 
on the steamer "Scholden,'' which is now at the 
bottom of the sea. Soon after landing in New 
York City he made his way to Queens County, 
settling in Long Island City, where he has since 
made his home. For the first three years he was 
with Mr. Albrecht in the milk business in Eighth 
Avenue, then started an oil route with two teams, 
and finally, in 1891 and 1892, gave his attention 
to the ice business in Long Island City, his efforts 
meeting with substantial reward. Since the 26th 
of August, 1895, he has been retired from the oil 
business. 

In 1894 Mr. Bergmann built his present brick 
business block, where he has since successfully en- 
gaged in retailing liquors. In 1892 he first began 
doing a bottling business, and has continued it in 
connection with his present business. He is a 
member of Advance Lodge, F. & A. M., belongs 
to the Knights of Pythias and also to the Leider- 
kranz Frohsinn and Long Island City Turnverein. 



FRED WALZ. Prominent among the suc- 
cessful contractors and builders of Long 
Island City stands Mr. Walz, who has 
made a name for always discharging his obliga- 
tions with truth to his promises. He was born in 
the twenty-second ward of New York City, April 
II, 1855, a son of Michael Walz, a native of Stutt- 
gart, Wurtemberg, Germany. The latter grew 
up with the usual advantages of the German 
youth and learned the trade of a millwright, at 
which he worked until his removal to the New 
World with his wife and four children. He made 




RICHARD C. COLYER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



his home in New York City until May i8, 1867, 
when he bought property in Long Island City, 
here took up his abode, and was here called from 
life in 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Catherine Schule, died in this city in 189 1. Of 
their family, we make the following mention: 
Michael, a resident of Paterson, N. J., was in the 
Forty-first New York Regiment during the war; 
Charles was a member of the Fire Zouaves and 
was killed at the battle of Williamsburg; Christian 
was also in the Union service and has never been 
heard of since; Louis was regularly enKsted in the 
Union service, served as a teamstar, and is now 
living in Long Island City; Fred is our subject; 
John H. is the next in order of birth, and one 
daughter is deceased. 

Fred Walz has been a resident of the city in 
which he now lives since he was three years old, 
and was educated in the Fourth Ward school. 
At the age of sixteen he began to learn farming 
under his father, but later began working at the 
carpenter's trade, and in 1883 began contracting 
and building, in partnership with his brother 
Louis, the firm being known as L. & F. Walz. 
They were successfully engaged in general con- 
tracting for about four years, when Louis re- 
tired and John Walz became associated with our 
subject. They have been very successful builders 
and contractors and have erected about forty- 
five residences in Long Island City, and have 
drawn the plans for the most of them. Since 1889 ■ 
Mr. Walz has also been successfully engaged in 
speculating in real estate. He purchases vacant 
lots, builds on them, then sells the property. He 
has shown excellent judgment in this respect and 
has been successful from a financial standpoint. 
He has a beautiful residence at No. 214 Briell 
Street, in the fourth ward, and his home is well 
known for its hospitality. Mr. Walz was mar- 
ried in Long Island City to Miss Christine Dey, 
who was born in Harlem, New York City. They 
have six children: Wilham F., AHce, Annie, 
Robert, Charles and Alwin. In his political pro- 
clivities Mr. Walz has always been a Republican. 



RICHARD C. COLYER, a well known resi- 
dent and farmer of Woodbury, Queens 
County, is descended from Theodoras Col- 
yer, who, with two brothers, Abraham and Jacob- 
us, came to this country from Holland many years 
ago. Theodorus had one son, John, born March 
29, 1729, who married Sarah Whitman. They 



became the parents of five children: Mary B., 
born December 20, 1754; Charles B., December 
15, 1756; Phoebe, December 9, 1760; Amy, May 
2, 1765, and Charles (second), born March 27, 
1769. Charles (second) married Martha Whit- 
son, who was born April 21, 1770, and their chil- 
dren were Stephen, Sarah, Richard, John, Zebu- 
Ion W., Charles, Abraham, Phoebe, Jacob, Israel, 
Martha, Ruth W. and Rachel, ten of whom lived 
to rear families. It is related of Charles Colyer, 
son of John, and grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, that during the Revolutionary War, 
when a lad of twelve years, while leading his 
horses to water, he was discovered by British offi- 
cers who were "pressing" horses for the service 
of the crown, and although commanded to stop 
and deliver the animals, he galloped rapidly away 
with them, and although fired upon he succeeded 
in safely making his escape, his horses being the 
only ones in the vicinity not captured. These 
same officers afterwards met him, commended 
him for his bravery and gave him a silver piece. 
Although Charles Colyer owned several thousand 
acres of land on the south side of the island, he 
decided to become a teacher, and at the age of 
sixteen years began following that occupation and 
at the same time studied and practiced surveying, 
becoming one of the best known surveyors in 
Suffolk County. Soon after reaching man's es- 
tate he was appointed justice of the peace, which 
office he held continuously until his death, at the 
age of forty-six. His body rests in the family 
cemetery at Melville. 

Charles Colyer, son of the above, and father of 
our subject, was born December 23, 1799, at 
Round Swamp, town of Huntington, Suffolk 
County, on a portion of the "Bethpage Purchase," 
a tract of land purchased by Thomas Powellsen, 
August 18, 1695, from four Indian chiefs: Mau- 
mee, Elias Serewanos, William Chepy, Sewru- 
shung and Mamussum. In 1755 Theodorus Col- 
yer purchased some of the land of Mr. Powell 
March 5, 1822, Charles Colyer was married to 
Miss Mary, daughter of Richard Van Wyck, and 
granddaughter of Thodorus Van Wyck, a d.e- 
scendant of Cornelius Barentese Van Wyck, a 
member of a noble family of Holland, who c^me 
to America in 1660. Soon after his marriage Mr. 
Colyer bought a farm in Woodbury, which was 
his home throughout life, and is now the home 
of his son, Richard C. He was always known 
as Captain Colyer, having held that rank in the 
state militia for many years. In politics he was 



40O 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



first an old line Whig, but later became a Repub- 
lican and held. a number of local offices. He 
was a member of the Society of Friends and died 
in that faith, April 9, 1878, when almost eighty 
years old. The parental family included six chil- 
dren: Martha, born June 8, 1823, became the 
wife of Nelson Monfort; Charles W., born Feb- 
ruary 15, 1825, married Mary Duryea May 22, 
1844, and died December 8, 1868; Mary E., born 
July 8, 1827, became the wife of Francis Sammis, 
May 23, 1844, died December 7, 1862: Miriam, 
born July 25, 1834, is the wife of Ezra Smith; 
Sarah J., born June 7, 1843, is the wife of Ketcham 
BufTett; and Richard C. was born April 4, 1845, 
September 28, 1870, he married Alice O., daugh- 
ter of Francis M. A. Wicks, who was for manv 
years justice of the peace, judge and county 
treasurer of Suffolk County. 

The boyhood days of Richard C. Colyer were 
spent on the farm on which he was born, and 
which has been his home up to the present time. 
He received a liberal education, and upon reach- 
ing manhood was earnestly urged by some of his 
associates to go with them to the West and seek 
his fortune, but being the youngest of his par- 
ents' family and the only son living, he con- 
sidered duty before inclination and remained with 
his parents. At an early age he took a decided 
stand on questions relating to morality and has 
been an earnest and uncompromising worker in 
the cause of temperance. When still a young ■ 
man he was one of several in his vicinity to organ- 
ize a local temperance society, of which he was 
chosen president, and this office he held for several 
years. The result of his individual efforts and 
that of the society was to banish the three saloons 
in the neighborhood and establish a sentiment 
throughout the neighborhood, making the traffic 
in alcoholic liquors impossible since that time. 
Since boyhood Mr. Colyer has been an active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he has ever been a zealous worker and 
official. The cause of education has also received 
a share of his attention, as for twenty years he 
has been a school trustee, and for ten years 
treasurer of his school board. 

In 1879 Mr. Colyer was elected justice of the 
peace, which office he held for four successive 
years, and administered so wisely and so well 
that he met with universal approbation. His pol- 
icy was always pacific, and he always effected a 
settlement of difficulties without trial when possi- 
ble. At the time of his election he was the only 



Republican elected in the town, as the Demo- 
crats were largely in the ascendency. In 18S7 
he was elected assessor of Oyster Bay, was .re- 
elected in 1881 and subsequently was nominated 
for supervisor, but was defeated, and in 1895 was 
appointed notary public by Governor Morton. 
He has always been a Republican, is a member 
of the district committee, and in 1893 was ap- 
pointed one of a committee of three to organize 
the Long Island Farmers' Club at Jamaica in 
the interests of the farmers of Long Island. 
Since its establishment he has held the office of 
vice president. He was also one of the organizers 
of the Huntington, Norwalk and Bridgeport 
Steam Ferry Company, in which he has been a 
stockholder and director since its organization. 
Socially, he is a member of Woodbury Lodge 
No. 97, I. O. G. T. Mr. Colyer's family consists 
of the following children: Charles F., Richard 
E., a student in Hackettston Collegiate Institute; 
Nelson Van Wyck, and Mary R. Mr. Colyer's 
aged mother makes her home with him, and, 
though ninety-two years old, is well preserved. 



WILLIAM JOHNSON. The business 
men of Corona are well known 
throughout Queens County as worthy 
of high esteem on account of their thoroughgoing 
integrity, their active enterprise and their prompt- 
ness in responding to the necessities of a business 
Hfe. They have advanced the financial interests 
of the village and brought it to a flourishing con- 
dition in trade, through their efforts not only 
enhancing their own success but materially ad- 
vancing the interests of their co-workers through- 
out this locality. 

A Swede by birth, the subject of this notice 
was born in Linkoping, East Gottland, June 11, 
185s, being a son of John and Katharina (Karl- 
son) Johnson. In his boyhood years he assisted 
in the cultivation of his father's farm, meantime 
receiving instruction from a private tutor. When 
eighteen years of age he began to learn the trade 
of a carpenter, at which he served an apprentice- 
ship of four years. During this time he received 
only his board for two years, the third year was 
given board and some clothing, and the fourth 
was paid wages. At the expiration of his ap- 
prenticeship he secured a position as foreman 
with the same firm, getting a fair salary. 

December 11, 1S77, Mr. Johnson was united 
in marriage with Miss Sophie Clausson, a native 



PORTriAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



401 



of East Gottland. Unto them were born six chil- 
dren, of whom all but one are living. The eldest, 
Hilma Cecilia, married Charles Bernson, and 
lives in Corona; Robert, the second born, is a 
native of this country, his birth having occurred 
in New York City March 27, 1881 ; Claus B. was 
born in New York September 8, 1883: Charles 
George, in Brooklyn, February 3, 1886; John 
Frederick, in Corona, June 13, 1888; and Emil A., 
who was born March 2, 1890, died October 22, 
1892. 

In 1880 Mr. Johnson came to America and 
settled in New York City, where he followed his 
trade until 1883, going thence to Brooklyn. In 
1886 he came to Corona, where he now devotes 
his attention to contracting and building. His 
work takes him to various parts of the island and 
among his customers are some of the best people 
in this part of the state. In his contracts he is 
lionest and efficient, and every transaction is 
above-board. Politically he has not identified 
himself with any party, but has maintained inde- 
pendent, liberal views, and has at no time sought 
official positions at the hands of his fellow-citizens. 
In childhood he attended the Lutheran Church, 
but is now connected with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, being one of the earnest workers at 
Corona. During the summer months he con- 
ducts a Sunday-school in the Swedish language 
for the benefit of those who wish to learn it. 



BENJAMIN WINGROVE, president of the 
board of aldermen, and one of the oldest 
residents of German Settlement, Astoria, 
ivas born in the parish of Penn, Buckingham- 
shire, England, November 17, 1846. His father, 
William, was a son of Edmund Wingrove, a lath 
manufacturer and vender, and was born in the 
parish of Penn, where his life was principally 
passed. He held the position of second steward 
on Lord Howe's estate until his death in 1847, 
when he was in the prime of hfe. His marriage 
united him with Mary Butcher, who was a life- 
long resident of England, and who, at her hus- 
band's death, took upon herself the responsibility 
of rearing her son and two daughters, fitting them 
for useful and honorable positions in the business 
and social world. 

The first thirteen years of the life of our subject 
"were passed in his native place, where he attended 
school during the winter and worked on farms 
in the summer. At that age he went to Twick- 



enham, where he was apprenticed to the wheel- 
wright's trade. Two years later he went to Lon- 
don, where for a similar period he worked at 
his trade. In 1867 he crossed the Atlantic, reach- 
ing New York on the 24th of April without 
friends or relatives, and with only thirty-six cents 
in his pocket. On the ist of May following, he 
began to work in the fourth ward, Long Island 
City, where he was first employed by Taylor & 
Co.. and later by Schwarts & Son. At the time 
of locating here, some lands that are now platted 
into city lots and have been improved by busi- 
ness blocks or dwelling houses, were then util- 
ized for farming purposes. The steady develop- 
ment and progress of the place he has witnessed 
with interest and to it he has contributed. Among 
the improvements made by him may be men- 
tioned the three-story brick block, with a frontage 
of fifty feet, situated on Broadway and Ninth 
Avenue. 

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Win- 
grove in Long Island City in January, 1868, was 
Miss Johanna Schmidt, a native of Bunde, West- 
phalia, Germany, where" her parents. Christian 
and Johanna (Busse) Schmidt, were also born. 
Her father, who was a commissioned officer in 
the Napoleonic wars, was an attorney by profes- 
sion, and died in early life. He was twice mar- 
ried, and by his second wife, mother of Mrs. Win- 
grove, he had four children, two of whom at- 
tained mature years. In her native land Mrs. 
Wingrove learned the trade of a milliner. In 
1866 she came to America, joining her brother, 
Herman Schmidt, in New York City. In the 
spring of 1872 she opened a millinery and dry 
goods store, which was the first of its kind in 
Astoria. Though at first small, the stock was 
gradually enlarged until the trade is now the larg- 
est of any store in the neighborhood. In 1881 
the stock was removed to the present building, 
which was the first brick structure in Broadway, 
and here she has since carried on a profitable 
trade. 

Three daughters, Mary, Augusta and Adelaide, 
comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wingrove. 
The family is popular and prominent in social cir- 
cles, and its members enjoy the respect of their 
associates. In the work of the German Lutheran 
Church Mrs. Wingrove has taken an active part, 
and at one time she served as president of the 
Woman's Society. The interest taken by Mr. 
Wingrove in educational matters proves that he 
is progressive in spirit. Elected school trustee. 



402 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he was instrumental in securing the erection of 
the school house in Ninth Avenue, which was 
the iirst ever built by the city. Later he served 
as school commissioner under Mayor Petry. A 
Democrat in politics, he was elected to represent 
the fourth ward on the board of aldermen in the 
fall of 1887 and served two years. In 1891 he was 
nominated for alderman-at-large and was elected 
by a majority of twelve hundred. Two years later 
he was elected by seven hundred majority, and 
had the honor of leading his ticket. In 1895 he 
was chosen president of the board. Prior to this 
he served as chairman of the public works com- 
mittee. In 1894 he was chairman of the Jeffer- 
sonian Democratic general committee, and is still 
a member, also chairman of the fourth ward gen- 
eral committee. In 1894 he was a delegate to 
the state convention of his party, and he has also 
attended many of the local conventions. 

While a member of the council Mr. Wingrove 
was among the first to start the Vernon and Jack- 
son Avenue and the Broadway improvements, 
and in that line his labors have been very effective. 
Since the organization of the general improve- 
ment committee he has served as one of its mem- 
bers and in every way possible he has aided all 
measures tending to the welfare of the place and 
the development of its material interests. In the 
organization of the Long Island City Building 
and Loan Association he took a leading part, and 
has been one of its trustees from the first. So- 
cially he is connected with a number of fraternal 
organizations, including Enterprise Lodge No. 22, 
K. P., at Astoria. 



JOHN L. ASKEY, a prominent contractor of 
New York City, makes his home in Astoria, 
and with his family occupies one of the fin- 
est residences in Grand Avenue. He was born in 
Devon, England, in 1842, the son of A'Villiam 
Askey, also a native of the British Isle, and a 
mason by trade. The paternal grandfather, who 
also bore the name of William, spent his entire 
life in his native land and served for many years 
as a soldier in the English army. 

Several of the brothers and sisters of our sub- 
ject came to America before the parents, the lat- 
ter joining them here in 1867. The father found 
work at his trade, and after beginning contracting 
on his own account was thus employed until his 
death, which occurred in New York when he 
was past sixty years of age. His wife, Eliza 



Lapthorn, was also born in Devon, England, and 
departed this life in the metropolis. She became 
the mother of seven children, of whom five are 
living, three of the sons making their home in 
Long Island City, one in New York and the fifth 
in England. 

John L., who was the eldest of the family, was 
reared in Plymouth, where he attended the pub- 
lic schools for a time. When only ten years old 
he began working at the mason's trade under his 
father, and, upon attaining his majority, 
was taken into partnership. In 1866 John L. 
emigrated to America and spent the following 
four years in working at his trade. He then 
formed a partnership with a Mr. Browning, and 
for six or seven years contracted under the firm 
name of Askey & Browning. The connection 
was then dissolved and our subject has since 
continued alone. Mr. Askey erected the Osborne 
flats, a thirteen-story building in New York, and 
also received the contract for the building of 
Proctor's Theater in Fifty-eighth Street. His 
services have been greatly in demand, net only 
in the metropolis but in many of the larger cities 
of the adjoining states. He erected the hospital 
in Jersey City, besides other public and private 
buildings too numerous to mention. During the 
busy season he gives employment to over one 
hundred men, and even with that large force finds 
it very difficult to keep up with the work. He 
lias built for himself numerous flat and tenement 
houses in New York in Avenue B, Second Ave- 
nue, and One Hundred and Fifth Street, all of 
which he has sold with the exception of two. As 
we stated in our opening paragraph, he owns and 
occupies one of the finest residences in the place. 
The dwelling, which is a large and modern struc- 
ture, is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, which 
greatly adds to its attractiveness. 

Mr. Askey was married in England to Miss 
Fannie Tliomas, also a native of Devon, and to 
them have been born nine children, of whom 
Emily is now Mrs. William Robinson, of Phila- 
delphia, Pa.; Minnie, John H., Charles, Mabel, 
William, Elsie, Arthur and George, are at home 
with their parents. In 1882 Mr. Askey located 
in Long Island City and has made Astoria his 
home ever since. 

Our subject is a zealous and active member of 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
he is trustee. He took a very prominent part in 
affairs during the erection of their new edifice 
and was a member of the building committee. In, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



403 



politics he is a Republican in national affairs, but 
in local politics prefers to give his support to the 
best man, regardless of party lines. He belongs 
to the Employers and Builders' League of New 
York City, and takes an active part in the work- 
ings of the same. 



JOSEPH H. BENNETT. In this business 
man of Corona we find an example of what 
may be accomplished by a youth thrown 
upon his own resources, and following the line of 
industry, honesty and prudence. As a boy he 
had comparatively few advantages, his school 
days being limited, nor had he the advantage of 
wealth to help him in securing success. At one 
time his father was a man of large means, but dur- 
ing the Civil War he lost almost all he had and 
the family was plunged into poverty. 

Born in New York City, October 5, 1857, the 
subject of this notice is a son of Joseph H. and 
Margaret A. (Dawson) Bennett. His father, who 
Vi'as a dealer in meat, had his place of business 
in New York, where he was born and spent his 
life. At one time, as before stated, he was 
wealthy, but during the Rebellion he raised a 
company of volunteers and went through the 
war, losing most of his property. Upon his re- 
turn home he again went into the meat business 
and continued in that line until his death, fifteen 
years later. 

The youngest child in the family was the sub- 
ject of this sketch. At the age of twelve he began 
to work for himself, securing employment in the 
revenue service, and going on board the revenue 
cutter "Hugh H. McCullough." Going South, 
he was at Savannah, Ga., and other places, on the 
lookout for filibustering expeditions. A year was 
thus spent, after which he returned to New York 
and secured work in driving horses for exercise 
preparatory to trotting races. For seven years 
he lived in the house of the party owning the 
horses, after which he went to work in a type 
foundry, and remained there sixteen years, being 
promoted from the lowest place in the foundry 
until finally he became city salesman. Tlie form- 
ing of the type trust caused him to leave that 
work and enter his present business in August, 
1893. 

The marriage of Mr. Bennett, June i, 1881, 
united him with Miss Mary R. Lawrence, who 
was born and educated in Corona, and is a daugh- 
ter of Elliott and Harriet (Anderton) Lawrence. 



One child blesses the union, Emma, born January 
17, 18S3. In political matters our subject is inde- 
pendent, and has never held nor sought office, his 
time being entirely taken up with business mat- 
ters. In religious connections he is a member of 
the Union Evangelical Church. Socially he is a 
member of the American Legion of Honor, in 
which he has served as guide. A careful and 
conscientious business man, he has endeavored 
to adhere strictly to the dictates of his own con- 
science in matters both of a public and private 
nature, and has won the respect of his fellowmen. 



HIGBIE W. WRIGHT. The record of this 
gentleman as an agriculturist and as a 
citizen reflects great credit upon the town 
of Jamaica, where he resides. As a man of gen- 
uine public spirit he interests himself in every- 
thing that will in any way promote its welfare, 
and contributes hberally toward all plans for im- 
provement. Although he is interested in public 
affairs, he finds his chief enjoyment in the devel- 
opment of his farm, which is located on the 
Springfield road, about half way between Jamaica 
and Springfield. 

A native of this county, our subject was born 
in Rockville Center, August 15, 1835, and is a son 
of James and Letitia (Wright) Wright. His fath- 
er, who was born and reared in Rockville Center, 
followed the trade of a wheelwright in addition 
to the occupation of a farmer, being thus engaged 
until his death at the age of fifty-nine. He was 
an active member of the Methodist Church and 
a man whose religion was carried into the every- 
day affairs of life. His father, Langdon Wright, 
a farmer and wheelwright, followed both occupa- 
tions through his long and useful life, passing 
away at the age of nearly eighty. 

In the common schools the subject of this no- 
tice gained a fair education, to which he after- 
ward added by thoughtful reading of cui-rent 
papers and periodicals. Shortly after conmienc- 
ing for himself as an independent farmer he was 
married, November 21, 1858, to Miss Letty Ann 
Hendrickson, and they soon removed to a small 
place which he had bought. Fourteen days after 
settling there, however, his father died and this 
changed the course of his life, necessitating his 
return to his old home. Accordingly he gave up 
his newly-purchased home and took charge of 
the old farm, which, after one year's residence 
there was sold. He then removed to Springfield 



404 



PGRTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and for two years engaged in farming in partner- 
ship with his father-in-law, Nicholas Hendrick- 
son. Afterward he purchased a farm adjoining 
his present home and there he erected a house 
and continued to make his home until 1889. He 
then purchased his present place, and after erect- 
ing a commodious residence thereon, brought his 
family to the new home. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born three 
children, of whom two are living. James Frank- 
lin, who is engaged in cultivating the home farm 
in partnership with his father, was married to 
Miss Maggie Foster Smith, October 15, 1889; 
this lady died December 14, 1892, leaving an only 
child, Maude E. Jesse Higbie, our subject's 
younger son, is also a farmer by occupation and 
a highly respected, industrious young man; he 
married Miss Sadie Hoggland, October 16, 1890, 
and they live in Jamaica. While Mr. Wright has 
never taken an active interest in politics, he is a 
man of firm convictions and has the greatest faith 
in the policy pursued by the Republican party, 
to which he adheres. In religious matters he finds 
his home in the Methodist Church. 



PETER JOHNSON. Long Island City may 
well be proud of her stores and markets, 
and especially of the establishment con- 
ducted by Peter Johnson, it having the distinction 
of being standard and up to the times. Mr. John- 
son is actively engaged in the grocery business 
and also deals in hay, feed, etc. He has been a 
resident of this city since 1871 and his fine stock 
of goods is very material evidence that his trade 
must be in advance of his fellow-trad^stiien. 

Mr. Johnson is a native of ©emTiark, born in 
Langeland in 1843, and possesses the general 
qualities of those of that nativity in an eminent 
degree. His father, Hans Johnson, was also a 
native of Langeland, Denmark, and studied to 
become a lawyer. However, after the death of 
his father, Hans Johnson, Sr., who was a farmer, 
he partly gave up his law practice and turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a 
member of the Lutheran Church and lived to be 
eighty-six years old. In his native village he had 
married Miss Martha Madsen, a native of Den- 
mark, and daughter of Matthew Madsen, who 
was a farmer of that country. Mrs. Johnson died 
when seventy-six years old, leaving four of the 
seven children born to her marriage. Of these 
children we mention the following: Peter is our 



subject; Matthew is in Long Island City; Carl 
resides on the old home place in Denmark, where 
Nils is a large farmer. 

The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
spent in his native countr}' and he there received 
his education. In 1857 he went to sea, shipping 
on a sloop which a few months later went ashore 
and was lost. Young Johnson then hired out on 
another schooner and went to Scotland, but the 
same spring he began his duties on still another 
schooner which went to Bergen, Norway, and 
brought back lumber. After that he was on dif- 
ferent schooners and brigs for some time. He 
began as cabin boy, but was soon made seaman. 
At one time he shipped on a schooner going to 
Italy to trade in fruit, but when he arrived there 
he was taken sick and was kept in a hospital 
for some time. After recovering he hired to an 
American bark, bound for Boston, Mass., and 
landed there in the spring of 1859. 

While in that city Mr. Johnson worked for 
some time for the Warren Ice Company and later 
was sent by that company to Calcutta, India, 
where he remained two years. Returning by way 
of Good Hope to Boston, in the spring of 1864, 
he was there taken sick and for several months 
was a sufferer. After recovering he went to Key 
West, then to New Orleans, and from there to 
Galveston, Tex., where he remained for three 
months. From that city he came to New York 
City in the spring of 1865 and began learning 
sash and blind making,' continuing at that for six 
months. As he did not care for the business 
he gave it up and for some time afterward was 
employed in the oil works in Blissville, ,L. I., 
making his home with an uncle there. 

Box making next attracted his attention and he 
was employed in Smith's box factory until 1867, 
when he embarked in the grocery business on his 
ovv'n responsibility in Greenpoint. A few months 
later he made a trip to Denmark and also visited 
Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Norway and Germany, 
and was absent over four months. Upon his re- 
turn to this country, in 1868, he continued the 
grocery business, and in 1871 started a branch 
store in Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. He 
continued in business with a partner until 1872, 
when the partnership was dissolved and our sub- 
ject has been in business here ever since. In 1880 
he made many improvements in the store and put 
in a fresh stock of goods. Possessed of unusual 
business talent and endowed with those attributes 
of character which compel success in trade, Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



405 



Johnson can point with pardonable pride to an 
extensive patronage and unhmited business 
credit. 

Mr. Johnson was married in Long Island City 
to Miss Maria Jensen, a native of New York City, 
and daughter of Henry Jensen. Their seven liv- 
ing children, who are all at home, are named as 
follows: May, Sadie, Eddie, Emma, Frank, 
Peter, Jr., and Grace. Mr. Johnson has never 
been interested in politics, but inclines to the 
Democratic party, and socially is a member of 
Mitchell Lodge No. 338, A. 6. U. W. 



COL. ANTHONY S. WOODS, who has 
been a resident of Long Island City for 
many years, has served the city as chief of 
poHce since May, 1871. He obtained his title of 
colonel during the late war, when he rendered his 
country brave and efficient service. He was born 
in New York City, October 3, 1827. His father, 
Bernard Woods, was a native of County Armagh, 
Ireland, where he was reared to mature years. 
On his emigration to America he located in New 
York City, where he was employed by his broth- 
er-in-law, Owen McAnnally, who was a brewer. 
Mr. Woods was agent for him for a number of 
years and afterwards represented other breweries 
in the same capacity. His death, which occurred 
in 1838, was the result of an accident. He was 
at that time in his thirty-seventh year, although 
his brothers lived to be nearly one hundred years 
old. 

Mrs. Catherine (McAnnally) Woods, mother of 
our subject, was also born in County Armagh, 
Ireland, and at the time of her demise, in 1854, 
was fifty-six years old. She became the mother 
of four children, of whom two are now living, 
our subject and his brother, Bernard, a resident 
of Astoria. The latter served as a member of the 
same regiment as the colonel during the Civil 
War. 

As soon as old enough our subject was placed 
in St. Mary's parochial school. New York City, 
and afterward attended St. Patrick's, in which in- 
stitution he was one of the pupils of Rev. Thomas 
C. Levins. He started out for himself at the early 
age of twelve years and for six months was in the 
employ of Mr. Armstrong, a furrier of New York. 
At the end of that time he became a compositor 
on the "Morning Star," and shortly after severing 
his connection with that paper began learning the 



harnessmaker's trade, working in the Wilson 
Saddlery Company. He became a practical work- 
man at this business and later was employed in 
the same line by George V. Ryerson, the pro- 
prietor of a fine establishment. Mr. Woods had 
up to this time not found an occupation which 
exactly suited him, and on leaving the employ 
of Mr. Ryerson became associated with James L. 
Freeman, manufacturer of iron railings, remain- 
ing with him for two years." For the following 
seven years he worked in the mechanical depart- 
ment for Day, Newell & Day, manufacturers of 
the most reliable bank and house locks in the 
state. 

Mr. Woods severed his connection with the 
company in order that he might superintend the 
erection of several residences which his mother 
was building in East Eleventh Street. In 1853 
he was appointed inspector of customs in New 
York, and such was the satisfaction he gave to 
his superior officers that he was the incumbent 
of this position until the outbreak of the late war, 
when he resigned in order to offer his services 
in defense of the Stars and Stripes. For fifteen 
years previous to this time he had been a member 
of the National Guard, and with many of his 
comrades joined Company A, Eighth New York- 
Regiment, of which he was commissioned first 
lieutenant. At the first tap of the drum they were 
placed under marching orders and went South to 
the field of battle. Lieutenant Woods was pro- 
moted to be captain of his regiment in 1862 and 
was transferred to Company G, which he com- 
manded until some time the following year, when 
he veteranized and returned to Company A, tak- 
ing his old position as first lieutenant. Soon 
thereafter there occurred a spirited fight at Ship- 
pensburg, when the captain of the company be- 
came frightened and deserted his command. 
Lieutenant Woods, who was present, was imme- 
diately made captain and served in this capacity 
until the expiration of his term of enlistment, 
when he was mustered out. 

In the fall of 1863 Captain Woods joined the 
Tenth Regiment, New York National Zouaves, 
of which he was commissioned major by Gover- 
nor Seymour. On taking his command South 
they became part of the Third Brigade, Second 
Division, Second Army Corps, under General 
Hancock, with which our subject fought until the 
close of the war. In January, 1865, while still in 
the field, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel 
by the governor of New York. During his four 



4o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years of service he took part in all of the cam- 
paigns in which the Army of the Potomac was 
engaged, among them being the conflict at Oys- 
ter>oint, Gettysburg, the defense of Harrisburg, 
after which the regiment marched twenty-one 
davs to a point where they met and skirmished 
with Forrest. Colonel Woods, although on the 
field during many hard-fought engagements, was 
wounded only once, when he was struck in the 
back of the neck by a ball when in front of Pet- 
ersburg. 

On his return home after the war the Colonel 
engaged in the wholesale paper business in New 
York City in company with a Mr. Godwin, the 
firm being Godwin & Woods. This venture 
proved a losing one and the connection was soon 
dissolved. In 1870 Mr. Woods came to Long 
Island City and later was appointed city marshal 
by Mayor Ditmars. A twelvemonth later he 
was made chief of police, which office he has held 
ever since with the exception of three years and 
eleven months, when he was suspended by Mayor 
George Retry, who was on the other side, politi- 
cally. He remained suspended for the time above 
mentioned, during which period he was fighting 
the matter in the courts. The case was decided 
in his favor and he was reinstated in office. He 
has gained the confidence and good will of the 
people by his faithful years of service and is re- 
garded by his large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances with the utmost respect. When he took 
charge of the department there were but ten of- 
ficers employed. Now, however, he has under his 
control fifty patrolmen, two sergeants and one 
captain. It is the intention of the board of poHce 
commissioners at the beginning of the new year 
(1896) to enlarge the force to seventy-five police- 
men, four sergeants and three captains. Since 
1887 he has used the Gamewell police telegraph 
and telephone system combined and has police 
boxes in different parts of the city. The Colonel 
is one of the oldest residents of the city and has 
made his home in Pomeroy Street since 1875. 

The subject of this sketch was married Novem- 
ber 25, 1852, to Miss Sarah M. Reynolds, a native 
of Dublin, but who at the time of her marriage 
was a resident of New York City. She was 
reared to womanhood in her native land and came 
to America in 1849. Her union with our subject 
has been blessed by the birth of eight children, 
six of whom are now living. Anthony is an em- 
ploye in the Long Island Railroad Express Com- 
pany ; Robert is also working for that company ; 



Arthur is at home; Mary, Mrs. O'Reiley, is en- 
gaged in teaching school in this city; Lillian and 
Agnes are at home. All of the children, with the 
exception of Mary, were educated in the Fourth 
Ward School of this place. 

The Colonel is a member of Grand Army Post 
No. 283, of which he was one of the original mem- 
bers. For many years he was associated with the 
society of the Army of the Potomac, but since 
assuming his arduous duties of chief of police he 
has had but little time to give to the afifairs of 
the order, and hence severed his connection with 
the same. He is a Catholic in rehgion and a 
member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in 
Astoria. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. 



HON. TOWNSEND D. COCK, who is one 
of the most influential and prominent resi- 
dents of Queens County, makes his home 
at the present time in Oyster Bay. He was ap- 
pointed deputy county treasurer by a special act 
of the legislature in consequence of the ill-health 
of County Treasurer Hageman, which necessi- 
tated his taking a trip to the Bermudas. He 
served until the expiration of Mr. Hageman's 
term, giving to the people the utmost satisfac- 
tion. In the meantime he assisted in the organi- 
zation of the Oyster Bay Bank and was chosen 
by its directors as president, which office he has 
continued to hold ever since. 

On a beautiful farm at Locust Valley Town- 
send D. Cock was born, December 3, 1838. His 
parents were Alfred and Phebe Ann (Townsend) 
Cock. The author of the "Townsend Memo- 
rial," in speaking of the subject of this sketch, 
says: "This gentleman is most appropriately 
named, being descended, in ten different ways, 
from the three Townsend brothers." 

The foundation of Mr. Cock's education was 
laid in the district school, but later he was a 
student in the private school which was origin- 
ated and maintained so many years by Lot Cor- 
nelius, a most successful educator of this region. 
In 1867 he was chosen supervisor of the town 
of Oyster Bay, serving acceptably until April, 
1872. In the fall of 1871 the Democratic party of 
his district selected him as its candidate for state 
senator, to which position he was elected, after 
an active and exciting canvass, by a majority 
of eight hundred and sixty-eight. 




PROF. HERBERT SMITH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



409 



The sessions of the senate of which Mr. Cock 
was a member were memorable ones. The down- 
fall of the Tweed ring in New York and the devel- 
opments that led up to the dethronement of this 
remarkable combination suggested the necessity 
of measures looking to the purification of the 
judiciary of the state. The bar association of 
the city of New York preferred charges against 
some of the judges then on the bench and the 
senate was called upon to examine into the truth 
of these charges. John H. McCunn, a judge of 
the superior court of New York City, was the 
first one against whose official conduct charges 
were preferred. The governor transmitted these 
charges to the senate, with a recommendation 
to that body to inquire into the truth. The 
result was that the senate after an exhaustive ex- 
amination found them sustained, and Judge Mc- 
Cunn was removed. 

George G. Barnard, a judge of the supreme 
court, was also impeached at this time by the 
assembly, and the senate, associated with the 
court of appeals, was called upon to try the 
charges. The hearing was had at Saratoga ; by 
a unanimous vote of the court Judge Barnard 
was found guilty, and by an almost unanimous 
vote he was debarred from ever after holding any- 
position of honor or trust in the state. This 
was the first and only court of impeachment ever 
held in the state. H. G. Prindle, judge of Che- 
nango County, and George M. Curtis, judge of 
the marine court of New York, were afterward 
tried by the senate, but a majority of that body 
voted against their removal. 

On the expiration of his senatorial term Mr. 
Cock remained in private life until the fall of 
1875, when, at the earnest solicitation of the 
leaders of the political party of which he is a 
member,- he accepted the nomination for the as- 
sembly and was elected. In 1881, however, when 
again urged to fill this office, he. very reluctantly 
accepted the nomination, and, being the second 
time honored with the public confidence, took his 
seat in the body that secured for itself historic 
prominence in consequence of the senatorial dead- 
lock occasioned by the feud in the Republican 
party, growing out of the course pursued by 
Senators Conkling and Piatt in their disagreement 
of the action of President Garfield in the appoint- 
ment of W. H. Robertson as collector of the 
port of New York. Mr. Cock was also elected 
to the assembly in 1882 and served during the 
session as chairman of the committee on com- 
15 



merce and navigation, and also as a member of 
the ways and means committee. 

In 1863 our subject was chosen vice-president 
of the Queens County Agricultural Society, and 
was re-elected in 1864 and 1878. The year fol- 
lowing he was made president of the society, 
holding that honored office for three years. Mr. 
Cock has been an industrious contributor to the 
leading journals of the day and occasionally 
delivers addresses upon topics pertinent to the 
times. 

The marriage of Mr. Cock with Miss Jane D. 
Latting occurred October 20, 1857. This lady 
was born June 9, 1839, in Lattingtown, and was 
the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Latting. They 
have a family of six children, named respectively: 
Jane D. Cock, Mary F. Price, Annie T. Green, 
Josephine Coles, Ella P. Nicoll and Edward T. 
Latting. 



PROF. HERBERT SMITH. There are 
many who claim, and not without excellent 
reason, that the public school system of 
the United States surpasses that of any other 
country in the world. Certainly it is true that 
in no other land are there so many efficient, edu- 
cated, scholarly young men devoting their atten- 
tion to the instructing of youth as may be found 
in our own country. One of this class is the 
subject of our sketch, who holds the responsible 
position of principal of the Port Washington pub- 
lic schools, and who, since coming to this place,, 
has evinced talent of more than ordinary ability 
and the possession of those qualities without 
which a teacher cannot hope to gain success. 

The son of John H. and Alary E. (Smith) Smith, 
our subject was born at West Taghkanick, Col- 
umbia County, N. Y., July 19, 1866. His boyhood 
years were spent on the home farm in Columbia 
County and he attended the winter terms of the 
district schools until seventeen years of age. In 
1883 he made up his mind to secure a better edu- 
cation than the immediate locality afforded, his 
object being to fit himself for a professional ca- 
reer. It was his intention to enter the Normal 
School at Albany, and in September of 1884 his 
ambition was realized by his admission to that 
institution. After eighteen months of study there 
he began to teach in Columbia County, and sub- 
sequently was similarly engaged in Queens Coun- 
ty, by which means he secured the funds necessary 
to the completion of his normal education. 



4IO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Meantime, while engaged in teaching, he was 
united in marriage, September 26, 1888, with Miss 
Frances E. Smith, who was born in New Hyde- 
park, where she also received her education. 

Returning to Albany, Professor Smith resumed 
his studies and graduated February 3, 1891. 
From that time until the following July he was 
employed in a large seed store in Floral Park. 
In September of the same year he accepted the 
principalship of the Port Washington schools, 
and his efficiency is proved by the fact that he 
has since been retained in that position. He and 
his wife are the parents of a son and daughter, 
namelv: Martin I., who. was bom at New Hyde- 
park, July 2, 1889, and Florence, who was born 
in Port Washington, May 24, 1892. 

Though brought up in the belief that the Dem- 
ocratic party contained all that was best and pur- 
est in pontics. Professor Smith has been led to 
change his views through a close observation of 
the tremendous evils wrought by the liquor pow- 
er, and he has therefore become a Prohibitionist. 
Fraternally he is identified with Seawanhaka 
Lodge No. 670, I. O. O. F. He is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
holds the office of trustee. At this writing he is 
also serving as president of the Epworth League, 
assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, 
and town secretary of the Sunday-school Union, 
a position which requires him to visit, once a 
year, every Sunday-school in North Hempstead 
and deliver an address, later reporting the con- 
dition of the Sunday-school to the union. 



ELI E. NELSON. Considerable romance 
is attached to the career of this worthy 
gentleman, for he has journeyed in many 
climes, has seen the ups and downs of life and 
was an actor in the stirring times of the gold 
excitement of California. He was born in Greene 
County, N. Y., February 2, 1828, to Thomas and 
Catherine (Bedell) Nelson, and was eight years 
of age at the time of his parents' removal to New 
York City. His father had been a steamboat 
captain on the Hudson River. He was placed in 
the public schools of New York, but when he had 
reached the age of fourteen years he became a 
clerk in a grocery, and thus continued for six 
years. Following this he embarked in business 
for himself in Brooklyn, near Plymouth Church, 
so long presided over by that famous divine, 
Henry Ward Beecher. There he continued for 



one year, and in February, 1849, sold his stock 
of goods. The gold excitement was then at fever 
heat and on the 5th of February of that year 
he started for the Golden Gate, via the Isthmus 
of Panama. He crossed the isthmus with little 
difficulty, but was compelled to wait there for 
about six weeks for a vessel to convey him the 
rest of his journey. One hundred days after 
leaving Panama he landed in California, and at 
once made for the mines, where he was engaged 
in digging gold from June to November. He 
met with better success than many and in that 
time had accumulated about $5,000 worth of gold 
dust. With it he returned East, but after re- 
. maining here six weeks he returned to California, 
taking with him a stock of goods, and opened 
a store in Sacramento City, which he conducted 
for about one year. He then removed to Stock- 
ton and began ranching, and this business occu- 
pied his attention up to 1865, when he once more 
came East and engaged in contracting and build- 
ing, in which business he has been more than or- 
dinarily successful. 

Mr. Nelson left valuable property in California, 
and this lAs necessitated his making various trips 
to that state, seven in all, since he came East. 
His last journey thither was made in 1895 and 
took only four days, a marked contrast to the 
toilsome overland and water journeys of early 
days. On the 23d of June, 1869, Mr. Nelson was 
united in marriage with Miss Harriet C. Crandall, 
at New Baltimore, N. Y., where she was born and 
reared, her parents being Lewis and Dorothy 
(Brown) Crandall. This union resulted in the 
birth of a son and daughter. Henry E., who was 
bom in New Baltimore, September 10, 1871, is 
in the real estate business in New York; he was 
educated in the public schools of Brooklyn and 
at the Polytechnic. Charlotte V. was also born 
at New Baltimore, May 12, 1875; she was edu- 
cated in Brooklyn and at the Adelphi Academy, 
and October 2, 1895, was married from her fath- 
er's residence in Glencove to William H. Way 
of Brooklyn, in which city Mr. Nelson owns con- 
siderable valuable property, and where he still 
conducts his business. 

In 1867 Mr. Nelson attended the Paris Expo- 
sition, after which he made a six months' tour 
through Italy, Austria and other countries. He 
was in Rome at the time Garibaldi was there and 
came very near being arrested as one of his fol- 
lowers. In 1891 he, his wife, daughter and sister 
took another trip to Europe and visited nearly all 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



411 



the principal countries. In 1876 he and his son 
attended the Philadelphia Exposition, and in 1893 
he and all his family spent ten days in Chicago 
attending the World's Eair. Being a close ob- 
server and a man of much practical intelligence, 
he has made the most of his opportunities, and 
was an intelligent observer of all he saw. Mr. 
Nelson was reared a Democrat and cast his first 
presidential vote for Buchanan in 1856, but since 
the Civil War he has been a Republican. He was 
reared a member of the Society of Friends, but 
his wife was reared in the faith of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church. He is a Mason and belongs to 
the Society of California Pioneers. 



CHARLES W. BRACE, who resides at No. 
212 Ninth Avenue, Schuetzen Park, Long 
Island City, was born in New York City, 
March 29, 1850, being a son of Thomas and Mary 
(Warren) Brace, natives respectively of England 
and Connecticut. His father, who spent the years 
of boyhood and youth' in London, belonged to a 
well-to-do family and was given excellent educa- 
tional advantages. When a young man he came 
to America, intending to return home shortly, but 
suffered so much from seasickness on the voyage 
that he resolved to remain in the United States. 
He secured employment as a baker, but later em- 
barked in the provision business with a brother- 
in-law, S. Warren, continuing until 1857, when 
his partner died, and he sold out. His death oc- 
curred in New York in 1859. ^ few years after- 
ward, in 1867, his wife also passed away. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Capt. Henry Warren, who belonged to one of the 
oldest families of Connecticut and was himself a 
loyal and patriotic defender of our national lib- 
erty. He was a seafaring man and for some 
years was engaged in the coasting trade, owning 
a number of ships at different times. Our sub- 
ject was the youngest of four children, of whom 
two are deceased. Being the only son, he was 
carefully trained for a business career, though 
the death of his father, when he was about nine 
years of age, deprived him of the wise and affec- 
tionate counsel he would otherwise have received. 
He completed his education in the grammar 
school at No. 49 Thirty-seventh Street, and in 
1864 entered the employ of Crosby, Ostrander & 
Jones. One year later he was apprenticed to the 
trade of an ornamental plasterer, in which he soon 
became an expert, and before he was twenty-one 



held a position as "boss" plasterer. He soon en- 
tered into business for himself and is now located 
at No. 158 East Forty-second Street. Among 
the contracts which he has had may be mentioned 
the Union League Club, postoffice building. Ex- 
change Place, Tribune building. Fourteenth 
Street Lyceum Theater, Carnegie's Music Hall 
and all the public school buildings. In addition 
to this he has done considerable important work 
in Long Island City. 

In 1878 Mr. Brace purchased the property at 
No. 212 Ninth Avenue, where he has since resid- 
ed. He also owns two adjoining residences and 
is interested in the Woodlawn addition to New 
York. Prior to coming to Long Island City he 
married Miss Catherine Knauer, sister of Edward 
J. Knauer, an attorney of New York City and 
former president of the board of aldermen of 
Long Island City. They are the parents of five 
children, of whom the eldest, Benjamin F., is in 
business with his father. The others are Juliet 
E., Virginia, Louisa and Harvey B. The family 
is highly respected socially, and Mrs. Brace is a 
member of the Church of the Redeemer, which 
the others attend. 

Socially Mr. Brace is connected with Advance 
Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M. ; John Allen Lodge 
No. 330, A. O. U. W.; the Boss Plasterers' Union 
of New York City, and Lincoln Club, of which he 
was a charter member and the first vice-president. 
He is interested in public affairs and gives his 
support to Republican principles. For years he 
has served his party on the general committee of 
which he is now the treasurer. 



GEORGE D. SMITH, a wealthy business 
man of Hempstead, was born in this vil- 
lage May 9, 1853, and is a son of Latton 
Smith, of whom and of whose ancestry mention 
is made in the biographical sketch of William H. 
S. Smith, the present postmaster at Hempstead. 
In the public schools of this place and in a private 
school George D. gained a practical education 
that fitted him for contact with and success in the 
business world. Under his father, who was a 
wholesale liquor dealer, he gained a thorough 
knowledge of the btisiness, .and in 1874, when the 
former retired, the son succeeded to the man- 
agement of the concern, which he has since con- 
ducted. 

No citizen of Hempstead takes greater interest 
in its progress than does Mr. Smith, who is a large 



412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



property-holder here and has in various ways 
contributed to the growth of the place. In poli- 
tics he has been a prominent factor in shaping 
the local destinies of the Democratic party. For 
six years he was deputy sherifT of Queens County, 
and for the same length of time he has served as 
a member of the Democratic central committee 
of Oueens County, of which body he is now a 
prominent member. He is also rendering effi- 
cient service on the village board of trustees. 
All local enterprises, if calculated to promote 



steward, in which capacity he continued until 
1875. He then went to New York City and se- 
cured work in one of the old and popular sport- 
ing houses there, located at the corner of Broad- 
way and Twenty-eighth Street. Remaining in 
that place until 1878, he then became an employe 
in a hotel at Rockaway Beach, where he remained 
until 1889. 

By that time Mr. Felio had secured sufficient 
means to purchase several lots, and on that prop- 
erty he erected a commodious hotel, which had a 



the welfare of the people, have the sympathy and depth of one hundred feet and a frontage of 



co-operation of Mr. Smith. He is at present vice- 
president of the Hempstead Gas Company. In 
the organization of the First National Bank he 
was a prime mover, and has since been a stock- 
holder in the institution. He is also a member of 
the Mutual Benefit Association. Socially he is 
identified with the Shield of Honor. In June, 
1879, he married Georgetta, oldest daughter of 
George A. Mott of Brooklyn, a iarge property- 
holder in Hempstead. They are the parents of 
three children, namely: George D., a boy of six- 
teen, who is a clerk in the postoffice under his 
uncle; Robert, who is thirteen, and Hilda, a bright 
child of five years. 



DAVID J. FELIO. The old saying that 
■'The child is father of the man" has been 
verified on numerous occasions time out 
of mind, and it is eminently true in the case of 
David J. Felio, for in his youth he was an ener- 
getic, ambitious and pushing lad, and these most 
worthy traits have not deserted him in his man- 
hood. On the other hand, they have rather been 
intensified, and as an illustration of the success 
which is but the sequence of these qualities it 
is but necessary to glance over the facts con- 
nected with his business life. He is a native of 
Port Douglas, Essex County, and there first saw 
the light of day, March 4, 1854. He and his 
brothers, Moses of Rockaway Beach, and Peter 
of Salt Lake City, are the only survivors of the 
nine children of Joseph and Flora (Labear) Felio, 
who died at the ages of sixty-nine and thirty- 
three respectively. His home continued to be in 
Essex County until April 12, 1870, when his ambi- 
tion and enterprise led him to start out to fight 
life's battles for himself. 

Securing employment on a steamboat running 
on Lake Champlain (which Essex County bor- 
dered), after a time Mr. Felio was appointed 



eighty-six feet in Seaside Avenue. Unfortu- 
nately, this building was wiped out by fire in 
1892, entailing a loss of $17,000 upon him. Un- 
daunted by this catastrophe, he plunged at once 
into the work of re-building, and his present fine 
house, known as the New York Hotel, is the 
result. It contains fifty-seven rooms, all com- 
fortable and commodious, and a competent corps 
of servants contribute to the comfort of the 
guests. Mr. Felio is a model landlord, attentive, 
courteous and accommodating, and has an effi- 
cient assistant in his wife, whose maiden name 
was Elizabeth Maher, and whom he married in 

1877. 

Mr. Felio has been interested in the progress 
and improvement of Rockaway Beach. Since 
it was organized he has served in the fire depart- 
ment, of which at one time he was assistant chief, 
and in the fall of 1895 was elected chief, the office 
he now holds. In 1894 he organized the Seaside 
Engine Company. He is also a member of the 
board of representatives and treasurer of the en- 
gine and hose company. Politically a Democrat, 
he is chairman of the Democratic Association of 
the Twenty-first District, town of Hempstead. 
By a unanimous vote he was elected president 
of the Seaside Protective Business Men's Asso- 
ciation of Rockaway Beach, and socially he is 
commander of Oceanic Council No. 1256, Ameri- 
can Learion of Honor. 



G 



USTAVUS ODHOLM, foreman of the 
machine shop of the India Rubber Comb 
Company at College Point, was born in 
Osterjotland, Sweden, in 1824, and is next to the 
eldest among the five children of Nathaniel and 
Maria (Lorson) Odholm. His parents were na- 
tives of the same place as himself, where his father 
followed the trade of a carriage manufacturer 
until his death. From bovhood he assisted in 




J. LAWRKNCE WOOD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



415 



the factory, his educational advantages being very 
limited. At the age of eighteen he was appren- 
ticed to learn the manufacture of surgical instru- 
ments in Stockholm, where he remained until 
twenty-three years of age. One year was then 
spent in Gottenburg, after which, in 1850, he took 
passage on the sailing vessel "Dorothea" for 
America, reaching New York after a voyage of 
nine weeks. 

The first employment secured by Mr. Odholm 
was in the manufacture of surgical instruments, 
after which he worked at the machinist's trade in 
Bridgeport, Conn. On three different occasions 
he was sent to Central America with the Panama 
Railroad Company as machinist, spending about 
two years altogether in that country. He spent 
one year in Waterbury, Conn., where he was em- 
ployed at the machinist's trade, and later went to 
Hartford, where he was foreman in the machine 
department of the National Screw Company from 
1867 to 1880. During May of the last-named 
year he came to College Point, and has since been 
foreman of the machine shop of the India Rub- 
ber Comb Company. The shop is a large one, fif- 
teen men being under his direction, and the effi- 
cient manner in which he has discharged every 
duty has brought him the commendation of the 
company. 

The first marriage of Mr. Odholm took place in 
Bridgeport, Conn., his wife being Jane E. Bron- 
son, who died in Hartford. Of the five children 
born to this union none are now living. His sec- 
ond wife bore the name of Mrs. Henrietta Par- 
melee and was born in Massachusetts. They and 
their daughter, May Belle, reside on the corner of 
First Avenue and Tenth Street. Socially Mr. Od- 
holm is connected with Anchor Lodge of the 
Masonic order, and in pohtics he is a Repubhcan. 
He is connected with the Reformed Church, in 
which he has served as deacon. 



JACOB LAWRENCE WOOD enjoys the 
distinction of being the oldest surviving 
settler of the village of Lawrence, where he 
has resided since April 2, 1835, and where he still 
follows the carpenter's trade. He is a descendant 
in the fourth generation from James Wood, a na- 
tive of England, who emigrated to this country 
and settled at Christian Hook, L. I. In those 
days life on the island was radically different from 
the present day. Indians were numerous and 
savage, and to protect himself from an unexpect- 



ed and sudden assault, this pioneer was in the 
habit of carrying his flint lock gun on his shoul- 
der wherever he went, the weapon being his com- 
panion even when he went to church. From him 
the Wood family of America is descended. 

Next in line of descent was Elijah Wood, our 
subject's great-grandfather, who was born No- 
vember 29, 1736. Following him was Grandfath- 
er James Wood, a native of Long Island, and a 
farmer by occupation. The father, Samuel Wood, 
was born at the Hook, and remained there 
throughout his entire life, following the occupa- 
tions of farmer and bayman; he married Anna, 
daughter of Jacob Lawrence, who was born on 
the old Lawrence estate in Flushing, moved to 
the Hook in early manhood and afterward be- 
came the founder of the village of Lawrence. In 
descent he traces his lineage to England. 

Six children comprised the family of Samuel 
and Anna Wood, namely: James, Jacob L., El- 
dred, Abram, Elijah and Martha Jane, of whom 
the only survivor is the subject of this notice. He 
was born at Baldwin, Queens County, April 2, 
1822, and on the thirteenth anniversary of his 
birth moved thence to Lawrence, where he has 
since resided. His educational advantages were 
exceedingly limited, as the schools of that day 
were very inferior in quality, but through read- 
ing and observation he has become well informed. 
At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the 
carpenter's trade at Brooklyn, and after three 
years returned to Lawrence, where he has since 
engaged in business. He erected the Episcopal 
and Presbyterian churches at Far Rockaway, as 
well as many of the business houses and private 
residences of Lawrence. For some years he has 
had his son as a partner, the firm name being 
Wood & Son. 

By his marriage to Margaret Scott, who was 
born in New York City, Mr. Wood has seven 
children. The eldest, Mary H., is the wife of 
Fred Wormsor, of Inwood, and has four children, 
Lawrence, Isaac, Minnie and Monroe. Hannah, 
who is the wife of Maurice Rhinehart, of Inwood, 
has five children, Benjamin, George Milton, John, 
William Scott, and Cora. John Jacob, who is 
his father's partner in business, married Henrietta 
Bishop, of Moriches, and they have a daughter, 
Mattie. Margaret Emma is the wife of Frank 
W. Salover and their family consists of three 
children, Mena, Frank and Margaret Scott. Will- 
iam married Lila Corquit, of Philadelphia ; Alma 
B. is with her parents; and Benjamin Hatfield 



4i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



chose as his wife Miss Gertrude Lockhart, by 
whom he has a son, Lawrence. 

It has always been the aim of Mr. Wood to lead 
a consistent Christian life, carrying out the prin- 
ciples of his faith in the practical matters of every- 
day existence. He is a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has 
conti'ibuted of his time and means as opportunity 
presented. Socially he is a Mason. In the ear- 
lier days he adhered to Democratic principles, but 
the outbreak of the rebellion caused a revolution 
in his opinions and since the administration of 
President Lincoln he has been a stanch Repub- 
lican. 



M' 



RS. EMMA PLATTE, proprietor of the 
largest dyeing establishment in College 
Point, was born in Gorlitz, Silesia, to 
Louis and Maria (Wende) Zeidler, also natives 
of that place. Her father, who was a forester of 
the royal forests and an army officer, died in Ger- 
many at the age of forty-two, in 1877. Her grand- 
father, Heinrich Zeidler, was also a forester, while 
her maternal grandfather. Christian Wende, was 
a carpenter and builder and took part in the Pol- 
ish Revolution of 1830. His wife was Elenora 
Holme, both being members of influential Pro- 
testant families. Mrs. Maria Zeidler makes her 
home with Mrs. Platte, having resided here since 
1890. Her three children are: Emma; Paul, a 
forester in the royal forests and an acquaintance 
of the Emperor; and Tillie, who died in College 
Point. 

After her first marriage, which united her with 
August Gerlach, our subject started a dyeing es- 
tablishment near Gorlitz, which .she continued 
until a flood in 1879 rLuned the business. Her 
husband, who was born in Germany in 1850, 
learned the dyer's trade in youth and was a man 
of great industry and excellent judgment. For 
a time he served in the German army. His par- 
ents, Frederick and Susanna (Laroche) Gerlach, 
were natives respectively of Germany and France. 
In 1878 he married Miss Zeidler, and in 1880 they 
came to America, settling in Jersey City Heights, 
but after six months, in the fall of 1880, they set- 
tled in College Point, where he worked at his 
trade. In 1886 he started a dyeing establishment 
in a small way, and the following year put in a 
steam boiler, later adding an engine. He built the 
trade up until at the time of his death, in January, 
1890, the business had assumed large propor- 



tions. Socially he was identified with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and a number of sing- 
ing societies. 

After the death of Mr. Gerlach our subject con- 
tinued the business, and since 1893 the firm has 
been known as A. Gerlach & Co. In November 
of that year Mrs. Gerlach married August Platte, 
a practical dyer. Mr. Platte's brother, Adolph 
Platte, is also a rnember of the firm and is super- 
intendent of the works. 

The building is 60x100 feet in dimensions, and 
a portion of it is two stories in height. The es- 
tablishment is the largest of the kind in the vil- 
lage, and all kinds of woolen and cotton yarns 
are dj^ed the various colors. Mrs. Platte is a 
woman of excellent business capacity and has 
made a success of the enterprise in which she is 
engaged. Her four children by her first husband 
are named Arthur, Elsie, Paul Z. and Lillie Ger- 
lach. Her second husband, to whom she was 
united in College Point, was born in Germany, 
and in 1883 came to America. After spending a 
short time in Detroit, New York City and Al- 
bany, he came to this village, where he has since 
resided. He is a practical chemist and dyer and 
is now connected with a New York house in that 
capacity. 



THOMAS W. ALBERTSON was born Au- 
gust 14, 1857, in the house where he now 
resides. This place, which has been his 
only home throughout life, contains one hun- 
dred and ten acres and is situated in Mineola, 
town of North Hempstead. The property for- 
merly belonged to his father, Thomas W., Sr., 
who was born at Roslyn, March 26, 181 3, and 
became an agriculturist upon choosing a life oc- 
cupation. May 30, 1846, he married Harriet, 
daughter of Hewlett Townsend, who owned and 
occupied the farm on which now stands the Glen- 
head depot, in the town of Oyster Bay. The 
place owned by our subject was purchased by his 
grandfather, Benjamin Albertson, and has since 
been in possession of the family. 

The boyhood days of our subject were passed 
on the home place and in attendance at the dis- 
trict school, after which he attended a private 
school in New Jersey. When he was sixteen his 
father died and he took charge of the home place, 
which he purchased as soon as he arrived at his 
majority. His attention has been devoted prin- 
cipally to farming and market gardening. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



417 



At Jamaica, September 28, 1878, Mr. Albert- 
son married Anna, daughter of Martin J. and 
Elizabeth (Van Alst) Duryea. She was born in 
Jamaica, where her father was a prominent citi- 
zen and supervisor for many years. With Mr. and 
Mrs. Albertson resides his mother, who was born 
September 28, 1820, and who, in spite of ad- 
vanced years, retains full possession of her mental 
faculties. She is the mother of four children: 
Townsend, a farmer at Albertson Station; Alice, 
wife of Benjamin D. Hicks of Old Westbury; 
Ethelena, who married Dr. Joseph H. Bogart of 
Roslyn; and Thomas W., our subject. 

In the organization of the Hook and Ladder 
Company No. i, Mr. Albertson took a leading 
part and was one of its charter members ; he was 
at one time its foreman and for the last seven 
years has been treasurer. Politically he is a Re- 
publican. He and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church of Hempstead, in which he 
has been a trustee for several years. Prior to that 
he was for some time a trustee of the Union 
Church of Mineola. Socially he is identified with 
Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn, 
and the encampment at Mineola, of which he 
was a charter member. In the order he has filled 
all the chairs and now holds the office of treas- 
urer. In Morton Lodge No. 63, E. & A. M., at 
Hempstead, he is is now senior warden, and has 
filled all the minor offices. For several years he 
has been a director of the Roslyn Savings Bank. 
Interested in educational afifairs, he has since 1893 
held the office of trustee of School District No. 10, 
North Hempstead, and has aided the interests 
of the public school in every way possible. 



THOMAS D. SMITH, one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Bellmore, is a man 
of enterprise and influence in his com- 
munity. He was born here July 24, 1845, and is 
the son of Thomas S. and Esther (Baldwin) 
Smith, natives of East Meadow, where they were 
content to pass their entire lives. 

The father of our subject when quite young 
learned the trade of a wheelwright, which occu- 
pation he followed for many years. On account 
of ill-health, however, he was obliged to aban- 
don this industry and engaged in the free and 
outdoor life of a farmer. He devoted his time 
mostly to raising garden stuffs and was thus oc- 
cupied until retiring from business of any kind, 
which he did several years prior to his decease. 



which occurred in 1892. He in turn was the 
son of Moses Smith, the son of Zebulon 
Smith. The latter was the son of one Ben- 
jamin Smith, who it is thought estabhshed 
this branch of the family in America, coming 
hither from England. Esther Smith, the mother 
of our subject, preceded her husband to the land 
beyond by several years. She was a most worthy 
and estimable lady and greatly assisted her hus- 
band in acquiring a competence, which support- 
ed them in comfort during their last years. 

After attending the district schools, Mr. 
Smith entered the Hempstead Academy, which 
was then conducted by James J. Matthews, for 
whom he retains the greatest respect. Our sub- 
ject was a great student, and in the Hempstead 
school was awarded the first premium on a full 
course. Professor Matthews was a civil engi- 
neer, and after studying with him for a time, our 
subject completed his education in this science 
under J. D. Cornelius, w^ho was among the lead- 
ing scientists of the state. 

For eight or ten years following Mr. Smith was 
engaged in teaching, during his vacations, how- 
ever, taking up surveying. At the expiration of 
that time he turned his attention wholly to civil 
engineering, which profession he has been en- 
gaged in ever since. He deserves great credit for 
his zealous and disinterested efforts in sustain- 
ing many enterprises of importance in his com- 
munity and he commands the entire confidence 
and respect of its citizens. In 1879 he was elected 
justice of the peace and so ably did he discharge 
the duties of the office that he was retained in 
charge for a period of twelve years. In 1891 he 
was elected supervisor of his town and under his 
administration the first macadam road of the town 
was built, which was six miles in length. 

July 16, 1868, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Sniith with Miss Susan C. Green, the daughter 
of John T. and Melinda Green of Washington 
Square, town of Hempstead. Their union has 
been blessed by the birth of three children, of 
whom those living are Townsend Green and 
Grace W. Fraternally our subject is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and the order of Odd Fel- 
lows. In politics he is a stanch supporter of Re- 
publican principles and candidates. 

Mr. Smith stands very high among the pro- 
fessional men of the county, and in 1885 was ap- 
pointed engineer with Isaac Coles to establish the 
town line between the towns of Hempstead and 
Oyster Bay. He was also assistant engineer dur- 



4i8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing the construction of the Long Island Rail- 
road from Patchogue to Moriches. He was town 
engineer for the building of the macadain roads, 
also the steel and iron draw bridge over Nor- 
ton's Creek at Far Rockaway, which is conceded 
by all to be one of the finest structures of the kind 
in the county. -Mr. Smith is a director in the 
Freeport Bank and is likewise stockholder in the 
PVeeport Land Company. He has acquired a 
competence and influence in the community by 
his native characteristics of industry and perse- 
verance in whatever he undertakes. 



LOUIS T. WALTER, SR. Far Rockaway 
ranks deservedly high as a commercial cen- 
ter, and prominent among its resources is 
the trade carried on in coal, wood, hay, straw, 
feed, brick and all kinds of building material. 
Identified with this, and deserving more than or- 
dinary notice, is Louis T. Walter, Sr., who repre- 
sents the business interests of this portion of the 
island in a very able and efficient manner, and 
who for six years has conducted his flourishing 
business. In a social as well as a business point 
of view few men have attained the prominence in 
Queens County that is enjoyed by Mr. Walter, 
who is courteous and pleasant in all his relations 
with the public. 

Born in Hungary, February 27, 1840, Mr. Wal- 
ter came to this country when about twenty-three 
years old and landed in Hoboken, N. J. The 
first two years of his residence here he did not en- 
gage in business, but after that he opened a cigar 
store at Hoboken, which he continued to operate 
for a year and a half. From there he went to the 
city of New York, and after continuing the same 
business there for about twenty years sold out and 
came to Far Rockaway, where he has made his 
home for the most part since. When he came to 
this section he had considerable money, which he 
invested in real estate. He bought what is known 
as the Plum estate, which comprised thirty-four 
and a half acres, and paid for it $50,000. Soon 
afterward he thought there would not be so much 
advance as his judgment had indicated and he 
sold this valuable tract to S. B. Allhouse, Jr., for 
$65,000. One year later the latter sold the same 
for $175,000. 

Our subject has speculated some in real estate. 
His present home place in Central Avenue Cost 
him originally $1,800, but after making some im- 
provements it is now worth about $20,000. Our 



subject is a natural lover of horseflesh and for 
some time was engaged in the livery business, 
bu)dng and selling horses, which he had pur- 
chased in Canada and elsewhere. He is also en- 
gaged in the coal and wood business and has met 
with a fair share of success in this line. 

Mr. Walter is a man of more than ordinary in- 
telligence, having obtained, in addition to a thor- 
ough education in his native country, a complete 
knowledge of men and affairs in his contact with 
the world. When he came to this country he was 
a fluent speaker in five different languages and 
was well informed on all subjects. In the year 
1867 he married Miss Emma Smith, a native of 
New York, and of the seven children born to this 
union four are now living: Louis, with his father, 
is commissioner of public works; Jennie is the 
next in order; Alfred is a salesman in a carriage 
factory in Chicago ; and Ella is at home. In his po- 
litical views Mr. Walter is a stanch advocate of Re- 
publican principles, and in religion is a Protestant. 
He is a successful and farseeing man of business, 
and in the accumulation of worldly goods has 
been successful. 



JOHN D. MacPHERSON, M. D. To those 
who wish to make a success in any busi- 
ness calling or profession, the. most 
thorough preparation is absolutely necessary. 
Especially is this true of the medical pro- 
fession. The day has gone by when a "quack" 
of great pretensions but no learning or theoretical 
knowledge can successfully cope with the grow- 
ing demands of the science, which call for the 
most careful study and training on the part of its 
followers. It may with justice be said of Dr. Mac- 
Pherson that he has prepared himself conscien- 
tiously and earnestly for his professional work, 
having spared neither time nor pains in the ac- 
quirement of knowledge. 

Since 1891 Dr. MacPherson has been a resi- 
dent physician at College Point, to which place 
he came from New York, his native city. He was 
born July 2, i860, and was given splendid educa- 
tional advantages in youth, attending the Uni- 
versity of New York, from which he graduated in 
1887. For one and one-half years he was physi- 
cian in the Newark City Hospital, after which, de- 
siring to perfect himself in his profession, he went 
to Germany and carried on his studies there for 
one year under the best instructors. On his re- 
turn to New York he was for two years con- 




WILLIAM W. GILLEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



421 



nected with the surgical clinics in the Presby- 
terian Hospital, where he perfected himself in 
surgery. On coming to College Point, he bought 
out the practice of a physician and has since en- 
gaged in practice here. 

In addition to his general practice Dr. Mac- 
Pherson is physician to the Order of Foresters 
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and 
is also examiner for several first-class insurance 
companies. He is interested in everything per- 
taining to his profession and is identified with the 
New York Mutual Aid Association. In religious 
belief he is a member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church. He and his wife, who was formerly Miss 
Esther Smith, have two children, named Dorothy 
and Ronold. 



WILLIAM W. GILLEN, a prominent 
lawyer of Queens County, was born in 
the city of New York, January 24, 1853. 
His father, Francis Gillen, was also a native of 
that city, where he was engaged in the forwarding 
business. His mother was a member of one of 
the oldest families of Long Island, her ancestors 
having emigrated from England in the early part 
of the seventeenth century. One of these ances- 
tors, a Mr. Messenger, was engaged in the con- 
struction of the old Presbyterian Church in Ja- 
maica, which was the first church edifice built by 
that denomination in America. Mrs. Gillen, 
whose maiden name was Mary Row, is still living 
and resides in Brooklyn. 

After the death of his father Mr. Gillen made 
his home with his uncle, Henry W. Rowland, 
afterwards supervisor of the town of Jamaica, in 
which town he received his education, graduating 
from the high school. In 1871, and for a period 
of five years thereafter, he was employed in his 
uncle's store at Queens, thus acquiring a prac- 
tical and valuable knowledge of mercantile life. 
During the year 1876 he secured a position in the 
Queens County surrogate's office, of which office 
the late Alexander Hayner was then, and for sev- 
eral years afterward, the incumbent, and tmder 
the preceptorship of that well-known and eminent 
jurist he entered upon the study of the law and 
was admitted to the bar in the year 1879. 

For twenty consecutive years, and under both 
Republican and Democratic administrations, Mr. 
Gillen has been connected with the surrogate's 
office, and since 1885 has been the chief clerk, a 
position which he still holds. Although a con- 



sistent Republican, his conceded experience and 
ability, together with his accurate knowledge of 
the theory and practice of the law relating to the 
business of the court, have merited and received 
the appreciation of surrogates of both political 
faiths and have made his retention desirable and 
of great value to his official superiors as well as to 
the people of the county. He is also highly es- 
teemed by the general public, with whom he 
comes into daily personal contact quite as much 
as, if not more than, any public official, and his 
popularity with all classes of citizens is well 
known. 

Mr. Gillen is a stockholder and director of the 
Bank of Jamaica, and a trustee of the Jamaica 
Savings Bank. Besides occupying these and 
other positions of trust and responsibihty he is 
also closely identified with various important lo- 
cal interests. As a lawyer he ranks among the 
best in the county. Careful and painstaking, well- 
grounded in the principles of the law, and loyal 
to the interests of his clients, he has been conspic- 
uously successful in the practice of his chosen 
profession. He makes no specialties, but is a 
strong general practitioner, presenting his cases 
with directness and ability before both court and 
jury. 

May 4, 1880, Mr. Gillen married Miss Isabelle 
Gary, a member of one of the oldest and best- 
known famihes in Jamaica. They are the parents 
of one child, Gwendolin Palmer. Mr. Gillen be- 
longs to no secret societies, but spends his leisure 
time chiefly with his family, to whom he is de- 
voted. He may, however, be occasionally seen 
for an hour or two in the early evening at the 
Jamaica Club, of which he is a member. 



WILLIAM H. JONES. Among the 
worth> and respected residents of 
Rockville Center is this worthy gen- 
tleman, who comes from one of the old families 
of the island. The greater part of his Hfe has been 
spent in business in the city of Brooklyn, al- 
though he located upon his beautiful estate in this 
place in 1883, having purchased it the previous 
year. He has met with a flattering measure of 
success in his various occupations and is now en- 
abled to live in ease and comfort and enjoy the 
good things of this life. 

Mr. Jones was born at Brooklyn in 1841, and 
is the son of Elbert and Mary J. (Seaman) Jones, 
also natives of the island, where they spent their 



422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



entire lives. The father embarked in Hfe as an 
agriculturist and met with fair success in the 
prosecution of his work. He departed this life 
when our subject was a child and was followed to 
the land beyond by his wife three years later. 
Being thus doubly orphaned when young, Wil- 
liam PI. made his home near the old place with his 
grandparents until eighteen years of age, during 
which time he attended the district school and 
became well informed. He then began to work 
for his uncle in the flour and feed business in 
Brooklyn, in which venture they were successful 
far beyond their expectations. Subsequently Mr. 
Jones embarked in the coal and wood business, 
carrying on this industry for a period of twenty- 
six years, only disposing of it in 1895 when he re- 
tired. His enterprising methods, combined with 
shrewdness and good judgment, placed him on 
the road to success and gained for him an honor- 
able reputation. As before stated, he has made 
his home in this place since 1883, and is well and 
favorably known. 

The marriage of Mr. Jones with Miss Alma, 
daughter of Benjamin and Jemima Seaman, oc- 
curred in 1861. Of the children born to them 
five survive, namely: Mary Emma; Edith, the 
wife of Clarence D. Davison; Alice, the wife of 
\Vinfield Davison; Elbert B. and Townsend S. 
During their residence in Brooklyn Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones united with the Congregational Church. In 
politics the former is a stanch Republican. 



ISAAC ELBERT BRINKERHOFF, former- 
ly one of the well-to-do and progressive agri- 
culturists of Queens County, was born on the 
farm where his family still reside, November 13, 
1835. His parents were Daniel and Phebe (Bo- 
gart) Brinkerhoff, also tillers of the soil. Isaac 
E., like most of the lads of his day and commun- 
ity, acquired his education in the district school, 
after which he gave his entire attention to as- 
sisting his father to carry on the home place un- 
til his marriage in February, 1863, which united 
him with Miss Agnes L. Woodhull, who was born 
at Wading River, Suffolk County. Her parents 
were Egbert B. and AngeHne W. (Edwards) 
Woodhull, widely and favorably known in tlie 
eastern portion of the island. 

After his marriage our subject continued to 
make his home on the old homestead, which he 
inherited on the death of his father. This he 
worked after the most approved methods and 



the result of each year's labor was exceedingly 
satisfactory. Having been reared to a full un- 
derstanding of farming he was thoroughly quali- 
fied to take charge of the place when it was nec- 
cessary to make a change, and to this industry 
he gave his entire time and attention until he 
too was called to the land beyond. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Brinkerhoff there were born 
four children, of whom three are now living, Ab- 
ram S., Elbert B. and Eloise Freeman. In politics 
our subject was independent and would not al- 
low himself to be tied to any particular party, al- 
though he rather inclined toward the principles 
advocated by the Republican party. He, was a true 
Christian gentleman and at the time of his de- 
cease, in April, 1891, was a working member of 
the Reformed Church, with which he had been 
identified for many years. 

It will doubtless be of interest to the reader to ■ 
learn something regarding the Brinkerhoff fam- 
ily, which is one of the oldest and most influential 
on the island. Tlie first account we have is of one 
Joris Brinkerhoff and his son Abram Joris and 
grandson, also bearing the given name of Joris, 
who came to America in 1638 from Flushing, 
Holland. The last-named w^as the father of Hen- 
drick, who in turn was the father of Joris, the 
father of Daniel, the father of Hendrick, the 
father of Jacob, the father of Daniel, who was the 
father of Isaac, of this sketch. 

Joris Brinkerhoff, the first-named, was the 
father of three sons and one daughter. Abram, 
the eldest of his household, was born in 1632, 
and May 20, 1660, he was married to Antye 
Striker and to them were born three sons. Of 
these Abraham (second) settled at Newtown, L. 
I.; Hendrick made his home in Hackensack, N. 
J. ; and Derick was murdered by the Indians while 
on Grovers Island. It is from the eldest son that 
the Brinkerhoffs on Long Island are descended, 
also those of this name living in Dutchess County, 
N. Y. Joris, the eldest son of Abraham (second), 
was born in 1664. He married Antye Striker, 
whose birth occurred August 19, 1665. To them 
was born a family of ten children, of whom Hen- 
drick was born January 2, 1709. He married 
Lametia Rapelye and became the father of eight 
children, of whom his eldest, Daniel, was born 
October 26, 1734. He chose Miss Ann Montfort 
for his wife and they were married April- 3, 1756. 
This lady was born July 3, 1732. Their union 
was blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom 
Jacob was born August 27, 1766, and April 28, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



423 



1793, he married Miss Anatje Brinkerhoff, wliose 
birth occurred February 7, 1772. To them were 
granted four children, of whom Daniel, born 
January 24, 1799, married Phebe Bogart, March 
II, 1829. They had two children, the elder of 
whom, Phebe Ann, married Hobart Woolley, and 
the other was Isaac of this history. 



JUSTUS O. LINKLETTER, a most highly 
respected resident of Manhasset, was born 
near Almond, Allegany County, N. Y., June 
29, 1839. His parents were John and Sarah (On- 
derdonk') Linkletter, the former of whom was a 
native of Steuben County, this state. He was a 
prosperous farmer, and when our subject was a 
lad of six years he moved to Nunda, Livingston 
County, in order that he might provide him with 
better advantages for obtaining an education. 
After several years' attendance at the public 
schools, Justus O. entered Nunda Institute at 
twelve years of age, and after completing the 
course there became a student in Eastman's 
Business College at Rochester, from which he 
was graduated. 

When his school days were over our subject be- 
gan clerking in a drug store, holding a good posi- 
tion until about the year 1862, when he resigned 
and went to Chicago, where he was clerk for a 
Mr. McPherson in the drug trade for three years, 
when he was taken in as partner. After they had 
continued together for about eight years our sub- 
ject embarked in the wholesale drug business 
with Tolman & King, remaining thus engaged 
until October, 1871, when he was burned out by 
the great fire of that year. Upon making an in- 
voice of his possessions after that calamity befell 
him, he found that he had but $25. With this he 
paid his way out of the city and located in Cairo, 
111., where he was engaged as clerk and book- 
keeper in a wholesale drug house for a time. In 
the meantime his father had moved to Barry 
County, Mich., and after a visit there he, in 1876, 
returned East and was married to Miss Annie B. 
Onderdonk, with whom he had been in corre- 
spondence for about three years. He had never 
met this lady, but having been thrown in the 
company of one bearing the same name in Gales- 
burg, III, and as his mother was also an Onder- 
donk, he wrote to the lady of Long Island and 
their acquaintance finally ripened into love and 
they were married. The young couple then went 
West, and after a few months were induced to re- 



turn to the island by the relatives of Mrs. Linklet- 
ter. They finally located at North Hempstead, 
where our subject has made his home ever since. 
Five years prior to the death of Mrs. Linkletter, 
which occurred February 7, 1885, she became the 
mother of a son, George, who is an active and 
businesslike young man and gives every prom- 
ise of making a name for himself in the business 
world. The lady to whom our subject chose for 
his second companion was Miss Catherine E. On- 
derdonk, a sister of his first wife, and they were 
married in 1887. 

In politics Mr. Linkletter is a Republican, cast- 
ing his first presidential vote in i860 for Lincoln. 

Of the Onderdonk family there were the tra- 
ditional three brothers who came to America 
from Holland, one settling on Long Island, one 
in New York City, and the third in Rockland 
County. Our subject's grandfather, George Link- 
letter, who was of Scotch descent, was a native of 
Orange County, this state, and later became a 
resident of Steuben County, where he was active- 
ly and prosperously engaged in farming. 



SIGMUND WARSHING. No professional 
or commercial pursuits afford better oppor- 
tunities to men of ability and enterprise 
than those embodied in real estate and fire insur- 
ance, a notable example of advancement in this 
direction being illustrated in the record of Mr. 
Warshing, a real estate agent, notary public and 
general insurance agent at Arverne. Mr. Warsh- 
ing has been a resident of this thriving place since 
1887, and although but a short time in his pres- 
ent business has succeeded in a larger measure 
than many old and long practicing concerns. He 
erected his present house in Arverne when the 
section contained few houses, and came to this 
place from New York City, where he was a real 
estate broker. 

Mr. Warshing was born May 28, 1843, in New 
York City, and received excellent educational ad- 
vantages. His father, who was a successful mer- 
chant of New York City, came to this country 
from Bavaria in the same ship that brought John 
Jacob Astor. He died in Norwalk, Conn., where 
he had a lovely svimmer residence, when seven- 
tv-one vears old. His wife, formerly Miss Ella 
Bachmann of Bavaria, died when seventy-seven 
years old. Two of their five children are now liv- 
ing. Our subject, the younger of the two, first 
began his career as a real estate agent in New 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



York City in the year 1880. He built up a good 
business, but on account of ill-health he came to 
Long Island, and here he has remained for the 
most part since. He now enjoys excellent health 
and has met with the best of success in his various 
enterprises. 

Mr. Warshing was married in New York City 
to Miss Maria Peck, who is of Scotch-Irish ori- 
gin, and they have one child, Ella Madelaine, who 
was named after her two grandmothers and is a 
bright and attractive little girl. In politics Mr. 
Warshing is a Democrat. He is not a speculator, 
but a legitimate, first-class real estate dealer, and 
if he finds a good bargain he ofifers it to his clients 
and does not buy it himself for speculation. He is 
a thorough gentleman and can be depended on. 



AUGUST BORGES, junior member of the 
firm of Borges Brothers, and one of the 
well-known business men of Woodside, 
was born in New York City, June 16, 1856. At 
the age of twenty-two, having previously learned 
the butcher's trade, he established himself in busi- 
ness at No. 555 Greenwich Street and this enter- 
prise he carried on for some four years. On dis- 
posing of that place, he became a member of the 
farm of Borges Brothers at Woodside. 

In 1886 Mr. Borges was united in marriage 
with Miss Lena Pabst of New York City. Six 
children were born of their union, of whom all but 
one are living. They are William, Frank, Louisa, 
Genevieve and Dorothy. While not an active par- 
tisan, Mr. Borges always votes the Democratic 
ticket. In religion he is a Catholic and belongs 
to the Catholic Leasrue of Astoria. 



HENRY J. BORGES of the firm of Borges 
Brothers, grocers and meat dealers at 
Woodside, was born in New York City, 
March 18, 1854, and is a son of Frank and Minnie 
(Schnelle) Borges, whose eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, are all living. His 
father, a native of Germany, learned the trade of 
a tailor in his native land, and on coming to 
America at the age of twenty-eight years found 
employment at his chosen occupation. Later, on 
account of trouble with his hands, he was com- 
pelled to abandon work at the trade. After a 
short period of work in the New York market, he 
embarked in the market and produce business for 
himself, and this he carried on until, years later. 



he turned the management of affairs over to his 
sons, retiring from active participation in busi- 
ness matters. 

After having for some years attended the pub- 
lic schools of New York City, our subject, at the 
age of about eighteen, became a partner in his 
father's establishment, the firm name being Frank 
Borges & Son. After some five years of success- 
ful work, with our subject as the business man- 
ager, they disposed of the place at a fair profit. 
Mr. Borges then formed a partnership with his 
father-in-law under the firm title of Borges & Tie- 
mann and in 1877 opened his present quarters. 
Six years later Mr. Tiemann withdrew from the 
firm and shortly afterward our subject's brother 
August was taken into partnership, the firm be- 
coming Borges Brothers. Since that time the 
house has become one of the leading grocery 
stores and meat markets in this section, this suc- 
cess being due to the fact that the members of the 
firm are thoroughly wideawake and progressive 
merchants. 

February 11, 1877, Mr. Borges married Miss 
Margaret Tiemann, and eight children were born 
of the union, of whom the following five sur- 
vive: Louisa, an accomplished young lad}' who 
graduated with high honors from the Woodside 
school; Henry T., August, Mary and Joseph. Po- 
litically Mr. Borges is a Democrat and in relig- 
ious views a Catholic. Since 1892 he has been 
treasurer of the school board and he has always 
been a stanch friend to liberal education. 



HUGO KIRCHNER. That enterprise, 
push, industry and determination neces- 
sary to a successful career in any business 
are possessed in an eminent degree by the subject 
of this sketch, whose high reputation and wide ac- 
quintance in business circles stamp him as a gen- 
tleman with whom business relations must be 
profitable and pleasant to all concerned. He is 
the proprietor of a modern bakery, located on the 
corner of Seventh Avenue and Fifteenth Street, 
College Point, and aside from keeping on hand 
a large stock of fresh bread, cake and pies, he re- 
ceives special orders for fancy baking for wed- 
dings, parties, etc. Mr. Kirchner has mastered 
every detail of this business, which he has con- 
ducted for nine years in College Point, and for 
a decade prior to coming hither he was in the 
same business in New York City. 

Our subject is of German birth and parentage. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



He was born September 6, i860, to Otto and An- 
istenia Kirchner, also natives of the Fatherland, 
where the former was a tailor by trade. There 
Hugo received a good education and lived until 
a lad of sixteen years, when he bade farewell to 
his relatives and friends and embarked on a vessel 
which was bound for the shores of the New 
World. He did not loiter long after landing in 
this covmtry, but the following day went to work 
for a baker. Finding this a pleasant occupation 
he decided to learn the business. 

Mr. Kirchner was married October 12, 1884, 
to Miss Katie Schneider of College Point, who 
survived her marriage seven years. Our subject 
chose as his second companion Lizzie Wilhelm, 
who was born in Germany. By his fitrst union Mr. 
Kirchner became the father of a son, Henry, who 
is now his assistant in the bakery. Of his second 
marriage there were born two sons, Arthur and 
Fritz. In politics he is a true blue Republican, 
but has given his attention so entirely to his busi- 
ness that he has never desired or had time to 
hold office. In religious affairs he and his wife are 
regular attendants and members of the Lutheran 
Church, which he supports with liberal contribu- 
tions. 



HENRY W. ALLEN, a retired farmer of 
Great Neck, was born January 3, 1836, 
about one mile from his present place of 
residence, his parents being Hiram and Harriet 
(Allen) Allen. His ancestors were represented 
among the early settlers of the island, having 
made location here some time in the seventeenth 
century, and his father was born on the same 
homestead where his own eyes first opened to 
the light. He was reared on the farm, and his 
father's death left him, a boy of sixteen, the old- 
est of four children, and it may be said to his 
credit that he tenderly cared for his widowed 
mother and wisely provided for and directed the 
younger children until the former passed away 
and the latter were able to care for themselves. 
His brother, John, who was next to himself in 
order of birth, died of the cholera in 1854, so 
that the management of the estate fell mostly to 
our subject. He remained at home, his mother 
keeping house for him until she died in 1873. 

March 27, 1879, ^i"- Allen was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Harriet H. Hewlett, daughter of 
Henry H. and Cornelia M. (Allen) Hewlett, of 
Manhasset. After the death of his mother, in 



1873, the homestead was sold and the same year 
he began to drive a market wagon for his brother, 
continuing in that way for a year, after which he 
was employed as a gardener for a similar period. 
For six years after his marriage he engaged in 
fishing, but the enterprise did not prove pecuni- 
arily profitable and he turned his attention in 
another direction. For a few years he clerked in 
Mr. Hayden's store, and then moved to the place 
where he now makes his home. Interested in 
public affairs, he was so anxious to vote for John 
C. Fremont for President in 1856 that he cast his 
ballot before he was twenty-one. Since then he 
has voted for each succeeding RepubHcan candi- 
date. At one time he filled the position of excise 
commissioner, but with that exception has never 
mingled actively in public affairs. 



F 



ERDINAND KOCH, the proprietor of a 
first-class meat market on the corner of 
Sixth Avenue and Thirteenth Street, Col- 
lege Point, gives the best of satisfaction to his 
customers. He is thoroughly reliable and strict- 
ly business-like in all his dealings, and gives his 
attention to the details of every department of the 
business. Mr. Koch is well known in this com- 
munity as excise commissioner, the duties of 
which office he discharges in a competent man- 
ner. 

Like many of the best residents of Queens 
County, our subject was born in Germany, the 
date thereof being December 13, 1846. He was 
well educated in his native tongue, and prior to 
coming to America, when a young man of twen- 
ty-two years, learned the details of the business 
in which he is now engaged. For a time he made 
his home in Williamsburg, but on making a trip 
to College Point, saw a good opening for his busi- 
ness and located here in 1868. He possessed but 
little of this world's goods when he came hither, 
but being determined and industrious, it was not 
long before he was the proprietor of a flourishing 
establishment, which grew in favor with the resi- 
dents of the place, until now he has a fine class of 
customers. 

Ferdinand Koch and Miss Elizabeth Haubeil 
were united in marriage in 1870. Mrs. Koch 
comes from one of the oldest families on the 
island, the settlement in America dating back 
many generations. Her union with our subject 
has been blessed by the birth of thirteen children, 
seven of whom are living, namely: Helma, 



426 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Adolph, Julius, Johanna, Clara, Augusta and 
Hugo. They have all been given the best ad- 
vantages for acquiring an education and the sons 
are now the efficient assistants of the father m 
bis business. 

Our subject takes a deep interest in the prog- 
ress and development of College Point, which 
'he is now serving for the third term as excise 
commissioner. He is a Democrat in politics and 
an active worker in the party here. Socially he is 
a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, belongs to the Foresters, the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the volunteer fire depart- 
ment and various social clubs. Mr. Koch is quite 
a musician and an active member of some of the 
best singing societies in this community. A gen- 
ial German-American citizen, he is prominent in 
his community, and with his estimable wife is re- 
spected by all who know him. 



GEORGE MATHEWS. Among the prom- 
inent citizens of Great Neck we wish to 
mention Mr. Mathews, who is one of the 
best florists on the island. He is a native of Scot- 
land, having been born at Forfarshire, June 10, 
1 85 1. His parents were George and Ellen (Ness) 
Mathews, also of Scotch birth. George was 
reared in his native land and there given a good 
education in the common schools of his neigh- 
borhood. Prior to attaining his majority he 
learned the business in which he is now engaged, 
and, hoping to find a more profitable field in 
America, in 1872 he emigrated to this country. 
The voyage hither was a very ■ stormy one and 
occupied fifteen days. 

Our subject came at once to Great Neck, and 
after a stay here of three months was offered a 
splendid position by a lady who owned a beauti- 
ful home on the Hudson. He accepted, and for 
seven years superintended the laying out of her 
grounds and greenhouses, giving the best of sat- 
isfaction. While there, on Thanksgiving Day, 
1874, he was married to Miss Catherine Potter, 
then making her home at Garrison, N. Y. She 
was, however, a native of Ireland, although her 
parents were English people. 

Mr. Mathews was energetic and industrious as 
well as economical, and upon leaving the employ 
of Mrs. E. B. Underhill rented the farm of Hon. 
John Jay, which was located in Westchester 
County, this state, and operated this tract of land 
very successfully for two years. At the expira- 



tion of that time we find him again located in 
Great Neck, where for a number of years he was 
engaged as landscape gardener for John Sneden. 
In 1877, however, he took possession of his pres- 
ent place and began in a modest way as florist; 
By strict attention to his affairs he has developed 
his business into one of the best of its kind in 
the county. His greenhouses contain twenty-five 
thousand square feet of glass and are fitted up 
with every convenience and appliance for raising 
choice flowers. Of tjiese Mr. Mathews sends a 
handsome allowance each day to the market in 
New York and also supplies the exchange with 
an excellent variety of flowers in their season. 

To our subject and his excellent wife there have 
been born three sons, of whom we make the fol- 
lowing mention: George was born at Garrison, 
Putman County, August 15, 1875; he is a well- 
educated young man, completing his studies in 
the high school at Flushing. William W., was 
born in Katonah, Westchester Coimty, June 10, 
1880; he is now attending the school of Social 
Economics in New York City. John James' birth 
occurred at Great Neck, June 20, 1881. 

In the due course of time Mr. Mathews took 
out his naturalization papers and as soon as the 
law permitted cast his vote in support of Re- 
publican candidates which he believed to be in 
the right regarding political affairs. He is treas- 
urer of the Cut Flower Exchange of New York 
and in every good work in his community he 
takes a leading and active part. Religiously he 
is a member of the Episcopal Church. 



CHRISTOPHER BESOLD. The close 
proximity to the large city markets as 
well as the advantages of soil and climate 
combine to make Long Island a choice location 
for a florist, and a man of energy and industrious 
habits can scarcely fail to achieve at least a certain 
measure of success in this occupation. Mr. Be- 
sold is already achieving an important position 
among the florists of Queens County, where he 
conducts a wholesale and retail business at Mineo- 
la. He is one of our prosperous German-Ameri- 
can citizens, whose thrift and enterprise are pav- 
ing the way to prosperity. 

Born in Amberg, Bavaria, in 1867, Mr. Besold 
went to the city of Munich in childhood and there 
he was educated. There too he later learned the 
business of floriculture under the city gardener's 
board. In 1886 he left home and Fatherland and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



came to the United States, settling in Flatbush, 
Queens County, where he remained for three 
years. Thence he went to Cromwell, Conn., where 
he was employed by A. N. Pierson, a florist, with 
whom he remained until 1892, and then came to 
Mineola. Here he bought land and built a green- 
house, starting in the business which he has since 
conducted. As his trade increased he was obliged 
to secure additional room from time to time and 
enlarged the capacity until he now has a glass 
area of about twenty-five thousand square feet. 
His attention has been largely given to cut flow- 
ers of superior quality and he has supplied only 
the best trade. His sales are principally made by 
wholesale to New York dealers, though he also 
has a local trade of important dimensions and 
does a mail order business in bulbs and seeds. 
Carnations and lilies have been his specialties, and 
he is now arranging for the cultivation of roses 
also. 

In Brooklyn, June 8, 1890, Mr. Besold married 
Lizzie W., daughter of Jacob Kilz, who was born 
in Brooklyn, and is now an engineer on one of 
the lighter boats of the harbor there. Politically 
Mr. Besold is independent, but inclines to Re- 
publican principles. He and his wife attend serv- 
ices at the Episcopal Church of Garden City. He 
is one of the enterprising young men of the coun- 
ty, and it may safely be predicted that future years 
will bring him increasing success. 



HENRY C. MORRELL, well known to the 
residents of Queens County, was born 
March 7, 1834, near Manhasset, where he 
at present makes his home. His parents were 
Henry and Matilda Ann (Sands) Morrell, the for- 
mer of whom is better known to the people here 
as "Colonel" Morrell. He too is a native of this 
portion of the island, his birth occurring July 
30, 1 79 1. He lived to be sixty-one years of age, 
departing this Hfe February 21, 1853. He was 
jusdy entitled to the name of Colonel, as he filled 
this position in a regiment of militia and in his 
earlier years he had served in the War of 181 2. 

The mother of our subject was born at Flower 
Hill, December 10, 1796, and died June 25, 1870. 
His maternal grandfather, John Sands, was born 
at Sand's Point, January i, 1766, and died Ati- 
gust 21, 1842. His father, the great-grandfather 
of our subject, was also named John Sands, and 
during the Revolutionary War obtained the title 
of colonel for his brave services in the Continental 



Army. His wife was Elizabeth Jackson. John 
Sands was likewise the name of the great-o-reat- 
grandfather, who was also born at Sand's Point, 
the date thereof being January i, 1709. He died 
November 22, 1760. His wife, Elizabeth Corn- 
wall, was born September 27, 1701, and died May 
10, 1793. The great-great-gi-eat-grandfather, 
John Sands, was born at Sand's Point in 1684 and 
died August 15, 1763; his wife, Catherine Guth- 
rie, died February 10, 1769. Great-great-great- 
great-grandfather, John Sands, was born at the 
same place in 1649 and died March 15, 171 1. His 
wife, Sybel Ray, was born March 19, 1665, and 
died December 23, 1733. Great-great-great- 
great-great-grandfather John Sands was a native 
of England and was born in 1622. He was a de- 
scendant of an archbishop of York, whose estates 
were confiscated, after which the family emigrated 
to America. 

The father of our subject was a tanner by 
trade, his place of business being located at Man- 
hasset. He was also the owner of the place on 
which Henry C. now lives and carried on farm- 
ing with profitable results. His father, John Mor- 
rell, was also born at Great Neck and was of Eng- 
lish descent. He likewise made farming his busi- 
ness through life. 

The parental family included eight children, 
four of whom are yet living. Henry C. obtained 
a good common school education by his attend- 
ance at the Manhasset Academy. He was six- 
teen years of age when his parents moved on the 
property which he now owns, and three years 
later, when his father died, he felt it his duty as 
well as pleasure to remain with his mother. He 
was married December 12, 1866, to Miss Kate 
Valentine, of Locust Valley, who was the daugh- 
ter of Henry and Anna (Willets) Valentine. They 
have continued to make their home here ever 
since and are well and favorably known to the 
best residents of the community. 

Mr. Morrell cast his first presidential vote in 
i860 for Bell and Everett and in 1864 supported 
Lincoln by his ballot. Since that time, however, 
he has been an enthusiastic Democrat and on this 
ticket was elected justice of the peace in 1873 in 
order to fill a vacancy, but so ably did he dis- 
charge the duties of the position that he has been 
retained in office ever since. He is a consistent 
Christian gentleman, and with his wife is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, of which he is ves- 
tryman. Socially he belongs to Cornucopia 
Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M., at Flushing, with 



428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which he has been connected for nearly a quarter 
of a century. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Morrell there have been born 
six children, four of whom are living: Elizabeth 
is the wife of Rev. Joseph D. Evans, of Lynch- 
burg, Va. The three remaining daughters are 
named respectively Anna Willets, Grace Sands 
and Eloise Brown. The names of those deceased 
were Harrv and John S. 



JOHN BUHLER, proprietor of the East Wil- 
Hston Hotel, situated on the Jericho turn- 
pike, town of North Hempstead, was born 
in 1850 in canton Berne, Switzerland, to John 
and Margaret Buhler. When he was an infant 
of nine months he was brought to America by his 
parents, who settled in New York. The father, 
who for a time followed his trade of a carpenter, 
in 1864 entered the United States service as a 
member of Company C, Sixth New York Infan- 
try, in which he served for three months. On 
being mustered out he resumed carpentering, 
later did considerable work as a contractor, and 
finally took up the coal business. Now (1896), at 
the age of seventy-six, he is living retired in New 
York City. His wife departed this life at the 
age of seventy-two. Of their family nine chil- 
dren are living, John being next to the eldest. 

Educated in New York City, our subject com- 
pleted his studies in a private German college. 
At the age of seventeen he began to learn the 
barber's trade, which he followed until 1892. In 
1873 he removed from New York to Garden City 
and established a barber shop, which he conduct- 
ed until 1878, going from there to Mineola and 
taking charge of the East Williston Hotel, lo- 
cated on the Jericho turnpike and Willis Avenue. 
In 1887 he built a new hotel on the opposite side 
of Willis Avenue and this he has since conducted. 

Politically a Republican, in 1881 Mr. Buhler 
was elected constable on that ticket and has been 
re-elected every succeeding year, making a con- 
tinuous term of fifteen years. For six consecu- 
tive years he has been school trustee of District 
No. 10. In 1890 Governor Hill appointed him 
a notary public, which office he still retains. He 
is a Master Mason and belongs to Fessler Lodge 
No. 576, New York, with which his father has 
been connected for twenty-five years. He is also 
past grand of Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. 
F., at Roslyn, and is a member of Mineola En- 
campment No. 121 and Canton Crescent of 



Brooklyn, in which he is now lieutenant. In the 
Shield of Honor he is an -active worker. 

For three years Mr. Buhler was treasurer of 
East Williston Hook and Ladder Company No. i 
and is at this writing its secretary. The Roslyn 
Benevolent Society numbers him among its char- 
ter members. Since 1889 he has held the position 
of court attendant to the county judge at Long 
Island City, which has occupied the most of his 
time. In 1870 he married Barbara, daughter of 
Frank Blust, of New York City, and they are the 
parents of three sons, John F., Edward E. and 
Albert T. 



EDMUND H. BEIDERLINDEN, of Col- 
lege Point, has served as village clerk con- 
tinuously since January, 1884. In Decem- 
ber, 1883, he was elected police justice, assuming 
the duties of the position the following year, and 
since then he has been re-elected every three 
years, being the present incumbent of the office. 
As indicated by the name, he is of German lineage. 
His father, Nicholas Beiderlinden, was born in 
Germany, but at an early age emigrated to the 
United States, where he followed the occupation 
of a bookkeeper in New York City. He was also 
similarly employed with the Enterprise Works 
at College Point, and remained here until his 
death in 1888, aged seventy years. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Jeannette Georg, re- 
sides in this village and is now (1896) seventy- 
two years old. Of their six children, two are liv- 
ing, the other besides our subject being Gustavus 
Charles, a machinist in Twenty-sixth Street, New 
York City. 

From New York City, where he was born June 
9, 1852, the subject of this record was brought to 
College Point by his parents at the age of two 
and one-half years. His education was received 
in the grammar school here and Fairchild's In- 
stitute at Flushing, which he attended for two 
years. At the age of fifteen he secured a position 
as errand boy in a hardware store, where he re- 
mained one and one-half years. From that time 
until eighteen he was employed in the Enterprise 
factory, after which he was employed in painting, 
manufacturing jewelry, and other occupations in 
New York until twenty-two. Returning to Col- 
lege Point, he again secured employment in the 
Enterprise Works, but in the spring of 1885, 
work being dull in that line, he began in the paint- 
ing business, which he followed for eight years. 




COIvES CARMAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



431 



retiring from it in 1893. He is also an experi- 
enced paper hanger and a skilled mechanic, doing 
excellent work in almost anv line. 

At the age of twenty-three Mr. Beiderlinden 
married Miss Hannah Miller, of Great Neck, and 
they have two daughters, Lillian and Hattie, who 
are accomphshed and well educated young ladies. 
Politically our subject always champions the poli- 
cy of the Democratic party, and supports its prin- 
ciples with enthusiasm. He was confirmed in the 
Episcopal Church, but is not an active member 
of the denomination. 



COLES CARMAN. Throughout his long 
and active business career Mr. Carman 
retained the energy, industry and perse- 
vering disposition that characterized him in early 
life, when, with limited capital but large courage, 
he founded the business with which he was after- 
ward connected until his death. In 1838, when 
a youth of eighteen years, he embarked in the 
hardware and tin trade, which he conducted, on 
an increasing scale, until his earth life ended. A 
man of kind and generous impulses, he was con- 
siderate and thoughtful of those in his employ, 
and always retained their confidence and good 
will. One of his employes, Michael Kelly, re- 
mained with him for forty-two years. 

The family of which Mr. Carman was a mem- 
ber originated in England, but emigrated thence 
during the early part of the seventeenth century 
and settled on Long Island. Caleb Carman was 
the first white child born on this island, with the 
history of which the descendants have since been 
identified. Through removals of some branches 
of the family the name has been disseminated 
throughout the entire country, and it is now the 
custom to hold an annual reunion. 

The father of our subject, Richard Carman, 
was born in Hempstead September 2, 1785, and 
died in Brooklyn in 1855, aged sixty-nine years. 
He was known as the "father of Methodism" in 
Hempstead and the first meetings of that society 
were held in his house; throughout life he con- 
tinued one of the leaders of that church, in the 
welfare of which he was deeply interested. His 
father, Capt. Thomas Carman, was born Novem- 
ber 22, 1763, and died in 185 1. Coles Carman 
was one of eight brothers and two sisters, all of 
whom are deceased, the others being Samuel, 
Isaac, Valentine, Elbert, Richard, John, Thomas, 
Caroline and Mary Ann. Thomas, who was a 
16 



wealthy citizen of Brooklyn, died April 16, 1896. 
The birth of our subject occurred in Hemp- 
stead May 3, 1820, and here his education was 
obtained in the common schools. Aside from his 
business affairs he was prominent in local matters, 
and for several years was overseer of the poor. 
For some time he served as president of the com- 
pany having in charge the building of the Beth- 
page turnpike, and was also vice-president of the 
Hempstead & Jamaica Plank Road Company. 
In religious belief he found a home in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. A lover of sports, he 
was an unerring shot and took great pleasure in 
hunting. He owned a fine yacht, and one of his 
most enjoyable recreations was a sail upon the 
water. 

The business established by Mr. Carman is now 
conducted by his widow and son Isaac. The 
former, who resides in the elegant house erected 
by Mr. Carman in 1873, bore the maiden name- 
of Frances A. Bennett and was born in Brooklyn- 
September 20, 1820. Her grandfather, William 
Bennett, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
Her father, Abraham Bennett, who was a soldier 
in the War of 1812, carried on a general mer- 
cantile business in Brooklyn, but removed from 
there to Hempstead in 1834 and died here in 
1867, aged eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Car- 
man were united in marriage March 2, 1842, and 
they became the parents of eight sons and three 
daughters, viz. : Theodore A. ; Isaac N. ; William 
E., deceased; Andrew M.; Richard; Thomas, de- 
ceased; Samuel V.; Coles, deceased; Frances A., 
wife of Thomas H. Brush, of Brooklyn; Emma 
L., wife of Isaac Terry, of Sayville; and Julia O., 
wife of Milliard Gildersleeve. Their union was 
one of mutual happiness and helpfulness u.itil 
his death, which occurred July 31, 1890. He 
is remembered as a man of noble traits of char- 
acter, generous impulses and kind disposition, 
and his course in life was such as to win the re- 
spect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 



JOSEPH D. ARMSTRONG was born Feb- 
ruary 9, 1835, on the homestead in the town 
of North Hempstead, where he has since 
resided. His father, Samuel Armstrong, was born 
in Bellamy, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1783, and 
was a weaver by trade. In 1816 he came to 
America and soon secured a position as superin- 
tendent of the Underbill woolen mills at Matine- 
cock, remaining there for a few years. In 1822 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he bought a farm in the town of North Hemp- 
stead, where he reared his family and spent his re- 
maining years. On this place is the old Queens 
County court house, built in 1780, and used un- 
til 1875, when the county seat was moved to Long 
Island City. Afterward the old court house was 
used as the county insane asylum until 1894, when 
the building was abandoned. The family resi- 
dence, which has been remodeled of recent years, 
was formerly, as early as 1756, known as the 
Three Ton Inn, and on the same farm was located 
the first race track course on the island. An 
article in the "Rider and Driver," a turf paper of 
Chicago, speaks of this race course as having 
been established two hundred years ago. 

In connection with the hotel business, Samu.el 
Armstrong also kept a country store until about 
1842. After locating on the farm he married De- 
borah Denton, a native of North Hempstead, and 
daughter of Joseph and Rachel Denton, who died 
respectively in 1858 and 1866. In the family 
there were seven children, namely. John J., de- 
ceased, for many years judge of Queens County; 
Deborah, Isabella, Joseph D., Martha, and Mary 
and Samuel, both deceased. Our subject was 
reared on the old home farm, where he has always 
resided. When beginning life for himself he took 
charge of the place, and becoming half owner at 
the death of his father. His share consists of fif- 
ty acres, and is devoted to general farming and 
market gardening. 

For four years, beginning in 1874, Mr. Arm- 
strong served as justice of the peace. His first 
vote was cast for J. C. Fremont for President 
and he has since supported the Republican party. 
He and his family belong to the Presbyterian 
Church of Hempstead, in which he holds the po- 
sition of trustee. His marriage, which took place 
in 1876, united him with Matilda Morrill, who 
was born in Manhasset, Queens County. 



Rochester, he bought a horse and wagon with 
money he had saved and began to drive a huck- 
ster's wagon, following that occupation about six 
years. From Rochester he went to Pittsburg, 
where he was engaged as a peddler of spectacles 
for two years. 

Returning to New York, Mr. Glickman began 
to run a junk store, but one year later bought 
a push cart and peddled fruit and vegetables for 
more than a year. His next position was in a 
fish market, and he saved his earnings until fin- 
ally he started a shop of his own, but two years 
later sold out and again entered the employ- 
ment of his former employer. It was about that 
time he bought two lots in Corona, on which 
he built a house, and here he established his home 
in 1889. The same year he started in business 
as a hardware dealer, in which line he has built 
up a good trade. 

Prior to leaving New York the first time, Mr. 
Glickman was married. He is the father of five 
children, of whom Libbie, married to Morris 
Jacoby, has one child and resides in New York. 
Henry is employed in a chandelier factory in 
Brooklyn. Joseph works for the Edison Electric 
Manufacturing Company of New York. Mary is 
with her father, and Eva, the youngest child, is a 
student in the Corona school. 



M^ 



AX GLICKMAN, who is engaged in the 
hardware business at Corona Heights, 
was born in Poland, April 15, 1850, being 
a son of Isaac and Mary GHckman. At the age 
of about fifteen years he accompanied his parents 
to America and settled in New York City, where 
his father worked at the coppersmith's trade and 
he worked under him, gaining a good knowledge 
of the occupation. Later he was employed by a 
butcher about two years, and spent a similar 
period in a distillery. Going from New York to 



ISRAEL HEWLETT, now deceased, was for- 
merly one of the old residents of Queens 
County, where his entire life was spent. He 
was the owner of a neat farm and to its cultivation 
gave his entire time and attention for many years. 
He came from one of the old and honored fami- 
lies of this region, where for several generations 
they have made their home. 

Our subject was born in Merrick in the year 
181 4. His parents were George and Jane (Will- 
iams) Hewlett, also natives of Long Island, where 
they were content to pass their entire lives. Is- 
rael was the only child born to them and to him 
they gave the best educational advantages which 
were to be had in their district. He was reared 
to a Hfe of usefulness, and by assisting in the farm 
work when not in school, grew up to a full knowl- 
edge of this vocation, and when ready to assume 
the management of the home place was thorough- 
ly competent to do so in a profitable manner. In 
every way he was identified with the upbuilding 
of his community and was made the incumbent of 
many positions of responsibility and trust. For 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



433 



several terms he was assessor of his town and for 
some time was president of the Turnpike road 
between Babylon and Hempstead. In religious 
belief he was a Quaker, which had also been the 
faith of his parents. In his death, which occurred 
January 22, 1889, the community lost one of its 
best and most highly honored citizens. 

Israel Hewlett was married to Eliza Ann Hew- 
lett, October 31, 1832. This lady became the 
mother of several children, five of whom survive, 
and departed this life September 20, 1859. Her 
eldest son, Charles, is living at Little Neck; 
George W. is a resident of Brooklyn; John C. is 
pastor of an Episcopal Church in Boston, Mass. ; 
Mary W. became the wife of Benjamin WooUey, 
of Little Neck, and William W. is a prominent 
physician of Babylon, Suffolk County. 

The lady whom our subject chose as his sec- 
ond wife, September 23, 1863, was Margaret A., 
daughter of Thomas and Sarah A. (Eldred) Dor- 
Ian, a native of Long Island. The children born 
of this union were respectively: Jane W., Eliza 
A.; Maria D., now the wife of Benjamin H. Wells, 
of New Jersey; Nellie C, Mrs. Samuel W. Rollo, 
of Brooklyn, and Sarah K. Mrs. Hewlett is a 
devoted member of the Episcopal Church and 
with her youngest daughter still resides at the 
old home. 



JOHN DENNIS, a progressive business man 
of Springfield, Queens County, is a native 
of Far Rockaway, born December 24, 1845. 
He is one of four survivors of the six children 
originally comprising the family of Thomas and 
Bridget (Everst) Dennis, natives of Ireland, the 
former born in Dublin, the latter in County 
Cavan. In early Hfe they came to the United 
States and settled in Far Rockaway, L. I., where 
they secured work in the employ of John Norton, 
a wealthy blind man ; later they were married. 

After having been for nineteen years with Mr. 
Norton, and having prudently saved his earnings 
in the meantime, Thomas Dennis bought eight 
acres of land from his employer. Soon, however, 
he traded this property for seven acres at Hungry 
Harbor. The eight acres which he originally 
owned at Far Rockaway were recently sold for 
$70,000. After leaving Mr. Norton, he was em- 
ployed by Father Nostrand for eighteen years, 
and then settled down on his garden plot, where 
he remained until his death, at the age of sixty- 
three. He never became wealthy, but being in- 



dustrious, energetic and economical, he secured a 
competence that provided for his decHning years. 

When only twelve years of age the subject of 
this notice began to be self-supporting. ° His first 
position was that of cabin boy on a steamer, and 
for ten years he followed a seafaring life, being 
promoted from time to time until he finally be- 
came master of the vessel. As a sailor his voy- 
ages took him from Sandy Hook to the Gulf 
Stream and across to the West India Islands. 
After retiring from the sea he followed various 
lines of work until at last he turned his attention 
to the industry with which he has since been con- 
nected. He became an agent for a fertilizer man- 
ufacturer, representing the Clark Cove Company 
for nine years. On leaving their employ he rep- 
resented the Quinnipiac Fertilizer Company, with 
which he has since remained and for which he 
secures about $50,000 worth of business annually. 

February 17, 1866, Mr. Dennis married Miss 
Fannie Abrams and thirteen children were born 
unto them, all of whom but two are living. They 
are as follows: Richard H., a carpenter, who mar- 
ried Miss Hattie Decker; Jennie; Drusilla, wife 
of Stephen F. Hendrickson, who is with L. E. 
Decker, a grocer of Springfield; Wilber, who is 
connected with the bakery business in Jamaica; 
Edward S., who is in the employ of L. E.Decker; 
Ida M., Morris F., Alice, Charles S.. Arthur and 
Gracie. 

Politically Mr. Dennis is liberal, supporting 
in local elections those whom he deems best 
qualified to fill the position in question, while in 
national affairs he inclines toward Democratic 
principles. His family are connected with the 
Methodist Church and regular attendants at re- 
ligious services. Since 1890 he has been a mem- 
ber of the school board, and has aided in making 
the school one of the best graded institutions in 
the county, also in the erection of the new school 
building at a cost of $15,000. Progressive, en- 
terprising and liberal, he has been instrumental 
in promoting the general welfare and industrial 
thrift of the village of Springfield, and is in every 
way worthy of the high place he holds in public 
esteem. 



WILLIAM McCarthy is a man who 
has carved his way from small begin- 
ning to his present enviable position 
and has the respect and esteem of all. He was 
born August 16, 1865, in Roslyn, and is a son of 



434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John and Mary (Gilfoy) McCarthy. His paternal 
grandfather was John McCarthy. Our subject 
remained with his parents until twelve years old 
and therf went to live with an uncle, Alfred P. 
Aveson, and there attended school for a very 
short time. In fact, nearly all his schooling was 
received before he was twelve years old, but he 
has made up for this to a great extent by self 
study and observation. Although he spent som.e 
years of his early life in the saloon business, he is 
proud of the fact that he does not use liquor in 
any form. 

When eighteen years old young McCarthy en- 
tered the railroad office at Garden City, and later 
had charge of that office for one year. On the 
5th of September, 1885, he was appointed to the 
office at Mineola and has had charge of the same 
since. He has full control of the general office 
work, telegraph and switch tower, this being one 
of the most important offices of the Long Island 
Railroad. He is a most capable and trustworthy 
young man, and since his first appointment has 
been promoted a number of times to more im- 
portant duties. In 1888 he was appointed post- 
master of Mineola and was in that office for four 
years, but resigned when President Cleveland 
took his seat. Socially he is a Mason, a member 
of Morton Lodge No. 63, and also belongs to 
Lodge No. 141, I. O. O. F., at Hempstead, and 
the Encampment No. 121. He is also a P. C. P. 
and now holds the office of F. S. 

Mr. McCarthy has been a member of the Min- 
eola Hook and Ladder Company No. i, has held 
office in the same, and is now its trustee. In 
politics he supports the principles and policy of 
the RepubHcan party. November 21, 1888, Mr. 
McCarthy was married to Miss Mary Underbill, 
daughter of George S. Underhill, and grand- 
daughter of Willett Underhill, an old and promi- 
nent citizen of Green Vale. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Carthy are the parents of one son, Earl Under- 
bill, who is named in honor of his grandfather. 



JUDGE PETER McARDLE. As a repre- 
sentative of the business element, to whose 
progressive spirit and superior abilities is 
due much of the prosperity enjoyed by Long Is- 
land City, we present the name of Judge McArdle, 
who is well known, not alone in this city, but 
throughout the island and state. He was born in 
County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1840. His father, 
Patrick, and his mother, Margaret (Mooney) 



McArdle, were also born on that island and are 
both now deceased. Peter, who was the eldest 
of the family, was a lad of six years when, he was 
brought to America by his maternal grandfather 
and was established in the home of a brother of 
his mother's, who was then engaged in business 
in New York City. Young McArdle was given 
every opportunity for acquiring a good education 
and until eighteen years of age carried on his 
studies in the public schools of the metropolis. 

In the year 1858, when eighteen years of age, 
our subject began in business for himself in New 
York, having a fat-rendering establishment lo- 
cated in West Thirty-ninth Street. He was very 
successful in this venture and continued to do a 
large business in New York for ten years. Find- 
ing that Long Island City would prove a better 
location for his factory he removed hither and 
built his large works, covering half a block on 
Honeywell Street and Jackson Avenue. Here 
he transacts all his business in this line and bears 
the distinction of having the largest fat-render- 
ing establishment in the state. He knows his 
business in all its detail, but is now relieved of 
much of the care and responsibility by his two 
sons, James and Joseph, both of whom are his 
partners, the firm being known as Peter McArdle 
& Sons. They have six wagons, and through 
keen business acumen, push and energy, are in 
the enjoyment of a most extensive and paying 
business. 

The marriage of Peter McArdle and Miss 
Mary McAdam occurred in New York City in 
1 86 1. The latter, who was also born in Ireland, 
became the mother of eleven children, five of 
whom are now living, and of whom we make 
the following mention: Catherine is a teacher 
in the schools of Long Island City; James and 
Joseph are engaged with their father in busi- 
ness; Mary is Mrs. Sheridan, of this place; and 
Elizabeth married George Johnson, of New York. 
Mrs. Mary McArdle departed this life in 1878, 
mourned by all who knew her. In 1880 our sub- 
ject chose for his second wife Miss Margaret 
Shannon, a native of Long Island City. To them 
were born six children, all of whom are living. 
After the death of his second wife Mr. McArdle 
married Miss Frances Otis. 

Mr. McArdle is truly a self-made man, who by 
his own industrious efforts and strict attention 
to business during his earlier years has worked 
his way upward to a position of wealth and afflu- 
ence. He is a man of unswerving honesty, whose 




HON. JOSEPH FITCH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



437 



word is considered as good as his bond, and the 
confidence of the entire community is his. He was 
alderman of the second ward of the city for two 
terms, having the honor of being a member of 
the first board after the organization of the city. 
During that time he was chairman of the finance 
committee and gave his attention most zealously 
to the interests of his constituents. He is a 
stanch supporter of Democratic principles and 
takes great pride in the success of his party. On 
the expiration of his term as alderman Mr. Mc- 
Ardle was appointed justice of the peace, to fill 
an unexpired term, occasioned by the death of 
Judge John P. Madden. He was afterward elect- 
ed recorder of Long Island City to succeed Judge 
Parsons, and after filHng tliis position most ac- 
ceptably for four years resigned and refused fur- 
ther political honors until 1893, when he was 
appointed school commissioner by Mayor San- 
ford, which position he still holds. He is doing 
much toward elevating the standard of efficiency 
in his school district, and believing that what is 
needed is better schools and better teachers, is 
going about supplying these needs in a most 
praiseworthy manner. He is a member of the 
committees on supplies and buildings, and it is 
pleasant to note that he is giving conscientious 
attention to the duties of his office. He is a mem- 
ber of the Jefferson Club, and for many years 
during his more active career was a member of 
the general committee. 



HON. JOSEPH FITCH. Justice and rea- 
son are the strong pillars of law. No 
man is required to do that which does not 
lie in his power by the statutes of the govern- 
ment. Often he may fail in his conception of 
them, and in this do the exponents of jurispru- 
dence prove their value by construing for him 
the correct meaning and leading him right. Hon. 
Joseph Fitch is one of the prominent legal lights 
of New York, a city noted for its many able and 
brainy professional men, and is a resident of 
Flushing, where he is one of the representative 
citizens. He is an ex-member of the New York 
Assembly and a man of brilliant mental attain- 
ments. Born in Flushing August T,"], 1857, he is 
a son of Joseph and Avis (Leggett) Fitch, the 
former a native of Flushing and the latter of New 
York City. 

The grandfather, Joseph Fitch, Sr., was a na- 
tive of England, and when a young man came 



to America, settHng in New York City. He was 
in the service of the English government and 
made his headquarters in the above mentioned 
city, with summer residence in Flushing. Here 
he died when his son Joseph was an infant. The 
latter was born in 181 1 and was reared by his 
sister, Mrs. Joseph Franklin, who resided in Bay- 
side. Eventually he became a prominent business 
man and his time was passed in New York City 
and New Orleans until the breaking out of the 
Civil War, his sympathies resting with the North. 
His death occurred in Flushing in 1868. In his 
political views he was a Democrat. Mrs. Fitch 
was the daughter of Thomas H. Leggett, who 
was a prominent retail merchant of New York 
City. The latter carried on business for many 
years, but at last retired from active duties and 
located in Flushing, where his last days were 
spent. Mrs. Fitch now resides on the old Leg- 
gett estate in Amity Street, and is in the enjoy- 
ment of comparatively good health. She is a 
Quaker in her religious views. 

Joseph Fitch, our subject, was the only child 
born to his parents. He spent his childhood 
in Flushing, attended Flushing Institute and 
later Swarthmore (Pa.) College, where he gradu- 
ated with the degree of A. B. in 1879. After that 
he began the study of law and entered Columbia 
College Law School, and he was admitted to the 
bar in February, 1882. He was with C. W. Pleas- 
ants at No. 237 Broadway until the latter's death 
in 1890, and then succeeded to the business, con- 
tinuing it alone up to the present time. He is 
counselor for the Flushing Board of Health, a 
position he has held since about 1891. 

In the fall of 1885 Mr. Fitch was elected, on 
the Democratic ticket, to the assembly from the 
old first district of Queens County, and re-elected 
in 1886, serving from 1886 to 1887. At first he 
was on the committee of ways and means, and 
the second year was on the cities and insurance 
committee. He succeeded in passing the bill 
establishing the Coldspring Fish Hatchery of 
Oueens County, which has become the most 
important hatchery in the state. For a number 
of years he was a director of the Flushing Bank. 
At present he is a member of the board of educa- 
tion, having held that position since 1893, and is 
chairman of the finance committee. 

In the year 1886 Mr. Fitch married Miss Annie 
L. Rose, a native of Yonkers, N. Y., and the 
daughter of Levi P. Rose, who was a prominent 
business man and postmaster there for many 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch are the parents of two 
children, Avis L. and Dorothy. In 1891 he 
moved to his present residence, a fine place at 
No. 303 Sanford Avenue. For ten years Mr. 
Fitch has been on the board of governors of the 
Niantic Club, was captain of"the Nereus Rowing 
Club for two years, and is a member of the 
League of American Wheelmen. For three years 
he was chairman of the Democratic town com- 
mittee and in 1894 was nominated for congress 
from the first congressional district, but was de- 
feated, with the rest of the ticket. He is a mem- 
ber of Queens County Bar Association and of 
the New York Law Institute. It is hardly neces- 
sary to add that he is a stanch Democrat. 



FREDERICK E. DETHERIDGE, manager 
of the Jamaica branch of the "Brooklyn 
Daily Times," and the present police judge 
of the village of Jamaica, was born in England. 
In childhood he accompanied his mother to 
America, and to the country of his adoption has 
since been loyally devoted. His education was 
obtained in the public and private schools of New 
York City, and has since been supplemented by 
self-culture. Devoting some attention to the 
study of medicine in early life, it was at one time 
his intention to become a physician, but the pro- 
fession was not altogether congenial to his tastes 
and he selected instead an occupation that was 
more to his liking. 

From his youthful years Mr. Detheridge dis- 
played a predilection for journahstic work; the 
bent of his mind was toward the newspaper busi- 
ness, and he never lost an opportunity to famil- 
iarize himself with its details. With that purpose 
in view he secured a position as proofreader on 
one of the dailies of Brooklyn, and at one time 
and another he filled almost all of the positions 
on the staff of a great city paper. For some time 
he was assistant city editor of the "Brooklyn 
Union." Since 1886 he has been on the staff of 
the "Brooklyn Daily Times," and is the present 
inanager of its branch office at Jamaica, where 
through his efforts a large business has been built 
up. He is a thorough newspaper man, an able 
and forcible writer, brief, concise and pertinent 
in his statements regarding public or local affairs 
of importance. 

Possessing considerable natural genius as a 
musician, Mr. Detheridge obtained a thorough 
musical education and is well verseid in that art. 



At different times he has been organist in 
churches in New York and Brooklyn, and is now 
a member of the Jamaica Choral Society, with 
which he has official connection. A man of de- 
cided ideas and views, he has taken a positive 
stand on the side of the Republican party, for 
which he has done good work. Though not an 
aspirant for official honors, the people, irrespec- 
tive of party lines, elected him to the office of 
police justice in Jamaica in the spring of 1895. 
He was elected by a large majority and is now 
filling the office with credit to himself and to the 
satisfaction of the people. 

Mr. Detheridge married Miss Emeline C. 
Sayrs, of New York City, whose father, John 
Sayrs, was for many years connected with the 
Erie Railroad. They are the parents of three 
children, of whom the son, Frederick W., is an 
engineer in Boston; Kate C, the elder daughter, 
received a thorough musical training and is an 
accomplished alto singer; she is now the wife 
of Andrew J. MacLean, a journalist. The younger 
daughter, Florence Helene, is a member of the 
choral society and is well versed in music, for 
which she possesses an inherited talent. 



HON. P. J. WHITE. In a work devoted to 
an exposition of the various industries 
of Blissville, Long Island City, in a man- 
ner not only serviceable to those who conduct 
the various business enterprises of the place, but 
also with a view to giving information to the 
general public relating to her resources, the 
dairy business conducted by Hon. P. J. White 
is deserving of honorable mention. For three 
years this representative citizen was president of 
the board of aldermen of Long Island City, and 
for six years he was a member of the same. He 
is noted as having been president of the board 
longer in succession than any other man. Mr. 
White was born in Long Island City in i860, but 
his parents, John and Rose (Clancy) White, were 
natives of Ireland. John White was a tailor by 
trade, and when but a boy came to America. 
He first located in the town of Newtown, at 
Laurel Hill, but as business was dull there he 
entered the Queens County Oil Works, where 
he was employed for some time. 

Later Mr. White embarked in the dairy busi- 
ness and also opened a grocery store which he 
carried on until his death in 1869. He was one 
of the old and respected settlers here. Mrs. White 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



439 



was the daughter of John Clancy, who settled 
here at an early date and kept a hotel and board- 
ing house at Laurel Hill. Since the death of her 
husband Mrs. White has conducted the grocery 
store very successfully. She is the oldest settler 
here by fifteen years. Her children were four in 
number, three sons and one daughter. Our sub- 
ject, the eldest of this family, received a good 
practical education in the public schools of New 
York and Brooklyn and subsequently entered 
Christian Brothers College, in the former city, 
where he completed his schooling. Later he took 
charge of the dairy business and soon became its 
owner. 

Mr. White has now the largest dairy business 
in Western Long Island. Three wagons are on 
the routes in Brooklyn all the time and he has 
a fine herd of cows, supplying his customers at 
all times with the purest milk. In 1884 he was 
elected a member of the board of aldermen from 
the second ward, on the Democratic ticket, and 
served three terms of two years each, and for 
three years was a member of the fire and water 
board. He was one of the organizers of the Jef- 
ferson Democratic Club. 



JOHN MURPHY. If history is to be be- 
lieved, the people of Egypt were the first 
to originate the wagon, or rather, to con- 
struct a vehicle on wheels, but these conveyances 
differed as materially from the present elegant, 
easy and hght-running carriage as did the primi- 
tive residences of those people differ from the 
magnificent and palatial homes of the present 
generation. One of the most skillful and compe- 
tent wagon and carriage manufacturers of Long 
Island City is John Murphy, who has built up a 
large and paying patronage through the excel- 
lence of his work and his upright business prin- 
ciples. 

Mr. Murphy was born in Hackensack, N. J., 
June 25, 1843, a son of John and Ellen (Cafifrey) 
Murphy, natives of Ireland. The former was en- 
gaged in the milk business and farming in the 
vicinity of Jersey City, but in 1856 death closed 
his career. His widow now resides in that place. 
The subject of this sketch was the only child born 
of this union and in his native town his parents 
continued to reside until he was three years of 
age, at which time they removed to Jersey City, 
where he was educated in the subscription 



schools. Jersey City was then a mere village 
and was called Horse Siamans. 

After the death erf the husband and father, 
Mrs. Murphy and her son were left in limited cir- 
cumstances and John was compelled to leave 
school and begiii the battle of hfe for himself. He 
began driving a horse cart for a flouring mill in 
1857, but in the latter part of that year was ap- 
prenticed to the carriage manufacturers, Cooley & 
Lampmann, of Jersey City, completing the trade 
at the end of three years and nine months. Im- 
mediately thereafter he enlisted in Company K, 
Seventeenth New York Infantry, was mustered 
into the service in 1861, for two- years, at Park 
Barracks, New York, and eight days later was 
sent to Beaufort, N. C. During the seven 
months spent there he was in either battles or 
skirmishes every day. At the end of that time 
his regiment had lost so many men that it was 
disbanded and he was honorably discharged and 
returned to New York, having at no time been 
wounded. 

In August, 1862, Mr. Murphy volunteered in 
the United States navy at Brooklyn on board the 
gunboat "Yankee," but some months later was 
transferred to the "Satellite," and still later to 
the gunboat "Osophey." All this time he was 
ship's blacksmith. The next boat on which he 
served was the "Jacob Bell," on which he re- 
mained until he received his discharge, in 1864, 
on the James River, and then returned to New 
York City. While in the naval service he re- 
ceived a wound in the right hand, his middle 
finger being shot nearly off; the skill of his sur- 
geon, however, saved it, but he was for three 
months in the Maryland Hospital. 

In 1864 Mr. Murphy entered the employ of 
Stratton & Son, in Fourteenth Street, New York, 
with whom he remained engaged in the manufac- 
ture of carriages for nine months. The following 
thirteen years he had charge of the works of R. 
M. Stiver, in Thirty-first Street, New York, but 
during this time he had removed to Long Island 
City and built him a comfortable residence here. 
He was next in the employ of Bradley, Ploy & 
Co. for one year and eleven months, in Broadway, 
New York, but they failed in business and then 
he embarked in business for himself at his pres- 
ent stand, and has improved his business connec- 
tion until it is very large. His establishment is 
25x200 feet in dimensions, a part of which is two 
stories in height, and he utilizes every inch of the 
space. He manufactures carriages, wagons and 



440 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



trucks, and his work is first class in every partic- 
ular. His is the next- oldest place of business of 
the kind in the city, and employment is given to 
fifteen hands. 

Mr. Murphy was married in New York to Miss 
Ann Lennon, a native of Ireland, and five chil- 
dren were born to them: Thomas J., who was 
educated in New York, and is a blacksmith in 
his father's shops; John H., deceased; Mrs. Ann 
Eliza Adams of New York; Ellen R. and Patrick. 
They received good educations in the schools of 
New York City. Mr. Murphy is a member of 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, John J. 
Mitchell Lodge, and belongs to Sheridan Post 
No. 682, of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
Pohtically he is a stanch Republican. 



GEORGE W. MOUNT. The friends of 
Mr. Mount know him to be something 
more than a successful farmer; they rec- 
ognize in him a man who is earnestly striving in 
all honorable ways to make the world better for 
his presence. He is not only a prominent factor 
in agricultural circles of the town of Jamaica, 
but he is constantly endeavoring, so far as lies 
within his power, to relieve suffering, help the 
needy and advance the welfare of the community. 
He owns a small but well improved place in 
Farmer's Avenue, where he has resided since 
1890. 

The subject of this notice was born in Fosters 
Meadow September i, 1845, and is one of the 
five surviving children of Zebulon and Mary Anna 
(Manley) Mount, whose family originally con- 
sisted of ten children. His paternal grandparents, 
Samuel and Rachael Moimt, were born April 
20, 1759, and February 13, 1769, respectively. 
The former had two brothers who, durins: the 
Revolutionary War, were killed by the Indians 
in New Jersey. In the early days of the colonies 
several members of the family gained promi- 
nence, and there were not wanting those of the 
name to enlist in defense of liberty against the 
oppression of the British. 

The birth of Zebulon Mount occurred in Mon- 
mouth County, N. J., January 16, 1800. After 
his mai-riage he settled in New York City, where 
for a few years he engaged in contracting, but 
in 1830 he came to Queens County and settled 
upon a farm. Here he spent the remainder of his 
days until his death, August 23, 1870. His son, 
George W., grew to manhood on the home place, 



gaining his education in the common schools. 
At the age of seventeen he went to Queens and 
apprenticed himself to the trade of a wagon- 
maker, but after eighteen months he decided to 
give it up. Going to Jersey City, for one year 
he was employed in the car shops. Next we find 
him in Brooklyn, where for four years he was 
employed in making flasks in a foundry. Fol- 
lowing this he was engaged in the milk and but- 
ter business for two years in Brooklyn, after 
which he returned to Fosters Meadow and took 
up carpentering. A , short time elapsed and he 
then purchased the old Foster Hendrickson farm, 
upon which he was occupied in tilling the soil 
for the ensuing eighteen years. He then bought 
the tract of ten acres upon which he still re- 
sides. Here he built a neat house and introduced 
some valuable improvements, and upon this place 
he hopes to spend his remaining days. The other 
farm, however, is still in his possession, but cul- 
tivated by tenants. 

June 6, 1884, Mr. Mount was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of Amaziah 
Foster, of Springfield. They are the parents of 
three children: Carrie B., Ethel May and Sam- 
uel M.. Politically Mr. Mount is a Repubhcan 
and takes a warm interest in matters pertaining 
to the public welfare. 



SANFORD H. KEPNER, though young 
in years, holds the responsible posi- 
tion of superintendent of the Long Island 
Paint and Color Works, which is a department 
of the Standard Oil Company. He is a native 
of the Buckeye State, and was born in Hartford, 
Trumbull County, August 16, 1861, the son of 
Henry and Adaline (Lynch) Kepner, both native 
of Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject, 
John Kepner, was a pioneer of the Western 
Reserve and followed farming there until his 
death. For many years he was a member of the 
German Reformed Church. Farming has been 
the principal occupation followed by his son Hen- 
ry, who resides on the old homestead, and who 
has met Vv'ith excellent success in his chosen 
calling. He is an honest, upright citizen, and 
is now about sixty-four years old. Mrs. Kepner 
was born in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, and there 
her father, Isaac Lynch, was a prominent real 
estate :nan and coal dealer. Of the three chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Kepner only two are 
now living, our subject and John, the latter re- 




VALENTINE W. SMITH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



443 



siding on the old home place. The other son, 
Williani, died in New York City, where he was m 
the employ of the Standard Oil Company. 

Sanford H. Kepner was reared and educated at 
Hartford, Ohio, graduating from the academy 
there when seventeen years old, and later went to 
Youngstown, where he was in business for some 
time. In 1880 he went from there to Cleveland, 
Ohio, and was in the employ of the Standard 
Oil Company, manufacturing paints. One year 
later he was transferred to the plant in Long 
Island City, and here he has learned all that 
pertains to the business. In 1882 he was made 
superintendent of the paint mill here, under the 
proprietor, George H. Hopper, and has charge 
of the whole establishment, which is one of the 
largest of its kind in the city. 

Mr. Kepner was married here to Miss Rosena 
Gerry, and they have an interesting family of 
six children, as follows: Annie, Rosa, Laura, 
Florence, Maude and William. They have a 
pleasant and comfortable home at No. 14 Pearson 
Street, and are well respected in the community. 
In his political views Mr. Kepner is a stanch ad- 
vocate of Republican principles. 



VALENTINE W. SMITH. Although this 
county has much in the way of natural 
resources and commercial transactions to 
•commend it to the public, the chief interest cen- 
ters upon the lives of those citizens who have 
achieved success for themselves and at the same 
time benefited the community in which they re- 
side. Prominent among these men is Valentine 
W. Smith, who, while one of the youngest busi- 
ness men of Far Rockaway, is also one of the 
most judicious and efficient. Since 1893 he has 
held the responsible position of cashier of the 
Far Rockaway Bank, and has by his efforts added 
to the reputation which this bank has of being a 
safe and solid financial institution. 

While engaged in business at Far Rockaway 
Mr. Smith makes his home in Freeport, where 
reside his father, J. Gilbert Smith, a retired far- 
mer, and his mother, Mary (Powell) Smith; also 
his only brother, Charles P. Smith, proprietor of 
the leading drug store of Freeport. Valentine 
W., the older of the two sons, was born at Mer- 
rick (Freeport P. O.), October 6, 1868, and re- 
ceived in boyhood such educational advantages 
-as the common schools afforded, also was a stu- 
'dent in Brooklyn for three years, and finally fin- 



ished his education by a course in Bryant & Strat- 
ton's Business College. Being naturally bright 
and quick at figures, he gained a thorough knowl- 
edge of every department of commerce and 
finance, and was fitted for the position to which 
he was afterward called. 

On leaving college Mr. Smith became book- 
keeper for the Far Rockaway Bank, then a pri- 
vate institution, and was found to be a valuable, 
trustworthy employe. His ability led to his pro- 
motion to the position of cashier, which he now 
holds. He is still young and it may safely be 
predicted that the future years will bring him in- 
creasing and deserved honors. It was on the 
25th of July, 1888, that he came to Far Rockaway, 
and the bank was incorporated in January of the 
following year. In addition to his work in this 
connection, he is agent for the Westchester Fire 
Insurance Company at Freeport and Far Rock- 
away, and does a good line of business for that 
company. 

Fraternally Mr. Smith is identified with Olym- 
pia Lodge No. 808, F. & A. M., and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a mem- 
ber of Hempstead Bay Yacht Club. He is not an 
active participant in political affairs other than 
to vote the Republican ticket, preferring to give 
his attention to his business. As a notary public he 
has already had quite an extensive experience in 
drawing up wills and in the settlement of estates. 
A wide-awake and progressive young man, the 
best interests of the community receive his sup- 
port, and he aids in worthy public enterprises. 
In religious views he is connected with the Pres- 
byterian Church of Freeport, of which he has 
been treasurer and trustee for a number of years, 
and is also an active worker in the Sunday-school. 



JOHN J. DONNELLY, general yardmaster 
of the Long Island Railroad and a well- 
known citizen of Long Island City, was 
born in Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland, July 
8, 1852. His father, John, was the son of a farmer 
and grew to manhood in the land of his nativity, 
becoming at an early age a soldier in the English 
army. With his regiment he was assigned to ser- 
vice in New Zealand, where he took part in a 
number of skirmishes, and held the rank of color- 
sergeant. During his life in that far-away coun- 
try he had many thrilling experiences and was 
often afterward accustomed to narrate to groups 
of interested listeners some of the incidents con- 



444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nected with his army days. Upon retiring from 
active service, after twenty }'ears in the army, he 
was placed in the government civil service, where 
he remained until the infirmities incident to age 
compelled his retirement. He now makes his 
home in Moate, Ireland, being at this writing 
(1896), eighty-four years of age. His wife, Cath- 
erine, daughter of Thomas Murray, a brewer, 
was born in Mullingar, capital of the county of 
Westmeath, and died in Moate in 1893. 

Of seven children comprising the parental fam- 
ily, all but one are still living, John J- being third 
in order of birth. His brother, Thomas F., who 
enlisted at the opening of the war as a member 
of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York 
Infantry, became first lieutenant of his company 
and remained in the army until the close of the 
Rebellion; from that time until his death, in 1893, 
he made his home in Brooklyn, where he was 
manager of A. S. Barnes' large publishing estab- 
lishment. 

At the age of twelve years our subject came 
from Ireland to the United States and joined his 
brother Thomas. In 1865 he entered the employ 
of A. S. Barnes & Co. as errand boy and remained 
with them for four years. A portion of his time 
during boyhood was spent in the Bermudas, 
where his father was then stationed and where 
he attended school. In 1866 he came to Long 
Island City, and four years later secured a posi- 
tion as car cleaner with the Long Island Railroad 
Company. From that he worked his way up to 
the position of brakeman, his run being between 
this city and Great Neck. Later he was conduc- 
tor, first on a freight, then on a passenger train, 
between the same points. In 1885 he was made 
yardmaster, in which capacity he has since been 
employed. The j^ards extend from this city four 
miles to Woodside in one direction, and from 
Long Island City to Blissville, a radius of ten 
miles. During the summer season over three 
hundred trains are run in eighteen hours. Five 
branches come in here, the three roads, which 
were formerly separate, having been merged into 
one. While the position of yardmaster is one of 
great responsibility, Mr. Donnelly fills it to the 
entire satisfaction of the road officials, and has 
his work so systematized that everything runs 
along smoothly, without accident, trouble or in- 
convenience. 

In 1876 Mr. Donnelly married Miss Johanna 
M. Dunn, a native of Ireland, and a devout mem- 
ber of St. Mary's Catholic Church, to which he 



also belongs. Their eight children are: Cath- 
erine, William, John, Joseph, Nellie, May, Frank 
and Clarence, all at home. The duties incident 
to his position are of such a nature as to require 
Mr. Donnelly's entire attention, and he is there- 
fore not actively interested in public affairs, nor 
has it been his desire, even if his business duties 
permitted, to enter into politics. He is connected 
with the Catholic Benevolent League, and is a 
charter member of the Long Island Railroad Mu- 
tual Relief Association. 



FRANZ KROMBHOLZ of Astoria, Long 
Island City, was born in Vienna, Austria, 
and is a son of Nicholas and Josephine 
(Moeller) Krombholz. His father, who was a 
native of Saxony, Germany, was a descendant 
of ancestors who removed from Holland to Sax- 
ony in 1340. The paternal grandfather, who was 
born in Saxony, removed thence to Vienna, where 
he was employed as a government contractor un- 
til his death. With his son, Nicholas, and an Eng- 
lishman, under the firm name of Ruston & Co., he 
started the first steamship line on the Elbe River 
between Dresden and Leitmeritz, Austria. Later 
our subject's father became proprietor of a stage 
line running from Leitmeritz in various direc- 
tions, and in the management of this extensive 
enterprise lie owned over one hundred and eighty 
stage coaches. In addition to this business, he 
was employed as a government contractor on a 
large scale. For a time he was also proprietor 
of Hotel Krebs, one of the best known hotels in 
Vienna. His death occurred in Leitmeritz in 
1877, when he was seventy-five years of age. 

By his marriage to Josephine Moeller, a native 
of Austria and daughter of a miller there, Nich- 
olas Krombholz had ten sons and four daughters, 
but only five of the number are now living, and 
all remain in Austria except the subject of this 
sketch. He was reared in_ Vienna, where he was 
educated in the private schools and gymnasium. 
On the completion of his education he began to 
take railroad contracts, the business being carried 
on under the name of Krombholz & Co. from 
1862 until 1875. He was prosperous from the 
first, and his contracts extended through all parts 
of Austria. In 1875 he abandoned the occupa- 
tion, and the following year brought, his family 
to America on the steamer "Klopstock," Captain- 
Meyer commanding. 

Settling on Staten Island, Mr. Krombholz re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



445 



sided upon a farm for one year, after which he 
was employed for a short time as collector for 
George Ehret. In 1877 he became collector for 
Jacob Ruppert, and in addition to this position, 
he represents the concern on Long Island. 
March i, 1878, he removed to Long Island City, 
and has since rebuilt the property at No. 205 
Grand Avenue, where he now resides. He owns 
some valuable realty in this city and is one of its 
prosperous residents. Socially he is connected 
with the Turn Verein, both of New York and 
Long Island, also the Arion of both places. 
Prior to leaving Vienna, he was married. May 6, 
1862, to Miss Priska Edle von Kleinmeyer, daugh- 
ter of a noble family of Austria. They have four 
children, as follows : Ernest, who has been a col- 
lector for Joseph Ruppert for a number of years; 
Pauline, wife of Paul Richter, who is bookkeeper 
for Ruppert's brewery; Mary and Frank, who 
are with their parents. 



FERDINAND H. BATTERMAN, D. D. S., 
secretary of the board of health of Long 
Island City, is one of the most popular and 
prominent dentists in Queens County. He was 
born in New York City February 22, 1856, and is 
the son of Christopher H. Batterman, a native of 
Hanover, Germany. The latter, who is a cabinet- 
maker by trade, continued to follow this line of 
work after his emigration to the United States, 
and is at present living in Astoria, where he has a 
beautiful home. In addition to this place he is 
the proprietor of a farm containing fifty acres, 
located at Massapequa, this county, where he 
spends his summers. He has been very success- 
ful in life, and through energy and persistence, 
which are some of the characteristics of his race, 
this result has been attained. 

Mrs. Gesche (Fesenfeld) Batterman, mother 
of our subject, was likewise born in the Father- 
land, in the province of Hanover. Of the six 
sons and two daughters born to herself and hus- 
band, five grew to mature years. Ferdinand H., 
the subject of this sketch, acquired his education 
in a private school in New York City, after which 
he spent three years in the employ of a publishing 
firm. In 1874 he began the study of dentistry with 
Jules Marcelin, and after reading under his in- 
struction for some time entered the New York 
College of Dentistry, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1883 with the degree of Doctor of Dental 
Surgery. Before completing his course, how- 



ever, he left college and spent two and one-half 
years with his former instructor, Dr. Marcelin, 
in Geneva, Switzerland. At the expiration of that 
time he crossed the Atlantic and again pursued 
his collegiate studies, graduating with his class. 
Soon after receiving his diploma he opened an 
office for the practice of his profession in New 
York City. After leaving that city he located in 
Astoria, Long Island City, by whose professional 
men he is highly regarded. 

In October, 1895, Dr. Batterman formed a part- 
nership with Dr. J. F. H. Kuyper, and since that 
time they have operated on the corner of Fourth 
and Vernon Avenues under the firm name of 
Batterman & Kuyper. The latter gentleman has 
been engaged in practice here for some time. He 
stands very high in the profession and is a grad- 
uate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. 

Dr. Batterman was for several years demon- 
strator in the department of operative dentistry in 
his alma mater, in fact held the position until re- 
signing in order that he might give his entire at- 
tention to his private practice. He is at present a 
member of the staff as dentist to the Astoria 
Hospital and holds the same position in St. John's 
Hospital. 

April 4, 1892, Dr. Batterman was appointed 
clerk of the board of health of Long Island City, 
and in March, 1894, when the office of registrar 
of vital statistics was abolished, he was appointed 
secretary of that body, thus combining the two. 
offices. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat and 
an enthusiastic worker in the Jefferson Club. For 
several years after joining this organization he 
served as a member of the general committee. 
In religious affairs he is a devoted member of the 
Lutheran Church and contributes Hberally of his 
means toward its support. 

The Doctor keeps himself well informed re- 
garding all the latest improvements and appli- 
ances used in dentistry, and makes a specialty of 
crown and bridge work. He is a finely educated 
gentleman and speaks German and French with 
fluency. 



WILLIAM C. KELLY. The time has 
gone by when the worst tasting medi- 
cine was supposed to be the most 
effectual in overcoming disease. In fact, many 
people have become convinced that medicine is 
an excellent thing to leave alone as much as 
possible, and they have learned to depend more 



44.6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



upon nature and less on drugs when finding 
themselves a little "under the weather." There 
is no question but that many who suffer from 
headache, indigestion and other common troubles 
would get more good out of healthful out-door 
diversions than they can out of drug stores, and 
of these none is more generally beneficial than 
riding or driving. A good horse and a com- 
fortable carriage are capable of affording a great 
deal of enjoyment and doing wonders toward 
increasing one's appetite and general well being. 
In order to get this "prescription" properly filled, 
it is only necessary to visit the establishment con- 
ducted by William C. Kelly, in the Kelly Block, 
Hunter's Point, Long Island City. 

Our subject was born on the site of the build- 
ing in which he is now doing btisiness, in 1869. 
His father, Michael Kelly, was born in Ireland, 
and when a young, unmarried man came to the 
United States, and secured work as a drover and 
stock dealer in New York. He was one of the 
first to locate and buy property in Long Island 
City, his purchase being made at what is now 
the corner of Jackson Avenue and Fourth Street, 
and here he continued dealing in cattle and also 
dealt in milk. In 1869, v/hile in the prime of 
manhood, he died of cholera. His wife, Cath- 
erine Fleming, was also born in Ireland and died 
in this country in 1881, having borne a family 
of seven children, six of whom are living at the 
present time; David died at the age of thirty- 
nine years; Jennie is Mrs. McCarthy of New 
York City; Katie is the wife of J. A. McKenna, 
the postmaster of Long Island City; Mary F. 
is next in order; Michael is connected with the 
Long Island Granite Company, the main entrance 
of whose marble and granite works are at Cal- 
vary Cemetery, with branch works at Paterson, 
N. J.; Amy C. and Wilham C. complete the 
family. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
grammar school on Sixth Street, where he com- 
pleted the course. About 1883 he embarked in 
the milk business on the site of his present estab- 
lishment, and here later he opened a livery stable, 
which he conducted successfully up to 1893, when 
his building was consumed by fire. Nothing 
daunted, he at once began the work of rebuilding, 
once more opened a livery stable, and keeps on 
hand a large number of horses for livery pur- 
poses, as well as comfortable and stylish car- 
riages, coupes, surreys, etc. He, with his two 
unmarried sisters, built the Kelly Block, one of 



the finest and largest business blocks of the city, 
which has a one hundred foot frontage on Jack- 
son Avenue and about the same on Fourth Street. 
No expense was spared to make the building 
ornamental and substantial, and its four stories 
and basement are profitably utilized. Three 
large store buildings and a private flat are on the 
main floor, while the upper floors are also in 
flats and are fitted up with dumb waiters, hot and 
cold water and other modern conveniences. Mr. 
Kelly is a pushing man of business and has met 
with success in the business affairs of life. Pie 
was one of the incorporators of the Granite and 
Monumental Company of Long Island City and 
has been president and general manager of the 
same. The Kellys have always been of the Cath- 
olic faith. Politically our subject is a Democrat, 
and socially is a member of the Brooklyn Under- 
takers and Liverymen's Association. 



FRED KERN, proprietor of the Astoria As- 
sembly Rooms, is an enterprising business 
man of this place and is popular with all 
who know him. He was born on the River 
Rhine, in Baden, Germany, in 1849. His father, 
Michael Kern, was also a native of that province 
and was engaged in building there until late in 
life, when he came to America, dying in Long 
Island City. 

Mrs. Catherine (Bopp) Kern, mother of our 
subject, was of German birth and is also now 
deceased. She reared a family of three sons and 
one daughter, of whom Fred, who was the eldest 
of the household, is the only member who makes 
his home in this city. He was reared and edu- 
cated in the common schools of the Fatherland, 
and after completing a course in the business 
college engaged in work at his father's trade, as- 
sisting him for some time. He then started out 
as a journeyman, traveling through parts of 
Alsace, Wurtemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and many 
provinces in Switzerland and Austria. 

As soon as he attained his majority, our sub- 
ject, according to the custom of Germany, be- 
came a soldier, serving in the Fourth Baden 
Regiment, No. 112. He enlisted in 1870 and 
therefore participated in the German and French 
War, fighting at the battle of Strasburg. After 
a service of four years he was honorably dis- 
charged and continued working at his trade 
until 1881, when he crossed the Atlantic and made 
his home in America. He found employment 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



in New York City and remained there for two 
years, when he came to Astoria and engaged in 
contracting and building on his own account. 
He prosecuted his business with great vigor and 
continued to improve and sell property until 1891, 
when he became the proprietor of the Astoria 
Assembly Rooms, since which time he has given 
the greater part of his time and attention to the 
management of the same. It is a famous old 
pleasure resort which was established in 1877. 
The edifice is located on Flushing Avenue and 
extends back to Newtown Avenue, occupying 
fifteen lots on each street. Adjoining is the 
Queens County Athletic Hall, which Mr. Kern 
also owns. In the assembly building are to be 
found a bowling alley, shooting gallery, large 
dancing hall, billiard room, dining room and 
fine meeting room, while the athletic rooms con- 
tain the gymnasium and ball rooms. A large 
summer garden surrounds the whole, and during 
the hot months of the year it is filled with pleas- 
ure seekers. Mr. Kern has erected a large plat- 
form out of doors which accommodates those 
who wish to dance. Our subject was one of the 
organizers of the Queens County Athletic Club, 
which now numbers over two hundred members. 
The marriage of Mr. Kern and Miss Mary 
I'hle occurred in Germany in 1875. The latter 
was born in Baden in 1851 and by her union with 
our subject has become the mother of five chil- 
dren, Emil, Eugene, Fred, Jr., Annie and Bertha. 
The three sons assist their father in his various 
business enterprises, each seeming to be pecu- 
liarly adapted to the department which he man- 
ages. 

Mr. Kern was a member and treasurer of the 
Board of Police Commissioners from 1888 to 
1891, resigning this honored office when he pur- 
chased the pleasure garden. Socially he belongs 
to the Astoria Maennerchor and Arion Society, 
also the Harmonic Singing Society. He is like- 
wise connected with the German Soldier Asso- 
ciation and meets with the members of the Inde- 
pendent Bowling Club. In political afitairs he is 
an uncompromising Democrat. 



REV. FATHER P. KEARNEY. The care- 
ful observer has come to realize that there 
is much more goodness in the world than 
is generally believed, and no one has such advan- 
tages for acquiring this belief as the head of a 
religious organization, for his labors for his Mas- 



ter cause him to mingle with all classes, the high 
and the low, the rich and the poor, and to gain 
their confidence in no Hmited degree. Such, at 
least, has been the experience of Rev. Father P. 
Kearney, who is the pastor of St. Raphael's Cath- 
olic Church of Blissville, Long Island City. He 
was born in County Longford, Ireland, in 1839, 
a son of Thomas Kearney, who was a worthy til- 
ler of the soil. He was educated in the national 
schools of Ireland and was fitted for college at 
Bellmocue, County Cavan, under an eminent lay- 
man. In 1863 he entered All Hallow's College 
in Dublin, where he pursued his theological 
studies for four years, and from which he was 
graduated in 1867, and was ordained for the dio- 
cese of Brooklyn. 

The year 1867 found Father Kearney in Brook- 
lyn as assistant to Father Corcoran of St. Joseph's 
Church, but at the end of five years he became 
priest of St. John's Church of Riverhead, L. I., 
and held a hke position in St. Michael's Church 
of Patchogue and St. Patrick's Church of Smith- 
town and Port JefTerson. During this time he 
started a mission in a hall at Quogue and it was 
through his efforts that a new church was erected 
at Smithtown. He also hired a hall and estab- 
lished a mission at Port Jefferson, in fact, his time 
was so fully occupied in his noble work that he 
was home but two days in the week. He had 
charge of half of Suffolk County for about six 
years, after which he came to Our Lady of Loret- 
ta at Hempstead, at the same time had charge of 
St. Bridget's Mission at Westbury, and there re- 
mained actively at work for four years. He was 
next placed in charge of St. Luke's Church at 
Whitestone, where his good work continued for 
ten and a half years. In the meantime he had 
succeeded in paying off the mortgage on the 
church, which had existed for about twenty-five 
years, improved the parish house and succeeded 
in accumulating considerable money in the treas- 
ury. 

November 17, 1895, our subject was appointed 
priest of St. Raphael's Church of Blissville, Long 
Island City, by Rt. Rev. Bishop McDonald, which 
congregation was formed about twenty-five years 
ago as a mission, but now numbers over eighteen 
hundred souls. The first congregation was very 
small, and he is the fourth priest. The church, 
which is an imposing structure, is beautifully lo- 
cated on the heights, and the parish house is com- 
modious and well appointed. Father Kearney 
has one assistant. In 1891 he made a trip to his 



448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



old home in Ireland, but was pleased to return 
to the land of his adoption. Connected with the 
church are the following societies: The Holy 
Name Sqciety, the Altar Society, the League of 
the Sacred Heart, the Holy Rosary Society, be- 
sides others. Father Kearney has pursued his 
priestly labors for twenty-nine years and is the 
second oldest priest in point of service, outside of 
Brooklyn, on Long Island. He has been a faith- 
ful laborer in the vineyard of his Master, and of 
him it might be said, "Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant." 



JOHN KRON. The substantial and well- 
ter representative than our subject, who for 
to-do citizens of Dutch Kills have no bet- 
twenty-eight years has profitably conducted a 
merchant-tailor establishment on Jackson Ave- 
nue. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 
21, 1 83 1, the son of Jacob Kron, a shoemaker by 
trade, but who followed farming during the great- 
er part of his life. He lived and died in Germany. 
His wife, Barbara Bauer, was also born in Bava- 
ria and departed this life when fifty-two years of 
age. 

The parental family included one son and two 
daughters. John, who was the second born, be- 
gan attending the public schools of his native 
land as soon as old enough and carried on his 
studies until a lad of fourteen years. He then 
entered the merchant tailoring establishment of 
his brother-in-law and gave his attention to learn- 
ing the business. When eighteen he began to 
do "jour" work about the country, traveling from 
place to place for the following two years. May 
14, 1851, however, he boarded a vessel which set 
sail from Havre and July 15th landed in the har- 
bor of New York. He found no difficulty in 
obtaining work at his trade, and for four years 
lived in the metropolis. In March, 1855, desiring 
to see more of the country which he had decided 
to make his permanent abiding place, he went to 
California via the Isthmus of Panama, being twen- 
ty-six days on the way. On arriving in San Fran- 
cisco, he made his way into the mining regions of 
Tuolumne County and began prospecting, meet- 
ing with such good results that he remained in the 
Golden State for a period of twelve years. 

In the fall of 1867 Mr. Kron returned East, and 
the following year made his home in Long Island 
City. Shortly afterward he built his present busi- 
ness house at No. 346 Jackson Avenue. He 



is the oldest merchant tailor in the place and 
commands a large share of the trade. 

Mr. Kron was married while in California to 
Miss Catherine Albert, a native of Baden, Ger- 
many, who was brought by her parents to Ameri- 
ca when six years of age. Her union with our 
subject has resulted in the birth of eight children, 
of whom the eldest son, Charles, died when nine- 
teen years of age; Edward is associated with his 
father in business; Anne E. and Louise are at 
home; John is an electrician doing business in 
Brooklyn; William assists his father in his shop; 
Henrietta E. is also at home, and Frederick, the 
youngest member of the household, died when 
five years of age. Edward Kron is a very popu- 
lar young man, and at the present time is a mem- 
ber of the General Commission. 

In national politics our subject is a Repul)- 
lican, but during local elections supports the 
candidate who in his judgment will best transact 
the duties of the office. Socially, he is an Odd 
Fellow of good standing, holding membership 
with Long Island City Lodge No. 395. 



CAPT. SAMUEL L'HOMMEDIEU. In 
1 89 1, at the incorporation of the White 
Star Towing Company, Mr. L'Homme- 
dieu was made president of the concern, an office 
which he filled until 1894, and since that time 
he has served as vice president. He is the heav- 
iest stockholder in the enterprise, and to his judg- 
ment and ability its success is largely due. The 
New York office of the company is situated at 
No. 78 South Street, and their Long Island City 
office at Hunter's Point Bridge. Eight boats are 
owned by the company, of which four tugs, 
"Charles Runyon," "Ceres," "H. B. Rawson" and 
"Guiding Star" are used for towing ships to and 
from sea, Long Island Sound and about the har- 
bor; while the other four, "Golden Rule," "Golden 
Rod," "Golden Ray" and "J. J. Driscoll," are used 
for towing in Newtown Creek. 

A native of Long Island, the Captain was born 
in Riverhead, Suffolk County, February 11, 1843. 
He is a lineal descendant of Benjamin L'Hom- 
m'edieu, who was a French Huguenot, but fled 
from his native land during a time of persecution, 
and coming to America, settled in Suffolk County 
in 1660. The great-grandfather, also named 
Benjamin, attained an advanced age and died on 
a warm day while working in a wheat field. The 
grandfather, Samuel, who was born at Aque- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



449 



bogue, engaged in farming there througliout his 
entire active life and died at the age of ninety-one 
years. The father, Joseph, who was born at 
Aquebogue, was a farmer by occupation and died 
in Riverhead when seventy-one years of age. 
The family name was originally L'Homme Dieu, 
meaning "the man God," but was changed to its 
present form for convenience. 

The mother of our subject, Susan Higbie, was 
born in Florida, Orange County, N. Y., where her 
parents resided until death. She was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
faith she died in 1893, at the age of eighty-eight. 
In her family were seven children, but four of the 
number are now deceased, the survivors being 
Daniel and Jane, half brother and sister, who live 
in Riverhead; Capt. John, who is with the Red 
Star Towing Company in Brooklyn; Samuel, of 
this sketch, and Joseph L., who was for three 
years a member of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
seventh New York Infantry during the Civil 
War, and is now engaged with the White Star 
Towing Company on one of their boats. 

On the home farm near Riverhead the subject 
of this sketch spent the days of boyhood and 
youth, having such educational advantages as the 
public and high schools of the village afforded. At 
the age of eleven years he was bound out as an ap- 
prentice to Captain Gardner, an old whaler, with 
whom he remained until sixteen years of age. 
He then went to sea as cook on the sloop "Dili- 
gent," between Riverhead and New York City, 
and afterward was on various other vessels. 
When he began in the towboat business, he 
worked his way upward from a very humble posi- 
tion, and about 1866 came ashore, accepting a po- 
sition in the office of a company. Later he bought 
an interest in the tug "Olive Baker," and as time 
passed by acquired other interests, doing a suc- 
cessful business in that line. In 1891 the White 
Star Towing Company was incorporated, and 
he has since been its principal stockholder. 
However, he has other interests, especially in 
saihng vessels in the Cuban and South American 
trade. 

Prior to 1874 for some years. Captain 'L'Hom- 
medieu resided in New York, but since then he 
has made his home in Brooklyn, his residence 
being situated at No. 490 A Monroe Street. He 
was married in Riverhead, his wife being Miss 
Cornelia Wells, daughter of George Wells, a 
ship carpenter by trade and also for some years 
a farmer. Mrs. L'Hojnmedieu died in 1894, 



leaving one child, Florence Cornelia, who has 
since died. Our subject is a stanch Republican, 
an advocate of single tax, and has taken an active 
interest in his party's affairs. He is a member of 
the National Board of Steam Navigation, and 
gives his co-operation to all plans tending to the 
development of the trade. In religious belief he 
is a Swedenborgian and holds membership with 
the church of that faith in Brooklvn. 



WILLIAM KETCHAM MOORE is 
proprietor of Moore's Express, which 
is next to the largest express company 
on Long Island. Astoria may well be proud of 
the amount of brains and energy displayed by 
her representative business men, but taking them 
as a whole there is none brighter, more intelli- 
gent, or with more ability and push than Mr. 
Moore, whose push and energy have placed him 
m the front rank as a business man, and whose 
geniality and pleasing manners have won him 
hosts of friends. He was born in Astoria, Long 
Island City, December 21, 1847, and is the third 
in order of birth of five children born to his par- 
ents, Benjamin and Ann Moore. (See sketch of 
B. Moore, Jr.) 

In the fourth ward school of Astoria Mr. Moore 
received his education and later learned the bak- 
er's trade of his father. In 1872 he started in the 
express business for himself, beginning at the 
bottom round of the ladder. Success has followed 
his efforts, and he now stands second to the Long 
Island Express Company, which is the largest 
on Long Island. . His office is at No. 188 Main 
Street, where he has erected three stores, 25x100 
feet, and the barns in the rear extend to Clark 
Street, over one hundred feet. He runs about 
ten express wagons and there is a regular hack 
and coupe business in connection between Long 
Island City, New York and Brooklyn. 

Mr. Moore is a great lover of horse-flesh and is 
a capital judge of these animals. He owns three 
standard-bred colts; "Zuleika," a four-year-old by 
"Stranger," has a record of 2:34^, and ran many 
races and won considerable money in Connecti- 
cut. The others are "Kadmus," a three-year-old, 
and "Padrone," a two-year-old, both by "Gray 
Stone." He has also owned other fine horses and 
is authority on all that relates to racing, etc. At 
Huntington, L. I., in July, 1895, he met with a 
serious accident, his horse falHng with him in the 
race, and he was unconscious for six weeks. 



45° 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



However, he has recovered his wonted health 
and is as deeply interested in racing as ever. He 
is an interesting conversationalist, and his pleas- 
ant home, which is presided over by his excellent 
wife, formerly Miss Emma Harding, is a delight- 
ful place to visit. Mr. and Mrs. Moore celebrated 
their marriage in 1867 and (out interesting chil- 
dren have been given them, viz.: Benjamin Jo- 
seph, William Arthur, Charlotte Harding and 
George Clarke. Mrs. Moore was born in Eng- 
land. Mr. Moore is a member of Advance 
Lodge, F. & A. M., and holds the office of Past 
Master. 



HON. LUCIUS N. MANLEY, whose life 
record we now attempt to place before the 
public, is perhaps better known to most 
of the residents of Long Island City as Judge 
Manley. He is one of its most prominent citi- 
zens and successful attorneys, and by reason of 
his ability and knowledge of law, commands a 
very large practice. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention which met in Albany, 
N. Y., in 1894, and, being a prominent Repub- 
lican, uses his influence at all times for the ad- 
vancement of this party in his coinmunity. 

Judge Manley is a native of this state, and was 
born in Addison, Steuben County, June 24, 1843. 
His father, Nehemiah Manley, was a native of 
Otsego County, N. Y., while his grandfather, 
bearing the given name of George, was born in 
Connecticut. During his young manhood he 
took up his abode in Otsego County and later 
became a resident of Steuben County, where he 
passed the last years of his life. The wife of 
George Manley was before her marriage a Miss 
Davenport, and was a collateral relative of Rev. 
John Davenport, of old Puritan stock. One of 
her brothers, Richard, served as a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. 

The father of our subject was for many years 
engaged as an agriculturist near Addison, Steu- 
ben County, and for some time greatly added to 
his income by the profits derived from the lum- 
ber business which he followed. He lived to be 
seventy-nine years of age. One of his brothers, 
bearing the name of Cephas, was a soldier in the 
War of 1812. Very many years ago what is now 
the town of Addison included the town of Tus- 
carora and subsequent to its being divided Nehe- 
miah Manley served faithfully as one of its super- 



visors. In early life he was a Henry Clay Whig, 
but after the formation of the Republican party 
joined its ranks. 

The mother of our subject was in her maiden- 
hood Jane Baker. She was born in Charleston, 
Tioga County, Pa., and was the daughter of 
Abisha Baker, a farmer and merchant of that 
county. The latter was a native of Washington 
County, N. Y., and married a Miss Lyttell, also 
a native of Washington County, where her family 
and the Bakers were very prominent. Mrs. Jane 
Manley was also aged seventy-nine years at the 
time of her decease. She was a consistent mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and during her 
life was true to all its teachings. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the only 
child of his parents to reach mature years, con- 
tinued to live at home until he was sent to Alfred 
Academy in Allegany County, N. Y., where he 
completed his education. He then made prac- 
tical use of his knowledge by teaching school, 
following this vocation in his native county for 
two years. For some time previous to this he 
had been desirous of turning his attention to the 
study of law, and now that an opportunity pre- 
sented itself, he took advantage of it, and began 
reading Blackstone in the oiifice of F. C. and J. 
W. Dinninny. In January, 1872, being suffi- 
ciently well informed, he was admitted to the bar 
in Buffalo, and in November of that year we 
find him located in Long Island City, where he 
began the practice of his profession, having for 
his partner the first year A. T. Payne. He then 
opened an office of his own and continued to 
transact business alone until 1890, when Charles 
A. Wadley became associated with him, the firm 
being known as Manley & Wadley. They en- 
gaged in a general law business on the corner of 
Third Street and Vernon Avenue. 

Lucius N. Manley was married in Addison, N. 
Y., in 1877, to Miss Olive Weatherby, who died in 
Long Island City in 1881, leaving one child, Ed- 
ward. In 1885 Judge Manley chose for his sec- 
ond companion Miss Elsie Hillman of this city, 
and their family includes three children, Freder- 
ick, Martha and Helen. 

Judge Manley has always manifested great in- 
terest in the public life of his community, and 
for a period of four years held the office of jus- 
tice of the peace. He was first elected by the 
Republicans of this section to fill a vacanc}' and 
the second term headed a mixed ticket. He re- 
signed this position in order to run for mayor 




THEODORE A. CARMAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



453 



of Long Island City, but failed in getting the de- 
sired number of votes. In the fall of 1893 he was 
nominated on the Republican ticket as a member 
of the Constitutional Convention and was elected 
from the First District. He served as one of 
the committee on charities, and was also ap- 
pointed a member of the committee on governor 
and state officers. 

The Judge is a member of the Queens County 
Bar Association, of which he was vice president 
for some time. He is an influential Republican in 
politics and is still a member of and has been 
chairman of the Long Island City General Com- 
mittee. He is the second oldest practitioner of 
this city and maintains a high reputation among 
his professional brethren in the state. 



THEODORE A. CARMAN, one of the 
successful business men of Hempstead and 
proprietor of a large hardware store at 
this place, was born here February 27, 1843, his 
birthplace being the old Carman homestead that 
has been in the possession of the family for many 
years. His education was acquired in the schools 
of Hempstead, which he attended regularly dur- 
ing his early years. Assisting his father, Coles 
Carman, in his store, he gained in boyhood a 
thorough knowledge of the details of business, so 
that he was fitted for the management of a store 
of his own. 

In 1 861 Mr. Carman embarked in business on 
his own account, but two years later the building 
he occupied was sold, and he did not resume 
business again until 1865. He then bought a lot 
and built the store which he still occupies. Be- 
ginning to trade upon a small scale, he gradually 
increased the stock as his enlarging patronage 
permitted, and now has one of the best equipped 
establishments of the kind for miles around. Be- 
sides the management of this enterprise, he is a 
director in the First National Bank, of which 
August Belmont is president. While business 
afifairs have received due attention, he has found 
a pleasant diversion in various sports, and is es- 
pecially fond of yachting, being a member of the 
Hempstead Bay Yacht Club and the owner of the 
steam yacht "Francis." 

When but eighteen years of age Mr. Carman 

was elected tax collector of Hempstead, which 

position he filled for nine years. He has also 

served as school tax collector, and has been a 

17 



village trustee for three years. BeHeving the 
platfonn of principles laid down by the Demo- 
cratic party to be best adapted to the good of the 
country he supports its men and measures and 
is an active factor in local politics. For thirty 
years he has been identified with the Masonic 
fraternity, and is junior warden of the lodge, an 
office held by his great-grandfather, Thomas D. 
Carman, when the lodge was organized in 1797. 
In 1868 Mr. Carman was united in marriage 
with Miss Elizabeth T., daughter of Samuel 
Downing, of Roslyn. They have two children, 
a son and daughter, Herbert V. and Frances B., 
the former of whom is in business with his father. 
Mr. Carman is interested in behalf of every move- 
ment and enterprise which he believes will pro- 
mote the public good, and this interest is proved 
by his substantial support and hearty co-opera- 
tion. He stands high in the estimation of the 
citizens of Hempstead, whose regard he has won 
by his business ability, good citizenship and pro- 
gressive spirit. 



FRANZ DIETZE. Among those who have 
achieved success solely by excellence of 
character, without any of the methods by 
which unworthy persons seek to gain undeserved 
and transient popularity, the subject of this sketch 
occupies a conspicuous place. He is a manufac- 
turer and dealer in wagons and is also an experi- 
enced and reliable blacksmith. October 16, 1865, 
he was born in Saxony, Germany, a son of Chris- 
tian and Fredericka (Grober) Dietze, both of 
whom were born and spent their lives in Ger- 
many, the father being a bricklayer by trade. The 
subject of this sketch was the youngest of four 
children and was reared in the town of Grebehna. 
The common schools of his native land afforded 
him his early education, and at the age of four- 
teen years he was apprenticed to learn the wagon 
and carriage-maker's trade in an adjoining vil- 
lage, and for three years faithfully worked at the 
trade. In 1883 he decided to come to "free Amer- 
ica," and upon his arrival here settled in Wood- 
side, N. Y. Up to 1893 he worked at his trade 
in New York and Brooklyn. 

In the fall of 1893 our subject embarked in his 
present business and formed a business partner- 
ship with Joseph Botvout in Flushing Avenue, 
near Baldwin Avenue, and here he has since very 
successfully continued. He has built up a paying 
patronage, a natural result of the fine work that 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



454 

he does, and his business is continually on the 
increase. In addition to his wagon and carriage 
shop he conducts a repair and general blacksmith 
shop also, and is universally regarded as a skillful 
workman and one who is at all times painstaking. 
Our subject was married in Astoria to Miss Katie 
Loreth, a native of Austria, and they have one 
child, Annie. Mr. Dietze is a member of Her- 
mann Lodge No. 341, A. O. U. W., and also be- 
longs to several minor societies. 



HENRY R. WHITE, who was one of the 
brave defenders of the Stars and Stripes 
during the late war, serving as captain of 
Company B, Twenty-seventh New York Volun- 
teers, was for many years one of the prominent 
citizens of Long Island City. He was born in 
New York City April 6, 1835, and was the son 
of Col. Richard Henry White, whose birth also 
occurred in the metropohs. The family is of 
English descent and has been established in 
America for many generations. 

The father of our subject was an expert in the 
art of fancy hard-wood carving, and during the 
years in which he traveled throughout the West, 
followed this business in Kansas City, Leaven- 
worth, Ft. Scott and various points in Wisconsin 
and Illinois. He was residing in the Badger State 
on the outbreak of the late war, and from there 
enlisted, becoming colonel of his regiment. He 
departed this Hfe in Salina, Kas. 

After procuring a good education in the pubHc 
schools Henry R., of this history, studied phar- 
macy in Brooklyn, after which he clerked in a 
drug store at Lyons, N. Y. During the progress 
of the Civil War he volunteered his services in de- 
fense of the Union and was commissioned first 
heutenant of Company B, New York Infantry, 
which was the first company which went from 
Lyons. Three months later he was promoted to 
be captain of his regiment. He volunteered for 
two years, but prior to the expiration of his term 
he was wounded, June 27, 1862. and returning 
home was not able to rejoin his regiment until 
January, 1863. In May, 1863, he was mustered 
out, and in the following September was com- 
missioned captain in the Veteran Reserve Corps. 
He was engaged in garrison duty respectively in 
New York, Baltimore and Washington. He con- 
tinued in the service until the close of the war. 
During his service he received a wound in 
his right arm, the ball passing through to 



the hip. The surgeons were never able to find 
it, and he died twenty-seven years later, when on 
a trip to Western New York to attend the re- 
union of the Twenty-seventh regiment, which was 
held at Seneca Falls. His remains were taken to 
his old home and interred in the cemetery at 
Lyons. 

After the war Mr. White returned to Lyons 
and remained there until 1866, when he located 
in Long Island City, establishing one of the first 
drug stores in the city. He was very successful 
in this undertaking and at the time of his de- 
cease was the proprietor of one of the finest drug 
houses in this community. It is now carried on 
by Mrs. White, and the brick block in which it is 
situated is one of the best business sites in the 
city. 

Mr. White was senior warden of St. John's 
Episcopal Church, with which he had been con- 
nected for eighteen years. Financially prosper- 
ous and blessed with an abundance of this world's 
goods, he ranked among the leading citizens of 
the community, and was recognized as a man of 
more than ordinary ability. He was public-spir- 
ited and possessed the unlimited confidence of all 
who knew him. Mr. White was one of the organ- 
izers of the Long Island City Savings Bank, of 
which he was one of the vice-presidents until 
his death. In politics he was an enthusiastic 
Republican and one of that party's leaders in 
this community. Years ago he was one of a com- 
mittee comprising fifty energetic young men who 
banded together and used their influence in gain- 
ing many governmental reforms. Mr. White 
never aspired to office, although frequently urged 
by his friends to accept positions of honor and 
trust. He never failed to attend the various re- 
unions of his regiment, and as we stated above, 
his death occurred September 18, 1889, while on 
his way to Seneca Falls, N. Y., to meet with his 
old comrades. He was a member of a Masonic 
lodge at Washington, and was also a member 
of the State Pharmaceutical Association, in which 
organization he had many warm and true friends. 
The marriage of our subject occurred in 1859, 
in Lyons, N. Y., when Miss Sarah Layton became 
his wife. She is the daughter of John Layton, 
and the granddaughter of Daniel Layton, both of 
whom were natives of eastern New York. Dur- 
ing his younger days John Layton removed to 
Lyons, adjoining which village he owned a large 
farm and became one of its most influential and 
wealthy business men. All his dealings were 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



455 



marked with inherent honesty, and as one of the 
best citizens of the community he held the con- 
fidence of all who knew him. He was a consist- 
ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and took an active part in all the work of that 
organization. In politics he voted for Republican 
candidates after the formation of that party, and 
on that ticket held the office of supervisor for 
many years. His wife, prior to her marriage, 
was a Miss Harriet Penoyer, a native of Lyons, 
and the daughter of Reuben Penoyer, whose birth 
also occurred in that village. The latter later in 
life removed to Pulaski, Mich., where he was 
engaged in farming for some time. He served 
faithfully and well as a soldier in the War of 
1812. The parents of Mrs. White had born to 
them a family of nine children, of whom three 
of her brothers, Nelson, Hiram and John, served 
as soldiers in the late war. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. White has 
carried on the drug business in this city. She 
has one daughter, Harriet E., who is an active 
worker in church and charitable organizations. 
Mrs. White is one of the managers of the tem- 
porary home for children at Mineola, the only 
Protestant home for children in Queens County. 
Both mother and daughter are active members of 
the Episcopal Church and give liberally of their 
means toward its support. They possess the 
friendship of the best people in Long Island and 
move in the highest circles of society here. 



JOSEPH McLAUGHLIN.the popular "mine 
host" of the Blissville Hotel, has held many 
important positions within the gift of his 
fellow townsmen to bestow, and has in turn ren- first-class hotel, and after running it for five years 
dered them very able and efficient service as al- leased the building; 



and with her children was safely landed in New 
York City, wher^ she devoted herself to rearing 
them for useful positions in life. She died in 
the metropolis when advanced in years. Of the 
six children of whom she became the mother 
three grew to mature years, and the only one now 
living besides our subject is Kate, who married 
Charles Smith, an engineer in the employ of the 
United States government at Brooklyn. 

The first thirteen years of our subject's life 
were passed in his native isle, during which time 
he made the best of his opportunities for obtain- 
ing an education. His mother came to America 
about this time, and in order that he might re- 
lieve her of his support he began to do for him- 
self. He was not content, however, with the 
education which he had received in Ireland, and 
for some time attended night school in New York. 
He had not fully made up his mind what business 
in life he wished to pursue and after trying to 
learn two different trades, abandoned work of 
that kind and clerked for a friend who owned a 
liquor store in the city. 

In 1857 Mr. McLaughlin came to Blissville, 
L. I., and clerked for ex-Judge John B. Madden, 
proprietor of the Madden Road House, for sev- 
eral years. October 10, 1866, he embarked in 
business for himself, opening an hotel on the cor- 
ner of Jackson Avenue and Fourth Street, Long 
Island City. This was known as the Elushing 
House, and until 1870 Mr. McLaughlin operated 
here. That year he removed to the suburb of 
Blissville and built the Bhssville Hotel, which he 
has been very successful in conducting. In li 
he erected a building on the corner of East Ave 
nue and Third Street, which lie fitted out as a 



derman and supervisor and as a member of the 
police commission. He was born in Kings 
County, Ireland, in 1842, and is the son of James 
McLaughlin, also a native of the Emerald Isle. 
During his early married life, the father of our 
subject emigrated to America with his family, 
settling first in New York, where he found plenty 



The first marriage of Mr. McLaughlin oc- 
curred in New York in October, 1866, at which 
time he chose for his wife Miss Elizabeth Galla- 
gher. At the time of her death she left three chil- 
dren, two of whom survive: Mary E., at home; 
and Charles J., in business in New York City. 
The second marriage of our subject occurred 



of employment as a bricklayer. Here his oldest July 30, 1876, and united him with Miss Julia A. 



child was born and died. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Laughlin afterward returned to their native land, 
where three children were born. The husband 
and father then made another trip across the At- 
lantic and died soon afterward in the New World. 
His wife, known in maidenhood as Mary Kinney, 
embarked on a vessel bound for America in 1855, 



Kelley, who was born in Astoria and educated in 
New York. After completing her studies she en- 
gaged in teaching, and for several years prior to 
her union with our subject had been principal of 
the Second Ward school. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Laughlin are the parents of eight children, all of 
whom are at home and named respectively: Jos- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



456 

eph T., Annie H., Mathew F., Gracie M., Thomas 
C, fames F, Julia A. and Marion S. 

Mr. McLaughlin has always taken a very ac- 
tive part in public affairs, and in 1871 was ap- 
pointed a member of the police commission by 
Mavor Ditmars. Two years later he was the suc- 
cessful candidate for alderman of his ward and 
such satisfaction did he give his constituents that 
he was retained in office for four successive terms. 
During that time he served on many important 
committees, always having the interest of the city 
at heart. In 1883 he was elected supervisor of 
his district, and on the expiration of his term of 
two years, retired from political life. In national 
politics he is a Democrat and at various times 
has been chairman of the general committee of 
Long Island City. He is a devout Catholic and 
a member of St. Raphael's Church. During the 
building of the splendid edifice occupied by the 
Catholics here services were held for six months 
in the hall which he owns adjoining his hotel. 



CHARLES CURTIS WOODRUFF, who 
has been very successful in his business 
as contractor and builder, is one of the 
most substantial and enterprising men of Hun- 
ter's Point. He is a native of New Jersey, and 
was born at Elizabeth July 9, 1861. His father, 
Charles Augustus Woodruff, was also a native of 
that city. This family, which was a very promi- 
nent one in New Jersey, is spoken of at more 
length in the sketch of John B. Woodruff, uncle 
of our subject. 

The father of Charles C. Woodruff learned the 
trade of a machinist and became an engineer when 
a young man, after which he went as first assist- 
ant engineer on the first steamer which ran up 
the Magdalena River in South America. Inside 
of a year so valuable were his services that he 
was promoted to be chief engineer and remained 
in the employ of the owners of this vessel for 
three years. At the end of that time he returned 
to his native state and took a position as engineer 
in the shops of the New Jersey Central Railroad 
Company at Communipaw, N. J. 

In 1870 Charles A. Woodruff came to Long 
Island City and built a machine shop, carrying 
on this business in connection with plumbing, gas 
fitting, etc. Later he became constructing engi- 
neer with the Standard Oil Company. About 
1878 we find Mr. Woodruff engaged in business 
at Bayonne, N. J., where he made his home until 



his decease, in 1893, when fifty-eight years of age. 
Fie was a stanch supporter of Republican princi- 
ples and candidates, and in religious affairs was an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He married Elizabeth Wambold, also 
a native of New Jersey, and the daughter of Abra- 
ham Wambold, whose birth occurred in the state 
of Pennsylvania. Her father worked in the pot- 
teries of Elizabeth for many years and was living 
there at the time of his decease, when quite ad- 
vanced in years. Mrs. Woodruff is still living 
and is a resident of the old home at Bayonne, N. J. 
The parental household included nine children, 
of whom seven grew to mature years and five 
daughters and one son are now living, our subject 
being the only member of the family to make his 
home on Long Island. He was brought hither 
by his parents when a lad of eight years, and 
after completing the course in the schools here 
spent two years in Grammar School No. 26, lo- 
cated on Thirtieth Street, New York. 

When about sixteen years of age our subject 
was apprenticed to learn the trade of a brick ma- 
son, working for his uncle, John B. Woodruff. 
After learning the business, and when only nine- 
teen years of age, he was made foreman on the 
various buildings which his uncle was engaged 
upon, and continued in his employ until 1889, 
when he began contracting on his own account. 
He formed a partnership at this time with James 
S. Carpenter, their business card reading Carpen- 
ter & Woodruff, masons and builders. 

The above firm was in existence from 1889 until 
May, 1895, when the connection was dissolved 
and our subject continued alone. His office is 
located at No. 209 Tenth Street, which he erected 
for his own use, and adjoining it are his shop, 
stables and storage house, where he keeps his 
building materials. Mr. Woodruff has erected 
many of the large public buildings and private 
blocks in the city and vicinity, among them being 
the Queens County Bank, Barber Asphalt Com- 
pany's office, all the buildings used by the Green- 
point Sugar Refining Company in Commercial 
Street, the Brooklyn Cooperage Company, on the 
corner of Sixth and Seventh streets, also the 
buildings owned by this same company at Will- 
iamsburg and in Brooklyn. He also received the 
contract for the building of the American Sugar 
Refining Coinpany on First Street and built the 
boiler house and boilers for Charles Fizer & Co. 
in Brooklyn. The various station houses for the 
Long Island Railroad Company at Glencove, 




J. HOWARD LEVER, M. D, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



459 



Patchogue, Glenhead, Roslyn and Newtown were 
constructed by Mr. Woodruff. Although kept 
very busy filling orders in his own community, he 
is often given the contract for the erection of 
buildings in other states and at one time was 
called to Baltimore, Md., to erect the edifices used 
by the Baltimore Sugar Refining Company. 

With his family our subject occupies a beautiful 
home at No. 148 Twelfth Street, Hunter's Point. 
He was married in Long Island City in 1883 to 
Miss Emma Sandene, a native of Greenpoint, 
Brooklyn, and the daughter of Capt. Andrew P. 
Sandene. He has been for many years pilot on 
the Thirty-fourth Street ferry and is the oldest 
man in the employ of the company running the 
ferries. He is now. residing in Ravenswood. 
Mrs. Woodruff was reared and educated in this 
city and by her union with our subject has be- 
come the mother of a daughter, Adeline. 

During the busy season our subject has in his 
employ from two hundred to four hundred men, 
which gives the reader some idea of the extent of 
the business in which he is engaged. In 1892 he 
invented what is now known as the Woodruff & 
Krouse brick cleaning machine. In order to 
handle this device in a profitable manner he 
formed a partnership with Mr. Krouse, who could 
give more attention to this department than could 
our subject. 

Socially Mr. Woodruff is a member of Reliance 
Lodge No. 776, F. & A. M., at Green Point. He 
is an exempt fireman, having served with Hunter 
engine No. 4. In politics he is a straightforward 
RepubHcan and is an active member of the Lin- 
coln Club. The Grace Methodist Episcopal 
Church regard him as one of its most valued 
members and liberal contributors. 



J HOWARD LEVER, M. D. The career 
which we now consider may be viewed 
• from three distinct points of obseiwation — 
as a man, as a physician, and as a citizen — for 
we find these three sides to the character of Dr. 
Lever. While it is true that the professional man 
must ever be loyal to his calling, yet the common 
public interests of the community in which he 
lives and of which he is an integral part, cannot 
be ignored. There are men who possess a versa- 
tility of luental constitution that enables them 
to take part in many diverse lines of thought and 
activity. 



Such a one is the subject of the present notice, 
who conducts a general medical and surgical 
practice at Flushing. In addition to professional 
work, he has maintained a deep interest in all 
matters pertaining to education, and has served 
with fidelity and efficiency on the school board. 
For years he has been a trustee of the Queens 
County Savings Bank, one of the soHd finan- 
cial institutions of this locaHty, and is now its 
first vice-president, the other officers being: 
President, George Pople; second vice-president, 
H. Carpenter; secretary, L. M. Franklin; and 
treasurer, H. A. Bogart. 

Born in Staten Island, N. Y., August 3, 1846, 
Dr. Lever is of English parentage and descent. 
His father, George C, and grandfather, George 
C, Sr., were engaged in the mercantile business 
m their native city, London, whence the former 
came to the United States and founded the 
wholesale dry-goods house of Lever & Co., in 
New York City. He made his home in Staten 
Island, where he named the village of New 
Brighton from the famous old EngHsh watering- 
place. In religious belief he was a member of the 
Church of England. His death occurred in Sta- 
ten Island when he was about seventy-two. His 
wife, who also died there, bore the maiden name 
of Mary Woodward, and was born in Coventry, 
England, where her father. Rev. Arthur Wood- 
ward, was an EpiscopaHan clergyman. 

In the family of George C. and Mary A. Lever 
there are six children, all living, namely: Charles, 
who owns a vineyard in CaUfornia; Edward A., 
who is a colonel in the Mexican army, and also 
an author of considerable note; J. Howard; Mary 
A., Edith and Frances A., who reside in Staten 
Island. The subject of this record was educated 
in the schools of his native home, where he laid 
the foundation of his present broad and thorough 
knowledge. For a time he was employed in the 
postoffrce at Flushing, but a business hfe was 
not entirely congenial, and was regarded by him 
as merely preparatory to a professional career. 
His medical studies were commenced under Dr. 
Bloodgood and continued in the medical depart- 
ment of Columbia College, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1869, with the degree of M. D. For a 
-few years he was in partnership with his former 
preceptor and upon the death of Dr. Bloodgood 
he succeeded to his practice, locating his office on 
the corner of Main and Locust Streets, where he 
has since conducted a general practice. For 
twelve years he was a member of the board of 



460 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



health, in the org-anization of which he aided 
largely and which he served as physician. 

In New Bedford, Westchester County, N. Y., 
Dr. Lever owns a small farm, where he and his 
family make their summer home. His wife, 
whom he married in Newtown, was Mary A. 
Backus, daughter of Ascan Backus, formerly one 
of the largest farmers of New York State, often 
employing as many as one hundred men to assist 
in the management of his place. The mother of 
Mrs. Lever was born in England and was a 
daughter of Rev. William Beetham, pastor of the 
Dutch Reformed Church in Newark, N. J., for 
some years. Mrs. Lever was born and educated 
in Newtown, where her brothers, John E. and 
F. A., still reside. The Doctor and Mrs. Lever 
have three children: Mary E. is a graduate of 
Miss Brown's School, Fifth Avenue, New York, 
class of 1895; and Charles Backus and Howard 
Randolph complete the number. Fraternally Dr. 
Lever is connected with Cornucopia Lodge No. 
563, F. & A. M., and in national politics he votes 
the Republican ticket. Aside from his regular 
practice he has been physician to the poor and 
for the county, and has held a number of local 
offices of trust and honor. 



ANDREW MOUNT. In the list of the men 
now cultivating a portion of the soil of the 
town of Jamaica with good results and 
whose financial prosperity has been gained from 
industrious application to the work in hand, to- 
gether with prudent control of expenditures, the 
subject of this sketch deserves prominent men- 
tion. Having devoted almost his entire life to 
farm work, he is familiar with every detail con- 
nected with the occupation and has gained success 
through his exercise of sound judgment in affairs. 

Born in Fosters Meadow, April 29, 1843, the 
subject of this notice is a son of Zebulon Mount, 
and a brother of George W. Mount, whose sketch, 
together with a record of the family, is presented 
on another page. He was reared to manhood 
on the home farm and at an early age gained a 
thorough knowledge of the occupation in which 
he has since engaged. In the common schools 
of the neighborhood he laid the foundation of 
the knowledge he now possesses, and which has 
perhaps been gained as much by experience and 
observation as by study of text books. 

Leaving home at the age of eighteen, Mr. 
Mount apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a 



tinsmith, but the occupation was not congenial, 
and after a trial of two or three months he con- 
cluded it was not what he desired for a life work. 
He therefore returned home and settled down to 
farming, continuing to make his home with his 
father until his marriage. That important event, 
which occurred February 20, 1867, united him 
with Elizabeth Kinsey. Shortly afterward he lo- 
cated upon his present place, which after renting 
for two years, he purchased from the estate, his 
father having previously owned it. 

Honorable in private life, peaceable and law- 
abiding as a citizen, and displaying energy in 
whatever he undertakes, A-Ir. Mount is looked 
upon with respect by all who know him. His first 
vote was cast for Republican candidates and he 
still adheres to the principles of that party, having 
seen no reason, in the intervening years, to 
change his political faith. For the past sixteen 
or more years he has served as a member of the 
board of school trustees and the excellent condi- 
tion of the schools to-day is largely the result 
of his progressive efforts. He attends the Pres- 
byterian Church and contributes of his means to 
the support of religious and benevolent enter- 
prises. In carrying on his farm work he is ener- 
getic, industrious and sufficiently progressive to 
adopt new methods when by so doing he can 
increase the productiveness of his land. He has 
an extended acquaintance and an excellent repu- 
tation as a man and a citizen, while as an agxi- 
culturist he ' is understood to be thorough and 
enersfctic. 



FRANK J. CLANCY, though one of the 
youngest business men of Long Island 
City, is by no means one of the least suc- 
cessful, as in his chosen occupation, the manu- 
facture of soda and mineral water, he has built 
up a large trade and established a reputation 
as a reliable, energetic and stirring young man. 
His location at No. 3 Jackson Avenue is an ex- 
cellent one, being at a point sufficiently central 
to command trade. It may safely be predicted 
of him, judging from the flattering start he has 
made, that the future years will bring him pros- 
perity and success. 

A native of New York City, born November 27, 
1874, the subject of this sketch is of Irish parent- 
age, both his father and mother, Charles and 
Mary (Parks) Clancy, having been natives of the 
Emerald Isle. After their marriage they emi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



grated to America and settled in New York City, 
where the father engaged in the milk business for 
some years. In 1877 he came to Long Island 
City, where, in addition to the milk business, he 
also engaged as a dealer in cattle, having his place 
of business at No. 66 Jackson Avenue. He and 
his wife still reside here. Of their eight children 
all but one are living. 

Frank J., who is next to the youngest of the 
family, spent his childhood years in Long Island 
City, where he was educated in the old Sixth 
Street School. At the age of thirteen he secured 
a place as clerk for Peter Johnson during vaca- 
tion, and the following summer was employed in a 
restaurant in Blissville. Later he was with Ack- 
erly & Gerard, lumber dealers, for more than one 
year. When fifteen years old he began to work 
for Owen Clark, with whom he remained four 
years, engaged in the manufacture of mineral 
water. In 1893, at the age of nineteen, he started 
out for himself, putting in the necessary machin- 
ery and beginning with a determination to suc- 
ceed. He manufactures the syrups used in the 
soda and mineral water, having the various flav- 
ors, sarsaparilla, ginger ale, root beer, raspberry, 
cream, lemon and cycleaid. In his store, which is 
roomy and attractive, he has three fountains, one 
generator and two bottling tables, together with 
all other equipments necessary for the successful 
management of the business. He runs one team, 
principally in Long Island City and vicinity. In 
political behef he has decided opinions aiid rests 
his faith upon the old Jeffersonian doctrines of 
Democracy. He is an active member of the Jef- 
ferson Club and interested in everything pertain- 
ing to local affairs. Socially he is connected with 
the Order of Foresters, while in religion he holds 
membership in St. Mary's Church. 



JOHN VAN RIPER, one of the oldest con- 
tractors and builders in Hunter's Point, 
Long Island City, is a fine workman and 
has erected many of the elegant homes of this 
community. Mr. Van Riper, who has resided 
here since 1861, was born at Gravesend, L. I., 
April 8, 1837. His father, Isaac Van Riper, was 
a native of Belleville, N. J., where he remained 
until attaining mature years. He came of a high- 
ly respected family of that place who were of 
Holland extraction. The father came to Grave- 
send when a young man and was apprenticed to 



learn the carpenter's trade. After mastering it he 
erected a home in which he resided until his de- 
cease, in 1840. During the War of 1812 he ren- 
dered his country efficient service as a soldier, 
taking part in many of the hard-fought engage- 
ments of that period. 

Mrs. Hulda (Stout) Van Riper, mother of our 
subject, was born in Monmouth County, N. J., 
and died in South Brooklyn -when eighty-two 
years of age. She was the second wife of Isaac 
Van Riper, by whom she had seven children. Of 
these Hettie is living in Brooklyn; Lydia is de- 
ceased: Isaac makes his home at Freeport, L. I.; 
Maria departed this life when eighteen years of 
age; William died on Staten Island; John, of 
this history, was the sixth born, and James, the 
youngest of the family, is a resident of South 
Brooklyn. By his first marriage the father of our 
subject had two daughters, both of whom are de- 
ceased. 

John Van Riper spent the first six years of his 
life in his native place, and about this time re- 
moved to Bayridge, where he lived for a time, 
and then until thirteen years old lived in South 
Brooklyn. During this time he had attended 
school quite regularly, but as he was compelled 
thus early in life to make his own living, obtained 
a position as errand boy in one of the largest dry 
goods establishments in Sixth Avenue, New 
York City. Here he remained for three years, 
when he began working for his brother Isaac, 
who was a contractor there. In 1861 they came 
to Long Island City and formed a partnership, 
thus making one of the oldest contracting firms 
in the vicinity. Aside from building numerous 
blocks and residences for other parties, I. & J. 
A-^an Riper erected some fourteen or fifteen houses 
in Long Island City for themselves, many of 
which are still in their possession and are rented. 
They were formerly the owners of a fine row of 
buildings in Ely Avenue, most of which they 
have sold, although our subject has retained the 
corner house for his own use and occupies it 
\vith his family. 

In 1893, by mutual agreement, the firm of I. 
& J. Van Riper was dissolved. Our subject, 
however, still continues in business for himself, 
making a specialty of plastering, and is one of 
the finest ornamental designers on the island. 
Among the splendid structures for which he was 
given the contract in this line were the German 
Catholic Church at College Point, which was 
erected in 1895, and the station house in Grand 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



Street, Astoria, besides numerous fine residences 
and public buildings. 

Mr. Van Riper was married in Long Island 
City in 1866 to Miss Sarah L. Randolph, a native 
of Jersey City, and the daughter of William and 
Sarah Randolph, the former being a prominent 
brick and -stone mason of that place. Their union 
has resulted in the birth of two children, Ed- 
ward R. and Newland J., practical plasterers, who 
are in business together, operating under the 
name of Van Riper Brothers. 

Our subject is a member of Grace Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which there were originally 
five members here, but he is the only one who 
now survives. He has held almost every office 
in the official board and is at present trustee. In 
the work of the Sunday-school he has always tak- 
en a great interest and for many years was one 
of its teachers. His knowledge of building and 
materials proved of great benefit to the congrega- 
tion at the time they erected their present com- 
modious edifice, and although a very busy man, 
his time was never so much occupied but that 
he was willing and ready to assist them in what- 
ever way he could. He is a true-blue Republican 
in politics, casting his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. 



JAMES MOORE WHITCOMB. Among 
the oldest and most prominent residents of 
Long Island City, N. Y., is Mr. Whitcomb, 
who since March 20, 1845, has been a resident of 
Queens County. He was born in Worcester 
County, Mass., January 11, 1824, and comes of a 
prominent old family of that state, his father, Asa 
Whitcomb, and his grandfather, Asa Whitcomb, 
Sr., having been born there. The latter was one 
of the pioneers of Worcester County, Mass., and 
was of English descent. 

Farming was the principal occupation followed 
by the father of our subject, but for some time he 
was interested in a stage and express company 
in the Old Bay State. When but a boy he served 
in the War of 1812. He lived to be sixty-six 
years old. His marriage united him with Miss 
Caroline Moore, a native of Bolton, Mass., and 
the daughter of James Moore, who was a large 
farmer near that town. She died when a com- 
paratively young woman. Their family consisted 
of three children, two daughters and a son. The 
daughters still reside in the state of Massachusetts. 



Our subject, who was the eldest of the family, 
grew up on his father's farm and received about 
two months' schooling each year until fifteen 
years old. He then took charge of the farm and 
carried it on until he had reached his twenty-first 
birthday. A week afterward he made arrange- 
ments to come to Long Island, and first settled 
in Flushing, where he made his home for four 
years, being in charge of F. H. Wolcott's horses 
and garden from 1845 until 1849. The family 
then moved to the Shore Road, now in Long 
Island City, and he had charge of the place there 
until 1852. On the 4th of April of the same year 
he embarked in the livery business in Long Island 
City, the first livery there, and continued it up 
to the present time. He had the first moving 
platform spring wagon made in New York and he 
sdon was carrying on an extensive business, hav- 
ing at one time as many as fifty-four horses here. 
He had as many as seventeen moving vans on the 
road and has been the owner of some fine horses. 

Mr. Whitcomb was a stanch Republican dur- 
ing the war and was often threatened with hav- 
ing his barns burned down, but notwithstanding 
he remained there throtigh it all and carried on 
his business. He took Horace Greeley out of 
Astoria amid rotten eggs and pistol shots and 
ran the risk when no one else dared. He passed 
through some wonderful experiences and had 
some narrow escapes. He was also harbor master 
here during the years 1865-66-67, and had all 
kinds of men to deal with, but his courage and 
determination carried him through all right. Mr. 
Whitcomb assisted in starting the first Republican 
club here and at Winfield and became pi-ominent- 
ly identified with his party. During the war he 
was lieutenant of the Hamilton Rifles of Astoria, 
and since then has been deputy sheriff here at 
different times. 

On the 6th of April, 1846, Mr. Whitcomb be- 
came a member of Pacific Lodge, I. O. O. F., in 
Flushing, and is now a member of Astoria Lodge 
and the oldest Odd Fellow here. Since 1865 he 
has been a charter member of Astoria Lodge, F. 
& A. M. He is one of the life members of the 
Queens County Agricultural Society, of which 
he has been director and active member. He 
was one of the first to start a truck company here, 
being foreman of the same for some time, and 
later was assistant foreman. 

Mr. Whitcomb was first married in Flushing, 
L. I., to Miss Rebecca Thorn, who was a native 
of that place, and who died here. Their five chil- 




ALRX. S. BURNS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



465 



dren were as follows: James H., with his father; 
Charlotte R., now Mrs. Buell; Laura B., at home; 
Emma L., at home, and Elizabeth, who is now 
Mrs. Charles Lukins. Mr. Whitcomb's second 
marriage occurred in New York, February 28, 
1866, and united him with Miss Alta Coins, a na- 
tive of Syracuse, N. Y. She died in 1887, leaving 
four children: Charles C, in the mail service in 
Long Island City; Walter K, in charge of the 
livery barns; Etta, now Mrs. Bush, of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., and Herbert, with a New York firm. 

Our subject has served on general committees 
for many years and was trustee of the schools here 
for twelve years. While he was a member of the 
school board five school buildings were erected 
and he was re-elected to that position four times, 
thus showing his popularity, but he refused to be 
renominated. He is one of the oldest men now 
actively engaged in business in Astoria. He has 
a comfortable brick residence at No. 54 Fulton 
Avenue and there he has made his home since 
September 28, 1855. 



ALEXANDER S. BURNS. During the 
early years of the settlement of America, 
but little attention was devoted to the cul- 
tivation of the beautiful in nature and art. Our 
forefathers were principally engaged in combats 
with savage foes and the no less savage beasts of 
the forests, but with the passing years came the 
introduction of that which makes life a pleasure, 
and in no direction is this more noticeable than 
in the cultivation of fruits and flowers. For many 
years the gentleman whose name introduces this 
sketch was one of the most successful florists of 
New York City. His business career was in many 
respects remarkable. Beginning without means, 
in a very short time he built up a large trade and 
gained the reputation as one of the most exten- 
sive florists of the city. In 1890 he sold his retail 
business to his half brother, William, and em- 
barked in the wholesale business. 

The younger and only survivor of two chil- 
dren, the subject of this notice was born in Ire- 
land February 7, 1846, being the son of Samuel 
and Eliza (Cuddy) Burns. His father, who was a 
life-long farmer and resident of the Emerald Isle, 
was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. 
Eliza (McKeon) Hewitt. Five children were born 
of that union, of whom three are now living. At 
the age of nineteen our subject emigrated to 



America, landing in Portland, Me., in April, 1865, 
and going direct from there to New York, 
where for eighteen months he was employed by a 
cousin, Robert Burns, then in the ice business, 
and later for many years president of the National 
Ice Company. After leaving the employ of that 
gentleman he secured a position as assistant to 
the chief engineer of St. Luke's Hospital, after 
which he was for eighteen months employed in a 
confectionery store in Brooklyn. 

Determining to enter the florist's business, Mr. 
Burns resigned a position paying him $25 per 
week to accept one with a florist paying only $6 — 
an injudicious move, many would say — but sub- 
sequent events proved the wisdom of his action. 
The florist with whom he became connected had 
just established the business and he aided in build- 
ing up the trade, which grew to very large pro- 
portions. He remained two and one-half years 
in the employ of the florist, who, upon his deter- 
mining to leave, offered him a salary of $2,000 
per year if he would remain. However, flattering 
as the offer was, he felt that the time had come 
for him to embark in business for himself, and 
with this object in view he rented a small place 
in Forty-ninth Street and Madison Avenue. From 
the first the business prospered, and after eighteen 
months he was obliged to seek more commodi- 
ous quarters, which he did, removing to Sixth 
Avenue, near Forty-eighth Street, where for six- 
teen years he carried on a prosperous business. 
At the time of opening his establishment in Sixth 
Avenue he built his present residence at Wood- 
side, and erecting a number of greenhouses, em- 
ployed a practical florist to oversee them. In 1890 
he disposed of his store in Sixth Avenue and 
opened a wholesale store in Twenty-eighth Street, 
near Broadway, in partnership with John Raynor, 
under the firm name of Burns & Raynor, solicit- 
ing consignments from florists and carrying on 
a business aggregating $200,000 per annum. 
Tune 15, 1895, after a successful career, he re- 
tired from business and gave the management of 
the greenhouses into the hands of his son, A. 
S., Jr. 

The marriage of Mr. Burns, June 17, 1875, 
united him with Miss Minnie H. Jackson, of New 
York City. On the paternal side Mrs. Burns is 
a descendant of Jonathan Riggs, of Connecticut ; 
on both the paternal and maternal sides she comes 
of old Revolutionary stock, who were prominent 
in the early settlement of the New England States. 
The first of her ancestors to come to America 



466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was John Hewins, who represented the British 
government in the time of George III. Amasa 
Hewins, a celebrated painter of Boston, whose 
death occurred in Italy in 1855, was a connection 
of the family. Mrs. Burns is a daughter of 
Monteville Jackson, a life-long resident of New 
York City. Bv her marriage she had seven chil- 
dren, of whom four survive, as follows: Alex- 
ander S., Jr., who is in charge of the greenhouses ; 
Jennie, who is receiving excellent advantages at 
a private school in New York; Flossie and Har- 
old, who are with their parents. 

While a native of Ireland, our subject is of 
Scotch lineage, his grandfather, William Burns, 
having accompanied his parents frcim Scotland 
to the North of Ireland when only six years of 
age; he continued to reside on the Emerald Isle, 
engaged in farming, until his death, when ninety- 
six. He was for seventy-seven years a member 
of the Methodist Church and his life was that of 
a sincere Christian. In point of doctrine our sub- 
ject adheres to the same faith, being connected 
with the Methodist Church. His political opin- 
ions are of no uncertain kind; he has always sus- 
tained Republicaii principles and at this writing 
is president of the Republican Club, which posi- 
tion he has held since 1891. For several years 
he acted as president of the New York Forest 
Club, and vice-president of the Societ)' of Amer- 
ican Florists in the state of New York. Frater- 
nally he is a Royal Arch Mason. A man of en- 
ergy, ambition and perseverance, it is not strange 
that he has met with success in his undertakings 
and that he made of his business a science. He 
is interested in the welfare of Woodside, of which 
he is the largest lot and house owner, and is ever 
ready to promote its interests by any means in 
his power. 



M- 



AGNUS LARSEN, of Hunter's Point, 
Long Island City, is the proprietor of a 
finely equipped livery and boarding sta- 
ble and is also interested in real estate in this vi- 
cinity. He was born in Fredrickstad, Norway, 
July 8, 1855. His father, Lars Larsen, who was 
also born there and was well-to-do, was a consist- 
ent member of the Lutheran Church and was at 
all times active in good works. Desirous of spend- 
ing his last days with his sons and daughters in 
America, he sold his possessions in Norway and 
came to this country. Several years later, in 



1894, he died at the home of his son, Magnus. He 
was at that time in the eighty-fourth year of his 
age. His wife, who was Miss Martha Hendrick- 
son, a native of Norway, is now living in Long 
Island City and is eighty-four years of age. They 
reared a family of five sons and daughters, of 
whom four now survive. Harold is in the employ 
of the Standard Oil Company at Bayonne, N. J. ; 
Lizzie is Mrs. Wilson and makes her home in 
Eighth Street, this city; Mary married Oscar Nel- 
son, and her home is in Eighth Street. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the young- 
est of the family, passed the first ten vears of 
his life in Fredrickstad, whence his parents moved 
to Lauervig, Norway. There he attended the na- 
tional school until fourteen years old, when he 
started out in life for himself. He was soon pos- 
sessed of sufftcient means to enable him to en- 
gage in business, and purchased a livery and 
boarding stable, being also proprietor of a hotel. 
A-'ery soon thereafter he established a confection- 
ery and grocery store, which he carried on in con- 
nection with hos other interests in a successful 
manner. 

Mr. Larsen continued to make his home in 
Norway until 1879, when he crossed the Atlantic 
and was landed in due time on the shores of 
America. Continuing his westward way, he lo- 
cated in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was employed 
for a time as engineer of one of the plants be- 
longing to the Standard Oil Company. Later he 
engaged in business for himself and conducted a 
paying trade as proprietor of a candy store, and 
at the same time became the popular "mine host" 
of a first-class hotel in the Forest City. In 1881 
he came to this place and secured work as engi- 
neer of the Long Island City cabinet works. Four 
years thereafter he embarked in the liquor busi- 
ness, in which he is still engaged. 

In 1885 Mr. Larsen purchased property on the 
corner of Jackson Avenue and Sixth Street and 
afterward put up an addition to the building in 
the rear. He has handled considerable real es- 
tate in the city, and in addition to the building 
just mentioned owns two nice residences on 
Eighth and Jackson Avenue and his livery stable 
in Sixth Street. Besides keeping on hand a 
large number of carriage horses and all kinds of 
vehicles, he buys and sells horses, and his barns 
are patronized as boarding stables by many of 
those who own their own turn-outs. His stable 
occupies twenty-five feet front on Jackson Ave- 
nue and one hundred feet in depth. March 4,. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



1896, he was awarded the contract for cleaning 
the streets in the fourth ward. 

The lady whom our subject married in Cleve- 
land, Ohio, was Miss Petra C. Abrahamson, a 
native of Christiana. The six children granted 
them are named respectively: Martha, Harold, 
Arthur, Annie, Lillie and Emily. Both parents be- 
long to the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Long 
Island City, and Mr. Larsen has been secretary of 
the board of trustees for many years. He took 
a very active part in the organization of this 
church and is active in all its meetings. Mrs. 
Larsen is also interested in religious matters and 
is at present serving as president of the Ladies' 
Society. During his travels in the Old World 
our subject gained valuable information. He has 
visited Denmark, Sweden and Germany, but of all 
countries he likes America best. In politics he 
gives his support to the Democratic party. He 
is a member of the State Liquor Dealers' Asso- 
ciation and for six years was secretary of the 
Long Island City Branch. 



GEORGE KELLEY HOPKINS, of Coro- 
na Heights, was born at Carmel, Putnam 
County, N. Y., November 15, 1854, and 
is a son of Arva and Eliza A. (Kelley) Hopkins. 
His father, grandfather Alvah, and great-grand- 
father, David Hopkins, were born upon the same 
farm, this being a tract of land originally settled 
by the great-great-grandfather, a native of Scot- 
land. Some years ago Arva Hopkins moved from 
New York to Idaho and settled at Emmett, where 
he has a large ranch and is also extensively in- 
terested in mining enterprises. His wife died 
when our subject was about thirteen years old. 

The boyhood days of George K. Hopkins were 
spent on the old homestead. He was a diligent 
student, and in a competitive examination for a 
scholarship in Cornell University stood the high- 
est of the twenty who were in the race. He re- 
ceived the appointment, but did not enter the uni- 
versity, teaching school instead. After one term 
in a country school he entered Folsom's Business 
College at Albany, from which he graduated at 
the age of about twenty-three. Going to New 
York, he secured employment as driver on a 
milk wagon, and was thus employed for two years. 
Later he bought a route for himself and within 
two years had four routes. In addition to that 
business, he opened a grocery, in which he met 
with success. During 1890 he bought his pres- 



ent property and moved here in August, 1895, 
having sold his businesis in New York. 

September 17, 1888, Mr. Hopkins was united 
in marriage with Mrs. EnnieE. (Pennell) Ellis, 
who was born in Queens County, Ireland, and 
who had by her first marriage a daughter, Flor- 
ence. Politically our subject is a Republican, 
which has been the faith of the family since the 
organization of the party. He holds membership 
in the Carmel Baptist Church in Putnam Coun- 
ty, never having taken his letter from that congre- 
gation. Socially he is connected with Council 
No. 252, Royal Arcanum, and Olive Branch 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., both of New York. 



JOHN W. DAVREN. The United States 
can well be proud of the amount of brains 
and energy possessed by her representative 
newspaper men, for, taken as a whole, there are 
none brighter, more intelligent, or with more 
ability and push. A brilliant, forcible and excel- 
lent writer connected with the "New York 
World" and the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle" is John 
W. Davren, who is a native of the city of New 
York, born in 1865. His parents are John and 
Mary T. (Haley) Davren, the former of whom 
was for a number of years a boss lather in New 
York City. In 1868 he came with his wife and 
one son to Long Island City, continuing to work 
at his trade, and is here residing at the present 
time. In 1876 his estimable wife died, leaving 
him with three children: John W.; Mary F., 
wife of Jacob Van Wicklen, and Margaret. An- 
other child died in infancy. James Davren, a 
brother of John Davren, has been quite promi- 
nent in the affairs of Long Island City and has 
held the positions of coroner, pohce commis- 
sioner and assessor. He is now in the undertak- 
ing business in Jackson Avenue and has been a 
resident of this place since 1867, soon after which 
he was joined by his brothers, John, William and 
Patrick. 

The childhood days of the subject of this sketch 
were spent in the first ward of Long Island City 
and here his education was acquired in the old 
Sixth Street school and in the old grammar 
school in East Thirty-seventh Street, New York. 
About 1882 he became a messenger for the Long 
Island News Association, the members of which 
were reporters engaged in gathering the news of 
Long Island for the New York dailies. As time 
passed he acquired a thorough knowledge of and 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



love for the calling and eventually became the 
manager for the association of Queens and Suf- 
folk Counties. In 1889 he resigned this position 
to become the correspondent of the "Brooklyn 
Daily Eagle" and the "New York World" for 
Long Island City, and in these capacities has 
shown undoubted ability as a concise and forcible 
writer. He is well posted, up with the times, and 
from his articles something bright, new and in- 
teresting may always be gleaned. His thorough 
acquaintance with Long Island City and her peo- 
ple makes his work comparatively easy and his 
news is naturally always authentic. He has a 
well appointed office at No. 9 Borden Avenue and 
a comfortable and commodious residence at No. 
31 Ely Avenue. 

Mr. Davren was married in St. Mary's Catho- 
lic Church, Long Island City, August 20, 1895, 
to Miss Anna C. Harran, Rev. Father John Do- 
herty officiating. Mrs. Davren was born in Long 
Island City, a daughter of Lawrence Harran. Mr. 
Davren was one of the organizers of the Arling- 
ton Athletic Club, which was a model of its kind 
during the six years that it was in existence. He 
was its first president, filling this office two terms. 
At the present time he is a member of the Ravens- 
wood Club, and the Jefferson Club, of which he 
was one of its earliest and most active members. 
Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and for 
the past five years has been a member of the gen- 
eral committee and also of the executive commit- 
tee from the second district of the first ward. 
He and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catho- 
lic Church. 



REV. WILLIAM JAY PECK, M. D. In the 
front ranks of the able men of Queens 
County stands the name of the pastor of 
the Union Evangelical Church of Corona. This 
gentleman was gifted by nature to more than an 
ordinary degree, possessing all the qualities that 
go to make up a complete manhood. Intellec- 
tually he is classed among the foremost minds 
of Long Island, while all his tastes are of the 
higher order — a man of refinement, cultivation, 
one who maintains the deepest interest in the 
spiritual welfare of his fellow men. As a citizen 
he has been liberal and public-spirited, the friend 
of education, and foremost in the enterprises tend- 
ing to elevate the people. He is an eloquent 
speaker, and, in addition to his ministerial work, 
has often lectured on his travels in this country 



and abroad. Churches and public halls have 
often resounded with his ringing voice and fervid 
language, as he has sought to impress upon his 
fellow men their duty to one another and to 
society. He has delivered many brilliant ora- 
tions before attentive and admiring audiences, 
who have gone away to their homes benefited and 
uplifted by what they have heard. 

The parents of our subject, Jeremiah and Cor- 
nelia (Dudley) Peck, were natives of Connecticut, 
where the former was for years principal of an 
academy, also took an active interest in the cause 
of prohibition and the abolition of slavery. In 
the interest of these causes he lectured extensive- 
ly, but being in advance of bis time he was bit- 
terly persecuted, though this had no other effect 
upon him than to make him more determined 
in his efforts. He was closely identified with the 
underground railroad and did all in his power 
to help the slaves. It was his privilege to live 
to witness the triumph of the principles he advo- 
cated, and this fact brightened his closing years. 
He passed from earth in February, 1874. 

The subject of this record was born in North- 
field, town of Litchfield, Litchfield County, Conn., 
August 5, 1853. Under the careful training of 
his parents he gained the rudiments of his educa- 
tion, and at the age of fourteen he began to 
attend school. Three years later he prepared for 
college at Thomaston Academy under Prof. Jo- 
seph R. French, now of New Haven, Conn. At 
the age of twenty-one, in September, 1874, he 
entered Williams College, where he remained un- 
til graduating in 1878 with high honors and the 
degree of A. B. Soon afterward he entered 
Union Theological Seminary of New York City 
and graduated in 1881, meantime having devoted 
some time to preaching as a city missionary. 
In June, 1881, in Broadway Tabernacle, he was 
ordained to the ministry, Dr. William M. Taylor 
delivering the discourse. 

The same year — 1881 — Rev. Mr. Peck accepted 
a call to his present pastorate. In 1881-82 he 
also took a post-graduate course and received the 
degree of A. M. from Williams College. Visit- 
ing the Adirondacks and the surrounding coun- 
try, he delivered a series of lectures on his re- 
turn, descriptive of that famous region. In 1880 
he visited Europe and lectured upon his travels 
after his return. In 1886 he went via Yosemite 
Valley to California, where he visited the mines 
and orange groves, and upon his return lec- 
tured concerning that part of the country. Over- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



469 



work resulted in the loss of his voice, and neces- 
sitated a dangerous surgical operation that 
proved almost fatal. After partially recovering, 
he went to the Bermuda Islands, where he spent 
the winter. As it was thought he would never 
be able to preach again, he entered the medical 
department of the University of New York, and 
remained there until his graduation in 1890, Dr. 
A. W. Warden being his preceptor. Afterward 
he practiced his profession and was assistant at 
the Post-graduate Medical College in the de- 
partment of dermatology for three years. 

June 2, 1891, Dr. Peck was united in marriage, 
in Boonton, N. J., with Miss Grace Crawford 
Ford of that place. In February, 1895, they took 
a trip to the Holy Land, passing through Spain, 
Algiers, Italy, Greece and Egypt, going eight 
hundred miles up the Nile, and afterwards visit- 
ing the ancient city of Damascus, Turkey, Aus- 
tria, Switzerland, France and England, traveling 
twenty thousand miles and returning in six 
months from the time of starting. For years 
he has been a contributor to various of the lead- 
ing magazines and papers and has delivered pop- 
ular lectures on the East, illustrated by stereop- 
ticon views. He has officiated at one hundred 
and fifty-three funerals, many marriages, has re- 
ceived two hundred and fifty into church mem- 
bership, and baptized two hundred and twenty- 
nine, the last being twins. A zealous worker in 
Christian Endeavor circles, he is president of the 
oldest society on Long Island, outside of Brook- 
lyn. In 1884 he began to publish the "Long 
Island Endeavorer," of which he is still the editor. 
Since 1886 he has been recording secretary of the 
Long Island Bible Society. He has a Sunday- 
school of seven hundred members, one of the 
best in the town. His latest publication is a 
new Catechism of Christian Doctrine for Sabbath 
Schools, intended to be interdenominational. He 
is now engaged in writing a book on the "Birth- 
place of the Bible." 



HENRY J. TAYLOR. The credit for a 
large share of the enterprises that help 
make Astoria one of the most progressive 
portions of Long Island City justly belongs to 
Mr. Taylor, who has resided here from boyhood 
and has contributed actively toward the advance- 
ment of its interests. He is a member of the firm 
of Taylor & Co., carriage manufacturers, with of- 
fice and works at Nos. 82 and 84 Broadway, 



Astoria. They occupy a building 45x85 feet in 
dimensions and two stories in height, stocked 
with a complete outfit of vehicles of varied styles. 
The other member of the firm is W. P., brother 
of Henry J., the two being the successors of 
their father, who established the business in 1849. 
The parents of our subject, both of whom have 
passed from earth, were Thomas and Mary (Han- 
evor) Taylor, natives of England. The former 
gained a thorough knowledge of coachmaking 
under the instruction of his father, Thomas Tay- 
lor, a successful and well-known carriage builder 
at Hackney, near London. After becoming fa- 
miliar with the trade, he carried on a shop in 
London, having as a partner his eldest brother, 
James. In 1848, having resolved to seek a home 
in America, he crossed the ocean and settled 
in Astoria, where the following year he started 
in the carriage business. For a time he occu- 
pied an old mill in Broadway, but in i860 built 
the present works, and here he carried on busi- 
ness until his death, in 1888, at the age of sixty- 
nine. His wife had died in Astoria at the age of 
sixty. Of their children three daughters and two 
sons are still living, our subject being the eldest. 

The first eight years of the life of Henry J. 
Taylor were spent in London, where he was born 
in 1840. With his parents he made the voyage 
to America in an Austrian gun-boat, seven 
weeks having been spent on the Atlantic. 
He grew to manhood in Long Island City 
and was one of the first pupils in the fourth 
ward school, which he attended until sixteen 
years of age. He then began to learn the trade 
of a carriage painter, at which he worked for 
three and one-half years. Afterward he took up 
the blacksmith's trade, and by degrees became 
familiar with every department of the business. 
In i860 he formed a partnership with his brother- 
in-law under the firm name of Taylor, Schwarz 
& Co., which twenty-five years later was changed 
to Taylor & Schwarz. In 1888 he and his brother 
purchased the interest of their brother-in-law, and 
have since carried on the business, manufacturing 
all kinds of carriages to order. 

The record of the house has been one reflecting 
the highest credit upon the members of the firm. 
Since the inception of the business in 1849, many 
wealthy and prominent New York gentlemen 
have been customers, including John Jacob Astor, 
August Belmont, Col. DeLancy Kane and others. 
The reliability of the work has caused the people 
to feel the utmost confidence in the honesty of 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the firm, and their skill in carriage building is 
conceded by all who have had an}^ business rela- 
tions with them. 

In Astoria Mr. Taylor was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary J. Gallagher, who was born in 
New York City. Her father, John Gallagher, 
enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War 
and was killed at the battle of Bull Run, the 
ball which caused his death also fatally wounding 
his brother. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tay- 
lor are Ellen C, Henry James, Arthur Cleveland, 
Edith and Richard Cook. Politically a Demo- 
crat, Mr. Taylor has served as a member of the 
general committee for eight years. For a sim- 
ilar period he has been identified with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and for eight years 
served Protection Engine No. 2 of the volunteer 
fire department, of which he was at one time as- 
sistant foreman. Socially he is connected with 
Advance Lodge, F. & A. M., and John Allen 
Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., at Astoria. 



CJOHANN & SONS. The Egyptians 
made embalming a part of their religion 
■' and held that none of the dead would be 
resurrected save those bodies that should be pre- 
served through the required age of time. Latter 
day people embalm for purposes of convenience, 
or to escape the revolting thought of decay. As 
embalming has come in of late years, so coffins, 
or burial caskets, have changed their form. C. 
Johann & Sons, undertakers and embalmers at 
the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eleventh Street, 
College Point, are doing a large business in their 
special line and have the leading representative 
establishment of this kind in the city. This busi- 
ness was started in 1856 by William Becker, who 
was succeeded by Mathias Johann, and who in 
turn was succeeded by the present firm. 

Mathias Johann was born in Prussia, Germany, 
in 1838, and came to America with his parents, 
when ten years old. He learned the woodcarver's 
trade and in 1864 came to College Point, where he 
served as assistant undertaker for some time. 
Later he became a partner with Mr. Becker un- 
der the firm name of Becker & Johann, and they 
continued together until the death of Mr. Becker, 
when Mr. Johann took charge of the business and 
conducted it successfully until his death, January 
29, 1890. During the war he served in the na- 
tional guards, which were called out to quell dis- 
turbances in New York during that exciting 



period. Mr. Johann was married October 25, 
1864, to Miss Catherine Becker, daughter of his 
late partner, William Becker, and a native of Ger- 
many, who was born in 1845. 

William Becker was a cabinetmaker by trade 
and followed this in the old country until 1855, 
when he came to America with his wife and one 
child. He located in College Point and in 1856 
bought the place now occupied by his successors 
and became a successful undertaker, continuing 
the same until his death in 1888, when eighty-five 
years old. His wife, Susanna (Steffen) Becker, 
was a native of Prussia and died in 1877, when 
seventy-seven years old. Their only child, Cath- 
erine, was biTt ten years old when they came here 
and she was educated in this place, and later be- 
came the wife of Mr, Johann. After his death 
she and her sons took charge of the business and 
it has since been conducted under the firm name 
of C. Johann & Sons. Both William and Peter 
are practical embalmers and are graduates of the 
art. They are also expert cabinet-workers and are 
wide-awake, successful young business men. This 
is the only undertaking establishment in College 
Point. By her marriage Mrs. Johann became 
the mother of eight children, as follows: Wil- 
liam, who is married and resides in College Point; 
Susan, Peter, Josephine; Katie, now Mrs. Cent- 
ner of College Point; Annie, Jacob and Henry. 
All are members of St. Fidelis Catholic Church. 



ROBERT H. BALDWIN, who holds the re- 
sponsible position of agent of the Long 
Island Railroad Company at Coldspring 
Station, is a native of this county, having been 
born at Woodbury, December 26, 1856. This 
was also the birthplace of his father, Robert V. 
Baldwin, while his mother, Hannah Turner, was 
a native of Moriches. The former was born Oc- 
tober 15, 1832, and was one of the old and well- 
to-do farmers of this section. He was quiet and 
unassuming in manner and by years of toil and 
industry accumulated a competence and was the 
owner of the good tract of land upon which our 
subject now makes his home. Grandfather Isaac 
Baldwin was likewise born at Woodbury. 

To Robert V. and Hannah Baldwin there were 
born six children, three of whom are living at the 
present time, namely: Amos V., a prominent 
contractor and builder living in Brooklyn; Rob- 
ert H., of this sketch; and Lillian, the wife of 
Frank Lewis, a resident of Oyster Bay. Our sub- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



ject was educated in the common schools of his 
district and remained on the homestead, assisting 
his father in its cultivation until eighteen years of 
age, when he began as an apprentice at the wheel- 
wright's trade at Coldspring. After working two 
years for C. S. Van Sise he traveled through the 
county as a journeyman wheelwright, but at the 
end of two years settled in Woodbury and began 
business on his own account. This he followed 
verjr successfully for seven years, when he aban- 
doned it in order to embark in the mercantile 
business here. This venture did not prove a very 
profitable investment and after a twelvemonth 
Mr. Baldwin closed out his stock and obtained a 
position in the drum factory of James Douden of 
Coldspring. January i, 1883, while working at 
this place, he was asked to take charge of the sta- 
tion for the Long Island Railroad Company and 
has been in their employ ever since. 

June 30, 1880, Mr. Baldwin was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ella Velsor, the daughter of 
George Velsor of Woodbury, where he is en- 
gaged as a carpenter and wheelwright. In the 
autumn of 1883, soon after accepting the position 
of agent, Mr. Baldwin was appointed postmaster 
of Woodbury, which position he still holds. In 
his poHtical relations he is a stalwart Democrat, 
and is one of the most public-spirited citizens of 
Coldspring, where he has many warm friends. 
In 1 881 he was elected collector of taxes, and 
aside from this he has rendered efficient service as 
a member of the school board in District No. 13. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin there have- been born 
three children, Charles H., Erederick E.and Rob- 
ert E. 



RALPH L. MACFARLAND, M. D., a 
prominent physician of Woodhaven, was 
born at Elushing October 10, 1863, the 
only son of the late Rev. Henry H. McEarland, a 
native of Ware, Mass., where he was born in 1832. 
He was a finely educated gentleman, graduating 
from Yale with the Class of '53. After complet- 
ing the literary course in that institution, he en- 
tered Yale Theological Seminary, from which he 
was graduated with the honors of his class in 
1859. The same year he began his ministerial 
work as pastor of the Congregational Church at 
Morris, Conn., and remained there until a short 
time prior to the outbreak of the late war, when 
he came to Flushing, L. I. For three years he 
was pastor of the Congregational Church at this 



place, during which time he was an active mem- 
lier of the Christian Commission and aided in 
every way that he could the preservation of the 
Union. 

On the expiration, of the time above mentioned 
Rev. Henry H. McEarland went to Brooklyn, 
where he was for a time engaged in preaching to 
the Fifth Avenue Congregational Church of that 
city. Soon thereafter he resigned his pastorate, 
and from that time until his decease was engaged 
in literary work, being for nineteen years con- 
nected with the American Seaman's Friend So- 
ciety. On the organization of the "Sailors' Maga- 
zine" he was made its editor, holding this position 
from that date to the time of his death. He was 
also secretary and treasurer of the Manhattan 
Congregational Associations of New York and 
Brooklyn and was a contributor to the "Christian 
Union," now the "Outlook." He was the author 
of many able articles which appeared in this jour- 
nal from time to time and also contributed large- 
ly to the success of "White's History of Ameri- 
can Biography," of which he was likewise'one of 
the editors. He was a clear and forcible writer 
and at the time of his decease, in the spring of 
1895, was at work on a book, which, had he lived, 
it was his intention to publish. 

The mother of Dr. Macfarland, Sarah A. Lum, 
a native of Connecticut, was a quiet, unassuming, 
cultured Christian lady, who devoted her life 
largely to making a pleasant home for her hus- 
band and family. She is at present a member of 
her son's household. There were born to herself 
and husband four children, of whom one died in 
infancy. Besides the Doctor is Miss Bessie, who 
is also an inmate of his household, and Clara, 
now the wife of Rev. J. Howard Hobbs, the 
brilliant pastor of the Presbyterian Chtirch of 
Jamaica, and a sketch of whose life the reader 
will find on another page in this volume. 

The subject of this sketch received his early 
literary training under the watchful eyes of his 
father in the schools of Brooklyn. Later he at- 
tended the Greenwich (Conn.) Academy, from 
which he was graduated in 1881. Four years 
later he completed his medical studies in the New 
York Homoeopathic Medical College, after which 
he began the practice of his profession in the 
metropolis, and was for two years visiting physi- 
cian to the college from which he was graduated. 

In 1887 Dr. Macfarland located in Woodhaven, 
where he has built up a large and lucrative prac- 
tice. He keeps fully abreast of the times and 



472 



PORTRxMT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



recent discoveries in the medical world by taking 
leading journals, keeping up to his studies, and 
by attending the medical societies to which he 
belongs. 

April i6, 1895, Dr. Macfarland and Miss NelHe 
E. Hart of Brooklyn were united in marriage. 
This lady was the daughter of Frederick D. Hart, 
who is prominently connected with the New 
York & Brooklyn Bridge Company. The Doc- 
tor is a member of the Kings County Homoeo- 
pathic Medical Society, ofwhich he was state dele- 
gate, and is vice-president of the Twenty-sixth 
Ward Homoeopathic Dispensary Association of 
Brookl3'n. He is a worthy and consistent mem- 
ber of the Second Congregational Church of 
Woodhaven and very active in all church work. 
In his political faith he uses his ballot in favor of 
the Republican party. 



WILLIAM H. ZABRISKIE, M. D., one 
of the prominent physicians and skilled 
surgeons of Glencove,was born in Mor- 
ris County, N. J., January 15, 1862, the son of 
Abram and CeHa (Dixon) Zabriskie. The family 
were originally from Poland, but later settled in 
Holland, where they remained for a few genera- 
tions, when certain representatives came to 
America during the colonial times and estab- 
lished a home in Bergen County, N. J. After- 
ward, however, some members of the family 
moved to Morris County, that state, where the 
father of our subject, who is both a farmer and 
millwright, still lives. 

The boyhood days of William H. were spent in 
attending the public schools of his native place 
and after graduating at the age of seventeen he 
entered the seminary at Princeton, N. J., carrying 
on his studies there for about a year. He then 
began reading medicine with Dr. J. S. Ryerson of 
Boonton, N. J., and after a year and a half spent 
in his office he attended lectures at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. He 
took the entire course and was graduated in 1885 
with honors. He received much valuable aid in 
his work by being allowed to practice in the hos- 
pital, which privilege was granted him on account 
of his high standing in all his studies. 

When ready to embark in practice Dr. Zabris- 
kie opened an office at Glencove, where he has 
been located ever since. Few physicians in the 
county rank higher in the profession than he, 
who, although thoroughly devoted to the duties 



which devolve upon him as a doctor, takes an ac- 
tive interest in the local progress and leading 
movements of his home neighborhood. 

Dr. Zabriskie and Miss Lizzie W. Bowne of 
Glencove, were united in marriage February 14, 
1888. This lady was the daughter of Richard M. 
and Mary (Titus) Bowne, prominent residents of 
Queens County, the former being a descendant 
from one of its oldest families. The Doctor and 
his wife have become the parents of two children, 
William Howard and Mary Margaret. Dr. Zab- 
riskie follows in the footsteps of his father in po- 
litical affairs and is a Democrat, voting for Cleve- 
land in 1884. He has served as health officer for 
tile town of Oyster Bay for two terms and is al- 
ways ready to assist in movements for the general 
good. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, holding 
membership with Pembroke Lodge. The Doctor 
is likewise a member of the Queens County Med- 
ical Society, of which he is vice-president and 
has held this office for several years. He is also 
connected with the New York State Medical So- 
ciety and the American Medical Association, tak- 
ing an active part in the meetings of these various 
bodies and conti'ibuting greatly to their interest 
by reading papers touching upon important sub- 
jects. 



R FRANK BOWNE, junior member of the 
firm of Titus & Bowne, dealers in build- 
• ing materials, coal and hardware at 
Glencove, is descended from one of the oldest 
and most honored families on Long Island, of 
whom a full account will appear in the biography 
of his father, Richard M. Bowne, which the 
reader will find on another page in this volume. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Glen- 
cove, November 17, 1859, and is the son of 
Richard M. and Mary (Titus) Bowne, who are 
still living here. His father was for many years 
one of the active merchants of the place, but hav- 
ing accumulated a handsome fortune he is now 
living retired, enjoying the fruits of his early 
years of toil and industry. After completing a 
course in the public schools of his native place, 
R. Frank in 1875 entered Swarthmore College, 
near Philadelphia, Pa., where he was a student 
for two years. 

On his return home from college our subject 
entered his father's store as clerk, and for ten 
years remained with him assisting in the business. 
He then accepted the position of bookkeeper with 




WILLIAM BRIDGE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



475 



tlie owners of a brickyard at Center Isle, this 
coimty, but remained there only a year when he 
began working at the carpenter's trade. This oc- 
cupation occupied his entire time and attention 
for four years and eventually led to his opening 
the establishment of which he is now one of the 
owners. The partnership with Mr. Titus was 
formed in 1890 and the business has grown from 
year to year until it now assumes large propor- 
tions. 

Mr. Bowne, although reared a Democrat, has 
of late years joined the ranks of the Republicans, 
and never lets an opportunity pass to vote for its 
chosen candidates. He has never been an as- 
pirant for public office, as his business occupies 
his time to such an extent that he has never had 
an opportunity to represent his fellow townsmen 
in any capacity whatever. Notwithstanding the 
fact that his parents were members of the Society 
of Friends, Mr. Bowne is connected with the 
Presbyterian Church. In social affairs he is a 
Mason, holding membership with Glencove 
Lodge No. 580, in which he has held many of the 
minor offices. He is likewise connected with 
Pembroke Lodge No. ^2)^ I. O. O. F., in which 
he has occupied many of the chairs and been sent 
as its representative to the Grand Lodge. 

The marriage of Mr. Bowne and Miss Mary C. 
Underbill occurred October 25, 1882. This lady 
was born at Locust Valley, Queens County, and 
by her union with our subject became the moth- 
er of a son, Sidney B. The wife and mother de- 
parted this life in 1886. The second marriage of 
our subject, which occurred in May, 1889, was 
with Miss Agnes Wood, a most excellent and 
highly esteemed lady and a native of Glencove. 
They have one daughter, Dorothy. 



WILLIAM BRIDGE. Legion is the 
name of those who, beginning in life 
with few advantages, have worked their 
way, despite obstacles and hardships, to a posi- 
tion of influence and prominence. Such a one 
is the subject of this article, well known as the 
proprietor of the canning establishment of Wil- 
liam Bridge & Co., at Locust Valley. Though 
not a native of this country, his life has been prin- 
cipally passed here, and he is thoroughly Amer- 
ican in sentiment, principles and views. 

The birth of our subject occurred in 1837 in 
Bury St. Edmunds, a village standing on a gentle 
eminence in the richly cultivated county of Suf- 
18 



folk, England. His parents, Thomas and Mary 
(Nelson) Bridge, were natives of that same local- 
ity, and the father was highly esteemed as a man 
of probity, energy and business capacity, serving 
at different times in a number of local offices of 
honor and trust. With his family, he came to 
America in 1852 and settled in Rondout, Ulster 
County, but three months later death removed 
him from the scene of his labors, leaving his 
widow with an only child, William. Upon the 
latter fell the burden of the support of himself and 
mother, and though a m.ere lad in years, he nobly 
discharged the duty, caring for his mother until 
she died, in 1858. 

Soon after coming to the United States Mr. 
Bridge entered the employ of the Pennsylvania 
Coal Company as assistant boat inspector, from 
which he was promoted, through successive steps, 
until he had supervision of the entire business at 
Williamsburg. He was with the company seven 
years, and during the last three years of the time 
was superintendent. In 1859 he resigned in 
order to establish a market business in Williams- 
burg, which he carried on five years at that place 
and sixteen years in Long Island City. Mean- 
time he became prominent in public affairs and 
in 1865 was elected a member of the Republican 
city committee, in which capacity he rendered 
efficient service. Later he was elected to repre- 
sent the first ward on the board of aldermen, and 
served for one term. Recognizing the fidelity 
and efficiency of his services, his party desired 
him to represent them as a member of the assem- 
bly, but this honor he declined. For six years 
he held the position of commissioner of improve- 
ments and during that time a great many impor- 
tant changes were made that have proved of last- 
ing benefit to the city. Under the administration 
of President Hayes he was appointed postmaster 
of Long Island City and by re-appointment under 
Presidents Arthur and Cleveland held the office 
for nine consecutive years. While serving in 
that capacity he also held the appointing power 
of postmasters in Queens County. 

In 1880 Mr. Bridge disposed of his business 
in Long Island City and became a member of 
ihe firm of Hudson & Co., who were engaged in 
the canning business in that city. Five years later 
the connection was dissolved, and he formed a 
partnership with John Gregory in the same busi- 
ness. The same year (1885) a branch was start- 
ed at Locust Valley, but three years later the 
entii-e business was moved to this village, and in 



476 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1891 he bought out his partner's interest in the 
enterprise, since which time he has been sole 
proprietor. He is the sole packer of the Oyster 
Bay brand of asparagus, and also carries all va- 
rieties of pears, apples, etc. To such an extent 
was the business enlarged that for several years 
he was unable to secure sufficient quantities of 
fruit for canning. It has always been his aim to 
put up only first-class goods, his trade being 
among the best customers, who desire only the 
finest quality. On the wrappers appears a fine 
cut of the Brooklyn bridge, which is his trade 
mark. In 1896 he erected a feed mill which it 
is his intention to operate in connection with his 
factory, and which will be an accommodation to 
the public. 

During his residence in Williamsburg Mr. 
Bridge married Miss Cornelia E. Calhoun, who 
was born in Brooklyn, and was a daughter of 
John C. Calhoun, who at the time of his death 
was one of the oldest marine engineers in this 
country. Seven children were born of this union, 
but only two are living, namely: Sarah F., and 
Carrie K, wife of Edward E. Wilson, superintend- 
ent for Tracy Brothers, of Waterbury, Conn., a 
large firm of contractors and builders, in which 
he is a stockholder. 

Since 1854 Mr. Bridge has been a Master Ma- 
son, and he is the oldest Knight Templar on 
Long Island outside of Brooklyn. His time is 
now given very largely to his business interests, 
and he no longer takes an active part in public 
affairs, but when in political life he was an ac- 
knowledged power and wielded a large influence. 
He is a man who has ever maintained a deep in- 
terest in the welfare of the people and the progress 
of the county and state, and his labors have been 
instrumental in accomplishing many needed re- 
forms and improvements. 



SCUDDER V. WHITNEY is one whose 
present substantial position in life has been 
reached entirely through his own perse- 
verance, and the facts connected with his agri- 
cultural operations, and their results, only show 
what a person with courage and enlightened views 
can accomplish. Mr. Whitney was born March 
II, 1821, on the place where he now resides. 
Henry Whitney, his ancestor seven generations 
removed, was born in England about 1620, it is 
supposed, and about the year 1637 he came to 
America with about thirty-seven others, all anx- 



ious to make their fortunes on this side of the 
Atlantic. Mr. Whitney first located at Hasham- 
mock (now Southold), Suffolk County. The fol- 
lowing is a list of the colony of which he was one 
and from which many men of eminence have de- 
scended, viz.: Rev. John Young, William Wells, 
Barnabas Horton, Thomas Benedict, Richard 
Benjamin, lohii Booth, Richard Brown, Lieut. 
John Budd, Henry Case, John Conkling, John 
Corey, Mathias Corwin, Philamon Dickerson, 
Charles Glover, Ralph Goldsmith, William Hal- 
lock, Samuel King, Charles Mapes, George Miller, 
Thomas Moore, Peter Payne, William Furrier, 
Thomas Reeve, William Salmon, John Sweezy, 
Richard Terry, Thomas Terry, John Tucker, 
John Tuttle, Henry Tuttle, Capt. John Under- 
bill, Jeremiah Vail, Barnabas Wines, Joseph 
Youngs, Capt. John Youngs, Robert Ackerly and 
John Herbert. 

In compiling a history of the Whitney family 
in 1878 it was found that the descendants of 
Henry Whitney numbered twenty thousand three 
hundred and sixty-one. The line of descent from 
Henry Whitney to our subject is Henry, John, 
Richard, Daniel, Darling, Daniel, Scudder V. 
Darling Whitney, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born at Stamford, Conn., September 25, 1758, 
and when eighteen years old he enlisted in the 
Revolutionary War, entering actively into service 
at West Point. After the war he located at East- 
woods (now Woodbury), and was there married to 
Miss Sarah Valentine. During the War of 1812 
he held the rank of major and was stationed at 
Ft. Green (Brooklyn, N.Y.), under General John- 
son. A few years later he sold his farm at Wood- 
bury to his son, Daniel (father of our subject), 
and engaged in merchandising in New York 
City, where he died November 14, 1834. 

Daniel Whitney was born July 2, 1781, at 
Woodbury, and there spent his life. Upon first 
starting out for himself he engaged in boating 
on the Sound and Hudson River, but later, in 
181 9, bought the old homestead, where his death 
occurred, August 7, 1848. He was also a sol- 
dier in the War of 18 12, serving three months at 
Sag Harbor, and was lieutenant of the militia. 
He took a decided interest in public matters, was 
unusually influential, but declined to hold office. 
Politically he was a Democrat and religiously a 
Methodist. His family consisted of three sons 
and two daughters, of whom our subject was 
fourth in order of birth. 

Sciidder V. Whitney was reared on the farm, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORD. 



477 



■secured a liberal education in the common 
schools, and when eighteen years old began his 
career as a teacher, following this profession for 
five or six years. On the 19th of April, 1849, he 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Titus, daughter of 
Henry Titus of Glen Cove, L. I. While getting 
his education young Scudder applied himself to 
the study of surveying and civil engineering, and 
for the past thirty years has done much in that 
line in Queens and Suffolk Counties, establishing 
roads and boundary lines. In 1873 he was chosen 
"by this county to establish the line between the 
two counties. 

Mr. Whitney has led an active life and this he 
still continues, although seventy-five years old. 
He has held many positions of trust and responsi- 
bility, and no man is more highly esteemed and 
respected than this worthy citizen. Upon the 
■death of his father the old home place, which has 
now been in the hands of the family for the past 
one hundred and fifteen years Descended to him, 
and soon afterward he gave up teaching and 
turned his attention to farming and surveying. 
For fifteen years he has held the office of assessor 
of his town most acceptably. In 1881 he was 
elected supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay, 
serving two terms, and in 1888 was again elected, 
serving three terms more. In the year 1845 he 
"was elected superintendent of common schools, 
and for six years was trustee of the Jones' Fund. 
For thirty-five years he has been and is now a 
■director of the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany and for eight years has been and is now 
vice-president of the same. 

Mr. Whitney is also a director of The Hamilton 
Fire Insurance Company of New York, of which 
his brother, Hon. Daniel D. Whitney, ex-mayor 
of Brooklyn, N. Y., is president, and has 
been chosen as executor and administrator of 
many wills and estates. He is a member of the 
Woodbury Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which he has been officially connected since the 
building was erected in 1856. Mr. Whitney has 
one daughter, Phoebe Titus, and two sons, Daniel 
S. and Rev. Henry C. The elder son, who car- 
ries On the farm, was married June 8, 1893, to Miss 
Maria Van Sise, of Woodbury. They have one 
child, Elizabeth Titus. At Southport, Conn., 
April 20, 1892, the younger son was married to 
Miss Fannie, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Gilman. 
They have one son, Oliver Gilman, born at Nich- 
ols, Conn., November 11, 1804. Rev. Mr. Whit- 
ney is now located at Rowayton, Conn. Our sub- 



ject is one of the best known men in his town and 
has rounded out a goodly number of years of 
activity and is still in the harness, though for the 
past four years he has lived retired from political 
life. He enjoys the respect, confidence and es- 
teem of a wide circle of acquaintances. 



ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 
occupies a central and attractive location in 
Long Island City. The building is sit- 
uated in Crescent Street, extending through to 
Prospect Street, and is surrounded by smaller 
buildings to assist m the carrying forward of the 
various enterprises connected with the church. 
The first edifice in which the congregation wor- 
shiped was situated on the corner of William 
and Henry Streets, but the site not being as 
desirable as this, the change was made. The 
congregation contemplate in the near future 
erecting a larger and more modern building. 
At successive periods in its history the church 
has been under the supervision of Fathers Soto 
(the first priest), Keiley, O'Brien, Toner, Mc- 
Guirl and McGrOnen. 

In connection with the church there are a num- 
ber of societies to aid in extending the work and 
benefiting the members. Among these we men- 
tion the Holy Name Society, which has four hun- 
dred members; St. Vincent de Paul Society: the 
Sodality; Young People's Lyceum, which has 
about one hundred and fifty members; Debt Col- 
lecting Society, and a sewing circle, composed 
of the ladies of the church, who make garments 
for the poor and do a large amount of rehef work 
in the neighborhood. The church was estab- 
lished in 1871 and has enjoyed a constant growth, 
the parish now having a membership of thirty- 
five hundred souls. To carry on the work prop- 
erly and with success, the priest is given two 
assistants. Rev. William L. Blake and Rev. A. 
Halst, who aid greatly in relieving him of much 
of the details of the pastorate. 

Father Thomas F. McGronen, the present 
priest of St. Patrick's Church, was born in Brook- 
lyn in 1 861, and was educated in the parochial 
school of the Order Lady of Mercy. In 1876 
he entered the Jesuit College in Sixteenth Street, 
New York City, where he completed the classics 
and philosophy, graduating in 1882 with the de- 
gree of A. B. Later the degree of A. M. was 
conferred upon him. From that college he pro- 
ceeded to Baltimore and became a student in St. 



478 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mary's Seminary, from which he graduated in 
1885. In December of that year he was or- 
dained by Rt.-Rev. Bishop Loughhn, D. D., of 
the Brooklyn diocese, and soon afterward re- 
ceived the appointment of assistant at St. An- 
thony's Church, Greenpoint, where he remained 
for seven years and three months. He was then 
appointed pastor at Westbury, Queens County, 
and while there founded the Church of the Holy 
Ghost at Hydepark, later securing the erection of 
a house of worship for the congregation. He 
also built a new church and rectory at Westbury. 
November 11, 1895, he was appointed rector of 
St. Patrick's Church, Long Island City, and in 
addition to his labors here, superintends a mis- 
sion in Ravenswood. He is a member of St. 
Francis Xavier College Alumni Association and 
also of the Alumni of St. Mary's Seminary, Balti- 
more. 



JACOB VAN TIL. Many of the best charac- 
teristics in every branch of social and com- 
mercial life are the outcome of the brawn 
and sinew of what is frequently called the middle 
class of society ; in reality, the best class, for in it 
is usually found a common sense and practical 
view of afifairs that is often wanting in both the 
highest and lowest classes. The subject of this 
sketch is one who, though filling a humble posi- 
tion for a time, worked his way onward by per- 
severance, energy and industry, and is now 
classed among the business men of Corona, where 
he carries on his trade as a florist. 

The birthplace of Mr. van Til was situated 
about sixteen miles from the city of Amsterdam, 
Holland, and he was born January 13, 1852, to 
John and Wilhelmina (Guldermond) van Til, 
sturdy, honest Hollanders. He was given a com- 
mon school education, and under the instruction 
of his father, a florist, gained a thorough knowl- 
edge o{ the best methods of cultivating plants. At 
the age of eighteen he sought a home in America, 
where he hoped in time he might become well- 
to-do through honest efforts, industriously ap- 
plied. Soon after landing, he secured a position 
as gardener on a private place in Queens Coun- 
ty, and in that way five years were spent. Being 
very economical, he saved the larger portion of 
his earnings. 

In 1874 Mr. van Til was united in marriage 
with Miss Maria Mitchell, who was born in the 
North of Ireland, but at the time of her marriage 



was a resident of Queens County. Wishing to 
see once more the old Holland home, he re- 
turned on a visit, spending a few months in re- 
newing old associations. On coming back to 
x\merica, he secured a position with a family in 
Long Island City, in whose employ he reinained 
from 1876 until 1892. During the latter year he 
came to Corona and began to improve his pres- 
ent place, which he had purchased in 1890. He 
has put up all the buildings needed to carry on 
the business and has the patronage of the people 
of Corona, in addition to which he ships exten- 
sively to New York City. 

The four children of Mr. and Mrs. van Til are: 
John, who was born in December, 1876, and died 
March i, i8g6; William, who was born May 23, 
1878; Margaret, March 3, 1880, and Ida, October 
7, 1887. In political sentiments, our subject votes 
the Democratic ticket, but has been content to 
cast his ballot for others, never seeking official 
position for himself. Socially he is identified with 
the American Legion of Honor and the Royal 
Arcanum, being a charter member of both lodges 
and holding the position of past commander in 
the former, while in the latter he is vice-regent. 
Realizing the advantage which a good educa- 
tion gives anyone, he has done all in his power to 
promote the standard of the schools here and has 
served as president of the board of education the 
larger portion of the time since he came to the 
village. While filling this position, District No. 
12 built their new school house and other needed 
improvements were made. 



FRANCIS G. VAN RIPER. The firm of F. 
G. & G. T. Van Riper, contractors and 
builders of Long Island City, is one which 
impresses the public mind with a sense of what 
can be accomplished by energy and perseverance 
when coupled with integrity and uprightness. 
Francis G. Van Riper is a native of New York 
City, born in Thirty-seventh Street, June 29, 
1855, and received his education in the public 
schools of the same, attending until fifteen years 
old. He learned the trade of plasterer under his 
father, but later took up the mason's trade and 
completed all branches under his father and 
tmcle, who carried on business together under 
the firm name of I. & J. Van Riper. In 1888 he 
and his brother were taken in as partners and the 
firm title was changed to I. & J. Van Riper & Co. 
They remained together until 1894, when the 




REV. MATTHEW J. TIERNEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



481 



father and uncle retired and Mr. Van Riper and 
his brother continued the business under the title 
of F. G. & G. T.Van Riper, contractors and build- 
ers. They have since erected many public and 
private buildings and have won a most enviable 
record for their excellent work. In Ravenswood 
they erected several factories: also a large bttild- 
ing for the American Stamping Company of 
Brooklyn, still another one for the Daimler Mo- 
tor Company Works, and many private resi- 
dences of Long Island City. They are now com- 
pleting a fine brown stone residence at No. 151 
Eleventh Street, and have all the work ahead they 
can possibly attend to. 

Mr. Van Riper selected his wife in the person 
of Miss Esther M. Bergstroser of this county, and 
daughter of S. L. Bergstroser, a prominent con- 
tractor and builder. The latter was born Novem- 
ber 16, 1830, in Northampton County Pa., which 
was also the birthplace of his father and grand- 
father, both of whom were named John. This 
is an old and prominent family in the Keystone 
State. Samuel Bergstroser received his educa- 
tion in the district schools of Northampton Coun- 
ty, Pa., and later married Miss Phoebe M. 
Waugh. Four children were born of this union, 
one son and three daughters, as follows: Esther 
M., wife of our subject; Marlin S., with his father, 
and his right hand man; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. 
MacName of New York City; and Annie, at 
home. 

Our subject's union has resulted in the birth 
of three living children: Clarence M., Milford F. 
and Etta Irene. Mr. Van Riper is a member of 
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Long- 
Island City, and is president of the board of trus- 
tees and treasurer of the same. In politics he 
supports the principles of the Republican party 
and takes an active interest in the success of the 
same. 



B. In the fall of the same year he was sent by 
Bishop Loughlin to St. Mary's Seminary in Bal- 
timore, where he carried on his theological stu- 
dies, winning the degree of S. T. B. In 1884 he 
was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Lough- 
lin and was assigned to St. Paul's Church in 
Brooklyn as assistant. May 10, 1889, he was 
transferred to the Sacred Heart Church of Brook- 
lyn. 

January 22, 1893, Bishop McDonnell appoint- 
ed Father Tierney chaplain of the Saci'ed Heart 
Seminary at Bayside, annexed to which charge 
was the care of the Catholic soldiers of Willet's 
Point. Shortly after his arrival he found that 
there was a sufficient number of Catholics in Bay- 
side to warrant the erection of a church, which 
work was begun in 1895 and completed about the 
1st of March, 1896. The dedicatory services, held 
April 12, were conducted by Bishop McDonnell, 
assisted by Rt. Rev. M. G. R. McNamara, V. G., 
and Rev. Sylvester Malone. The structure is a 
frame of Gothic style and has a seating capacity 
of three hundred; the dimensions being 40x62 
feet. Not only have Catholics contributed liber- 
ally to the new edifice, but many Protestants have 
also given donations toward the work. The cost 
of the church and rectory together is about $13,- 
000. An assistant has been employed to help the 
priest in his ministrations to the people. 

The Sacred Heart Seminary is known as Little 
Bayside, and the location, on Little Bay, over- 
looking Ft. Schuyler, is one of the most delightful 
on the coast. The property was bought by the 
Sisters of St. Joseph's from a Mr. Gardner in 
1872 and consists of sixty- three acres, fifty of 
which are under cultivation. It is conducted as 
a boarding institution for small boys, ranging in 
age from six to thirteen, and at this writing there 
are about fifty pupils under charge of Sister Per- 
petua. 



REV. MATTHEW J. TIERNEY, priest in 
charge of the Catholic Church at Bayside, 
was bona in Brooklyn, January 11, 1859, 
to John and Elizabeth (Mclntyre) Tierney, and 
was one of four children, of whom the only sur- 
vivor besides himself is John, a student of law 
with Sullivan & Cromwell, of New York City. 
In the Assumption School of Brooklyn he re- 
ceived his elementary training, after which he 
went to St. Francis Xavier College in New York 
until graduating in 1881 with the degree of A. 



JOHN H. THIRY will be longest remem- 
bered as the one who introduced the school 
savings bank system in this country. This 
is sufficient to give him fame, not alone for the 
present, but for all time to come. Since retiring 
from business and taking up his residence in 
Long Island City, he has devoted much of his 
leisure time to matters pertaining to the education 
of the young. The successful operation of the 
school banking system in foreign lands suggested 



482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL. RECORD. 



to him the possibiHties of the development of the 
same system in America. The idea was first adopt- 
ed in the schools of Long Island City in 1885, 
and has gradually spread throughout the country, 
until it is now in vogue in two hundred schools, 
sixty-nine cities and twelve states. The scholars 
of these schools have saved $324,665.69 up to the 
year ending March, 1895. 

Mr. Thiry was born in Belgium in 1822. He 
obtained his education in the public schools and 
in order to fit himself for the teacher's profession 
he took a course in the normal school in that 
country and was graduated in 1845. After fol- 
lowing his profession for a year or two, he gave 
up teaching to accept a more lucrative position 
of the ofifice of the minister of public works, re- 
maining there from 1847 to 1859. In the latter 
year he resigned in order that he might realize 
the dream of his boyhood days by taking a trip 
to the New World, and, accompanied by his wife 
and two sons, he landed at Castle Garden in the 
summer of that )'ear. 

Our subject had no fixed business purpose 
when he arrived in New York, but he possessed 
a thorough knowledge of literature, was a lover 
of books, and hence embarked in the book busi- 
ness. He started in business on a very modest 
scale, renting a small store on the corner of Canal 
and Centre Streets for $6 per month. Prosperity 
attended this venture, and in less than eight years 
he was occupying the two remaining stores of the 
block between Canal and Walker Streets. 

Following the general trend of business, Mr. 
Thiry moved uptown in 1868, and rented a store 
at No. 730 Broadway. He continued to carry 
on this business for five years, when he sold out 
to a Southern dealer and retired from an active 
business life. City life was not entirely congenial 
to Mr. and Mrs. Thiry and about this time they 
began to look about them for some place in the 
suburbs of the city where they might quietly pass 
the remainder of their days, and they decided to 
make Long Island City their future home. Four 
lots were purchased in Academy Street and a 
commodious dwelling was erected thereon. Sub- 
sequently Mr. Thiry acquired other property ad- 
joining, thus enabling him to gratify his horti- 
cultural inclinations. One of his pastimes since 
he removed to this city is the culture of grapes, 
in which he has been very successful. 

Mr. Thiry's thorough knowledge of educational 
matters and the keen interest he had taken in 
the schools of the city made him well qualified for 



the posii;ion of school commissioner, to which he 
was appointed in 1884 by Mayor George Petry. 
He was instrumental in establishing the monthly 
meeting of the teachers of Long Island City, 
under the supervision of the superintendent, and 
tliese meetings have been continued since with 
good results. The abolition of the mid-session 
recess after the plan adopted in Albany and 
Rochester was favored by him and was also intro- 
duced in the schools of that city with beneficial 
results. 

On the election of Mayor Gleason Mr. Thiry 
retired from the board of education, but when 
Mayor Sanford entered upon the duties of his 
office he again took his place in that body, with 
which he has since been connected. For some 
time he had favored placing the public schools 
under the regents, and had the satisfaction of 
assisting in accomplishing this soon after the 
present administration came in power. His great- 
est achievement, however, in the cause of educa- 
tion, has been the introduction of the school sav- 
ings bank system. At the solicitation of the 
United States Commissioner of Education, he 
made an exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago. 
It occupied a very prominent place in the educa- 
tional department and a jury of award granted 
him a medal and diploma in recognition of his 
efforts in behalf of the cause of public education. 

In the retirement of his later years Mr. Thiry 
still keeps up his interest in the questions of the 
day, particularly in those topics pertaining to 
educational matters. His library contains the 
latest works on these subjects, as well as on 
gardening and horticulture. He is now seventy- 
four years of age, but advancing years have left 
slight traces, and he retains all the physical and 
mental activity of younger days. Having ac- 
quired a competency, he lives a quiet, peaceful 
life, and extends the hospitality of his home to 
numerous friends, in which he takes much pleas- 
ure. 

Our subject was married in Belgium to Miss 
Ernestine De Samblanc, a native of that coun- 
try, and to them have been granted two sons, 
Raphael O., a resident of this city, and Joseph, 
who is engaged in the upholstery business in 
Broadway, New York. The family is of French 
descent and was first represented in America by 
Rev. Theodore Thiry of the St. Xavier College 
of New York, who came to the United States 
as a missionary fifty years ago. Mr. Thiry is 
also one of the oldest members of the Universal 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



483 



Provident Institution, which held its meetings 
every five years in Paris. 

Mr. Thiry of this history is a member of St. 
Patrick's Catholic Church and in politics is a 
Democrat in national affairs, but in local elec- 
tions votes for the man whom he thinks will best 
discharge the duties of the office. 



E"^ DWARD H. THOMSON. The gratifying 
^ success that has crowned the efforts of Mr. 
■^ Thomson is the more noticeable and 
praiseworthy because of the few opportunities 
aitorded him in the eariier days for that training 
and help which are sometimes considered indis- 
pensable for a start in the world. His has been 
a busy and useful life, and now, while yet in the 
prime of his manly vigor, he has become the pos- 
sessor of a competence. His attention is given 
to the management of the postoffice at Spring- 
field, town of Jamaica, and to the supervision of 
his mercantile interests in this village. 

In Pompton, N. J., the subject of this sketch 
vi^as born April 12, 1854, to Francis and Jane 
(Berry) Thomson, being one of their nine chil- 
dren, of whom all are still living. The father, 
a native of St. John, New Brunswick, spent the 
latter portion of his life in the United States. For 
three years he made his home in Newark, N. J., 
whence he removed to Pompton, and there the 
eight remaining years of his life were passed, 
his death occurring about i860. His wife was a 
member of an old and prominent family that 
gained fame during the Revolutionary War. 

Orphaned by his father's death when he was 
a boy of five years, our subject was reared under 
the guidance of his mother, and in childhood at- 
tended Pompton Academy. At the age of four- 
teen he began to study telegraphy, and through 
his aptness and attention to his studies mastered 
the intricacies of the occupation after eight 
months. He was then given charge of an office 
on the New York, Susquehanna & Western Rail- 
road (then known as the New Jersey Midland), 
where his services were so satisfactory that he 
remained for seven years. He left there to accept 
a position on the Pennsylvania Railroad, where 
he was engaged about three years, filling the 
responsible position of operator at the White Cut, 
where the trains pass through the Jersey City 
Heights. When the train passed his office he 
had control of it until it had cleared the cut, and 



as some four different roads were using the cut, 
there was almost constantly a train in it. The 
position was one of great responsibility, but he 
filled it in a most satisfactory manner, resigning 
it after three years on account of ill health. 

Entering the employ of the Long Island Rail- 
road Company, Mr. Thomson had charge of 
some of the most important offices on this sys- 
tem for the following ten years. During his 
twenty years' experience in railroading, it is a 
noteworthy fact that he was never discharged 
nor suspended, nor lost a day's pay, an almost 
unparalleled record. On leaving the employ of 
the railroad, he began to work for the Brook- 
lyn Water Works Company, with whom he re- 
mained for two years. He then resigned to ac- 
cept a position on the road as commercial trav- 
eler for Davison Brothers, wholesale grocers of 
New York City. In 1886 he embarked in the 
general mercantile business at Springfield, where 
he has since resided. Under the administration 
of President Harrison, in 1889, he was appointed 
postmaster and has served with such satisfaction 
to all parties that he has so far not been removed 
by the Democratic administration. 

In 1878 Mr. Thomson married Miss Eugenia 
Murray, and two children, Edna and Frank, bless 
their union. The family are identified with the 
Methodist Church, and Mr. Thomson is a mem- 
ber of its board of trustees. Socially he has been 
connected with the Masonic fraternity since 1886, 
and is now serving as chaplain of the Jamaica 
Lodge. He is also a member of the Royal Ar- 
canum. Since 1891 he has served on the board 
of education, and his efforts have been instru- 
mental in securing the present excellent condition 
of the schools. A lover of fine horses, he always 
has one or two good specimens in his stables, 
and finds in their exercise much of his recreation 
and pleasure. He has the best interests of the 
community at heart, and his support is ever given 
to worthy enterprises calculated to prove of pub- 
lic benefit.. 



JOHN E. TIER, who carries on a first-class 
meat market in Astoria, keeps on hand a 
well selected stock of fresh and salt meats, 
and by his genial treatment of his customers has 
won many friends in this community, and his 
trade is constantly increasing. He was born in 
New York, November 20, 1858, and is the son 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of David M. Tier, also a native of the metropolis, 
and a representative of one of its old families. 

Early in life David M. Tier learned the butch- 
er's trade, working in various markets in the city 
until 1863, the year in which he came to Astoria 
and purchased the location on which he erected 
a market. This he stocked with every variety of 
meats, and continued to do a profitable business 
until his decease in November, 1894, when in 
his eighty-second year. In everything which 
pertained to the general welfare of the place he 
took an active part and never regretted the de- 
cision he made to permanently settle in Long- 
Island Cit}^. He was an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and after coming 
to this place was elected steward of his congre- 
gation. He was always strictly honorable and 
conscientious in the discharge of his duties in 
Hfe, and those who knew him best had the utmost 
confidence in his genuine trustworthiness. 

The lady whom David M. Tier married was 
Miss Rachel A. Baizley, who was also born in 
New York. She survived her husband about 
a year, departing this life in September, 1895. 
They became the parents of three sons and one 
daughter, of whom David M., Jr., died in Astoria, 
leaving a widow and two children, John M., of 
Long Island City, and Isabella, now Mrs. J. 
Jacobs of New York City. Rachel Tier married 
Edward Stivers and is also deceased. William 
R. makes his home in this city, although his 
banking business is located in New York. 

John E. Tier was educated in private schools 
of Long Island City, after which he assisted his 
father in carrying on his market, being associated 
with him seven or eight years before going to 
New York. For a short time he was salesman in 
a hide and leather store in that city, and after 
severing his connections there, purchased the liv- 
ery business in Long Island City which had been 
established by his brother David many years ago. 
This he carried on with signal success for a 
period of twelve years, from 1882 to 1894. The 
latter year he disposed of his interest in the busi- 
ness and began general contracting in Astoria, 
following this industry until the death of his 
father, when he took charge of the meat market 
and has conducted affairs in a very able manner 
ever since. The market is located at No. 114 
Fulton Street and contains all the latest modern 
conveniences in the way of ice boxes and refriger- 
ators, which make of it a first-class estabHshment 
in every particular. His trade is very large 



among the best people of the city and vicinity, 
and in order to supply their wants Mr. Tier has 
constantly in use two delivery wagons. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Eliza 
Van Alst occurred in Long Island City in 1883. 
She was born here and is the daughter of James 
Van Alst, now deceased, who was one of the old- 
time and substantial residents of the community. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Tier there have been born two 
children, Charles Hallett and Marion. In na- 
tional politics he is a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles, but during local elections he 
gives his vote to the best man, regardless of party 
ties. Mrs. Tier is a devoted member of the 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. In social 
affairs our subject is a member of John Allen 
Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., and for some time 
served with the Astoria Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany, of which he was foreman. He belongs to 
Long Island City Council No. 17, A. O. V. F., 
and is associated actively with the Veteran Fire- 
men's Association. 



HARRY T. WEEKS. The younger Pitt, 
had his lot been cast in the United States 
in this day and generation, would have 
found it unnecessary to defend himself against 
the "atrocious crime of being a young man," as 
charged against him because of his precocious 
mental development. In this republic there is no 
prejudice against a man merely because he 
chances to develop in advance of the constitu- 
tional idea as to time of maturity, but on the con- 
trary it is more Hkely that the fact will be used 
as a cause for rewarding his ability by promoting 
him to places of honor and trust. The subject of 
this sketch, Harry T. Weeks, has demonstrated 
over and over again that the wisdom of age rests 
upon his shoulders and the judgment of tried ex- 
perience guides his actions, yet so far from this 
being a bar to his advancement, his friends point 
to the fact with pride. 

Mr. Weeks was born in London, England, 
March 18, 1866, a son of Rev. William H. Weeks, 
a clergyman of the Church of England, and a 
native of that country, where he was born in 183 1. 
He is the pastor of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 
Ravenswood. By his wife, who was formerly 
Miss Frances S. Reid, he had five children, 
three sons and two daughters, of whom the sub- 
ject of this sketch was the third in order of birth. 
At the age of five years he was brought by his 




J. F. BLOODGOOD, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



487 



parents to the United States, and after one year 
spent in Philadelphia and two years in New Jer- 
sey, the family located in New York City, where 
they established a home. 

At this time Harry T. was about eight years of 

age and in the public schools of the latter city he 

■ received a thorough educational training, and 

o-raduated from a well conducted grammar 

o 

school. Having made up his mind to study law, 
he entered the office of Owen & Gray, later that 
•of Owen, Gray & Sturges, at No. 71 Wall Street, 
with whom he remained until he was admitted to 
the bar in Brooklyn in September, 1890, after 
which he continued with them as managing clerk 
until the spring of 1891. He was then with the 
firm of Banner & Benner, at No. 62 Wall Street, 
in the same capacity, meanwhile being engaged 
in independent practice until April, 1895, when he 
opened an office at No. 95 Fulton Avenue, As- 
toria, and has since been engaged in the general 
practice of law. In 1893 Mr. Weeks was ap- 
pointed by Mayor Sanford as attorney to the 
board of excise, and has the distinction of be- 
ing the first attorney to convict a man by jury 
in the Justices' Court for selling liquor on Sun- 
-day in Long Island City. He is a member of the 
Jefferson Club and is a Democrat of the Jackson- 
ian type. Socially he belongs to Sangamore 
Lodge No. 371, F. & A. M.; Amity Chapter No. 
160, R. A. M., and the Royal Arcanum of As- 
toria. Religiously he is a member of St. Thomas' 
JEpiscopal Church. 



JF. BLOODGOOD, M. D. The family rep- 
resented by this well-known physician and 
• surgeon of Flushing, originated in France, 
with the history of which they were identified in 
former centuries. Religious persecutions caused 
them to flee to Holland, where their name, Sang- 
pur, which means good blood, was translated into 
the Dutch Bloetgoet, and later, on coming to 
America, was changed to its present form. The 
first representative in this country was Franz Jan- 
sen Bloodgood, who came here about the middle 
■of the seventeenth century and settled at Flush- 
ing in 1665, becoming an officer under the Dutch 
government and a member of the privy council. 
The governor appointed him chief of the Dutch 
inhabitants of the province of Long Island, and 
in 1676, while he was leading his men in a skir- 
mish with the English colonists from Connecticut, 
he fell at the head of the army and died on the 



battlefield, making his will shortly before he ex- 
pired. 

Following this pioneer in direct line of descent 
were William, Francis, Abram, Dr. Joseph, Isaac 
and Dr. J. F., of this sketch. The family records 
were unfortunately destroyed, so that no definite 
information can be obtained as to the places filled 
by successive heads of the family. It is known, 
however, that Francis moved to Albany about 
1760 and Abram at one time served as mayor of 
that city. It is also a matter of history that the 
latter assisted in the organization of the Demo- 
cratic party. Dr. Joseph graduated from Union 
College with the degree of A. M., after which he 
entered the medical department of the University 
of Pennsylvania. On completing his studies he 
practiced for a short time in New York and then 
located at Flushing, being the first physician 
here. After long years of successful practice he 
died in 1857. He was interested in the old Kings 
Medical College and took a prominent part in 
medical society work in New York City. In re- 
ligious belief he was an Episcopalian. One of 
. his sons, Dr. Abram, was a physician of Flushing 
and died here in 1880. 

The father of our subject, Isaac Bloodgood, 
was born in Flushing and grew to manhood here. 
Choosing a business life, after a clerkship of a 
few years in New York he became a member of 
the firm of Clement & Bloodgood, merchants at 
Flushing, and for more than forty years engaged 
in business here. Now eighty-one years of age, 
he lives retired from active labors, making his 
home with his son. His wife, who bore the maid- 
en name of Mary Gary, was born in East Had- 
dam, Conn.; her father, Capt. Bigelow Gary, a 
native of the same place, was engaged in the 
coasting trade and transportation business, and 
died in Pordand, Conn. Her grandfather, Wait- 
still Gary, was a native of Connecticut, and a 
descendant of English ancestors who early set- 
tled in Massachusetts and thence removed to 
Connecticut. Mrs. Mary Bloodgood died in 
1893, in the faith of the Episcopal Church, to 
which she belonged from girlhood. She had only 
two children, Jennie and J. F. 

Born in Flushing, August 4, 1859, the sub- 
ject of this sketch was educated in Flushing In- 
stitute, also spent two years in the School of 
Mines of Columbia College, after which he began 
the study of medicine in the old building of the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Twenty- 
third Street and Fourth Avenue, New York City. 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



On completing the lectures he graduated in 1884 
with the degree of M. D. Bv competitive exam- 
ination he received the appointment of assistant 
at St. Catherine's Hospital, Brooklyn, and re- 
mained there in that capacity, and as house phy- 
sician and surgeon, for eighteen months. In 1886 
he went to Europe, where for six months he con- 
tinued his studies in Berlin and Vienna. On his 
return to New York he located at No. 29 West 
Forty-second Street, with Dr. H. D. Chapin,' 
and later had his office at No. 27 West 
Fifty-first Street. In 1889 he came to Flushing, 
where he has built up a large general practice, 
his specialty being surgery, in which he is very 
skillful. He is president of the medical board of 
Flushing Hospital, and is a member of the Queens 
County and New York County Medical Socie- 
ties, and the Physicians' Medical Aid Society of 
New York. In addition to these he is identified 
with the Holland Society, St. Nicholas and Ni- 
antic Clubs and the Order of Foresters, in which 
he is physician. He is a member of St. George's 
Episcopal Church, and formerly held the position 
of secretary of St. George's Brotherhood. 



HM. THOMAS. Much has been written 
of the thrifty German and Scotchman 
* and the sturdy and persistent Eng- 
lishman, while less has been said of the 
Welshman, but this is not because he is not 
worthy of honorable mention, or has not made 
a useful, law-abiding and energetic citizen, but 
because Welsh immigrants are not so numer- 
ous as those of other nationahties and because 
they are usually retiring and unassuming in 
disposition. H. M. Thomas is a fit type of 
the energetic, progressive and intelligent Welsh- 
man, and was born in Holyhead, North Wales, 
in 1829. He came of honorable parentage, 
and his father tilled the soil of Wales until 
his death, which occurred in his seventy-seventh 
year. The mother, who was Ann Roberts prior 
to her marriage, died in her native land at an 
advanced age. Of five children born to them, 
but two are living at the present time. Two sons 
came to America, one of whom, William, died in 
Long Island City. 

H. M. Thomas is the only one of his family now 
in the United States, and until he was fourteen 
years of age he assisted his father in the duties 
of the farm and at the same time acquired a prac- 
tical education in the common schools, in every 



way sufficient to fit him for the ordinary duties 
of life. At the above mentioned age he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the carpenter and builder's 
trade, and in this manner his time was usefully 
employed for a period of three years. His master 
then retired from business, and although he had 
intended to have Mr. Thomas continue his ap- 
prenticeship under a brother, he decided he had 
no right to do this, and consequently Mr. Thomas 
gained his freedom at the age of eighteen years. 
America then became the goal of young Thomas' 
ambitions, for he rightly concluded that it offered 
a broader field for success than the land of his 
birth, and in 1848 he embarked at Liverpool on 
the sailing vessel "Senator" and landed in New 
York thirty days later. 

Fortunately for Mr. Thomas, he soon succeed- 
ed in obtaining employment at his trade in 
Brooklyn and Greenpoint, but seven years later,, 
or in 1854, came to what is now Long Island City, 
which had just been laid out, and here he perma- 
nently located three years later, erecting a pleas- 
ant home in A^ernon Avenue, near by which he 
built a shop. He is now by far the oldest con- 
tractor and builder of the place, and during the 
many years that he has followed this calling has 
erected many buildings in all parts of the place 
and invariably his buildings have been well con- 
structed and substantial, monuments to his skill: 
as a master builder. In the early days of his ac- 
tivity he put up a steam planing, moulding, sash,, 
door and blind mill on Vernon Avenue and Fourth 
Street, and after successfully operating it for 
about fifteen years, shut it down. In 1865 he 
moved it to its present location, and actively con- 
tinued its management up to about 1888, when it 
was closed permanently. He now owns over six- 
teen residences, besides other valuable property, 
and what is quite remarkable, has never had a loss 
by fire. 

Mr. Thomas erected the Standard Oil Com- 
pany and the Warren Chemical Company's build- 
ings, the Colman Varnish Works, the business 
block at No. 91 Fourth Street, the fine residence 
at No. 125 Third Street, besides many other fine 
buildings here and in the city of Brooklyn; in fact, 
his handiwork is seen all over the eastern part of 
Long Island. He has been one of the trustees 
of the Long Island City Savings Bank since the 
year of its founding (1889), and for some time past 
has been its capable vice-president. His life since 
coming to the United States has been one cease- 
less round of activity and has not gone unre- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



489 



warded, for the substantial evidence of his suc- 
cess may readily be seen in the property he has 
accumulated and in the numerous friends he has 
gathered about him. 

Mr. Thomas was married in Greenpoint to 
Miss Georgiana Newcomb, who was born in New 
York, a daughter of George Newcomb, who was 
the proprietor of a foundry at the bridge in Green- 
point. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas re- 
sulted in the birth of one child, Annie L., now 
Mrs. Richerstein of Long Island City. She is a 
cultivated woman and was educated in the pri- 
vate schools of Brooklyn, graduating from Clin- 
ton Avenue Institute of that city. 

In 1890 or 1891 Mr. Thomas was appointed 
commissioner to pave and improve Vernon Ave- 
nue and Jackson Street, the latter from the court 
house to the city line, and completed this work 
very satisfactorily in three years' time. In vari- 
ous other ways he has done much to improve the 
place and deserves and receives the highest re- 
spect of his fellow citizens as a progressive, public 
spirited and useful citizen. He was one of the 
first supporters of the Republican party in this 
section, there being but three or four others, and 
is now the only surviving member of this num- 
ber. He has served as grand and petit juror, 
but aside from this has never been a political 
aspirant, as his time has been profitably occupied 
otherwise. He is a member of Island City 
Lodge, F. & A. M., has attained the Royal Arch 
degree, and is a member of the Consistory of New 
York Citv. 



GEORGE E. TILLY. The man who has 
lived uprightly, attended strictly to his 
business, defrauded none, and advanced 
the business interests of his community, has made 
for himself a record upon which he may justly 
look with pride. He has added dignity to his call- 
ing, whatever it may be, and has shown the world 
what may be accomplished by perseverance, cour- 
age and industry. To this class of successful, hon- 
orable citizens belongs ]\Ir. Tilly, who has been 
a resident of Jamaica since 1856. His life illus- 
trates the fact that persevering industry, united 
with good judgment, are the principal factors in 
securing success. 

The birth of Mr. Tilly occurred in Hampshire, 
England, September 8, 1836, his father being 
William Tilly, a builder, who died in England in 
1854. The family is directly descended from the 



illustrious General Tilly. Our subject was the 
youngest of fourteen children, there being seven 
sons and seven daughters. His health was deli- 
cate in infancy and his condition became such 
that, at the age of seven years, he was sent to a 
private hospital for treatment. When he was 
ten his father failed in business, and although his 
health was still poor, he was obliged to start out 
for himself, his first position being that of page 
to a wealthy lady. Later he learned the painters 
trade. At the death of his father, a contention 
arose between him and an older brother, who 
was well-to-do, and who tried to control his earn- 
ines, refusing: to aUow him to draw his own 
wages. 

This procedure did not suit the high-spirited 
lad who cared for himself from the age of ten. 
He determined to leave the country and come to 
America, but to this his brother refused his con- 
sent. Undaunted by opposition, he made up his 
mind to carry out his plan, and one dark night 
he ran away from home and boarded a ship 
bound for America, secreting himself until the 
vessel was well out at sea. Upon being discov- 
ered, the captain told him he would have to work 
his passage, which was just what he had hoped 
to do. So faithful was he in the performance of 
his duties that when the ship anchored at New 
York he was tendered pay for his services, but 
with the strict honesty ever one of his character- 
istics he promptly refused the money; this, too, 
in spite of the fact that he had only one-half 
crown. It is interesting to note that he never 
spent this piece of money, but has it still in his 
possession. Years afterward, when prosperity 
had come to him and he was in comfortable cir- 
cumstances, it was a satisfaction to him to visit 
his native land and assist his formerly wealthy 
brother out of financial trouble, also assist a num- 
ber of his brothers and sisters to come to the 
United States. Of this large family three broth- 
ers and one sister are now living; one brother, 
Tohn, was for twenty-two years in the employ of 
the British government, and now resides in South 
Norwalk, Conn.; another brother, Henry, who 
was a builder, lives in Queens County. 

In 1856 Mr. Tilly came to Jamaica and the 
same year he married :\Iiss Mary A. Mergen- 
thaler, a native of Rome, N. Y., but of German 
ancestry, and at the time of her marriage living 
on the Merrick road in Jamaica. In i860 he 
opened a paint shop in this village, but when the 
Civil War broke out and the unity of the nation 



49° 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was threatened, he closed up the business, and in 
1862 enHsted as a private in Company B, Fif- 
teenth New York Engineers. After six months 
he was promoted to sergeant, later became lieu- 
tenant, then acting quartermaster of the First 
Battalion. He served at Ft. Fisher under Gener- 
als Terry and Schofield, and was at Grant's head- 
quarters at City Point, Va., where he had charge 
of building the log house that was occupied by 
that illustrious General and was exhibited at the 
Centennial in 1876. During the desperate attack 
at Alexandria, Va., he was wounded, and this 
wound has never healed to this day. He was also 
wounded by an ax in the hands of one of the 
men of his own company, and by a ball from 
the enemy while in North Carohna. July 3, 1865, 
he was discharged with the rank of lieutenant 
and acting quartermaster. 

Returning to Jamaica, Mr. Tilly resumed the 
painting business, in which he continued until 
1890. Meantime he also had other interests, and 
for some years has had large real estate opera- 
tions, now being the owner of considerable valu- 
able property. While successful financially, he 
has not neglected religious and benevolent enter- 
prises, and for some years has been a local 
preacher in the Methodist Church, having, as a 
result of his labors, established churches at 
Floral Park, Morris Park, Ozone Park and 
Union Course. For some time he sang in the 
church choir at Jamaica. Methodism has in him 
a stanch friend and liberal contributor, and his 
efforts in behalf of the denomination have been 
fruitful of much good. In the Grand Army he 
takes considerable interest, but his most import- 
ant work, of late years, in social organizations has 
been in connection with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. At this writing he is past grand 
chaplain of the state and district deputy grand 
master, and was one of the prime movers in 
establishing the home at Hollis for the care of 
aged Odd Fellows and their families. To this 
splendid work he has devoted much time and 
money and in its success he is deeply interested. 

March 4, 1876, Mrs. Mary A. Tilly died, leav- 
ing the following children: George H., who for 
some years has resided at Helena, Mont.; John 
A., a civil engineer in Brooklyn; Fannie L., 
widow of Edward Seaman, who became a drum- 
mer boy in the Civil War at the age of thirteen, 
and later was a contractor and builder at Queens, 
L. I., where he died in 1882, leaving three chil- 
dren: Mary Ella, wife of R. R. Rhodes of Brook- 



lyn, and Nettie F., who married Alexander Wei- 
bach. The second marriage of Mr. Tilly took 
place in September, 1876, and united him with 
Mary Brown of Hempstead, who is a true help- 
mate, faithful in the discharge of duties as wife, 
mother and Christian helper. She is known far 
and wide for her charities to the poor and sick, 
preferring to sacrifice her own comforts for the 
good of others. 



PETER VAN PELT is one of the enterpris- 
ing and progressive farmers of the town 
of Jamaica, and in the pursuit of his chosen 
vocation is enjoying a satisfactory income, as a 
result of the apphcation of modern methods and 
the latest improvements in the line of agriculture. 
In 1891 he purchased his present farm in New 
York Avenue, Springfield, and bringing his fam- 
ily here, has since made the place his home. 

The son of Peter and Maria C. (Paynter) Van 
Pelt, the subject of this notice, was born in New- 
town, Queens County, March 4, 1842, and was 
one of eight children, of whom six are now living. 
His father, a native of Shelter Island, born about 
1795, learned the carpenter's trade in his early 
manhood and followed this for a short time, but 
when about thirty years of age moved to New- 
town, settling upon a farm. He continued to en- 
gage in agricultural pursuits until his death, 
which occurred at the age of seventy-two. Both 
in social, business and religious circles he was 
highly esteemed and for years served efficiently 
as an elder in the Presbyterian Church. His wife, 
though now (1896) ninety-five years old, is still 
quite active in body and clear in mind. 

The educational privileges enjoyed by our sub- 
ject were such as the common schools of the time 
and place ensured, and upon the practical founda- 
tion thus gained he has built much information 
on general topics and current events. For some 
years after reaching man's estate he continued to 
cultivate the home farm, after which he estab- 
lished a milk route in New York, and for some 
time was engaged in the milk business. On sell- 
ing out, he rented a farm and has since given his 
attention to agriculture, which he continues on 
the farm he purchased in 1891. 

In 1882 occurred the marriage of Peter Van 
Pelt and Miss Sarah Paynter, an amiable lady, 
whose pleasant manners have won her many 
friends, and who is a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian Church, to which our subject also 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



491 



belongs. In politics he is a Democrat, but has 
never displayed any partisanship in public affairs, 
conceding to others the same liberty of opinion 
he demands for himself. Of his four children two 
are living: Sarah M. E. and Harry DeWitt. He 
and his family stand well in the community and 
are always looked to in the advancement of pro- 
jects for the welfare of the people. They are so- 
cial and kindly,, enjoy the companionship of in- 
telligent and well-bred people, and their doors 
are always hospitably open to their friends and 
acquaintances. 



VALENTINE HEMLEIN. With such ef- 
ficiency has this gentleman conducted his 
affairs as contractor and builder that he 
is now well known throughout the county as a 
member of the firm of Hemlein & Fischer. He 
was born in Baden, Germany, in 1 85 1, and was 
the son of John J. Hemlein, also a native of the 
Fatherland and a builder by trade. The latter 
married Miss Rosina Miller, who is still living in 
Germany. 

The parental family included six children, three 
of whom make their home in America and the re- 
maining three in their native land. Valentine, 
who was the eldest of the household, attended 
the model schools of Germany until a lad of four- 
teen years, when he began learning the carpen- 
ter's trade under his father. He continued to be 
thus employed until twenty years of age, when, 
according to the custom of his land, he entered 
the army, becoming a member of the One Hun- 
dred and Tenth Regiment of German Infantry. 

In the year 1881 young Hemlein bade good- 
bye to his relatives and friends and set sail for the 
shores of the New World. On arriving in New 
York City he found employment at his trade and 
continued to live in the metropolis until 1887, 
when he located in Long Island City. The fol- 
lowing year he formed a partnership with his 
father-in-law, George Fischer, who was also born 
in Germany, and began contracting for himself. 
They are both expert workmen and it was not 
long before they had all the contracts they could 
handle. It is due to their skill and genius that 
over two hundred of the beautiful residences and 
business blocks of Schuetzen Park have been 
built. Among the most prominent are the resi- 
dences of H. Pfestners, Dr. Herman, William 
Sauerbrey, Peter Grimm, the Zimmermann ho- 
tel, the business block of Fricks Brothers and 



St. Dominick convent school. Mr. Hemlein 
erected four residences, which he readily disposed 
of, now owning only the beautiful home which 
the family occupy at No. 487 Grand Avenue. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Kate 
Fischer occurred in New York City in 1886. This 
lady was also born in Germany and was the 
daughter of George Fischer and granddaughter 
of Joseph Fischer, a farmer in his native land. 
George Fischer learned the carpenter's trade very 
thoroughly prior to his emigration to America in 
1881. He too made his home for a time in New- 
York City, working for the same firm as did our 
subject, and like the latter, took up his abode in 
Long Island City in 1887. He is now living in a 
comfortable home at No. 408 Winans Street. His 
wife was Miss Ernestine Fuss, a native of Bayern. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fischer became the parents of sev- 
en children, three sons and four daughters, of 
whom only five now survive. Four make their 
home in Long Island City and the fifth is a resi- 
dent of Pennsylvania. 

Our subject and his wife have three children, 
Rosa, Ernestine and Elizabeth. The parents are 
devout Catholics, belonging to St. Joseph's 
Church. Mr. Hemlein is connected with the 
Catholic Benevolent Legion of this place and for 
some time was lecturer in this body. 



CHARLES A. VAN IDERSTINE. The 
name introducing this sketch is one that 
carries influence and weight into the com- 
mercial circles of Queens County and vicinity. 
He who bears it, while a resident of Brooklyn, 
has his business headquarters in Long Island City, 
where, with his brother, under the firm name of 
Peter Van Iderstine's Sons, he carries on an ex- 
tensive trade as dealer in tallow, fat and calfskins. 
The main building occupied by the firm is 40x100 
feet in dimensions, and two stories in height with 
basement. Their trade both in hide and tallow is 
the largest of any firm in the vicinity, and they 
fully sustain the reputation for integrity and up- 
right transactions that was established by their 
father. To assist in the carrying on of their busi- 
ness, they keep from sixteen to twenty horses, and 
have a dock on Newtown Creek, together with a 
vessel, "Martha A.," with which they deliver 
goods to consignees at different ports. 

Born in New York City, the subject of this 
notice is a son of Peter, Jr., a native of the same 
place, and a grandson of Peter, Sr., who removed 



492 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■from his birthplace in New Jersey to New York, 
where he was employed as a boss carman. The 
-family is of Holland-Dutch descent.but has resided 
in America for many generations. Peter, Jr., who 
was reared in New York, became a carman, then 
clerked under William P. Miller, a hide and 
leather merchant, and later engaged in business 
for himself. In 1855 he started a hide and tallow 
business on Tenth Avenue and Thirty-seventh 
Street, New York, and in 1864 built commodious 
quarters in Railroad Avenue near Greenpoint 
Avenue, where he continued his trade. From 
1880 he made his home in Brooklyn, but contin- 
tied in business here until his death, December 
22, 1893. In religious belief he was a Baptist. He 
was a member of the Seventh New York Militia, 
took part in the Civil War, being present at 
Fredericksburg, and held membership in Lafay- 
ette Post, G. A. R., in New York. Socially he be- 
longed to Kane Lodge, F. & A. M., New York 
City. 

By his marriage to Martha Mapes, a native of 
New York City, and daughter of Henry Mapes, 
Peter Van Iderstine, Jr., had two sons and five 
daughters, of whom all but one daughter are still 
living. The wife and mother died in New York 
in 1878. Our subject, who was the elder of the 
two sons, spent his childhood years in New York 
City, where he was a student in Grammar School 
No. 55 in Twentieth Street. At the age of fifteen 
he began to learn the hide and leather business 
under the instruction of his father, of which he 
■soon had a thorough knowledge. In 1888 he and 
his brother started in business at No. 181 Huron 
Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, but after their 
father's death in 1893 they became the possessors 
■of this business, with which they consolidated 
their own, moving it to Blissville. They have 
since enlarged the business, and as they have am- 
ple capital and untiring energy, they -will un- 
doubtedly add to the reputation gained by the 
lirm in days past. Steady employment is fur- 
nished to thirty or forty hands, and they carry 
on a large trade in all kinds of skins. 

In Brooklyn Mr. Van Iderstine married Delia, 
■daughter of John H. Ireland, a lumber merchant 
■of that city, where she was born. Her death oc- 
•curred March 16, 1896. With his three children, 
Edwin, John I. and Earl, our subject resides at 
No. 473 Green Avenue, Brooklyn. In religious 
belief he is connected with the Washington Ave- 
nue Baptist Church, and to it, as well as to other 
religious enterprises, he gives generous support. 



Mrs. Van Iderstine was also a member of the 
same church. Mr. Van Iderstine is actively iden- 
tified with the Manufacturers' Association of 
Kings and Queens counties, and is regarded as 
one of the foremost business men of this locality. 
Like others he has at times suffered losses in 
business, but in the main he has been very suc- 
cessful and has always maintained his reputation 
as an upright, honorable man, one whose integ- 
rity is unquestioned and who commands the uni- 
versal respect of his fellow-men. 



GEORGE CASEY. There is nothing more 
important to the welfare of a city than a 
well-equipped fire department, nor is 
there anything more efifective in the preservation 
of property as well as life, and the man who suc- 
cessfully fills the position of chief must possess 
keen foresight, great energy and must "sleep with 
one eye open," so to speak, in order to respond 
instantly to calls upon his services. The subject 
of this sketch is ex-chief of the lire department 
of Astoria and filled this office in a most thorough 
and satisfactory manner. Mr. Casey was born in 
Queens County, Ireland, in 1847, a son of Law- 
rence and Ann (Moran) Casey, also natives of 
that county, where they were married. The fath- 
er was a shoemaker by trade, and followed this 
occupation in Main Street, Astoria, after his re- 
moval to this country with his family in 1849. 
Here he died at the age of seventy-three years 
and here his wife was also called from life. 

George Casey was the eldest of four daughters 
and two sons, and at the time of the family's re- 
moval to America he was two years of age. He 
was reared in Astoria, educated . in the public 
schools of the fourth ward and learned the shoe- 
maker's business with his father. He became an 
instructor of his trade on Randall's Island, where 
he continued for sixteen years, then, in 1865, he 
was a volunteer in the United States navy and 
for one year served on a gunboat. At the expira- 
tion of his term of enlistment he was honorably 
discharged, March 19, 1866, on Randall's Island, 
but soon afterward went to New Brunswick, N. 
J., and in 1878 took up his abode in Astoria, 
where his home has ever since been. He has 
been connected with the fire department of As- 
toria for many years, was one of its organizers, 
and from 1877 to 1880 was chief engineer. 

In February, 1 89 1, Mr. Casey was appointed 
chief by Mayor Gleason, thus becoming the first 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



493 



chief engineer in the paid department, which he 
assisted in organizing, but in 1893 there was a 
political change in the administration and he was 
deposed. Mr. Casey contested the matter in the 
courts and was reinstated, but in the following- 
September was again discharged, and the case is 
now being once more tried, with the prospects of 
success in his favor. He was one of the organ- 
izers of the Veteran Firemen's Association of 
Long Island City, and the hall above his office 
is now used by this society. He is a member of 
Ringgold Post of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and politically is an active worker in the 
Democratic party. In Long Island City he mar- 
ried Rose Ann Joyce, who was born in Astoria 
and died here February 23, 1894, leaving five chil- 
dren, James, William, George, Jr., Lawrence and 
Rose Ann, all of wliom are attending' school. 



THE HICKS FAMILY. Among the old 
names connected with the early history of 
Long Island that of Hicks has always been 
prominent both in public and in private life. 
From the first settlement of the country, and until 
the close of the Revolutionary War various per- 
sons bearing the name took an active and im- 
portant part in the affairs of the colony. When 
the struggle for independence came several of 
the most influential members of the family were 
holding office under the government, and natural- 
ly remained loyal to the king, as did their friends 
and relatives; but most of the Hicks' on Long 
Island were professedly neutral, although the 
sympathies of many were evidently with the 
mother country. At the close of the Revolution 
a few fled to Nova Scotia, while confiscation de- 
prived many wealthy members of the family of 
their estates. 

The family became early identified with the 
Society of Friends, and most of them still hold 
to that faith. Elias Hicks, the celebrated Quaker 
preacher, was a great-great-grandson of the first 
settler, John Hicks. The Hicks family are of 
English descent, and their progenitor on Long 
Island, John Hicks, came to America from Lon- 
don in 1635. He was nearly related to Robert 
Hicks, who came with the Pilgrims in 1621, and 
traced his ancestry back to Sir Ellis Hicks, who 
was knighted on the battlefield of Poiters in 1356. 

John Hicks came to Long Island with the first 
settlers of Hempstead in 1642, and always took 
an active and prominent part in the afi'airs of the 



colony. He was a man of strong and vigorous 
intellect and seemed a natural leader among men. 
The final settlement with the Indians on the 4th 
of July, 1647, for the lands purchased of them by 
the colonists in 1643, and the defining of the 
boundaries was intrusted to his management. On 
the nth of December, 1653, he was a delegate to 
a convention representing the towns on Long 
Island, called to obtain a redress of grievances 
from the Dutch government. In 1663 he was 
one of the delegates chosen to associate with the 
deputies from the other English towns to obtain 
aid from the general court at Hartford against 
the Dutch, and again in the same year he repre- 
sented his town in a general assembly of dele- 
gates from Lofig Island towns. 

In 1665 Governor NicoU called a convention 
composed of two delegates from each of the towns 
on Long Island and those in Westchester County 
"for the purpose of making additions and altera- 
tions to existing laws." John Flicks was chosen 
one of the delegates from the town of Hempstead, 
and was a leader in the convention. The proceed- 
ings of that assembly were of much interest and 
value, and the ordinances framed at that time, 
called the "Duke's Laws,'' were of great import- 
ance, and remained in force for over a hundred 
years. 

Thomas Hicks, the son of the above John, was 
also a man of unusual energy and ability and took 
a prominent part in public affairs. He was a dele- 
gate to most of the assembhes and conventions 
of that time, and in 1691 was honored by Gover- 
nor Andross in being the first appointed judge 
to the county court, an office which he held for 
a number of years. In 1666 he was granted a 
patent for four thousand acres of land at Great 
Neck, where he erected a mansion and resided 
until his death. Whitehead Hicks, a grandson of 
Thomas, was mayor of New York City, by the 
king's appointment, for ten years previous to and 
during the Revolutionary War. A son of Thom- 
as, Isaac Hicks, was colonel of the county militia, 
and another son, Jacob, held the appointment of 
captain, in which capacity he saw some service 
in the colonial wars. 

The above Col. Isaac Hicks was afterward, and 
for many years, a judge of the county court and 
highly respected. He was also active in public 
affairs, and was chosen by the colony of Massa- 
chusetts as one of a commission to settle a boun- 
dary dispute between that commonwealth and 
Rhode Island. In appreciation of his services the 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



former colony presented him with a silver tank- 
ard, inscribed, and bearing the arms of the com- 
monwealth. His son, Stephen Hicks, was also 
colonel of the county militia. 

Since the Revolution the family has held entire- 
ly aloof from pubHc life, and its members have 
been principally engaged in agricultural and mer- 
cantile pursuits. Several accumulated wealth, and 
left honorable records as merchants and ship- 
owners in the city of New York ; but most of the 
Hicks' of Long Island have been content, in re- 
cent years, to lead the quiet and industrious lives 
of farmers and to continue in the simple and un- 
ostentatious ways of the Quakers. 



FRANK DOOLEY. Among all of the in- 
dustries that are carried on in this great 
country of ours none succeed so well as 
those conducted by practical men. An instance 
in mind is the success attained by Frank Doo- 
ley since he established himself as a dealer in 
marble and slate at Hunter's Point, Long Island 
City. Mr. Dooley was born in 1842 in Kings 
County, Ireland, where his parents, Andrew and 
Mary (Monopan) Dooley, were also born. This 
worthy couple joined their children in the United 
States in 1864, and in this country they made 
their home until death called them hence, the 
father in 1889, at the age of eighty-nine years, 
and the mother when sixty-five years old. Ten 
children were born to them, but only four are 
now living, two sons and two daughters, all being 
loyal subjects of "Uncle Sam." 

Of this family the subject of this biography 
was the third eldest. The isle that gave him birth 
continued to be his home until he had reached 
the age of seventeen years, at which time he came 
to the United States on a sailing vessel, the "Man- 
hattan," the voyage occupying twenty-three days, 
but on its journey back to the old country the 
ship was lost at sea and was never afterward heard 
from. Mr. Dooley worked in a soda water es- 
tablishment for about three months after his ar- 
rival here, then apprenticed himself to a marble 
cutter in New York City and worked under va- 
rious masters until he had thoroughly learned the 
trade. In 1879 he started in business on his own 
account in New York City, where he continued 
until 1882, and then established himself in Hunt- 
er's Point, Long Island City, having, in 1874, 
taken up his residence here. His first shop was in 
Fourth Street, but he afterwards removed to No. 



24 Hunter's Point Avenue. He makes a special- 
ty of marble and slate for mantels and manufac- 
tures his goods from the rough. He deals in the 
finest materials, but has goods to suit the purses 
of all classes and is recognized as an authority 
in the trade. All the marble and slate work in 
the residence of Father McGuire was done by 
him, likewise that of F. J. Oakes, the Queens 
County court house, Kelly's block, Keonery flats, 
the Fourth Ward schoolhouse and scores of the 
finest residences of the place. His work is of 
the most meritorious and in every respect he is an 
upright and pushing business man. 

Mr. Dooley was married in the city of New 
York to Miss Mary Hines, a native of the Isle 
of Erin, and to them one child was given, Will- 
iam, who is his father's business associate, and is 
• a skillful granite letterer. The family move in 
the best social circles and are attendants of St. 
Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Dooley has al- 
ways supported Democratic principles. 



WYMAN S. BROWN. Among the 
names entitled to space in the history of 
Queens County is the one that heads 
this sketch, for it is borne by a man who has been 
identified with the best interests of the county 
for many years and with its advancement in every 
worthy particular. Mr. Brown is at present en- 
gaged in the real estate business, having his of- 
fice located at No. 16 Court Street, Brooklyn. 
His place of residence, however, is in the beautiful 
village of Manhasset. 

January 7, 1824, Mr. Brown was born in Edge- 
comb, Lincoln County, Me., and is the son of 
Capt. Daniel and AHce (Webber) Brown. The 
father was also born in the Pine Tree State, and 
when a young man of twenty years left home and 
went to sea. It was not long before he became 
captain of a vessel and for the remainder of his 
life followed this calling. During the progress 
of the War of 1812 he had charge of a vessel 
in the navy. He was the owner of a nice farm, 
on which his son, our subject, was reared. The 
household included eight children, of whom Wy- 
man S. was the eldest but one His education 
was acquired in the schools taught in the district 
and after his school days were over he often took 
trips with his father on the ocean. Captain Brown 
lived to be sixty-five years of age. 

When eighteen years old our subject turned 
his attention to the carriagemaker's trade and 




JULIUS AUGUSTIN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD". 



497 



after serving the usual length of time as an ap- 
prentice began working for wages. He followed 
this business for a few years, but abandoned it in 
order that he might engage in more profitable 
work. When twenty-four years of age he was 
married to Miss Alice S. Wilson and to them 
have been born three children. Anna M. is now 
the wife of George W. Liscomb of New York; 
Effie L. became the wife of E. Walter Roberts, 
and their home is in Brooklyn; Fannie M. is the 
wife of Asa C. Brownell, Jr., and they make 
their home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brownell have three children, Alice D., Clara F., 
and Albert Wyman, all of whom were born in 
Brooklyn. 

In 1870 Mr. Brown began dealing in real estate 
and so prosperous was he in this business that he 
has continued to give it his entire attention ever 
since. He took up his abode in Manhasset in 
1893 and is now one of the most substantial resi- 
dents of the village. Politically, he has voted 
the Republican ticket since i860. In his re- 
ligious views he is a Congregationalist, worship- 
ing with this denomination in Brooklyn. 



JULIUS AUGUSTIN. There are few resi- 
dents of Hicksville who, through a long and 
varied career, met with such uniform suc- 
cess as rewarded the efforts of the subject of this 
article. Beginning for himself at an early age 
and without means, he steadily worked upward, 
conquering the difficulties incident to strange lan- 
guages and unfamiliar customs, and such was his 
success that when still young he was in receipt of 
a large salary. Both in the old country and the 
new he worked untiringly and efficiently, nor did 
his energy show any diminution with increasing 
years. At the time of his death, which occurred 
February 2, 1896, he was conducting a successful 
business,, dealing in lumber, coal and building ma- 
terials of all kinds. 

In Menslage, a small village in Hanover, Ger- 
many, our subject was born August 10, 1838, to 
Johan Daniel and Catherine (Wolf) Augustin, na- 
tives of Hanover, the former of whom died in 
1894, aged ninety-two years. The mother was a 
daughter of Frederick Wolf, who for many years 
was in the employ of the Hanoverian govern- 
ment, being superintendent of the construction of 
public buildings. In his native village Johan 
Daniel Augustin was engaged as proprietor of 
a dyeing establishment, in which business he was 
19 



occupied until the time of his death, meanwhile 
accumulating a large fortune. By his marriage 
seven children were born, the youngest of whom 
was only four years old when his mother died. 
The father never married again. 

About 1855 William, a brother of our subject, 
emigrated to America and, failing to find em- 
ployment at his trade of dyer, secured work in a 
grocery in New York, his salary being only $4 
per month for two years. In 1859 he entered 
business for himself, opening a store at No. 68 
Greenwich Street, New York, where he carried 
on a retail trade until 1867, being so successful 
in his enterprises that he became possessor of an 
estate valued at $40,000. 

Under the supervision of a private tutor our 
subject early gained a knowledge of French and 
English. At the age of thirteen his father secured 
him a situation in a large crockery, china and 
queensware house at Haarlem, Holland, where 
he remained until twenty years of age. No stip- 
ulation was made as to salary, and for three years 
no wages were given him, but afterward he was 
in receipt of regular remittances. His work was 
hard and tedious, he was far from home and 
friends, but he had a brave heart and soon won 
the esteem of those by whom he was employed. 
While there the first railroad in Holland was 
built, the terminal points being Amsterdam and 
Haarlem, and he traveled on one of the first 
trains to Amsterdam for the purpose of purchas- 
ing goods for the firm. The senior partner, with 
the caution of age, refused to travel by rail, deem- 
ing the canal boats safer, though not nearly so 
rapid. 

The interest and skill displayed by Mr. Augus- 
tin soon led to his promotion. During the sec- 
ond year of his connection with the firm he was 
intrusted with the purchase of goods, a very re- 
sponsible position for one so young. At the 
age of nineteen he was obliged, according to the 
laws of the country, to take his place in the mili- 
tary service, but on volunteering he was rejected 
owing to his small stature and delicate appear- 
ance. He then resumed his business duties in 
Haarlem, but the following year was again 
obliged to return to Hanover for military exam- 
ination. This time he resolved not to return to 
Haarlem. His employer offered him a partner- 
ship in the business, but he declined, whereupon 
the other assured him that he would find his po- 
sition waiting for him any time he wished to re- 
turn. ! 



498 



'PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



As before, Mr. Augustin was rejected on his ex- 
amination for army service. He then went to 
Hamburg, where a married sister resided, and 
after fourteen days there secured a position in a 
large crockery and queensware. establishment at 
a salary of three hundred marks per year and 
board. The business was divided into two dis- 
tinct branches and he was offered the manage- 
ment of one of these, which he accepted, though 
reluctantly, as he doubted his ability to fill the 
place. However, his diligent efforts brought 
very satisfactory results and he retained the po- 
sition for five years, receiving a salary of nine 
hundred marks at the time he left the firm. 

About this time Mr. Augustin received letters 
from his brother William, in New York, telling 
him of his success and advising him to come to 
America. This he decided to do, and in Sep- 
tember, 1862, he embarked in a ship which landed 
him in New York after an uneventful voyage. He 
at once took an inferior position in his brother's 
store, but later was promoted to a better position 
as salesman, wdiere his previous study of Eng- 
lish was of the greatest value to him. While he 
entered the business without wages, his brother, 
at the end of a year, gave him a compound in- 
terest bearing note for $1,000 in return for his 
services. He remained in this connection until 
the sudden death of his brother in November, 
1867. He was appointed administrator of the es- 
tate and settled up the property, continuing the 
business until 1872. 

June 22, 1 87 1, Mr. Augustin married Johanna 
Freytag, daughter of William and Louisa Frey- 
tag, of Hicksville, and they took up their resi- 
dence at No. 64 Greenwich Street, where they had 
apartments above the store. Mrs. Augustin died 
July 30, 1872, leaving an infant daughter two 
days old; the latter is now the widow of Dr. 
Newton Taliafero. His wife's death changed our 
subject's plans. He sold the business and came 
with his daughter to the home of his father-in- 
law in Hicksville. In the spring of 1873 he es- 
tablished a German newspaper, the "Long Island 
Central Zeitung," which was sold a year later and 
removed to College Point, where it is still pub- 
lished. 

Resuming the business with which he was most 
familiar, Mr. Augustin opened a grocery in Hicks- 
ville December 4, 1874, and this he successfully 
conducted for nineteen years, meanwhile enlarg- 
ing the stock until anything could be bought 
there from a paper of needles to a ton of coal or 



household furnishings. From 1870 until 1880 his 
business aggregated thousands of dollars an- 
nually, having had a steady increase from the 
start. In July, 1890, he sold the stock to H. F. 
Hueltner, retaining, however, the coal and fur- 
niture business, though one year afterward he 
also disposed of the latter. In connection with 
his coal trade, he established a lumber yard, and 
later added lumber for masons and all kinds of 
building material. 

In 1890 Mr. Augustin erected a commodious 
residence and made other improvements on the 
home place. His second mamage took place in 
April, 1877, and united him with Miss Louisa 
Freitag, a cousin of his first wife, and now the 
mother of two children. The son, Julius, is clerk- 
ing in a retail grocery in Brooklyn, and the 
daughter, Louisa, is a student in the academy at 
Locust Valley. 

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Augustin was elect- 
ed in 1891, on that ticket, to the office of justice 
of the peace, which position he filled with credit 
until his death. He was an impoi-tant factor in 
the improvement of Hicksville, the interests of 
which he advanced by the erection of eight houses 
and by his successful management of large busi- 
ness affairs. From childhood he was a member of 
the German Lutheran Church, of which he was 
an officer for many years. Formerly he was ac- 
tively connected with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, in which he filled all the chairs, but 
for some time prior to his death had not been 
identified with the lodge. His fair and honorable 
dealings brought him the respect of the people, 
and he stood high in the estimation of his asso- 
ciates. 



SERGT. THOMAS F. DARCY. Wherever 
there are human beings there will be among 
them a certain proportion who are evilly 
disposed, and in large communities it has always 
been fovmd necessary to appoint guardians of the 
peace. In late years there have been introduced 
many measures of discipHne and training calcu- 
lated to improve the force and the police of As- 
toria, Long Island City, and as now organized 
and governed, constitutes an energetic and ef- 
ficient force. Among the prominent officers of 
the above-mentioned city the name of Thomas 
F. Darcy takes a prominent place. He is sergeant 
of police of Long Island City and is a. splendid 
man physically and otherwise. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



499 



Mr. Darcy is a native of Astoria, born March 4, 
1847, 2-iid the son of Philip and Johanna (Dwyer) 
Darcy, who came to Long Island about the year 
1839. The father was a mason and contractor 
and builder and erected the family residence at 
No. 216 Franklin Street. The father and mother 
both passed away in this city, the former in 1869 
and the latter in 1864. Their family consisted of 
eleven children, of whom our subject was the 
eldest, and only two of whom are now living. The 
one besides our subject, James A. Darcy, is a 
special officer in the employ of the Ninety-second 
Street Ferry Company. Another brother, who 
was a prominent crockery merchant of Astoria, 
died in 1892. 

The youth of our subject was passed in the old 
Fourth Ward school, and after leaving that he 
attended a grammar school in New York City 
for six months. Following that he worked for 
his father as builder, but from 1862 to 1864 he 
was in the laboratory of the United States gov- 
ernment. In the last mentioned year his mother 
died, and in March, 1865, he volunteered in the 
United States navy, going on the steamer "Cor- 
win," which was attached to the North Atlantic 
squadron. After the war he was engaged in coast 
surveying and laid out Beaufort, N. C. Later he 
went to Key West and to Havana, surveying for 
the cable, and remained until discharged in 1866. 

Returning to Astoria, L. I., our subject assist- 
ed his father in the contracting business and in 
1868 embarked in the ice business there, establish- 
ing the People's Ice Company, in partnership with 
John Delahanty. This continued until 1870, when 
Mr. Darcy quit the business on account of the 
scarcity of ice and started out as contractor. The 
same year he was appointed by the mayor and 
aldermen as constable of Long Island City, but 
after holding that position five months resigned 
it and on the nth of May, 1871, was appointed 
patrolman. In 1872 he was appointed acting ser- 
geant of the police force, and in November, 1875, 
he was made full sergeant. In the month of 
August, 1883, he was in charge of the police force 
as acting chief and filled that position most ac- 
ceptably until January i, 1887, when he accepted 
his present position. He has alternated between 
the first and second precincts, but has been for 
the most part in the former. The new first police 
precinct station at No. 252 Grand Avenue was 
completed December 12, 1894. Mr. Darcy was 
sergeant and turned out the first force from the 
same. In the discharge of his duties he carried 



a pistol only about two years, though he never 
used it, and never struck but two men with his 
club. 

Our subject was married in this city to Miss 
Anne C. Smith, a native of New York, and four 
children have been given them: M'argaret C, 
now in the high school; Philip, William and May. 
In his social relations Mr. Darcy is a member of 
John Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., and is 
a charter member of the American Order of Fire- 
men, Long Island City Council No. 17. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat, and in his religious views 
he is a Catholic, as is also Mrs. Darcy. 



SAMUEL J. SEAMAN, senior member of 
the firm of S. J. & W. H. Seaman, is one 
of the promiaent and well-to-do business 
men of Glencove. Aside from carrying on a- 
prosperous business as plumbers, slate and tin 
roofers, and manufacturers of all kinds of tin- 
ware, they deal extensively in stoves, heaters, 
china, glass, crockery, lamps, agate, tin and wood- 
enware, having one of the best equipped house 
furnishing establishments in the place. 

At Jericho, town of Oyster Bay, S. J. Seaman 
was born October 9, 1857, the son of Elias H. 
and Phebe (LTnderhill) Seaman, the former of 
whom is still living at Jericho, where he is fol- 
lowing the peaceful pursuits of a farmer. For 
many years during his younger days he was suc- 
cessfully engaged as a liveryman in New York 
City. He is a grandson of Elias Hicks through 
a daughter Sarah, who married Robert Seaman. 
On his mother's side our subject is a descendant 
of Capt. John Underbill, one of the original set^ 
tiers of Matinecock, near Locust Valley, Queens 
County, where the Friends Academy is now lo- 
cated. 

Samuel J. grew to manhood in his native place, 
and after completing his education in the com- 
mon schools there became a student in the Adel- 
phi Academy of Brooklyn. After taking a short 
course in that institution he carried on his studies 
for three vears at Swarthmore College, which 
was located near Philadelphia. On his return 
home he engaged in business in his native town 
and for eleven years carried on a prosperous busi- 
ness alone. About 1890 he formed a partnership 
with his brother William H., with whom he is 
associated at the present time. Mr. Seaman cast 
his first presidential vote for Garfield in 1880 and 
since that time has generally supported the Re- 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



publican ticket. He has never been an office- 
seeker, but through the wishes of his fellow 
townsmen he was prevailed upon to accept the 
position of commissioner of highways, entering 
upon his term of three years in 1895. 

Mr. Seaman has been unusually successful in a 
business way and has come to be recognized as 
one of the substantial citizens of the county. He 
is a stockholder and has been director of the 
Bank of Glencove, which was organized in 1892. 
Religiously he is a member of the Society of 
Friends, as were his ancestors for many genera- 
tions back. 

The marriage of Mr. Seaman and Miss Matilda 
Willets, of Jericho, occurred September 10, 1879. 
The lady was born and reared here and was the 
daughter of William and Mary (Valentine) Will- 
ets. To them were granted five children, four of 
whom are living: Mary W., Samuel J., Jr., Anna 
Louise and Frederic W. Lewis V. departed this 
life in infancy. 



HAMILTON K. ROBERTS. Ever since 
books have existed they have possessed 
an almost irresistible fascination for many, 
who find their chief enjoyment in the perusal of 
the works of our famed and gifted writers of his- 
tory, essay or the ever-popular novel. Tlie time 
has come when the literature of a land, whether 
the same be written in prose or poetry, in book 
form or the daily and weekly papers, wields the 
greatest influence the world has ever known. 
Hamilton K. Roberts, of Glencove, has taken ad- 
vantage of this fact and is the proprietor of a well- 
appointed book store, in connection with which 
he deals in all grades of wall paper and foreign 
exchange. 

Mr. Roberts was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., De- 
cember 21, 1854, a son of Solomon V. and Mary 
(Brown) Roberts, the form.er of whom was born 
in the state of New York in 1820. He was for a 
number of years a commercial traveler for the 
Babbitts Soap Company, but later became a 
wholesale hquor dealer: His marriage resulted 
in the birth of six children, of whom the subject 
of this sketch was the next to the eldest. Three 
of this family are now living. When Hamilton 
was nine years of age his father moved to New- 
burg, N. Y., after which he spent one year in 
school at East Norwich, the rest of his education 
being acquired in Brooklyn. He must have been 
about eleven years of age when he began clerking 



in a grocery belonging to John H. Waters & Son, 
of Newburg, and for seven years he continued in 
the employ of these gentlemen. Although he 
started at the lowest round of the ladder he was 
head clerk when he left them, at the age of 
eighteen. At that time he came to Glencove and 
became a clerk for Hegeman & Cocks, in whose 
employ he remained until the firm failed two years 
later, after which he was with the assignee for 
one year. 

The next business in which Mr. Roberts en- 
gaged was that of assistant postmaster under 
John H. Thurston, but three years later he was 
appointed to the position of postmaster by Presi- 
dent Arthur, and continued as such until a change 
of administration. He then started in the sta- 
tionery and news business, together with foreign 
exchange, and in 1887 moved to his present place 
of business, of which he became the owner about 
1890. Although his father w^as a Democrat in his 
political views, he died while Hamilton K. was 
a mere lad and the latter grew up a Republican 
and cast his first presidential vote for Hayes in 
1876. At one time he was the Republican nom- 
inee for clerk of the town of Oyster Bay, but as 
this has long been a Democratic stronghold he 
was not, nor did not expect to be, elected. He 
is a member of Pembroke Lodge No. 372, I. O. 
O. F., and also belongs to Seawanhaka Council 
No. 362 of the Royal Arcanum. He has charge 
of the telegraph office of the Western Union Tel- 
egraph Company, and is its manager at this place. 
Mr. Roberts is enterprising, wide awake and 
pushing and has been successful in all his busi- 
ness ventures. 

In Glencove, October 9, 1889, Mr. Roberts was 
married to Miss Mary C. McCarthy, a daughter 
of Professor McCarthy, of Astoria, in which place 
she wras born. She is a graduate of St. Bridget's 
Seminary, New^ York, and is an intelligent and 
cultivated woman. Her union with Mr. Roberts 
has resulted in the birth of one child, Helen J., 
who was born in Glencove, April 21, 1895. Mr. 
Roberts is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church of Glencove. 



GEORGE L. BROWN. This prominent 
citizen of Astoria, Long Island City, is 
one of the oldest firemen of the place and 
his many narrow escapes while saving the lives 
and property of his fellow-men would fill a vol- 
ume, for he has ever been fearless in the dis- 




RICHARD A. H0MB:YER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



503 



charge of his duties. He is at present foreman 
of Engine Company No. 4, and is filling that po- 
sition in a most satisfactory manner. Mr. Brown 
is a native of Astoria, born April 12, 1852, and is 
a son of Robert and Eliza (Livingston) Brown, 
both natives of Ireland. The father was an old 
settler of Astoria, locating there as early as 1835, 
and he followed general contracting until his 
death in 1861. Mrs. Brown's father, Samuel Liv- 
ingston, was also a contractor and a prominent 
business man. He was of Scotch descent. Both 
the Browns and Livingstons were Presbyterians 
in their rehgious views. Mrs. Brown is now a 
resident of Astoria. 

Of the seven children born to his parents, six 
are now living, and our subject is fourth in order 
of birth. He grew to manhood in Astoria, re- 
ceived his education in the Fourth Ward schools, 
and then began learning the tinsmith's trade un- 
der his uncle, Charles Livingston, who is still in 
business. George L. continued with him for three 
years and then engaged as a teamster for King & 
Ingram, dyers in Astoria, remaining with them 
for fourteen years. He was then appointed ser- 
geant on the police force by the Bowery Bay 
Improvement Company, and filled that position 
for two years and a half. After that he returned 
to the employ of David Ingram, remaining with 
him three years, but resigned when appointed on 
the fire department. He was first man next to 
Chief Casey and was appointed to that position 
on the 1st of February, 1891. On the 20th of 
March of the same year he was appointed fore- 
man of Engine Company No. 3, the same posi- 
tion that he holds with Engine No. 4 at the pres- 
ent time. During a fire in ex-Sheriff Henry's 
house, January 28, 1878, he fell from the top of 
a ladder, breaking two ribs, and was laid up for 
a month. A brother fireman, Charles Bennett, 
was killed at the same fire. During a fire in 1894 
he sprained his ankle. 

In Astoria Mr. Brown married Miss Mary 
Fitzpatrick, a native of New York City, and of 
the five children given them two are now living, 
Sarah and Robert. Mr. Brown has a pleasant 
home at No. 53 Flushing Avenue and is interest- 
ed in all that pertains to the public good. He ran 
for alderman in 1879, on the regular Democratic 
ticket from the Fifth Ward, but lost by twenty- 
one votes. He was an active member of Mo- 
hawk Hose Company No. i, from 1873 until 
the company disbanded in 1891, and was fore- 
man and assistant foreman for four years in all. 



P'or a number of years he has been a member of 
John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W., and for a time 
was a member of the orders of Firemen and Vet- 
eran Firemen, but now has not the time to keep 
it up. In politics he is an earnest Democrat and 
an ardent supporter of the principles of his party. 
Mrs. Brown is a member of the Catholic Church. 



RICHARD A. HOMEYER. As a town 
advances and its various interests multiply 
there is need of men adapted to all kinds 
of pursuits — business, professional and mechanic- 
al — and by a happy dispensation of Providence 
some men are adapted to one calling and some 
to another. The fact that Mr. Homeyer is suc- 
cessful in the business in which he is now engaged 
indicates in a marked manner his adaptation to 
this line of work. He is energetic, industrious 
and judicious, and as business manager of the 
marble works of John Sutter has proved that he 
possesses ability and wise discrimination. 

Now a resident of Middle Village, the subject 
of this sketch was born in Ridgewood, November 
29, 1859, and is a brother of Christian D. Ho- 
meyer, concerning whom mention is made on an- 
other page of this volume. His education, which 
was a good one for those days, was obtained in 
the public schools and Carpenter's Business Col- 
lege in Brooklyn. At the age of sixteen he be- 
gan life as a grocery clerk with Herman Ringe, 
of East Williamsburg, but after eighteen months 
he returned home to assist his father on the farm, 
as his brother had married and left home. There 
he remained for three years, driving a produce 
wagon for his father and in other ways assisting 
in the work. 

October 17, 1881, Mr. Homeyer married Miss 
Ehzabeth, daughter of John Sutter, the well- 
known dealer in monuments and tombstones at 
Middle Village. Soon after his marriage he be- 
came connected with the business of his father- 
in-law and for several years has served in the 
capacity of business manager. Under his care- 
ful oversight the business has continued to be 
increasingly prosperous, and the firm has gained 
an excellent reputation in financial circles. Of his 
marriage seven children were born, of whom four 
are Hving, Sinnie M., John F., Henrietta M. and 
Caroline C. 

For two years Mr. Homeyer served as chief of 
the Newtown fire department, and much of its 
efiSciency is due to his wise management. Social- 



S04 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ly he is connected with United Brother Lodge; 
No. 356, F. & A. M., of New York; Royal Arca- 
num, Newtown Council No. 717, and Templars 
of Liberty of America No. 37. For the past eight 
years he has been treasurer of the school board 
of this district, and is also treasurer of the Provi- 
dent Association. In religion he is a member of 
the German Lutheran Church of Middle Village. 



BENJAMIN T. BERGEN, who passed from 
this earth life in August, 1890, was born on 
the old homestead at Bergen's Landing, in 
Jamaica South, in the year 1819. He was reared 
and educated in this vicinity and spent his entire 
life on the old farm, with the exception of five 
years when he made his home in the village of 
Queens. He was a prominent member of the 
Presbyterian Church, in which he was deacon for 
many years. 

The father of our subject was Jacob Bergen, 
whose birth occurred on the farm adjoining the 
estate we have mentioned above, and which is 
now included in the Hopkins place. He served 
as a soldier in the War of 1812, in which conflict 
he gained the good will of the officers of his com- 
pany by his brave and fearless conduct. He mar- 
ried Miss Ann Smith, a most estimable lady, who 
was born in Jamaica. Jacob Bergen was like- 
wise a consistent Christian and one of the lead- 
ing members of the Presbyterian Church. 

Benjamin T. Bergen had two brothers and two 
sisters. Of these Cornelius died as the result of 
an accident ; Jacob J. departed this life when fifty 
years of age; Phebe Ann is living at the age of 
seventy-seven years; while Mary Elizabeth is in 
her sixty-ninth year. Neither of these sisters have 
married and are living together on the old es- 
tate of their father. 

The lady to whom our subject was united in 
marriage December 16, 1846, was Miss Mary 
Ann Bergen, who was born in East Jamaica, now 
Hollis, December 5, 1825. Her parents were 
Benjamin and Phebe (Skidmore) Bergen, well-to- 
do residents of this community for many years. 
Jacob Bergen, a brother of our subject's wife, is a 
resident of Queens and is regarded as one of its 
leading citizens. 

Mrs. Mary A. Bergen is still living on the prop- 
erty which her husband owned in this town. It 
is under the best methods of improvement and 
since his death has been so managed that it makes 
good returns for the care and labor expended 



upon it. To our subject and his estimable wife 
there were born two children, a daughter Anna, 
who is now the wife of Charles G. Strang of New 
Jersey; and Cornelius J. The latter was bom No- 
vember 21, i860, and is at present at home with 
his mother assisting in the management of the 
estate. He was educated in the public and pri- 
vate schools of Jamaica, and having been reared 
to a full knowledge of farm life, is in every way 
capable of carrying on the home place in the 
most profita;ble manner. With his mother, he is 
a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. 



J 



ESSE BROWNE, JR., of Jamaica, was born 
in the seventh ward of New York City, 
July 29, 1837. His father, George B. 
Browne, who was of English birth and lineage, 
accompanied his parents to America in childhood 
and passed the years of youth in their home in 
New York. On starting out for himself, he en- 
gaged in the coal business. For many years he 
was major of the Eighth Regiment Washington 
Greys in New York. For twenty-five years or 
more he has made his home in Jamaica, where he 
still resides, being now (1896) eighty-five. Not- 
withstanding his advanced age he is hale and 
hearty, retaining much of the physical and men- 
tal vigor that characterized him in earlier life. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Clark, was born in New York City, being a mem- 
ber of an old family of that place; she is still liv- 
ing and is now advanced in years. 

Our subject was named for his grandfather, 
Jesse Browne, who was engaged in business in 
New York and Philadelphia, and was a man of 
considerable prominence in his day. In the pa- 
rental family there were four sons, namely: Jesse, 
the eldest of the number; Charles, who is con- 
nected with the Westinghouse Electric & Manu- 
facturing Company of Pittsburg, Pa.; George B., 
who has been connected with the Bank of Sav- 
ings of New York City for a quarter of a century 
and is a resident of that place; and Sylvanus. At 
the beginning of the Civil War Charles enlisted in 
the Union army, in which he served until the 
close of the Rebellion, holding a commission as 
lieutenant; during the engagement at Fair Oaks 
he was wounded. 

In New York, where he was reared, our subject 
received an excellent education, graduating from 
the Mt. Washington Collegiate Institute, and for 
several years he practiced as an architect. Later 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



505 



he removed from New York to Roslyn, and dur- 
ing the period of his residence there he served 
as president of the board of education for some 
time. He devotes considerable attention to the 
Jamaica Choral Society, with which he is ac- 
tively connected. He believes that every citizen 
should feel a personal interest in any enterprise 
that will promote the prosperity of the village and 
its inhabitants, and, true to that belief, we find 
him serving as foreman of the Atlantic Hook & 
Ladder Company of the Jamaica fire department. 
His interest in this direction extends beyond the 
limits of his home. He is a member of the State 
Firemen's Association and was one of the char- 
ter members of the Order of American Firemen, 
in which he has held all the offices, and was state 
■president for two years. 

In the Queens County Agricultural Society, 
with which he is identified, Mr. Browne served as 
superintendent for some time. Besides this, he 
is a member of the Suffolk County Agricultural 
Society and the New York State Agricultural So- 
ciety, having been a department superintendent 
of the latter organization for a number of years. 
Since 1885 he has been connected with the tax 
collector's office in Jamaica, serving under the 
various collectors that have been at the head of 
the office. The marriage of Mr. Browne united 
him with Miss Minnie L., daughter of Daniel Bo- 
gart, a merchant of Roslyn, and sister of Dr. J. H. 
Bogart, also of that place, where she was born. 
Two children complete the family circle, Lillian 
B. and Gertrude B. 



B FRANK WOOD. Among the news- 
pers of Long Island perhaps none have 
• wielded a more potent influence in local 
affairs than has the "Jamaica Standard," of which 
Mr. Wood is editor and proprietor. On questions 
of national importance the paper has always 
taken a bold stand, and it is equally aggressive 
and fearless in matters affecting the welfare of 
the people of Jamaica. Like its editor, it is decid- 
edly Republican in principles, but at the same 
time never displays an unfair partisan spirit, but 
adheres to independence of thought and opinion. 
As the official organ of the Republican party 
in Queens County, it has been foremost in 
upholding the men and measures advocated by 
the party, believing that its political principles, 
applied to the national government, will promote 
the prosperity of the people. 



In presenting to our readers a sketch of the 
editor of the "Standard," it may be well first to 
briefly record the ancestral history. He is a 
member of a family long and honorably asso- 
ciated with the history of New York. Prior to 
the Revolutionary War his great-grandfather, 
Ebenezer Wood, was sheriff of Orange County, 
which then comprised all the territory of the 
present Orange and Rockland Counties. Dur- 
ing the trying times of the Revolution every 
effort was made to entice him, as a conspicuous 
public man.'into the support of the British cause. 
He was approached from the standpoint of cor- 
ruption, and from that of intimidation, but when 
neither of these could move him he was from 
that time bitterly hated, sharply marked and 
actively abused by the enemy. His official pa- 
pers and the accumulations of his industry during 
the preceding twenty years or more were all car- 
ried off by a raid. At the close of the war he 
found himself with about $1,600 in continental 
money, which proved entirely worthless, owing 
to the fact that the British inundated the country 
with counterfeit money, so that the genuine could 
not be distinguished from the worthless. Throw- 
ing the paper money in the fire, he quietly re- 
marked: "We have our independen.ce and I am 
satisfied." He died in New York City at the 
age of eighty years. For many years afterward 
his descendants found his name a sure passport 
wherever they went in Rockland County. 

Benjamin Wood, grandfather of our subject, 
was born during the American Revolution and 
died in Brooklyn in 1875, at the age of ninety- 
five. His life was almost coincident with the first 
century of our Republic. At the outbreak of the 
War of 1812 he was engaged in business in New 
York City, but with the patriotic spirit character- 
istic of the family he abandoned other matters and 
enlisted a company of one hundred and twenty- 
one men, sixty-nine of whom he equipped at his 
own expense, for the defense of the city. Fie 
received a Captain's commission in the Twenty- 
seventh Regiment, United States Infantry. He 
was the first American to receive the "Declaration 
of Peace," being officer of the day at Sandy Hook 
when it arrived. It was one of the memorable 
incidents of his life that he mounted and fired 
the first gun that was placed in Ft. Lafayette, 
at the "Narrows." For a period of twenty years 
he was boarding officer of the port of New York, 
stationed at quarantine, an office not now in ex- 
istence. , ' I ; 



So6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Our subject's father, Jacob B. Wood, 
was born in New York City August 22, 181 1, 
and from boyhood until death was connected 
with the New York Custom House. He was the 
originator and senior partner of the house of 
Wood, Niebuhr & Co., one of the oldest and 
most successful firms of Custom House brokers. 
Love of country came in with the blood, but the 
period of the Civil War found him in broken 
health, and he died in 1865. His oldest son, Ed- 
win C, represented him in the great conflict, hav- 
ing enlisted in the United States navy when a 
lad of sixteen years. Mr. Wood was for many 
years chairman of the board of supervisors of 
Richmond County. 

Thomas Lippincott, the maternal grandfather 
of our subject, was a merchant tailor in Broad- 
way, New York, and was a member of a family 
tracing its ancestry back to William the Con- 
queror. He was also related to Rev. David Cole, 
D. D., of Yonkers, N. Y., author of a book giving 
the family genealogy, and a son of Rev. Isaac D. 
Cole, D. D., one of the most noted divines and 
educators of the country in his day. Our sub- 
ject's mother, Mary C. (Lippincott) Wood, was 
born in New York City May 21, 1825, and is 
now living with her daughter at Mt. Vernon, N. 
Y. Her only brother, Thomas Lippincott, Jr., 
was born in 1829, and in 1848 was capsized in a 
yacht in New York Bay and drowned; a sister, 
Margaret, was married in 1855 to John Brandt, 
Jr., who was superintendent of a western railroad. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of nine children: Edwin C, born in 
1845, took part in the Civil War as above stated, 
and is now a prominent business man of New 
York City; George H., born in 1847, at the time 
of his death, in 1884, was traveling auditor of the 
Northern Pacific Railroad, located at St. Paul, 
Minn.; Henrietta L., born in 1849, 's the wife of 
William H. Edwards, a railroad man with head- 
quarters in Denver, Colo.; Mary C, born in 1851, 
married Charles W. Van Court, who is treasurer 
of the Lazell Perfumery M.anufacturing Com- 
pany in New York and resides at Mt. Vernon; 
Thomas Lippincott, born in 1854, was for several 
years in the mining business with our subject 
in Colorado and is now general manager of the 
Carbondale Coal Company at Des Moines, Iowa, 
and John R., born in 1856, is a graduate of Rut- 
ger's College and a Methodist minister, located at 
Breckenridge, Colo. 

Born on Staten Island October 3, 1852, B. 



Frank Wood, at the age of nineteen, engaged in 
mining in the mountains of Colorado with his 
brother, Thomas L. They built the first house in 
the village of Sunshine, a place which they named 
and which grew to a population of one thousand 
within a year. On returning East he studied law, 
and is a member of the bar of New York State. 
For a few years he resided in Connecticut, also 
for a time he was in North Carolina and Georgia, 
but the most of his life has been passed in or near 
New York City. 

An ardent Republican, during the Garfield 
campaign Mr. Wood was secretary of the New 
Haven City Republican Committee and received 
high commendation from the Republican leaders 
of the state for efficient political work planned 
and accomplished by him. Since coming to' 
Jamaica, he has been for three years a member 
of the Republican County Comittee, being its 
secretary in 1894, '95, '96. At the town election 
in 1895 he was chosen justice of the peace (which 
office was then at the head of the ticket) by a 
majority of four hundred and thirteen over the 
Democratic candidate, George Lester, though 
the preceding year the town had given William 
E. Everett (Democrat) a majority of sixty for 
supervisor. Since 1892 Mr. Wood has been the 
publisher of the "Jamaica Standard," the official 
Republican newspaper of the county. Socially 
he is a member of the Jamaica Club and the Chub 
Club of Jamaica, also of the Lincoln Club, of 
Long Island City. 

August 2, 1876, Mr. Wood was married, in 
Brooklyn, N. Y., to Miss Maria, daughter of John, 
and Maria Neill. Mrs. Wood was born in the 
Province of Quebec, but at the time of her mar- 
riage was living with an aunt, Rachel Jackson, 
in Brooklyn. The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Wood are as follows: Franklin Neill, born in 
1877; Henrietta J., who died in infancy; Catherine 
L., born in 1881 ; Thomas Brenner, 1883; Horace 
Edwin, 1885; Herbert Milton, 1888; Howard Or- 
ton, 1889, and Mary C, 1892. 



THOMAS WAKEFIELD is classed among 
the successful farmers and much esteemed 
citizens of his section of the state and, al- 
though Queens County has her full quota of vig- 
orous, thorough-going, prosperous men, whose 
popularity is based both upon their social quali- 
ties and their well-known integrity, none among 
them is better liked than the gentleman whose 




JOHN WOOD, JR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



509 



name is mentioned above. He was born in Chelt- 
enham, England, and there he was educated. At 
the age of twenty years he came to America and 
settled in New Lots (now the city of Brooklyn), 
where he worked for some two years as a stage 
driver. He then turned his attention to farming, 
and after a short time moved to Woodhaven and 
for about twenty-three years was one of the most 
influential farmers of that section. About ten 
years ago (1886) he purchased and located on his 
present farm, to the cultivation of which he has 
since devoted his time and attention with the best 
results. 

Mr. Wakefield's marriage united him with Miss 
Elizabeth Mitchell, an intelligent and amiable 
young lady and a daughter of William and Pris- 
cilla (Strickland) Mitchell, natives of Old Eng- 
land. Sixteen children were born of this union, 
ten of whom survive: Sarah A., wife of John C. 
Doxsey; William R., John K., Thomas, who mar- 
ried and has three children and who resides at 
Woodhaven; Carrie, wife of John Shephard, by 
whom she has three children: Cornelia, wife of 
. Ernest Livett, by whom she has two children ; 
Sabra, wife of Charles Rifenburg, by whom she 
has iwo children; Hannah, Joseph and Richard. 
The four single sons are at home and assist their 
father in the care of the home farm. They are 
all wide-awake and intelligent and give every 
promise of becoming substantial citizens. 

In his political proclivities Mr. Wakefield has 
-always supported the principles of the Republican 
party, but has never been an official aspirant, for 
his time and attention have been otherwise em- 
ployed. He and his family move in the best social 
circles and are merrtbers and attendants of the 
Congregational Church. 



JOHN WOOD, JR. Success in business life 
is a guerdon that is very cautiously be- 
stowed upon a person by the goddess, who, 
in a measure guides, and invariably decorates, 
man's efforts. And this same success is far more 
apt to come because of the pursuer's genius or 
adaptability for his calling, than from any mere 
luck, ambition, push or demand. John Wood, 
Jr., is in every way fitted for the calling which he 
follows, that of a tin, copper and sheet iron work- 
er, and a specialist in the manufacture of varnish 
and oil cans and tanks. He has shown that he 
possesses considerable inventive genius also and 
has patented an invention for quickly and firmly 



crimping a cap on an oil can or other receptacle. 
It is a simple hand tool, does the work very ef- 
fectually and saves a great deal of time and labor 
— important things in this age of hurry and push. 

Mr. Wood was born in Callicoon, Sullivan 
County, N. Y., October 16, 1853, and has inherit- 
ed many of the most worthy characteristics of 
the Irish race, from which he is descended. His 
father, John Wood, was born on the Isle of Erin, 
and after coming to America settled in Sullivan 
County, N. Y., where he secured employment as 
foreman, on the construction of a railroad. In 
i860 he removed to New York City, and shortly 
afterward came to Long Island City, where he 
became a foreman in the employ of the Long 
Island Railroad Company. He is now living in 
retirement at the age of seventy years, and has a 
comfortable home in Third Street, Long Island 
City. His wife, who was formerly Miss Mary 
Porter, was born in Ireland and has also reached 
the age of three score years and ten. To their 
union seven children were given, three of whom 
survive, John being the third in order of birth. 

The subject of this sketch has been a resident of 
Long Island City ever since he was seven years 
of age, and the public schools of this place afford- 
ed him his educational advantages. At the age 
of fourteen he became an apprentice in the tin 
manufacturing department of the Standard Oil 
Company, after which he was in the employ of 
George Petry until the latter's death, and rose to 
the position of manager of the business. In Jan- 
uary, 1 89 1, he opened an establishment of his own 
in Long Island City at the corner of Seventh 
Street and Jackson Avenue, fitting up the place 
with new and improved machinery. Six months 
later he took into partnership Mrs. George Petry, 
and up to May 7, 1895, the firm was known as 
A. A. Petry & Co. At that time Mr. Wood pur- 
chased his partner's interest and since then he has 
been the sole proprietor of the business. He 
patented his hand crimping machine May 7, 1895, 
and it has already come into popular favor. He 
is also quite extensively engaged in general job- 
bing and metal roofing and roofed the Steinway 
Railroad Company's sheds, besides numerous 
residences, business houses and blocks of Long 
Island City. His business has risen to such pro- 
portions that from twenty to twenty-five hands 
are constantly employed, and he is one of the 
busiest men of the place. 

Mr. Wood was united in marriage in the city 
of New York to Miss Alice McNulty, who was 



510 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born here, and of this union six children were 
born: Mary, who died at the age of seven years; 
Agnes, who died in infancy; Margery, Jane, Alice 
and John, Jr. Mr. Wood owns a pretty residence 
at No. 167 Third Street. He and his family are 
attendants at St. Mary's Catholic Church, and 
he is a leading member of the Catholic Benevo- 
lent Legion. In commercial and social circles 
he is popular and his friends are numbered by 
his acquaintances. 



JOHN E. DONNELLY. The progress of a 
community depends upon the enterprise of 
its citizens, and the present high standing 
of Long Island City has been secured by the tire- 
less exertions of its business men. Among those 
who have been particularly identified with the 
progress of Astoria, we mention the name of 
John E. Donnelly, well known as a plumber and 
gas fitter, and also through his former connection 
with the fire department of the city. 

The Donnelly family is of Irish origin. Our 
subject's father, John, who was a native of the 
Emerald Isle, came to America in early manhood, 
and after a short sojourn in New York, traveled 
through the West. He married in New York, 
was employed as a carpet weaver, but from that 
place he moved to Astoria, and here died in 1875, 
aged fort3'-six. His wife, Catherine Bradley, was 
a native of New York City and now resides in 
Long Island City, hale and hearty notwithstand- 
ing her advanced years. Her five children are 
all living and are in prosperous circumstances. 

The eldest of the family, John E., was born in 
Astoria January 8, 1857, and was reared here, 
being educated in the Fourth Ward Grammar 
School. At the age of twelve he secured a posi- 
tion with the surveyors of Hell Gate and Gov- 
ernor's Island, being thus employed about two 
years. After clerking for a few years, at the age 
of sixteen he began to work at the plumbing- 
business under William J. Bailey, and on com- 
pleting the trade followed it here and in all parts 
of New York City. In 1888 he opened a plumb- 
ing establishment at No. 138 Fulton Street, and 
this he has since continued, having built up a 
large trade in the city. He had the contract for 
the plumbing of the Dutch Reformed Church, 
two residences for Hugh Green, and other build- 
ings of modern construction. In 1893 Mayor 
Sanford appointed him a member of the Examin- 



ing 3oard of Plumbers and Plumbing of Long 
Island, and he still serves in that capacity. 

Mohawk Hose Company No. i was organized 
in 1866, and twelve years later Mr. Donnelly 
became connected with it, being one of its officers 
after the first six months. At different times he 
was secretary, assistant foreman and foreman. 
In 1889 he was elected assistant chief engineer 
from the 'First Fire District for three years and 
served until the department disbanded, when 
he was honorably discharged. He was one of 
the original members of the Veteran Firemen's 
Association of Long Island City, also a member 
of the Order of American Firemen, Council No. 
17, and one of the organizers of the Master Plum- 
bers' Association of Long Island City, of which 
he was the first president. During his service 
as fireman he had many narrow escapes. In a 
fire at the button factory he fell from the second 
floor and was injured severely, but providentially 
escaped fatal injuries. At one time he saved a 
young lady from drowning at North Beach. He 
is a man of great personal bravery, and never 
hesitates, no matter what the individual risk may 
be, to lend a helping hand to those in danger 
or distress. In manner he is plain and unosten- 
tatious, free from all display, earnest in his devo- 
tion to friends, sympathetic and warm hearted, 
yet outspoken and fearless in the expression of 
his opinions. 



ISAAC HICKS, of the firm of Isaac Hicks & 
Son, nurserymen, of Westbury Station, L. I., 
is one of the pioneers in that line of business 
in Queens County, having been engaged in it 
for over forty ye,ars. In the year 1838 he pur- 
chased one hundred and twenty acres of land 
and immediately commenced planting orchards, 
collecting grafts of rare varieties from many 
parts of the country. In 1855 he engaged in the 
nursery business, which is one of the largest in- 
dustries of the kind on Long Island. 

Believing that nurserymen should lead in the 
education of the public in the use of new species 
and varieties of plants, the} have large test 
orchards and gardens, and are now establishing 
an arboretum of trees and shrubs, from all tem- 
perate climates of the world, which give promise 
of value here. By thorough cultivation, skillful 
pruning, ample fertilizing and careful digging to 
supply good roots, they furnish satisfactory stock 
of larger size than usual in the trade. Connected 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



511 



with Mr. Hicks in the business are his son 
Edward and his grandson, Henry Hicks. 

Isaac Hicks was born in Westbury March 3, 
1815, a son of John D. and Sarah (Rushmore) 
Hicks. His mother lived to be one hundred and 
two and a half years old, dying in March, 1891. 
On the 26th of March, 1836, he was married to 
Mary F. Willis, daughter of John WiUis, of 
Syosset. This union resulted in the birth of three 
children, Gilbert, Edward and Marianna, wife of 
William E. Hawxhurst, whose sketch is given 
elsewhere in this volume. 

Isaac Hicks is a minister of the religious 
Society of Friends, and is interested in educa- 
tional matters, being for many j^ears trustee of the 
local school, which office his son Edward has 
held for the last thirty years. 

Here under the same roof are three genera- 
tions, the venerable subject and his cornpanion, 
who, over ten years ago, celebrated their golden 
wedding, and- the son Edward and his family, 
consisting of his wife, formerly Miss Emma E. 
Jarvis, three daughters, Grace, Marietta and 
Emil)' and one son, Henry. 

Edward Hicks has been active in the firm for 
many years and has invented several machines 
for lightening farm labor, being the patentee of 
the first hay-pitching and carrying apparatus. 
With the assistance of his son he has recently 
perfected three trucks for moving large trees. 
Deciduous trees, such as lindens and maples, are 
successfully transplanted, sixty feet high, twenty 
inches in diameter of trunk and thirty feet or 
more in spread of branches and roots. Pines 
and spruce trees, up to twenty feet in height, are 
moved with a ball of earth clamped to the roots. 

Henry Hicks is a graduate of the Agricultural 
College of Cornell University and has been active 
in the organization of the Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station and Farmers' Institutes on Long 
Island. Besides the nursery business, he is prac- 
ticing the profession of landscape designing. 



ARTHUR M. WHITE. The life of Mr. 
White has been a busy one and 
his personal efforts for advancement 
were begun at an early age. His experi- 
ence has been such as to prove that he 
possesses energy, wise judgment and untiring 
perseverance, and these qualities have brought 
him success. His education, character and busi- 



ness equipment have made him a decided acquisi- 
tion to the citizenship of Jamaica, and he stands 
well in its financial and social circles. 

Thomas J. W'hite, father of our subject, was 
born in New York City and for some years was 
engaged as a wool merchant in Boston, but re- 
turned from there to New York, and is now liv- 
ing in Williamsburg. He married Miss Harriet 
M. Gross, a native of Brooklyn and a daughter of 
a prominent druggist of that city; she died in 
December, 1893. Arthur M. was born July 12, 
1856, during the residence of his parents in Bos- 
ton. He was seven years old when the family 
returned to New York, and his education was ob- 
tained principally in the public schools of Will- 
iamsburg. 

Starting out in business life, Mr. White became 
a clerk in a large wholesale woolen house in New 
York, and there he was employed for eight years, 
but, tiring of the narrow restrictions of the city 
and the work, he determined to make a change. 
Accordingly he began to cultivate a farm near 
Jamaica owned by his father-in-law, William N. 
Ludlum, where he remained for five years. He 
then became connected with the firm of which 
he is now a member and of which the late Elias 
C. Hendrickson was then at the head. For ten 
years he filled the position of bookkeeper, and at 
the death of the president of the company, he, 
in partnership with Amos D. Hendrickson, son of 
the late proprietor, succeeded to the business, the 
firm title becoming Hendrickson & Co. This 
is now one of the largest lumber and coal com- 
panies in Jamaica, and Mr. White may well be 
proud of his connection with an enterprise so 
well established and successful. 

In 1874 Mr. White married Miss Fannie E. 
Ludlum, only child of William N. Ludlum, of 
Jamaica. Her father, who is now living retired 
in this village, was born February 10, 1832, on 
the old homestead which was in possession of the 
family for two hundred and fifty years. On this 
place his father, Nathaniel, was born in Febru- 
ary, 1792, and here he sp^nt his entire life, with 
the exception of the period of his active service 
in the War of 1812; here, at an advanced age, his 
death occurred January 9, 1862. The father of 
Nathaniel was a soldier in the War of the Revo- 
lution and was with General Washington in Or- 
ange County. The old homestead remained in 
the family from 1644 until it was sold by W. N. 
Ludlum about 1892. The family is one of the 
oldest in Queens County and took an active part 



512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in all the stirring events connected with the early 
history of Long Island. 

The four children of Mr. and Mrs. White are 
Hattie M., Phoebe Annetta, William Ludlum and 
and Grace E. H. The youngest daughter was 
the first child born on what is now Hardenbrook 
Avenue in Jamaica, where the family have a com- 
modious and comfortable residence. In social 
affiliations Mr. White is connected with the Roy- 
al Arcanum, in the work of which he takes an 
active part. During an honorable career as a 
business man he has displayed the solid traits of 
character that are needful to the attainment of 
success in any calhng, and in his dealings with 
all he has been accurate and honest. 



LEWIS M. WOOD, editor and publisher of 
the "Long Island Democrat," has made a 
decided success of this venture, having all 
the work in. the printing line that he can well 
attend to. Enterprising and progressive in his 
ideas, he is not confined to old^ashioned methods, 
but is in touch with new discoveries in the art of 
printing and gives to the people of Jamaica and 
vicinity a bright and newsy sheet. 

William Rush Wood, father of our subject, was 
born at Rahway, N. J., January 13, 1812. He was 
well educated for the day and locality in which 
he lived, and when ready to begin life for himself 
learned coach painting, which he followed for 
many years. Later in life he came to Long Island 
and made his home at Jamaica, where his death 
occurred October 29, 1866, when fifty-four years 
of age. 

Our subject's mother, who was formerly Sarah 
Marsh, was also a native of Rahway, N. J., and 
was born August 30, 1812. She was a most es- 
timable lady and became the mother of five chil- 
dren, of whom Lewis M., of this history, was the 
eldest. The other members of the family were 
named, respectively, Clara J., Hester Ann, Eliza- 
beth and William. The wife and mother departed 
this life August 16, 1850, mourned by many rela- 
tives and a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 

Lewis M. Wood was born at Rahway, N. J., 
August 15, 1836. After the removal of his parents 
to Jamaica he attended school regularly, complet- 
ing his education at the Union Hall Academy, 
Jamaica, which was then presided over by John 
N. BrinckerhofT. In Jul)^, 1851, young Wood en- 
tered the office of the "Long Island Democrat," 



and there became thoroughly acquainted with the 
business which he has followed ever since. For a 
time after mastering the "art preservative" he 
worked as a journeyman printer, and in 1884 
purchased the "Democrat," which 'he is still pub- 
lishing with great success. 

The marriage of Mr. Wood with Miss Lavinia 
Ann Bennett occurred at Jamaica December 7, 
1859. She is the daughter of Isaac and Sarah 
Bennett, the former born May 21, 1810, and the 
latter August 11, 1814. They are both now de- 
ceased, the father passing away November 10, 
1890, and the mother April 26, 1891. One son 
was granted Mr. and Mrs. Wood, Frank B., who 
was born December 13, i860. He was given a 
fine education and when ready to establish a 
home of his own was married to Miss Carrie A. 
Babcock, of Broklyn. This happy household was 
soon broken up, for August 13, 1886, the husband 
was called to the land beyond. 

As the reader doubtless knows, Mr. Wood is a 
stanch supporter of Democratic principles and 
candidates, although he has led too busy a life 
to permit of his holding office. During the prog- 
ress of the late war he enlisted in the militia, but 
his company was never called into active service. 
Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, which he has served for over thirty 
years as class leader. He has also been trustee, 
and for three years was superintendent of the 
Sunday-school. He has always been interested 
in religious and benevolent enterprises and does 
what he can to relieve the needy and worthy 
poor, and thus exemplifies the precepts of Chris- 
tianity. Mrs. Wood is also a worthy and active 
member of the above church. 



WILLIAM S. WILLIAMSON. On the 
Rockaway road, immediately adjoin- 
ing the village of Jamaica, was erected 
the Williamson homestead, which was well known 
for three generations. On this farm the subject of 
this article was born November 15, 1822, and 
here his entire life has been passed. This place 
has been the home of three preceding genera- 
tions of the family. Here resided our subject's 
grandparents, John and Adriana Williamson, the 
former of whom was a prominent farmer and 
public-spirited citizen, being connected with 
Union Hall Academy in Jamaica when it was one 
of the first schools of the kind in the State. 
The father of our subject, Nicholas William- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



son, grew to manhood on the home farm, the 
cultivation of which he superintended during the 
greater part of his hfe. As an agriculturist he 
was energetic, industrious and capable. As a citi- 
zen he was highly esteemed and frequently he 
was called upon to represent the community in 
offices of trust. . For a number of years he was 
assessor of the town of Jamaica, and he also 
served for some time as superintendent of the 
poor. By his marriage to Cynthia Simonson 
two sons were born, of whom William S. alone 
survives. The other, John, died leaving three 
sons and three daughters. 

Upon the home farm the subject of this article 
grew to a sturdy, robust and vigorous manhood, 
fitted by training at home and by attendance at 
Union Hall Academy to take up the battle of life 
for himself. December 4, 1851, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Emily Baiseley, who was 
born August 22, 1827, daughter of David Baise- 
ley, of Jamaica. A few years after his marriage 
he erected his present residence on a portion of 
the homestead, and here he has since been sur- 
rounded by all the comforts that can add to the 
pleasure of existence. Of his three children two 
are living. Emily married Samuel E. Burtis, a 
merchant of Brooklyn, and they have one child, 
William Edgar; Adriana, Mrs. Peter Williamson, 
who lives in Brooklyn, has two children, Emily 
Baiseley and Theodore Rogers. 

Interested in educational affairs, for many years 
Mr. Williamson served as school trustee, and 
while acting in that capacity it was his aim to 
promote the standard of education and advance 
the interests of the schools. He is well informed 
regarding the great questions before the people 
today, and, believing that the welfare of our 
nation can best be subserved by the adoption of 
Republican principles, he gives his loyal alleg- 
iance to that party. He owns a pew in the Re- 
formed Church and is a regular attendant at the 
services there, also a contributor to its good 
works, though not directly identified with the 
congregation. 



O 



SCAR B. WILLIS. Some lessons of 
genuine worth may be gleaned from the 
life of every man, and the history of Os- 
car B. Willis has been marked by all that goes 
to make up useful and noble manhood, and in 
him is the material of which useful citizens are 
made. He is one of two surviving children in a 



family of three born to Valentine and Annette 
(Bogart) Willis, and first saw the light of day 
January 30, 1842. The father was born on the 
place where he now lives in East Williston, about 
1818, and there his entire life has been spent in 
tilling the soil. His father, Samuel Willis, was 
of this same place. 

Oscar B. Willis grew up under the watchful 
care of his father and obtained a good education 
in Union Hall Academy. Upon reaching man's 
estate he engaged in farming with his father, and 
at the end of about three years or after his mar- 
riage removed to a farm of his own in East Willis- 
ton, where he successfully followed the plow for 
a period of ten years. He then removed to East 
Hinsdale (now Floral Park), remaining there ten 
years. Eight years of that time, or from 1882 to 
1890, he was engaged in the Hvery business in 
West Fifty-fourth Street, New York City. In 
1893 he came to Queens County and after erect- 
ing his present handsome residence settled in his 
beautiful home, and here has since resided, 
though not actively employed in any business. 

On the i8th of October, 1865, Mr. Willis mar- 
ried Miss Mary H. Rhodes, who was born March 
28, 1847, a member of one of the oldest and best 
families in Queens County. She was the only 
child born to Cornelius H. and Phoebe E. (Hal- 
lett) Rhodes, the former of whom was born May 
24, 1802 and died April 11, 1891. He was twice 
married, his first wife being Mary Hendrickson, 
by whom he had two children, of whom Alletta 
R. is the only survivor. Cornelius H. Rhodes 
was the son of Benjamin and Alletta (Remsen) 
Rhodes, born July 4, 1765, and May 5, 1770, and 
died April 26, i860, and October 16, 1828, re- 
spectively. Their marriage occurred February 
28, 1791. The father of Benjamin was Anthony 
Rhodes, who was born April 23, 1742, and died 
November 4, 1810. He was a veteran of the 
Revolutionary War and he and his descendants 
have been prominent and successful farmers of 
East Hinsdale down to the present day. How- 
ever, Cornelius H. Rhodes was retired from active 
life for about twenty years prior to his death. 
He was a man of unblemished reputation, an ac- 
tive church worker and for years was connected 
with the Dutch Reformed Church of Jamaica, 
or until the erection of the church of the same 
denomination at Queens, when he transferred his 
membership to this place. 

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Willis four 
children have been born: Eugene V., born Janu- 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ary 27, 1867, has been married twice: one child 
was born to his first union, CorneHa, and one to 
his second, Bessie. Thomas H. was born Octo- 
ber 12, i86q, is married and has one child, Valen- 
tine. Ada E. was born June 13, 1872, and R. 
Mortimer was born March 6, 1885. 



WILLIAM A. WARNOCK, secretary of 
the Jamaica Savings Bank, was born 
at Willets Point, in the town of Flusli- 
ing, December i, 1850, and is a descendant of 
Irish ancestry. His father, Hugh Warnock, was 
born in Ireland, but early came to the United 
States, where he became a farmer. He married 
Miss Martha Seaman, daughter of Charles Wil- 
lets and a member of one of the old families of 
the island. In 1854 he removed from Long Is- 
land to Geneva, Ontario County, N. Y., where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

Being orphaned by the death of his mother 
when he was young, the subject of this notict 
was reared in the family of Col.Aaron A.Degranw, 
of Jamaica, whose wife was his aunt. His educa- 
tion, which was gained principally in Union Hall 
Academy, was a practical one, and fitted him for 
the responsibilities of a business career. His 
first employment was as office boy in a cofifee im- 
porting house in New York, his salary being $3 
per week. In 1871 he secured a position in the 
office of the county clerk at Jamaica, where he 
continued some years, gaining a thorough knowl- 
edge of the work. In 1880 he received the ap- 
pointment of under sheriff of Queens County, the 
duties of which he discharged in a very satisfac- 
tory manner for six years. In 1886 he became 
connected with the surrogate's office, and during 
the same year was made one of the trustees of 
the Jamaica Savings Bank, of which in 1892 he 
was chosen secretary, succeeding Lewis L. Fos- 
dick, who had resigned the responsible position. 

Honored by his fellow-citizens, Mr. Warnock 
was by them elected president of the village in 
1891 and served with efficiency in that position, 
until 1893. In every position to which he has 
been called he has made it his aim to discharge 
his duties carefully, honestly and energetically, 
and his public service has been of such a nature 
as to reflect credit upon himself. In 1871 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Harriet E., daugh- 
ter of Smith B. Crossman, one of the old citizens 
of Jamaica. Five children blessed their union, 
Martha S., Anna W., Leonora B., Aaron A. De- 



grauw and William A., Jr., who died June 17, 

1895. 

Mr. Warnock is a worker in the ranks of the 

Democratic party in this section and has repre- 
sented that political organization in several con- 
ventions. He and his family reside in the old 
Judd mansion, now the property of his uncle. 
Colonel Degrauw. Socially he is connected with 
the Masons and holds membership in the Royal 
Arcanum. In a career honorable alike to himself 
and to the community, he has shown those traits 
of character vifithout which success is unattain- 
able. Well informed in financial matters, he is 
admirably adapted for the responsible position he 
now fills. 



FRITZ STARKE. Among the many busi- 
ness establishments of Long Island City 
is the one conducted by Mr. Starke, the 
well-known florist, at No. 815 Vernon Avenue, 
Ravenswood. Here may be found a stock of 
goods sufficient to supply the wants of all classes 
at the most reasonable figure. He was born in 
Lybecke, Westphalia, Germany, in 1852, and his 
father, C. Starke, who was also a florist, there 
passed his entire life. He married Miss Wilhel- 
mina Barlock, a native of Westphalia, Germany, 
and daughter of Frederick Barlock, who was 
with Napoleon in the march to Moscow. The 
Barlock family was a prominent one in Germany 
and the old home place with its many acres of 
land had been in the family for four hundred 
years. One of Mrs. Starke's brothers was in the 
Franco-Prussian War in 1866. 

Our subject attained his growth and received 
his education in his native country and learned 
the florist's trade of his father. He was the 
only one of the family to cross the ocean to 
America, coming in September, 1881. In Octo- 
ber of the same year he came to Long Island City 
and was employed with a florist in Main Street, 
Astoria, for fifteen months. After that he started 
out in business for himself, leased his present 
property, erected greenhouses and has been en- 
gaged as a florist and landscape gardener ever 
since. He 'has four greenhouses, seventy feet 
long, and has all the latest varietiesand the choicest 
plants. The water used for the plants is rain- 
water, caught in a concrete cistern from the 
greenhouse, the cistern holding about fifty thou- 
sand gallons and heated by flues. He does not 
depend altogether on the cistern, but is also sup- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



515 



plied with water by the city water works. He 
imports bulbs, etc., from Holland and supplies cut 
flowers wholesale to the market in New York 
City, as well as plants of all kinds.' 

Mr. Starke is admirably situated for business 
and has been unusually successful. He was mar- 
ried in Berlin, Germany to Miss Anna Noak, a 
native of Hoyerswerda, Silesia, Germany, and to 
them have been born five interesting children, 
William, Helena, Fritz, Harry and Charlotta. In 
politics Mr. Starke is an ardent supporter of Re- 
publican principles and is a member of Ravens- 
wood Republican Club. He is very public spir- 
ited and in carrying on his various business enter- 
prises does not lose sight of his duties as a citi- 
zen. His wife is a most estimable lady and a 
thorough business woman. Her father, Herman 
Noak, was a native of Germany and a bookbinder 
by trade, and her grandfather, Frederick Noak, 
was an agriculturist and a manufacturer of 
knives. Her mother's maiden name was PauHna 
Grund. Mrs. Starke was one of two children 
and the only one in this country. 



JURGEN RATHJEN. Not alone as a busi- 
ness man, but in the discharge of his duties 
as a public official, Mr. Rathjen has gained 
prominence among the people of Long Island 
City, of which place he is an influential resident. 
With the exception of New Brothers, he has been 
engaged in the grocery business for a longer per- 
iod than any firm in the city, and during the time 
of his residence here has witnessed the commer- 
cial development of the place and the progress of 
its manufacturing interests, to which he has been 
a contributor. 

Born in 1845 '^^ Hanover, Germany, Mr. Rath- 
jen is a son of John Rathjen, a farmer of that 
province. There he was reared to manhood, at- 
tending the common schools until about fifteen 
years of age. In i860 he went via Hamburg to 
London, where for nearly two years he was em- 
ployed in a manufacturing establishment. In 
1862 he took passage on the sailing vessel "Daniel 
Webster" which, after a voyage of seven weeks, 
cast anchor in the harbor of New York, the pas- 
sengers landing at old Castle Garden. At once 
he secured employment with the wholesale gro- 
cery firm of Papger, Thurber, Reeder & Co., in 
New York, and later held a clerkship in a retail 
grocery. 

In 1866 Mr. Rathjen started a restaurant in 



Hunter's Point in Seventh Street, but after a 
short time returned to New York, and for four 
3'ears was engaged in the grocery business in 
Water Street. Selling out in 1872 he returned 
to Germany, where he visited his parents. After 
three months in the old country he returned to 
New York, and soon afterward located at Astoria, 
where he established a grocery business in Stev- 
ens Street and Fulton Avenue. From the first 
he was prospered in the business, and succeeded 
in building up a large and lucrative trade, which 
he carried on until 1887 and then sold out. Mean- 
time, in the fall of 1874, he opened a grocery in 
Steinway, where he bought a building and car- 
ried on a profitable trade. In 1884 he erected 
a brick block in Wolcott Avenue, and has since 
resided in Steinway, being the oldest grocer in 
this suburb of Long Island City. He owns two 
brick blocks and occupies one store, renting the 
other. Across the street from his store he has 
a feed and grain department, in which line he has 
built up a large trade. 

The marriage of Mr. Rathjen occurred in New- 
York in 1868, his wife being Emma R. Seebeck, 
a native of that city and daughter of Henry See- 
beck. who for many years carried on a grocery 
business there and who served as lieutenant in 
the Fifth New York National Guard, being also 
one of the veterans of the late war. The six chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Rathjen are John, Annie, 
Emma, Tillie, Jurgen Edward and Justin Jerome. 

A firm supporter of Democratic principles, Mr. 
Rathjen has been a power in local politics. In 
1886 he was elected supervisor, and during his 
term of service was connected with the following 
committees: court-house and jail, justice and 
constable, county treasurer, of all of which he was 
chairman; bridge and bridge building, bills on 
penitentiar}' and other state institutions, and 
legal, miscellaneous and printers' bills. In 1889 
he was appointed a member of the board of police 
commissioners, but after seven months resigned, 
owing to difference of opinion with Mayor Glea- 
son. In 1893 he was again appointed to this 
position by Mayor Sanford and was elected presi- 
dent of the board, in which capacity he is now 
serving. At present he is also chairman of the 
Fifth Ward Jeffersonian Democratic Association 
and has been a member of the general committee 
since its organization. At different times he has 
served on grand and petit juries. 

In his relation to fraternal societies, Mr. Rath- 
jen is identified with John Allen Lodge, A. O. 



5i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



U. W., at Astoria, and the Knig-hts of the Golden 
Eagle in Steinway. In the organization of the 
Jefferson Club he took an active part, and served 
as its first vice president. A Lutheran in rehg- 
ious belief, he has adhered to the faith of his fore- 
fathers, in which he was reared. His connection 
with public affairs has brought him into promi- 
nence, and his influence is apparent in many 
progressive enterprises. 



CF. THEODORE STEINWAY, whose 
history is indissolubly connected with 
• that of the house of Steinway & Sons, 
was born in Seesen, Germany, November 6, 1825, 
being the eldest son of Henry E. Steinway. In 
his native village he received an excellent educa- 
tion in the Jacobsohn Institute, which he at- 
tended until 1839. From an early age he dis- 
played great ability as a musician, and his skill 
in playing the pianoforte, together with his acute 
ear, which enabled him to tune the instruments 
perfectly, rendered him a valuable assistant to 
his father. 

In May, 1850, when the other members of the 
familv came to America, Theodore remained in 
Seesen to close out the business of the firm. In 
1852 he married a young lady of Herzberg, near 
Seesen, and his home interests, together with 
the general improvement of political conditions 
in Germany, caused him to decide to remain in 
the old country. Removing, in 1859, to the city 
of Brunswick, he built up a large and lucrative 
business. In May, 1864, with his wife he made 
a trip to New York, where the whole family, 
father, mother, five sons and two daughters, were 
for the first and last time reunited. 

The death of his brothers, Charles and Henry, 
in March, 1865, caused the subject of this sketch 
to come to New York, which he did in October 
of that year, becoming a partner in the firm of 
Steinway & Sons. He possessed large inventive 
genius, which he turned to the construction of 
upright pianos, a line that he had become thor- 
oughly familiar with while in Germany. On com- 
ing to New York, he brought with him a set of 
workmen skilled in making such instruments, 
and though he met with many obstacles, he 
worked determinedly until success crowned his 
efforts. Of the thirty-four patents granted to 
him from 1866 to 1889, no legs than sixty-two 
claims in these patents relate to upright pianos. 
This make has become so popular that ninet)'- 



five per cent, of the eighty thousand pianofortes 
annually manufactured in the United States are 
of this style. 

Shortly after having gained conspicuous suc- 
cess with upright pianos, Mr. Steinway turned his 
attention to the grand piano. Vast improve- 
ments in tone and durability had already been 
gained by the patent granted to Henry Stein- 
way, Jr., December 20, 1859, for his overstrung 
system, which far surpassed the old parallel- 
string system. While the total tension of the 
strings in a European grand never exceeded 
twenty thousand pounds, the grand pianos man- 
ufactured by this house averaged forty-five thou- 
sand pounds of strain. Piano strings of steel 
had been greatly improved, and Mr. Steinway's 
scientific tests on his own constructed testing 
machine had convinced him that the tension of 
the strings in a grand piano might be doubled, 
and beauty and power of tone greatly augmented, 
provided the power of resistance to this increased 
pull of the strings could be secured in the archi- 
tecture and construction of the piano. The ob- 
stacles were exceedingly difficult to overcome. 
The cast-iron frames produced for all piano 
manufacturers in ordinar}^ foundries were not 
firm enough to withstand such an increased 
strain. In the spring of 1869 Theodore Stein- 
way went to Europe and studied the latest 
achievements of the steel and iron industry there, 
While abroad, he also went to Egypt and wit- 
nessed the ceremonies accompanying the open- 
ing of the Suez Canal. 

Returning to New York in the fall of 1870, 
Mr. Steinway succeeded, after a time, in produc- 
ing a steel casting that would withstand a strain 
of five thousand pounds per square centimetre, 
while ordinary cast-iron will break under one- 
half of such a pull. In 1872 he invented and 
patented his duplex scale, which was followed 
three years later by the present grand piano 
repetition action, and new steel frame construc- 
tion in grand pianos. In 1877-78 he invented 
and patented an entirely new system in the wood- 
en architecture of grand pianos. The old way 
of building up the interior and exterior grand 
piano cases of short pieces, joined together like 
brick, was abandoned, and a new system was 
created, by which a series of layers of wood in 
one length were glued together, and bent into 
the required form by means of immense steel 
presses. In that way the problem was solved 
according to the law of science, by which the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



517 



tone vibrations invariably follow the longitudi- 
nal fibre of the wood, while cross-fibres interrupt 
the vibrations. A parlor grand only six feet long 
was manufactured embodying the new construc- 
tion of the steel cupola frame and construction of 
exterior and interior cases, of comparative light- 
ness, yet having fully fifty thousand pounds ten- 
sion of strings, and far surpassing, in tone and 
power, the large concert grand, which, at the 
Paris Exposition in 1867, had been awarded the 
first of the gold medals of merit. This system 
was at once utilized in the manufacture of all the 
parlor and concert grands produced by the firm, 
and in order to saw logs of twenty-three feet 
length into the veneers required, the establish- 
ment and sawmill at Steinway was founded. 

Though a very busy man, Theodore Steinway 
traveled extensively, visiting points of interest in 
America, Europe and Africa, and while his trips 
were partly for recreation, yet he always had in 
mind the study of the achievements of the differ- 
ent races in the science of music. His collection 
of musical instruments was the most complete 
to be found in this country, and included not only 
the instruments of the present century, but those 
of former ages. Under his careful oversight, his 
nephews were trained in the business, so that 
they acquired famiharity with every detail. 
While in Brunswick, Germany, his life was ended, 
March 26, 1889, at the age of sixty-three yea'rs. 



WILLIAM STEINWAY. To rise to a 
position of world-wide fame, unaided 
by extraneous circumstances and in 
the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, 
indicates the possession of talents of a high order. 
He who promotes the advancement of any line 
of activity, commercial or professional; or into 
important spheres of labor, brings new theories 
and improvements that revolutionize old and 
cruder plans, such a one is a benefactor to the 
race, for he enlarges its field of labor and its 
possibilities for good. Of inestimable value are 
the services rendered by Mr. Steinway, not alone 
to the musical world, but to all who cherish a 
sound or symphony of beauty "as a joy forever." 
In the truest sense he is a benefactor of mankind, 
a philanthropist, with the world as his field of ac- 
tion and the human race as the object of his bene- 
factions. He is the only survivor of the original 
members of the firm of Steinway & Sons, estab- 
lished in New York City in March, 1853, the his- 
20 



tory of which house, during the years that have 
since intervened, illustrates to a remarkable de- 
gree the fact that toil and talent, when combined, 
invariably bring success. 

In view, therefore, of the prominence he has 
gained a sketch of his life history will be of value, 
not alone to the people of Queens County, in 
whose welfare he has ever taken the deepest in- 
terest, but to all who respect principles of great- 
ness and goodness. From a career like his, the 
3'oung who are starting out in business life with 
small capital but large ambitions may learn les- 
sons worthy of emulation. 

The Steinway family originated in Germany 
and its members were honorably known in 
various walks of life. The subject of this skech 
was born in Seesen, near the city of Brunswick, 
March 5, 1836, being a son of Henry Engelhard 
Steinway. His education was obtained in the 
common schools of his native place and in the 
Jacobson High School and was exceptionally 
thorough, for at the age of fourteen he was pro- 
ficient in German, English and French. At that 
age he could also play the most difficult com- 
positions upon the piano, and his unerring ear 
enabled him to tune the mslrument perfectly, 
even for concert use. 

In 1849 Henry E. Stein V'^ay, foreseeing with his 
usual shrewd discernment that the United States 
presented a vast and inviting field for his busi- 
ness, sent his second son, Charles, aged twenty 
years, to this country for the purpose of investi- 
gating the prospects here. So favorable was the 
report that he at once decided to bring his family 
to America. Leaving his eldest son, C. F. Theo^ 
dore, to succeed him in the business at Seesen, he 
crossed the Atlantic and arrived in New York 
June 9, 1850. To his son, Williain, he gave the 
choice of a trade or education as a musician; the 
boy chose the former, and was apprenticed to 
William Nunns & Co., No. 88 Walker Street, 
but, after remaining there for three years, he 
joined his father and brothers, Charles and 
Henry, in founding the house of Steinway & 
Sons, March 5, 1853 (William Steinway's seven- 
teenth birthday). 

The original home of the firm was in a rear 
building in Varick Street, where, with the assist- 
ance of four or five workmen, they built one 
square piano a week, father and sons also labor- 
ing, as artisans, in their production. The part 
assigned William was the making of the sounding 
boards. At once their pianos leaped into popu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Si8 

larity, a result their merits fully justified, and it 
was widely conceded that in beauty of tone and 
in power they were unexcelled. Larger quarters 
were rendered necessary by the increasing trade, 
and in 1854 they removed to 88 Walker Street, 
which the failure of Mr. Nunns made vacant. 

The magnitude of the businessobligedthemem- 
bers of the firm give up their labors in the work- 
room and concentrate their attention upon the 
management of affairs, William being given the 
supervision of the mercantile and financial mat- 
ters. In 1859 they buiU their present factory m 
Fourth Avenue, from Fifty-second to Fifty- 
^j^jj-d Street, of which they took posses- 
sion in April, i860, and three years later, 
by an addition, brought the structure to 
its present .colossal proportions. In March, 
1865, the sons, Charles and Henry, died, the for- 
mer on the 31st while in Brunswick, Germany, and 
the latter on the nth, after having been an in- 
valid for several years. Soon afterward the eldest 
son, C. F. Theodore, retired from his interests 
in Germany and became a partner in the New 
York house, to which also Albert, the youngest 
son, was then admitted. In 1864 the firm began 
the construction of the marble building, known as 
Steinway Hall, in Fourteenth Street, which was 
used for the oflfice of the firm and contained a 
music hall with twenty-four hundred seats. 

In competition with other music houses the 
firm of Steinway & Sons has always stood fore- 
most. After having been awarded thirty-five 
American medals, from 1854 to 1862, they won a 
first prize medal at the World's Fair in London 
in 1862. At the Paris International Exposition, 
five years later, they won the grand gold medal 
and unanimous indorsement of their new system 
of construction by the international jury for their 
square, upright and grand pianos, after a close 
contest with the best makers of Europe. This 
victory instantly brought them world-wide re- 
nown, and their system of construction became 
the standard among piano makers throughout 
Europe. They gained another signal victory at 
the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia 111^876 
and in 1885 at the International Inventions Jixhi- 
bition in London they were awarded the grand 
gold medal for excellence of pianofortes; and a 
grand gold medal was awarded them by the Lon- 
don Society of Arts, of which the Prince of Wales 
was president. 

Attracting the attention of royalty by their 
superior productions, Steinway & Sons became 



successively court piano manufacturers to the 
Queen of England, the Queen of Spain, the Em- 
peror of Germany, the Prince and Princess of 
Wales and the Queen of Italy. While abroad in 
1892, William Steinway was invited to meet the 
Emperor and Empress of Germany in the marble 
palace at Potsdam, and the former presented him 
with his portrait and autograph, "Wilhelm, Ger- 
man Emperor and King of Prussia, Marble Pal- 
ace, Sept. II, 1892," written in the presence of his 
guest. The Empress also wrote him an autograph 
letter thanking him for his gifts to the Emperor 
William I. Memorial Church Building at Berlin. 
Tune 12, 1S93, the Emperor bestowed upon him 
the Order of the Red Eagle, third class, which 
was the highest distinction ever bestowed upon a 
manufacturer. , ' 

The most renowned composers have expressed 
their appreciation of the Steinway pianos and 
have adopted them for their exclusive use. 
Among them Richard Wagner wrote as follows: 
"Our great tone masters, when writing the grand- 
est of their creations for the pianoforte, seem to 
have had a presentiment of the ideal grand piano, 
as now attained by yourselves. A Beethoven 
sonata, a Bach, chromatic fantasie can only be ap- 
preciated when rendered upon one of your piano- 
fortes. In a word, I find your grand piano of 
wondrous beauty. It is a noble work of art." Dr. 
Franz Liszt said: "The new Steinway Grand is 
a glorious masterpiece in power, sonority, singing 
quality and perfect harmonic effects, affording 
delight even to my old piano-weary fingers." FI. 
Helmholtz, of the chair of acoustics in the Uni- 
versity of Berlin, recognized as the highest 
authority in the science of acoustics and sound, 
said, "With such a perfect instrument as yours 
placed before me, I must modify many of my for- 
mer expressed views regarding pianos." 

In 1867, after the close of the Paris Expo- 
sition, William and C. F. Theodore Steinway 
were unanimously elected members of the Royal 
Academ.y of Arts at Stockholm, and the Royal 
Academy of Fine Arts, at Berlin, Prussia. April 
15, 1894, William Steinway was elected honorary 
member of the Royal Italian Academy of St. 
Cecilia of Rome, the oldest and most famous 
academy on the continent, having been founded 
by the illustrious composer, Palestrina, in 1584. 
Upon petition of the Stuttgart Chamber of Com- 
merce, the government of Wurtemberg pur- 
chased one Steinway Grand and one upright to 
serve as models in this branch of industry. In 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



519 



1886 the Sultan of Turkey purchased four richly 
ornamented upright cabinet grands, and the fol- 
lowing year two more were manufactured for him 
at his request, presented by him through the 
Turkish ambassador at Washington. In 1887 the 
Emperor of China purchased a parlor concert 
grand for his palace, and the Queen of England 
has a Steinway upright grand for her own use in 
Ealmoral Castle, Scotland. The Empress ' of 
Russia has a concert grand in the music room 
of the royal palace, and an upright cabinet grand 
for her boudoir. 

The completion of piano No. 25,000, made 
for the Czarowitz of Russia, was celebrated, May 
4, 1872, by the firm and its one thousand work- 
men. Their No. 50,000, said to be the finest 
grand produced by the house up to that time, 
was bought by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, 
of Vienna, and forwarded by the Hamburg 
steamer "Bohemia," September 15, 1883. At 
this writing, in the winter of 1895-96, over 
eighty-five thousand have been manufactured. 
Death has, meantime, brought many changes to 
the firm, and William now alone remains of the 
original founders of the house. Tire grandsons 
of Henry E. Steinway have been admitted into 
partnership, and the honored name of Steinway 
& Sons is perpetuated. 

In 1872 the firm established additional works 
nt Steinway, Long Island City, for the constant 
open-air and kiln drying of seven million feet of 
the finest lumber for the cases of their pianos, 
and for making each grand piano case of bent 
wood of one continuous length, as also the 
vibrating parts of each. The village of Stein- 
way has grown up ip the vicinity of the factory. 
Here a large number of substantial houses and 
stores, principally of brick, have been erected, 
and as the location of the buildings is on high, 
dry ground, the residents have the enjoyment of 
healthful country life, pure air, beauty of scen- 
ery, as well as facilities for bathing, boating and 
fishing. 

The property purchased by Steinway & Sons 
at Astoria consisted of about four hundred acres, 
over a mile long, and having a water frontage 
on the East River of more than a half-mile, 
opposite One Hundredth to One Hundred and 
Twentieth Street, New York City, and four miles 
from the New York pianoforte manufactory. In 
1872 they erected a steam sawmill, iron and 
brass foundries, boiler and engine houses, and a 
large building for the drilling, finishing and 



japanning of the full metal frames and other 
metal portions used in the construction of the 
pianofortes, which are manufactured under the 
sole and special supervision of the house. Each 
of these buildings is three stories high, con- 
structed of brick and stone. They are situated 
between the canal and west side of Blackwell 
Street, forming a hollow square, with a frontage 
of three hundred and twelve feet, and a depth 
of two hundred feet, and also contain the key- 
board and wood-carving departments. The wa- 
ter front, on the canal, is occupied by the dock 
and bulkhead, three hundred and eighty-four 
feet in length; also enclosing a basm, 100x300 
feet, stocked with millions of square feet of logs, 
designed for sawing into required thicknesses for 
manufacturing purposes. At the sawmill all the 
lumber, rosewood and various other kinds of 
wood used in the construction of a Steinway 
piano, are sawed under the personal supervision 
of a member of the house, and every faulty por- 
tion cast aside. 

The large piano case factory was erected in 
1879. The building is four stories in height, 
248x60 feet in dimensions, with an adjoining 
engine and boiler house. In this building the 
cases for all the Steinway square, upright and 
grand pianos are constructed, and they are sent 
completed to the New York factory to receive the 
sounding board, the necessary exterior varnish 
and polish, and the interior construction. In 
addition to the case-making factory are the dry- 
ing-rooms, a four-story brick building, 40x100 
feet, containing the drying kilns below and the 
drying rooms above, with over five hundred thou- 
sand feet of air-dried lumber constantly under the 
process of kiln drying. In the lumber yards are 
constantly stacked upwards of five million square 
feet of the choicest lumber in the open air, for 
seasoning purposes, each separate piece of which 
is exposed to all the atmospheric changes for two 
years, and then kept in the steam drying kilns 
for three months prior to being used in the 
factory. The Astoria factories contain eight 
steam boilers of the aggregate power of five hun- 
dred horses, by which the necessary amount of 
steam is generated for the sixty, thousand feet 
of pipe used in heating the drying rooms and 
workshops, and driving four steam engines ag- 
gregating three hundred horse power, which in 
turn put in motion the various labor-saving ma- 
chines. All the buildings are lighted by gas, 
and fitted up with electric bells, centering in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



520 

two-story office building erected in 1884, from 
which by private telegraph and telephone the 
establishment is brought into direct communica- 
• tion with Steinway & Sons' finishing factory ai 
Fourth Avenue and Fifty-third Street, and Stem- 
way Hall in Fourteenth Street, New York. _ 

To the development of the village of Stem- 
way the firm has been a large contributor, and 
the pubHc-spirited character of WiUiam Stem- 
way, the president of the company, is shovvn m 
the many improvements he has made and the 
enterprises he has fostered. In 1877 a fine pub- 
lic school was built by the firm, with capacity for 
one thousand children, and they have since 
maintained, at their own expense, m addition to 
the common branches for which teachers are fur- 
nished by the city, a teacher for free tuition m 
music and the German language. They also 
have a free circulating library and a model kin- 
dergarten. In 1881 a public bath was built at 
the^'expense of the firm, containing fifty dressing 
rooms and surrounded by a public park, 250x200. 
The Protestant Union Church, which has a seat- 
ing capacity of one thousand and is 100x125 
feet in dimensions, has been endowed by the firm, 
who also presented it with the grand cathedral 
organ formerly at Steinway Concert Hall. 

Nor have these gifts been the limit of the 
benefactions of Mr. Steinway. In his native 
town of Seesen he has founded six annual prizes 
for the three male and three female students 
who excel in their studies, and he also pays the 
annual school money for the children of no less 
than seventy-five parents. To that village he 
presented a park, which the citizens named in 
his honor, and also made him an honorary citi- 
zen.. In 1894 he founded two annual prizes at 
the New York Normal CoUege, gold watches of 
$75 value, one to be given to the most proficient 
German student, and the other to the student 
showing the greatest progress in that language. 
In him destitute musicians, aged teachers and 
ambitious but poor students have a helpful friend, 
one who is never too busy to aid them with a 
word of counsel and a substantial gift. Many 
educational and charitable institutions have re- 
ceived from him pianofortes or other benefac- 
tions. 

It is a noteworthy fact that not only has the 
success of the firm of Steinway & Sons put an 
end to the importation of pianos from Europe, 
but at the present time large numbers of pianos 
(of which seventy per cent, are made by this firm) 



are exported. So large has the foreign trade be- 
come that it has been necessary for the firm to 
estabUsh warerooms in London and Hamburg, 
and in the former city they have also opened a 
music room, known as Steinway Hall. The 
business importance of Long Island City will be 
greatly facilitated by the erection of the new 
bridge, extending from the foot of Sixty-fourth 
Street, New York, across Blackwell's Island, to 
the Steinway property in Long Island City, which 
work is now well under way. 

From this resume of the life work of Mr. 
Steinway, it might be supposed that his personal 
affairs had engrossed his attention to the exclu- 
sion of public matters; but not so. His adopted 
city has had no citizen more patriotic or progres- 
sive than he, and his connection with civic ques- 
tions has been praiseworthy to himself. Nature 
endowed him with a fine physique, capable of long 
endurance, and a sonorous voice and remarkable 
memory, to which, by education, he has added 
fine oratorical ability, and these qualities have 
won for him success as a pubHc speaker. In 
addressing large pubHc gatherings, he is im- 
pressive, forcible and winning. In 1871 he was 
a member of the Committee of Seventy ap- 
pointed to bring to justice the Tammany ring of 
those days, which had robbed the city of millions 
of money. The success attending the prosecu- 
tion of William M. Tweed and his associates is 
now a part of the history of New York. October 
29, 1886, he presided at the mass-meeting of citi- 
zens at Cooper Institute, which endorsed the 
nomination of Hon. Abram S. Hewitt for the 
mayoralty, and it was largely due to his tact in 
guiding the meeting that Mr. Hewitt's nomina- 
tion resulted. In 1888 he was a member of the 
Democratic National Committee of the United 
States, representing the state of New York, and 
vcas a delegate to the convention that nomi- 
nated President Cleveland for the second term. 

While, as has been said, Mr. Steinway is in- 
tensely patriotic and American in his plans and 
opinions, yet he has never lost his interest in the 
land of his birth and the home of his childhood. 
The German people have in him a friend, a 
brother, ever alive to their interests, and the 
people of that nationality, who form so large and 
honorable a portion of the population of our 
country, look to. him as one of the leaders and 
representatives. In February, 1889, under his 
guidance as president, a large fair was held at 
the American Institute for the benefit of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



521 



German Hospital. The enterprise was an unpre- 
cedented success, the receipts being $118,000 and 
profits $112,000. October 27, 1892, he presided 
at the mass meeting of German-Americans at 
Cooper Institute, at which twenty thousand peo- 
ple were present, the speakers being himself, 
Oswald Ottendorfer, Dr. Joseph Senner, Carl 
Schurz and Grover Cleveland. 

In February, 1890, Mr. Steinway was one of 
the committee of citizens of New York appointed 
to secure the World's Fair of 1893 for New 
York. In a meeting at the city hall he opened 
the subscription list with $50,000. When Con- 
gress finally decided that the fair should be held 
in Chicago, he contributed $25,000 toward its 
success. Among the Democrats of New York 
he has long wielded a powerful influence, and 
while invariably refusing public offices, including 
a number of federal positions offered by Presi- 
dent Cleveland, yet he has always been wiUing 
to serve on any committee that has for its object 
the promotion of the party welfare or the ad- 
vancement of the city's interests. In the Presi- 
dential election of 1892 he was one of the Dem- 
ocratic Electors-at- Large for the state; and he 
was unanimously elected president of the Elec- 
toral College when it met in Albany, January 
9, 1893, to cast the vote of the state for Presi- 
dent. His services as Rapid Transit Commis- 
sioner of the city of New York have been espe- 
cially important and valuable, and the many 
conflicting problems brought to him for decision 
have been met with sagacious judgment and keen 
discrimination. In the new Rapid Transit Act, 
which became a law May 22, 1894, among other 
things abolishing the old commission, he was 
unanimously re-appointed by the legislature as 
a member of the new commission. His com- 
pensation of $6,250, as member of the old com- 
mission, was distributed by him among fifteen 
charitable institutions of the city. 

Mr. Steinway has been twice married. His 
first wife died in 1876, and his second wife, 
Elizabeth C. Ranft, passed away March 4, 1893. 
His children are George A. ; Paula, wife of Louis 
von Bernuth; William R., Theodore E. an<l 
Maud S. Socially, Mr. Steinway is connected 
with the Manhattan Club; the Liederkranz So- 
ciety, of which he has been president twelve 
terms; the Arion, of which he is an honorary 
member; the American Geographical Society, 
New York Historical Society, New York Cham- 
ber of Commerce, the Royal Academies of Fine 



Arts of Berhn and of Stockholm, and the Royal 
St. Cecilia Society of Rome, of which he is an 
honorary member. Assisting in the organiza- 
tion of the Bank of the Metropolis, he is now one 
of its directors, and is also vice-president of the 
German Savings Bank, New York, the Queens 
County Bank of Long Island, and the New York 
and College Point Ferry Company. He is also 
president of the New York Pianoforte Manu- 
facturers' Society. 

Seldom does it fall to the privilege o^ the 
biographer to record a life of continuous and un- 
interrupted success, a life of duty nobly dis- 
charged, rewarded by fortune and friends. 
While Mr. Steinway has met with many obsta- 
cles, they have but stirred him to greater efforts, 
and he has never found any but that, with the aid 
of his indomitable will, he has been able to 
overcome. Exercising in all his business rela- 
tions the highest principles of honor, he has won 
a large fortune and world-wide fame, and now 
still in the prime of his mental vigor, he retains 
the characteristics of perseverance, energy and 
determination that were noticeable in his youth 
and that led to his success. 



HENRY E. STEINWAY, founder of the 
great piano manufacturing house of Stein- 
way & Sons, and father of the gentleman 
who is now its president, was born in Wolfs- 
hagen, Brunswick, Germany, February 15, 1797, 
and died in New York City, February 7, 1871. 
Of his ancestors it is known that one served as 
captain in the army under Christian of Denmark, 
in the Thirty Years' War, and took part in the 
battle of Lutter, August 27, 1626, where he was 
severely wounded, and as a result was unable 
to proceed with his regiment. His family was 
among the well-known residents of the city of 
Stralsund, on the Baltic Sea, and some of its 
members occupied positions of responsibility 
prior to the Thirty Years' War, while the city 
belonged to the Hansa Union. One of the name, 
who held the office of burgomaster, heroically 
defended Stralsund during the siege, in 1628, by 
the Austrian forces under General Wallenstein. 
AVith the fall and impoverishment of the city, 
the family disappeared from it. 

The family of which Henry Engelhard Stein- 
way was a member consisted of twelve children, 
but at the age of fifteen he was the sole survivor, 
his father and the others having lost their lives 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the War of 1806 and that of 1812, and in a 
shocking catastrophe. Concerning the latter, the 
particulars, as often related by Mr. Steinway, are 
as follows: With his father, three older broth- 
ers and two hired men, he was one day, in the 
summer of 181 2, in a forest near the ancient city 
of Goslar, and several hours' walk from home, 
when a violent thunder storm arose. The party 
found shelter in a collier's hut made of stakes 
and barks of trees, and situated on the Bruchberg 
near' the Brocken. Soon afterward, while the lad 
was crouched on his hands and knees, endeav- 
oring to kindle the fire into a blaze by blowing 
into the smoking brushwood in the fireplace, he 
was blinded by a vivid flash of lightning that 
filled the room with its lurid glare. The shock 
rendered him unconscious, and, on regaining his 
senses, all was dark and still. He called, but 
there was no reply. He then felt in the dark for 
his companions, whom he found lying, stiff and 
almost cold, on the floor of the hut. The body 
of his eldest brother still retaining some warmth, 
he placed his ear to his chest just in time to 
catch the last pulsation of the heart. Almost 
dazed with fright, he fled barefooted (having 
hung shoes and stockings to dry near the fire- 
place on entering the hut) through the wilder- 
ness to the mountain town of Altenau, where he 
remembered a physician resided. When he 
reached there in the morning, his torn and bleed- 
ing feet and physical condition, but above all his 
story of the disaster, aroused the deepest sym- 
pathy. Horses and wagons were secured, and 
the six lifeless bodies were taken to his father's 
house. 

Nor did the misfortvmes of the orphan boy end 
here. His father was the owner of several 
houses, which were taken in charge by the 
French Westphalian officers of the Crown, but 
with the downfall of Napoleon, the houses were 
sold and the proceeds vanished with the officers 
in charge of them. Penniless and alone in the 
world, Henry earned his living by hard, ill-paid 
labor. At the age of seventeen he enlisted under 
the Duke of Brunswick, who fell at Waterloo 
in 181 5. While in the service, he learned to 
play on the cithera, which he had constructed of 
seasoned spruce during leisure hours, and among 
his acquaintances he enjoyed a reputation as a 
musical genius. At twenty-two, having declined 
the office of sergeant, he was honorably dis- 
charged from the army, and went to Goslar, 
where he sought to apprentice himself to the 



cabinet-maker's trade; but trade guilds were in 
power, and required five years' apprenticeship 
and a similar experience as a journeyman, before 
a workman became independent. Mr. Steinway 
therefore decided to learn the art of building 
church organs, and for this he prepared himself 
by working as a cabinet-maker for a year under 
a so-called "wild boss," after which he secured 
work as a journeyman organ builder, although 
it was his ambition to become a maker of stringed 
musical instruments. Securing employment in 
Seesen, a town of about three thousand inhabi- 
tants, in the Duchy of Brunswick, he made that 
place his home until he came to America. In 
February, 1825, he married JuliaThieme, and their 
eldest son, C. F. Theodore, was born November 
25 of the same year. About this time, by work- 
ing nights, Mr. Steinway constructed a piano, 
in which he corribined the merits of the old Eng- 
lish and the new German pianos, and which, by 
its purity of tone, attracted wide attention. It 
soon found a purchaser, and enabled the maker 
to devote his energies to the work. 

As early as August, 1839, Mr. Steinway ex- 
hibited one grand, three-stringed, and one two- 
stringed square piano at the state fair of Bruns- 
wick, with the composer, Albert Methfessel, as 
chairman of the jury, who, besides giving him 
the first prize, also praised the tone and work- 
manship of the instruments. As the sons, Theo- 
dore, Charles and Henry, grew up, they became 
skillful piano-makers under their father's instruc- 
tion and also proficient pianists. In 1843, the 
establishment of the Customs Union in Prussia, 
into which Brunswick entered, but Planover did 
not, caused Seesen to be completely cut off from 
tlie rest of the world by custom-house officers. 
The duty imposed upon pianos was so great as to 
almost ruin the business, and the final catas- 
trophe was consummated by the Revolution of 
1848. 

The outlook being discouraging, the family 
resolved to emigrate to America, and in April, 
1849, Charles was sent ahead to investigate the 
prospects in this country. So favorable were 
his reports that in May, 1850, the entire family, 
except Theodore, who remained behind to con- 
tinue the business there, took passage on the 
"Helene Sloman," an ocean propeller making 
its first trip. After reaching New York, the 
father, and Charles, Henry and William, worked 
for three years in different New York piano 
factories. In March, 1853, they founded the 




WIIvLIAM G. MILI^ER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



525 



house of Steinway & Sons, and so great was their 
success that they soon moved from their original 
quarters in Varick Street to No. 88 Walker 
Street, a few doors east of Broadway. After one 
year's operation, they gained note by receiving 
the first premium at the Metropolitan Fair held 
in Washington, D. C, in March, 1854, for both 
three and two-stringed instruments; and in the 
fall of the same year were awarded a gold medal 
at the American Institute Fair, held in the Crys- 
tal Palace, New York. The next year they re- 
ceived another gold medal at the same place, 
where they exhibited a square piano constructed 
on a new system. It was an overstrung, square 
piano, in which the newly constructed iron frame 
was so apphed as to secure its benefits to the 
durability and capacity of standing in tune, while 
the nasal, thin tone which had previously char- 
acterized pianos with the iron frame was done 
away with, and a lasting tone, of full, harmonious 
quality, produced. 

In 1858 the firm purchased almost the entire 
block of ground bounded by Fourth and Lex- 
ington Avenues, Fifty-second and Fifty-third 
Streets, on which a model factory was built in 
1859, and occupied in April, i860. The archi- 
tecture of the building is of the modern Italian 
style, and the best brick is used in its construc- 
tion. The factory buildings cover twenty city 
lots, and have a surface flooring of one hundred 
and seventy-five thousand, one hundred and forty 
square feet. The improvements made by the 
firm, and for which they obtained patents, ex- 
tended also in the direction of manufacturing 
grand pianos. In 1863 they built their marble 
palace, in which their pianos are now sold. In 
the rear of the palace in Fourteenth Street they 
built a grand concert hall, forty-two feet high, 
with seating capacity of two thousand; and, in 
addition, a hall seating four hundred, separated 
from the larger building by sliding doors. This 
building, known as Steinway Hall, was built in 
1866, and received its final interior decoration 
two years later. The acoustical properties of the 
hall were so accurately calculated that the result 
has been pronounced unsurpassed by the famous 
artists and lecturers who have tested them. In 
1865-66 the firm gave especial attention to the 
manufacture of upright pianos, resulting in an 
entirely new construction of such power and 
beauty that from that time the public evinced a 
growing fondness for their use. 

While successes came in rapid succession to 



the house of Steinway & Son, many bereave- 
ments came to the household. Henry Jr. died 
March 11, 1865, and Charles on the 31st of the 
same month and year. In 1877 Albert fell a 
victim to typhoid fever, his death occurring May 
14, at the age of nearly thirty-seven. The wife 
and mother died August 9 of the same year, aged 
nearly seventy-four. Six years previous to her de- 
mise, or February 7, 1 871, the husband and father, 
to whose efforts the success of the firm was large- 
ly due, passed away at the age of about seventy- 
four. 



WILLIAM G. MILLER. The business 
and social career of the subject of this 
sketch is a striking example of what 
may be accomplished by the American youth who 
possesses energy and determination to win in 
the great battle of life. His success has been 
honestly deserved and bravely won by upright 
business methods and great energy and should 
be an encouragement to all young men who are 
ambitious to succeed. Mr. Miller was born in 
Suffolk County, February 2, 1853, a son of James 
G. and Elizabeth W. (Wasson) Miller. The 
father was a prominent and successful farmer 
and fruit grower, and, being a man of unblem- 
ished reputation, lie was greatly respected in 
the community in which he lived, was active in 
all good works and was a zealous and faithful 
member of the Presbyterian Church. He held a 
number of minor official positions, but was never 
very active in that respect. His estimable wife, 
to whom he was married in New York City in 
1848, still survives him. They became the par- 
ents of five children, of whom four still survive, 
AVilliam G. being the eldest son. 

The early life of our subject was spent in health- 
ful farm work and in attending school during the 
winter months until he was seventeen years of 
ao-e, when he determined to seek his fortune in 
the city of Brooklyn. He first mastered the de- 
tails of the building business, and when only 
twenty-one had already become a skiUful man- 
ufacturer of small cabinet ware, his goods being 
shipped to all parts of the United States and 
Canada. While in this business he acquired a 
keen insight into business methods and this has 
been of material benefit to him in carrying on the 
many undertakings in which he has since been 
engaged. In 1882 a partnership was formed with 
J. J. Randall, the firm taking the name of Randall 



526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



& Miller, and together they embarked exten- 
sively in the building business, particularly in 
Brooklyn, where a very extensive business is 
still carried on. These gentlemen are largely in- 
terested in valuable tracts of land in the vicinity 
of Freeport, and the progress, development and 
rapid growth of this village must be almost en- 
■ largely attributable to the energy and push of this 
firm. 

Mr. Miller has always been remarkably public 
spirited, and helped to organize the Freeport 
Bank, of which he has been one of its directors 
from the beginning. He is president of the 
Queens and Suffolk County Insurance Company, 
and was one of the organizers of the Seventeenth 
Ward Bank of Brooklyn, being a director in each 
of them. He favored the incorporation of the 
village of Freeport, pushed the question of water 
works, has served continuously as a member of 
the board of water commissioners, and after one of 
the village school houses was burned and the 
entire place threatened with destruction, he was 
one of the first and most enthusiastic to favor the 
organization of a thoroughly equipped fire de- 
partment. He also joined the progressive ele- 
ment and urged the building of the present splen- 
did school house, and immediately after he and 
his partner had erected this building, he was 
elected a laiember of the board of education, thus 
showing the appreciation with which his efforts 
had been regarded. Three times he has been 
elected president of the village, being the present 
incumbent, and is also president of the board of 
water commissioners. In several large financial 
institutions of Brooklyn he is a director, is actively 
engaged in contracting and building, and has 
often discharged the duties of trustee and exec- 
utor, from which it will be seen that he is a 
very busy man. 

Mr. Miller is very genial and cordial in man- 
ners, and his success has not removed him from, 
but rather brought him in closer touch with the 
people, from whom he commands universal re- 
spect, affection and confidence, and by whom his 
advice is often sought. Politically he is an ardent 
RepubHcan, and he has often served as president 
of political organizations. Although political of- 
fices have frequently been tendered him, he has 
always declined them, except such as were with- 
out salary, as the demands of patriotism lay upon 
loyal citizens. The same earnestness and fidelity 
which have marked his business and public life 
have also characterized his religious obligations, 



and he is a devoted member of the Freeport 
Methodist Episcopal Church. At Freeport he 
joined heartily in the erection of the new Meth- 
odist Church, and he and his partner took the 
contract to build the church at cost. He is now 
president of the board of trustees and is one of the 
constant attendants of the services. 

Mr. Miller was married in 1876 to Miss Mary 
E. Randall, daughter of Jehial W. and Marietta 
Randall of Suffolk County, and to their union 
four children have been given: Raymond J., 
Marietta R., William G., Jr., and Florence Eliza- 
beth. The home life of Mr. Miller is singularly 
happy, and in his bright, cheerful and intelligent 
wife he has found a true help-mate. Our subject 
is now in the prime and vigor of manhood, ac- 
tive and capable, well known for his sound judg- 
ment, is a devoted friend, a congenial companion 
and is a true Christian in every sense of the word. 
By diligence he has secured success and his 
friends delight in the fact that a long life of use- 
fulness is still before him. 



JOHN MERWIN OLDRIN. Among the 
prominent newspaper men of Queens Coun- 
ty, the name of John M. oTdrin takes a 
prominent place. He is the owner and publisher 
of "Sea Cliff News," one of the ably edited pa- 
pers of the county, whose bright, newsy pages 
are eagerly read by numerous subscribers. Mr. 
Oldrin was born at West Hampton, February 21, 
1836, a son of Rev. Edward and Catharine (De 
Freyenhagen) Oldrin. The father was born in 
Suffolk County, England, in 1803, and was a 
self-educated man. When but a young man he 
came to America and here learned the tanner and 
currier's trade, which he followed but a short 
time, for after his conversion in the Methodist 
Church he became an exhorter and later an or- 
dained minister. 

As his father was located in various villages 
while preaching, our subject received good edu- 
cational advantages and when fourteen years old 
entered the New York Conference Seminary at 
Charlotteville, N. Y., where he remained until 
sixteen years old. He then began teaching in 
the country schools of Ulster County, and con- 
tinued this for sixteen years, ten vears of which 
time he taught in the town of Hempstead, 
Queens County. In the year 1856 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Nettie Burtis Coles, of Southold, 
and to them were born five children: Carrie L., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



527 



who died in 1885, was the wife of George Simon- 
son; Lizzie Catharine is the widow of Charles 
Walters, and has two children; Lillian Irene 
.married George W. Pearsall, and resides at Sea- 
cliff; she has three children, and is postmistress 
at Seacliff; Nettie Bertha married John Walters 
and lives at Southington, Conn.; she has two 
children: Oliver John Edward resides in New 
York City, where he is a book-keeper; he is mar- 
ried and has one child. 

Mr. Oldrin lost his wife in 1869, her death oc- 
curring at Hempstead, where he had gone into 
the general mercantile business, being a member 
of the firm of Clowes, Oldrin & Co. After the 
death of his wife Mr. Oldrin resumed teaching 
and followed this five years of the ten that he 
taught in Long Island. In the year 1869 he 
married Miss Sarah Clarissa Randall, of East 
Saginaw, Mich., and two children were given 
them: Clara Merwin, the wife of John A. Bader, 
now of SeaclifT, has one son, John Merwin; and 
Grace Helen is still at home. 

In the year 1876 Mr. Oldrin moved to Seacliff, 
and opened up a first-class refreshment store, and 
in connection also started a local express busi- 
ness, which netted him good returns. The latter 
he followed for a number of years and then em- 
barked in the real estate business. In 1888 he 
bought the "Sea Cliff News," and has made it 
one of the best papers in the county. He still 
continues the real estate business and has erected 
a large building on the corner of Central Avenue 
and Twelfth Avenue. Before coming to Sea- 
cliff he was appointed notary public, which posi- 
tion he held for upwards of twenty years. In 
1885 he was appointed postmaster of Seacliff, un- 
der Cleveland's administration, and served a full 
term. Mr. Oldrin lost his second wife in 1879, 
and in 1880 he was married to Miss Eva Stella 
Rogers, the ceremony being pronounced by Rev. 
C. E. Miller, at Hempstead. She was born at 
West Islip, and is the daughter of John H. and 
Esther Ann (Hubbard) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. 
Oldrin have one child, Charles Miller Oldrin, 
who was born May 22, 1881. 

In the year 1893 Mrs. Oldrin was appointed 
notary public, and she is of great assistance to 
her husband in all his work. Mr. Oldrin is a 
Democrat in politics, but in 1864 cast his vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. In 1868 he voted for Sey- 
mour, and since that has affiliated with the Dem- 
ocratic party. He was village clerk of Hemp- 
stead for two terms, town clerk of the same place 



one term, village trustee there one term, and was 
one of the organizers of the Mutual Benefit As- 
sociation, being its first secretary and treasurer. 
He is at present a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation of Seacliff. For about twenty years he 
has been a member of the Odd Fellows Order, 
Hempstead Lodge No. 141, filled all the chairs, 
and represented that lodge in the Grand Lodge 
twice. He is a member of the Seawanhaka Coun- 
cil No. 362, Royal Arcanum, at Glencove. 

Mr. Oldrin was one of the organizers of the 
Seacliff Inclined Cable Railway Company, be- 
came its vice-president, and later its president, 
which position he held for two years, and but for 
physical infirmities would have continued to hold 
the position. He was town clerk of Hempstead 
when Hempstead Plains, consisting of about sev- 
en thousand acres, was sold to A. T. Stewart, and 
was one of the men who had the convey of the 
title. 



ALEXANDER A. PEARSALL. Among 
the many thriving industries of Oceanside 
is the oyster business, in which Mr. Pear- 
sall has been engaged for several years. His 
beds are finely located and are so managed that 
they yield about five thousand bushels of oysters 
per year. These he disposes of in New York 
and Brooklyn at good prices. 

Our subject was born in August, 1852, in this 
part of Queens County, his parents being Jarvis 
R. and Deborah (Daynes) Pearsall, the former of 
whom was a native of New Jersey. He came to 
Long Island when a young man and after car- 
rying on a farm for a number of years aban- 
doned this occupation in order that he might 
give his entire time to raising oysters. He car- 
ried on his interests in this line quite success- 
fully until his death, which occurred in 1888. In 
this locality he was widely known and was re- 
spected alike by young and old. His good wife 
preceded him to the land beyond by several years. 

After completing his education in the schools 
of his district Alexander A., of this history, as- 
sisted his father in looking after the farm and 
also helped in the oyster beds. Before reaching 
his majority he had determined to make this lat- 
ter industry his business in life, and that he has 
succeeded well is evidenced from the large busi- 
ness which he carries on. In 1878 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Eleanora L., daughter of George B. 
Ghee, of Westchester, N. Y. Their union has 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been blessed by the birth of the following chil- 
dren: Amelia, Jarvis and Eleanor. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall are devoted mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which the 
former holds the office of elder and trustee. So- 
cially he is a Mason, of high standing, and also 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In politics 
he is conservative in local affairs, but during na- 
tional elections supports the candidates of the 
Reptiblican party. He is a man of quiet disposi- 
tion, modest and unassuming in his demeanor, 
but of good heart and generous instincts. He is 
sure to be found on the right side of all moral 
questions and is highly regarded in the com- 
rnunity. 



CARMI B. GRUMAN, one of the substan- 
tial residents and shrewd business men 
of Queens County, is president of the 
Glencove Bank. He was born in the town of 
Norwalk, Fairfield County, Conn., May 22, 1830, 
and is the son of Lewis F. and EHza (Hurlbut) 
Gruman. The first nine years of his life were 
spent at Norwalk. His father died when he was 
very young, leaving the mother to care for a 
large family of children. Carmi B. was thus 
compelled to start out early in life to make his 
own way in the world, his first employment being 
as a clerk in a store. He was thus engaged for 
two years, when he obtained work on a farm, and 
during his stay with the kind people for whom 
he worked, was given the opportunity for attend- 
ing the district school for three months each year. 
This was taught by William H. Richards, a noted 
educator of Fairfield County. The summer after 
attaining his fifteenth birthday he worked for 
wages for six months and the following winter 
again went to school to Mr. Richards, whose ad- 
mirable character and thorough work are still 
gratefully remembered by his old pupils through- 
out the country. Our subject was studious and 
ambitious to learn, and when a lad of sixteen was 
given permission to teach the school at Westport. 
He had charge of this for four years, during 
which time -he improved every leisure moment 
in study. 

During the years in which he taught school 
Mr. Gruman saved $1,000, and, entering into 
partnership with Mr. Whitlock, established a pri- 
vate boarding school at Wilton, Conn. In this 
institution he taught for some time, or until with- 



in a year of coming to Glencove, which was in 

1855- 

On making his home in Glencove, Mr. Gruman 
joined his brother, H. L. Gruman, in the manu- 
facturing of tin and the sale of house furnishing 
goods until 1890, when he retired from actual 
business. Two years later the Bank of Glencove 
was organized and he was elected its president, 
which position he still holds. 

Prior to the formation of the Republican party 
our subject supported Whig candidates, but since 
1856 he has been loyal to the principles of the 
grand old party. He has been closely identified 
with educational interests in Glencove, serving 
for fifteen consecutive years as a member of the 
board. During this time he advocated the 
grading of the schools and planned the course of 
study which was first adopted. He had the hon- 
or of laying the cornerstone and delivering one of 
the addresses upon that occasion. He represents 
the Aetna Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, 
of which company he was appointed agent a num- 
ber of years ago. 

Mr. Gruman was baptized by Bishop Kemper 
of the Episcopal Church, and has ever since been 
true to the teachings of that religious body. He 
is connected with St. Paul's Church, of which he 
is vestryman. Socially he is a member of Pem- 
broke Lodge No. jTf, I. O. O. F., which he be- 
came identified with some time in the '60s. It 
was mainly through his influence that Pembroke 
Hall was built, and its members now take great 
pride in the fact that it is the finest lodge room 
and hall combined in the county. Mr. Gruman 
has taken a very active part in the same and has 
filled all the principal chairs. 



DAVID GRINSTED. Probably no man 
in Queens County is more conversant 
with the growth of Manhasset than is 
Mr. Grinsted, a retired contractor and builder, 
who has been identified with the interests of this 
place since 1877. He is a native of England and 
was born in Sussex County, January 4, 1817. 
His parents were Hemy and Sarah (Lawson) 
Grinsted, who were also born in England. 

Although David worked on a farm until eight- 
een years of age, he managed to acquire a good 
common school education, and when starting 
out in life for himself he was well fitted to battle 
with the world. His parents emigrating to 
America about this time, he accompanied them 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



529 



hither and located in Elizabeth, N. J., there mak- 
ing his home from 1836 until 1839. During that 
time he learned the carpenter's trade, and after 
making New York City his place of residence, 
he opened a shop of his own and for a period of 
thirty years was engaged as a contractor there. 

Mr. Grinsted was married November 3, 1842, 
to Miss Charity Simonson, a native of Springfield, 
and the daughter of Nicholas and Rebecca (Mills) 
Simonson, respected residents of this community. 
On her father's side Mrs. Grinsted is descended 
from one of the oldest families on the island, the 
ancestors coming here from Holland many years 
ago. Her ma:ternal grandfather, Samuel Mills, 
was one of the body guard of General Washing- 
ton during the Revolutionary period. He en- 
tered the army at an early age, and during the 
seven years of his service was twice wounded. 
He hved to be eighty years of age and after his 
army experience was awarded a pension for his 
faithful services. 

Our subject continued to make his home in 
New York City until some time in 1877, when 
he came to this pleasant village and has since re- 
sided in a comfortable home overlooking Man- 
hasset Bay. By his imion with Miss Simonson 
there were born nine children, all of whom are 
now deceased with the exception of Ella Eliza- 
beth, who is the wife of Hamilton J. Combes, a 
commercial traveler. They reside in New York 
City and have a family of four daughters, Edna 
G., JuHet Bunyan, Mabel J., and Edith Amy. 

In politics Mr. Grinsted was in early life a 
Whig, but not taking out his naturalization pa- 
pers for some time he was permitted to vote for 
but one Whig candidate. That was in 1848, 
when Zachary Taylor ran for President. In 1856 
he joined the ranks of the Republicans and has 
ever since supported this party. When twenty- 
four years of age he was converted and joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his 
wife is also connected, she having become a 
member of this denomination when sixteen years 
of age. Mr. Grinsted takes an active part in re- 
ligious work and has been both trustee and stew- 
ard of his congregation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Grinsted celebrated their golden 
wedding in 1892, and among the large number of 
guests present were three brothers and two sis- 
ters, also a brother-in-law, who had been wit- 
nesses of their marriage in 1842. This was 
made a most joyous occasion and will doubtless 
be remembered by many of those present long 



after Mr. and Mrs. Grinsted shall have been 
called to their final home. This old couple have 
a pleasant home where they welcome their many 
friends, who delight to accept their generous hos- 
pitality. 



JOHN BEAUMONT COWPER. It has 
been said that "The best part of a man's 
education is that which he gives himself," a 
statement the truth of which none will dispute. 
Certainly it may be said of Mr. Cowper that, while 
he was given good school advantages, yet the 
knowledge which he now has and the develop- 
ment of his superior mechanical skill are due al- 
most wholly to his own close attention to busi- 
ness and his incessant labors to perfect himself 
in his chosen occupation. At present a resident 
of Lynbrook, he is superintendent of the manu- 
facturing establishment of T. I. Simpson, at this 
place. 

The son of Paul and Ann (Beaumont) Cowper, 
our subject was born in Lancashire, England, in 
1850, and was reared in the place of his birth, 
where he resided until thirty years of age. His 
education was received principally in a private 
college at Ashton-under-Lyne, County of Lan- 
caster. At the age of fourteen he entered the 
cotton manufacturing establishment owned by 
his father, and, beginning in the lowest capacity, 
worked his way from one position to another un- 
til he finally was made manager of the concern. 
This position he held for six years of the six- 
teen he was with the house. Through unfortu- 
nate business relations and as a result of the panic 
of 1875, the firm was compelled to suspend opera- 
tions, which was a severe blow to Mr. Cowper, 
for by his energy and efforts he had introduced 
improved methods and developed the business 
from a formative condition to a modern and im- 
proved plant. 

During his residence in England Mr. Cowper 
married Miss Annie, daughter of John Whitta- 
ker, an organ manufacturer of his native town, 
where she was born. In 1880 he resolved to try 
his fortune in America and accordingly brought 
his family to New York City, where he entered 
a new line of business, accepting a position with 
R. Hoe & Co., manufacturers of printing presses. 
He remained with this firm for twelve years and 
meantime assisted in erecting their large printing 
presses in different cities. While with them he 
superintended the erection of the presses for the 



53° 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



printing of bank notes in the Government Build- 
ing at Washington, D. C. 

In 1888 Mr. Cowper purchased a lot and erect- 
ed his present residence at Lynbrook. Four 
years later he accepted his present position with 
T. I. Simpson and has entire charge of the estab- 
lishment at this place, where everything in the 
ship cliandler's line is manufactured, from the 
, smallest articles to an anchor. His mechanical 
skill is unusual; in fact, almost phenomenal. No 
problem in his line is too intricate or difficult for 
him to undertake and solve. In his last two posi- 
tions, though the work was entirely new to him, 
being in different branches of mechanics, his 
mechanical genius enabled him to carry out every 
plan with apparent ease and to the satisfaction 
of his employers. Pohtically he is independent 
and liberal in his views. He and his wife, also 
their only daughter Bertha, are identified with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Cowper deservedly ranks as one of the best 
citizens of the community and one who, by his 
.strict sense of probity, has won the position for 
himself. He is a man of warm heart and gen- 
erous impulses, ever ready to assist the deserving 
poor to the extent of his ability. His life has 
been one of busy industry, and in all his transac- 
tions he has sustained the character of a Chris- 
tian gentleman. 



GUSTAV H. POLACK, an active and 
wide-awake business man of East Wil- 
liamsburg, has a well-stocked grocery es- 
tablishment and also has a large trade in the line 
of flour, feed, seeds and agricultural implements. 
His prosperity has not been the result of accident 
or luck, but has come to him as the result of in- 
domitable perseverance and sound judgment, 
qualities which almost invariably bring to their 
possessor financial success. 

Mr. Polack, as his name implies, is a German, 
and was born August 6, 1854, in Hamburg. 

The parents of our subject were August and 
Dorothy (Brummer) Polack, the former of whom 
was also born in Hamburg, December 27, 1823. 
He emigrated to America with his family in the 
.year 1871, making settlement in East Williams- 
burg, where he still makes his home and is re- 
garded as one of its old and honored residents. 
On his arrival in America Gustav H. was a lad 
of seventeen years. Having acquired a practical 
.education in the schools of his native land he at 



once began to make his own way in life on com- 
ing hither and was employed by Herman Ringe, 
then proprietor of the business which our subject 
now carries on. He worked for Mr. Ringe for 
four years, and with the money which he had 
saved during this time bought a milk route, con- 
ducting the same for eight years. In 1884 Mr. 
Polack sold out his interest in this line and from 
the widow of his former employer purchased the 
business in vi'hich he is now engaged. He pos- 
sesses the push, energy and enterprise for which 
his countrymen are noted, and as a natural conse- 
quence he has been very successful in the accu- 
mulation of wealth and has won an enviable rep- 
utation for honesty and fair dealing. 

Mr. Polack has never married, but continues 
to make his home with his parents. He is a lib- 
eral contributor to the support of the Lutheran 
Church, of which he is a member, and is an up- 
right and conscientious Christian, who yields to 
everyone his just dues, and is accordingly recog- 
nized as not only benevolent but helpful in the 
best sense. Politically he gives his support to 
the Democratic party. 



JCDGE THOMAS C. MacKENNA. Since 
1870, the name of this gentleman has been 
included in the list of successful and able 
reporters on the "New York Plerald." A resi- 
dent of Whitestone, he is ever interested in the 
progress of Queens County and is a large con- 
tributor to all public enterprises, by which the 
welfare of the people or the commercial interests 
of the county may be enhanced. Mr. MacKenna 
was born in Dublin, Ireland, January 31, 1847, 
his parents being TliomasC. and Catherine (Mac- 
guiness) MacKenna, also of Irish birth. The 
father, who is still living, makes his home in the 
Emerald Isle. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to ma- 
ture years in his native land and there acquired 
a good common school education. After coming 
to America in 1867, he made his home in Albany 
for a time. Thence he later removed to Hart- 
ford, Conn., and after a stay there of a few 
months came to New York City; thence to 
Whitestone in the year 1870, since which time 
he has been connected with the "Herald.'' 

In November, 1875, Judge MacKenna was 
married to Miss Ellen M. Hill, of Whitestone, 
the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (McGrath) 
Hill, also residents of this place. Their union 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



531 



resulted in the birth of seven children, named 
respectively, May; Irene; Emmet; Ray; Gene- 
vieve, deceased; Benjamin, and Helen. 

In politics our subject has been a lifelong 
Democrat, and on this ticket was elected police 
judge, which responsible position he has held 
for the past "feeventeen years, during which time 
he has given perfect satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. Judge MacKenna is well versed in law, 
having read Blackstone for a considerable time 
prior to being elected to public office, and dur- 
ing the sixteen years in which he has beeen jus- 
tice of the peace has rendered decisions in such 
an able and efficient manner that there has been 
but one reversal. The interest which he has 
taken in the success of the Democratic party in 
his community has led to his being sent as dele- 
gate to various conventions. Religiously he is 
a devout Catholic and a member of St. Luke's 
Church. 

In social affairs our subject belongs to Pearl 
Lodge No. 1878, K. of H. of New York City, and 
Long Island Council, Royal Arcanum, which 
meets in the Wilson Building of Brooklyn. He 
is likewise interested in the Mutual Reserve Life 
Fund Association and belongs to the Telegraph 
Mutual Association. 



SMITH H. DU BOIS, proprietor of a gen- 
eral mercantile store, situated midway be- 
tween Hempstead and Lynbrook, in the 
town of Hempstead, was born at Springport, 
Saratoga County, N. Y., February 8, 1845, 
being a son of Smith and Phoebe (Austin) Du 
Bois. His father, who was born in Troy, this 
state, engaged in active life at the trade of a 
millwright and the occupation of a farmer. From 
New York he moved to Michigan and settled in 
Adrian County, where he was a pioneer. In 
after years, however, he returned to New York 
and now makes his home with his son. Smith H. 
In Brooklyn, where his early life was spent, 
the subject of this sketch received a common 
school education. At the age of sixteen he left 
. the schoolroom to respond to his country's call 
for volunteers, and enlisted in Company I, 
Fourth New York Volunteers, Scott's Life 
Guard, as a private soldier. During the period 
of almost two years that he remained in the serv- 
ice, he took part in a number of important en- 
gagements, among others being the battles of 
South Mountain and Antietam. At the last- 



named place he was wounded and received other 
injuries during the service which led to his hon- 
orable discharge on account of disability. 

On returning from the war, Mr. Du Bois en- 
gaged with his father in ship carpentering, con- 
tracting and building. In 1866 he went to Clay 
County, Kan., where he bought a homestead and' 
remained six years. He then accepted a posi- 
tion in the car shops at Chicago, where he en- 
gaged in building railroad coaches, being in that 
city at the time of the great fire. For a time after 
he left Kansas his family remained on the farm 
there, but in 1873 he brought them to Brooklyn, 
where he entered the employ of the South Side 
Railroad Company, remaining in their car shops 
about three years. In 1880 he moved to his pres- 
ent location, three miles west of Hempstead, and 
purchased of Valentine Woods the mercantile 
business which he has since conducted. He has 
in stock a large and well-assorted supply of ar- 
ticles necessary for the business and has built up 
a good trade in this locality. 

As a Republican, Mr. Du Bois has taken an 
active part in politics and for a number of years 
has acted as inspector of elections. In 1866 he 
married Emily A., daughter of John H. Depuy, 
formerly a resident of Staten Island, where she 
was born. Our subject and his wife are the par- 
ents of three children, namely: Viola M. ; Henry 
H., a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, now residing at Rockville Center; and 
Frederick A., who is with his parents. The fam- 
ily attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which Mrs. Du Bois and children are active 
members. 



RICHARD H. ROBBINS, a farmer of East 
Williston, town of North Hempstead, was 
born in Westbury, Queens County, No- 
vember I, 1846, to William B. and Mary E. (Hew- 
lett) Robbins. His father, who was born at Ros- 
lyn, in 181 1, devoted his life to farming pursuits, 
and after marriage settled at Westbury, where 
he followed his chosen occupation. His death 
occurred in April, 1869, on the old Hewlett place, 
which had been his home for several years. He 
was a member of the Society of Friends and was 
highly respected, not only by the members of 
that body, but also by all with whom he had 
business or social relations. As a good man 
and a generous friend he is remembered by fam- 
ily and acquaintances. His wife, who was a 



532 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daughter of James Hewlett, was born March 19, 
1819, on the farm now owned by her son, Rich- 
ard H. In rehgious faith she was a Quaker, 
which behef she honored by her consistent Chris- 
tian hfe. The farm where she was born and 
died is one of the historic places of the locality 
and was subject to raids by the Hessians during 
the Revolutionary War. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John 
Robbins, was born in Roslyn May 28, 1780, and 
his wife, Sarah (Carhart) Robbins, was born in 
White Plains, Westchester County, July 19, 1788. 
In the family of William B. Robbins there were 
seven children, but only three attained years of 
maturity and of these the only survivor is Rich- 
ard H. He lived at Westbury until nearly 
grown, when with his parents he moved to the 
Hewlett homestead, near East Williston. He 
was educated in the public and private schools, 
completing his studies in the Union Hall Acad- 
emy of Jamaica. When he was twenty-three 
years of age his father died, after which he took 
control of the place, and here he has engaged 
in general farming, dairying and market garden- 
ing. To the original one hundred acres com- 
prising the homestead he has added until he now 
owns one hundred and eighty acres, and besides 
this he owns a one-half interest in one hundred 
and twenty-six acres adjoining, so that his landed 
possessions aggregate two hundred and fifty 
acres. During the summer months he sends his 
wagon daily to the city with a load of market 
gardening produce, and usually makes three 
similar trips each week during the winter. He 
keeps about forty cows and in the winter devotes 
his attention largely to the dairy business. 

Since 1884 Mr. Robbins has held the office of 
collector of School District No. 2. Politically 
his sympathies are with the Republican party, 
though he is inclined to be independent in his 
vote. • His instrumentality and the efforts of 
other public-spirited citizens of the community 
were successful in securing the macadam roads 
in the town and in promoting other measures for 
the benefit of the community. He is a life mem- 
ber of the Queens County Agricultural Society 
and is usually an exhibitor of live stock and 
vegetables. He is a member of the Long Island 
Farmers' Club and a director of the Long Island 
Home at Amityville. He also holds membership 
in Roslyn Lodge, Shield of Honor. In the East 
Williston Hook and Ladder Company, of which 
he was a charter member, he held the position of 



its first president, and is also a charter member 
of the Westbury Protective Association, in 
which he has -held the position of president since 
it was organized in 1890. 

January 27, 1885, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Robbins to Miss Margaret Ketcham, who 
was born and reared at Manhasset, L. I., being a 
daughter of George W. and Gulielma Ketcham. 
The name which her mother bore, that of Guli- 
elma, is one seldom found except among the 
Quakers, who have used it as far back as the rec- 
ords can be traced; it was the Christian name of 
the second wife of William Penn, and was given 
a number of times to the daughters of preceding 
generations of this family. The grandfather of 
Mrs. Robbins was George D. Ketcham, a promi- 
nent citizen of this county and for many years 
clerk of the town of North Hempstead. Mr. 
and Mrs. Robbins are the parents of two daugh- 
ters, Mary H. and Gulielma. 



CHARLES L. WALLACE, editor of the 
"South Side Observer," of Rockville Cen- 
ter, was born in Ponsonby, Ontario, De- 
cember 13, 1855, and is a son of Donald and Har- 
riet (Lasby) Wallace. On his father's side he 
traces his lineage to Scotland, while his mother 
was of English birth and ancestry, and in the 
combination of the honest thrift of one race with 
the will power and determination of the other 
nation may be found the impelling force that has 
led to his success. His paternal grandparents, 
George and Margaret Wallace, died at the re- 
spective ages of seventy-four and sixty-six, and 
his maternal grandparents, Charles and Mary 
Lasby, died when eighty-nine and sixty-eight, re- 
spectively. 

The father of our subject was born in Ross- 
shire, Scotland, February 14, 1816, emigrated 
from his native land to Caracas, South America, 
thence to Ontario, and later removed to Pasa- 
dena, Cal., where he now resides. His occupa- 
tion through his active years was that of a farmer, 
and he also engaged for a time in business as a 
manufacturing chemist, but at this writing he is 
living retired. In 1838 he married Miss Harriet 
Lasby, who was born in London, England, in 
1822, and they became the parents of the follow- 
ing-named children, all of whom are living: John 
D., Lavinia M., George, Charles L., Albert J., 
Francis S., Matilda H., Alexander H., and 
Mary A. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



533 



In the public schools and Rockwood Academy, 
Charles L. Wallace acquired a practical educa- 
tion. Coming to Rockville Center, he began to 
learn the printer's trade in 1873, and soon had a 
thorough knowledge of the typographical art. 
In 1875 he became editor of the "South Side Ob- 
server," and is still the editor and half-owner of 
the newspaper property at Rockville Center. Be- 
sides this work, he has established an extensive 
real estate business here and in Freeport and 
vicinity, having sold over $3,000,000 worth of 
property since 1885, and having been instru- 
mental in locating hundreds of families in the 
South Side villages, between Rockaway and 
Babylon. 

At Merrick, L. I., October i, 1879, Mr. Wal- 
lace was united in marriage to Miss Emily E. 
Smith, a member of one of the oldest families of 
that locality, whose first representatives in this 
country came from England to Stamford, Conn., 
and thence to Merrick, in 1654. Her father, 
Carman Smith, was born on the ancestral home- 
stead settled by the "Rock" Smith family, and at 
this writing resides with his daughter in Freeport. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are the parents of two sons, 
Roy Smith and Clyde Carman Wallace, who are 
being educated in Miss Field's Academy and 
Freeport Union School. The family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, Mr. 
Wallace is connected with the Freeport Lodge 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Le- 
gion of Honor, Foresters, fire department. Union 
League Club, and the Lincoln Club. Pohtically 
a RepubHcan, he has never sought recognition in 
an official capacity, the only positions he has ever 
held being those of treasurer of the school board 
and examiner of state regents school. 



JOHN T. ROBINSON, who was town clerk 
of Newtown, from 1891 to 1896, is one of 
the rising young men of the county. He 
was born in this place March 11, 1868, and here 
grew to mature years. While attending the pub- 
lic schools of Newtown he also devoted a part of 
his time to mastering the "art preservative" in 
the office of the "Newtown Register.'' At the 
age of fourteen he was pronounced an expert 
compositor, and on leaving school worked for 
two years in the office of the "Register." From 
there he went to New York City, where he was 
employed as a journeyman in various large 
offices. He then took up reportorial work, for 



which he had evinced a decided talent, and for 
four years was engaged upon several metropoli- 
tan and Brooklyn papers. 

In the year 1890 Mr. Robinson was the Repub- 
lican candidate for the office of overseer of the 
poor and made an unprecedented canvass, being 
defeated by a very small majority. The year fol- 
lowing he was unanimously nominated by his 
party for the office of town clerk and at the polls 
defeated his opponent, who was considered a 
very strong candidate. On the expiration of his 
first term, as well as the second and third, he was 
retained in office, each time with an increasing 
majority, until in 1894 he received six hundred 
votes more than his opponent, which fully shows 
the esteem in which he is held, the public taking 
this opportunity of showing their appreciation of 
his services. 

Socially Mr. Robinson is a member of iMizpah 
Lodge No. 738, F. & A. M., in which he has 
filled the offices of secretary and warden. He is 
very prominent in the councils of his party and 
at the present time is chairman of the Republican 
Town Committee. He belongs to Newtown 
Council No. 717, Royal Arcanum, and is a reg- 
ular communicant of St. James Protestant Epis- 
copal Church. He is an energetic, wide-awake 
young man, and possesses the confidence of the 
people and the good-will of all who know him. 



JUDGE GUSTAV SCHUMACHER, justice 
of the peace of East Williamsburg, is one of 
the substantial and influential men of the 
county. Like many of its best residents he was 
born in Wiirtemberg, Germany, the date thereof 
being May 11, 1856. His parents were Michael 
and Caroline (Wiedmann) Schumacher, also born 
in the Fatherland. The only other member of 
their household besides our subject was Albert, 
who is now deceased. 

Michael Schumacher was born in the year 
1825 and was therefore in the fortieth year of his 
age when, in 1865, he emigrated to America. In 
New York City he engaged in the saloon busi- 
ness until 1874, and in September of that year he 
came to Middle Village and embarked in the 
hotel business, conducting a neat and well-or- 
dered hotel until his decease, which occurred in 
1881. 

The subject of this sketch attended school for 
a time in the Fatherland and after coming to New 
York continued to give his attention to his 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



studies until a lad of fourteen 5rears, when he was 
apprenticed to learn the piano-maker's trade, 
working at the same for four j^ears. Next he 
was engaged in working at the lithographer's 
trade with his brother, and later he came to 
Middle Village with his father. Becoming inter- 
ested in the hotel business he assisted in running 
the place for three years, or until 1877, when he 
established the Metropolitan Park, which was 
devoted to recreation and amusement, managing 
the same until 1892. 

In 1894 our subject was elected to the office of 
justice of the peace on the Republican ticket and 
the following January entered upon the duties 
of this position. He has the favor of the people 
of the community to a remarkable degree, and his 
services have been highly appreciated. In New 
York City, November 22, 1877, he was married 
to Miss Minnie Sillinger, a native of New York 
City. She is a most estimable and well-educated 
lady and their union has been blessed by the 
birth of a son, Albert G., now a lad of eight 
years. Mr. Schumacher is a member of the Har- 
vest Home Society, and being a talented musician 
and a great lovei of music, belongs to the Arion 
Singing Society of Brooklyn. 



WYCKOFF STOOTHOFF. Within the 
limits of Queens County there can be 
found no family whose members enjoy 
to a larger degree the confidence and regard of 
the people, than that of which the gentleman 
named is a representative. He is a well-to-do 
farmer of this section and makes his home in 
Crocheron Avenue, in the town of Flushing. He 
was born at Flatbush, February 26, 1824, and is 
the son of William and Sarah (Wyckoff) Stoot- 
hoff. Of their family of four children, our sub- 
ject and William are the only survivors. 

The father, who was a veteran of the War of 
1812, was of Holland-Dutch descent. His an- 
cestors came to America early in the sixteenth 
century and made settlement at Flatlands, where 
they became numerous and prominent. It was 
there that the father of our subject was born, Feb- 
ruary 8, 1793. He was the son of Cornelius 
Stoothoff, who in turn was the son of one Wil- 
liam Stoothoff, also born in Flatlands. William 
Stoothoff, our subject's father, was married May 
20, 1820, his wife being the daughter of Barent 
Wyckoff. The latter was also a resident of 



Flatlands, and bore the distinction of having 
served in the Revolutionary War. 

Shortly after his marriage the father gave his 
entire attention to the carpenter's trade, which he 
had mastered in his young manhood, and fol- 
lowed this business until he was about fifty years 
of age. Desirous of spending his remaining years 
amid the comforts of farm Hfe, he retired to a 
beautiful place in the town of Jamaica, where he 
lived to the good old age of eighty-six years, 
dying January 26, 1880. His wife survived him 
some seven years, being in her eighty-seventh 
year at the time of her decease, November i, 1887. 

Wyckoff, of this history, acquired a fine edu- 
cation in Erasmus Hall Academy. When about 
eighteen years of age he accompanied his father 
to Jamaica and assisted in the cultivation of the 
farm until his marriage. That event, which was 
celebrated January 25, 1853, united him with 
Miss Maria B., daughter of Henry Story, a native 
of Hempstead. The young couple then took 
possession of the farm on which they now reside 
and for forty-three years have given their atten- 
tion to cultivating the soil. Their efforts in this 
line have been crowned with success, for they 
are numbered among the substantial residents of 
the town. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Stoothoff there were born 
four children, three of whom are living. WilHam 
is at home and assists in conducting the farm; 
Cornelius W. is married and makes his home at 
East Williston, where he is engaged in farming. 
Eliza S. is also at home with her parents. In his 
political relations Mr. Stoothoff is a true-blue Re- 
publican, and on this ticket was elected a mem- 
ber of the school board, meeting with that body 
and rendering his district efficient and satisfac- 
tory service for three years. For forty-three 
years he has worshiped with the Reformed 
Church at Flushing. 



WILLIAM H. SEAMAN. The firm of 
S. J. & W. H. Seaman, of Glencove, 
is one of the most successful in their 
lini; in Queens County, their large establishment 
being stocked with a full line of house furnishmg 
goods. Besides this, the brothers derive a hand- 
some income from their plumbing and roofing 
business. They manufacture their own tinware, 
and, having a full knowledge of every department 
of work in which they are engaged, are meeting 
with success. 




CHARLES A. WILLETS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



537 



The subject of this sketch was born at Jericho, 
February 12, 1868, being a son of Elias H. and 
Phebe (Underhill) Seaman, who reside in a com- 
fortable residence in Jericho. When a lad of 
about twelve years our subject entered the 
Friends Academy at Glencove, and after com- 
pleting a four-years' course there entered the 
Freshman class of Swarthmore College, at 
Swarthmore, Pa., graduating from this institution 
with the class of "88. While there he made a 
study of civil engineering, and upon leaving col- 
lege was given a position with the Reading Rail- 
road Company in Pennsylvania, remaining with 
that corporation just one year. He then engaged 
in the manufacture of furnaces, and after carry- 
ing on this business for a twelvemonth became 
associated with his brother, S. J., in business, the 
partnership being formed in the spring of 1890. 
By well directed efforts and business enterprise 
they are in command of a very remunerative trade 
and have a well equipped establishment in Glen- 
cove. 

Politically Mr. Seaman deposits his ballot in 
favor of Republican candidates. He has never 
been an ofificeseeker in any sense of the word, 
but at various times has served as inspector of 
elections. He was reared in the faith of the 
Friends Church, as were his ancestors for many 
generations. 

The marriage of W. H. Seaman and Miss Mar- 
garet J. Laurie, of Jericho, a daughter of William 
W. and Frances (Seaman) Laurie, was celebrated 
June 7, 1893. She was born and reared in the 
above place, and, like our subject, is a graduate 
of Swarthmore College, completing her studies 
in that institution in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman 
have one son, William Laurie, born July 2"], 1894. 



CHARLES A. WILLETS. Business con- 
nections lasting a period of forty years 
are very rare in the village of Flushing, 
and when a firm is found with that many years 
attached to its record it is surely deserving of 
mention in the pages of commercial and financial 
history of this section. Charles A. Willets is a 
prominent business man of the flourishing vil- 
lage above mentioned and for forty years was in 
partnership with Mr. Roe, only the latter's death 
causing a separation. After that Mr. Willets 
closed out the business. He is one of the owners 
of the Red Star Towing and Transportation 
Company of New York City, which is doing a 

21 



large and successful business. Liberal and pub- 
lic spirited to an unusual degree, he has many 
warm friends. 

Mr. Willets is a native of Flushing, born July 
20, 1826, and was next to the youngest of three 
children born to Charles and Ann W. (Lowerre) 
Willets, both natives of Flushing and prominent 
citizens of that place. The Willetses came origin- 
ally from England, Suffolk County, about the 
year 1660, and settled on Long Island, where 
most of their descendants have remained since. 
The father of our subject was the first nursery- 
man in the vicinity of Flushing. About the year 
1823 he bought about one hundred and seventy 
acres near Flushing, and this was called Willet's 
Point. He died in 1832. His wife, who was the 
daughter of John Lowerre, reached the advanced 
age of eighty-six years. Of her three children, 
one besides our subject is now living, Mrs. A. A. 
De Grauw of Jamaica. 

After the death of his father our subject was 
sent to boarding school at Hempstead, and later 
attended school in New Jersey, where he fin- 
ished his education. Returning to Queens Coun- 
ty he sold the farm at Willet's Point and entered 
upon a successful business career in Flushing. 
He organized the gas company and erected the 
gas works, and in 1856 started out in business in 
partnership with George B. Roe, under the name 
of George B. Roe & Co. Besides carrying on a 
lumber business they handled building material 
of all kinds. They began in the docks, but later 
bought the large dock in Lawrence Avenue, and 
about 1870 located their office there. Most of the 
lumber was brought by boat. They bought a tug 
which they ran to Albany and Troy, and later 
engaged in the towing business quite extensive- 
ly, this being the origin of the Red Star Towing 
and Transportation Company, which has offices 
in New York City and Brooklyn. Mr. Willets 
is still interested in this individually and is a 
wide-awake, stirring business man. 

On the 1st of March, 1895, when about sev- 
enty-five years old, Mr. Roe died, and Mr. Wil- 
lets then closed out the business. He owns con- 
siderable real estate here and has a fine residence 
at No. 201 Sanford Avenue which is presided 
over by his estimable wife, formerly Miss Adel- 
aide Hicks, whom he married in Jamaica. She 
was born on the old Hicks farm in North Hemp- 
stead. Her father, Gilbert Hicks, was a promi- 
nent hotel man of Flushing. In the year 1854 
Mr. Willets started the Flushing Gas Light Com- 



538 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pany and has been treasurer of it ever since. 
Fraternally he is a member of Cornucopia Lodge 
No. 563, F. & A. M., and was at one time an Odd 
Fellow. In politics he is a stanch Republican. 
His children, two in number, are as follows: 
Charles A., Jr., manager and superintendent of 
Flushing Gas Light Company; and Mary E., at 
home. 



CHRISTIAN STOEHR has made a suc- 
cess of life and is now living retired from 
business of any kind at Bayside. A native 
of Germany, he was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
November 28, 1839, a son of John Conrad and 
Caroline (Mahring) Stoehr. The parental family 
included four children, those now surviving being 
our subject and his brother Carl, who still makes 
his home in the Fatherland. 

John C. Stoehr, who was born in Germany in 
the year 1800, was reared to the life of a farmer 
and followed this occupation on the home place 
until his death, which occurred in 1849. Our 
subject was given a good common-school educa- 
tion, and as he grew to mature years learned the 
trade of a blacksmith, which he followed in Ger- 
many until reaching his twenty-sixth year. He 
then determined to try his fortunes in the New 
World, and accordingly took passage for Amer- 
ica, landing in New York August 29, 1865. He 
had little difficulty in securing employment at his 
trade, and after eighteen months he was in a 
position to engage in business for himself, open- 
ing a shop in Fifth Street. Later he removed to 
Fortieth Street, where he was successfully en- 
gaged in business for a number of years. In 1876, 
however, he abandoned work at his trade and 
began butchering, which business proved to be a 
success from the start, and during the twenty 
years in which he was thus engaged he amassed 
a handsome competence. 

In 1892 our subject purchased his present com- 
fortable home in Bayside and removed hither 
with his family, leaving his market to the man- 
agement of his son Christian and his son-in-law, 
George Willy. He makes two trips each week 
to the city and assists in buying the meat, giving 
to his successors much valuable aid and advice. 
, The marriage of Mr. Stoehr and Miss Eliza 
Koch was celebrated November 7, 1865. This 
lady was born April 16, 1840, in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, and came to America about the same year 
in which Mr. Stoehr took passage. Their union 



has been blessed by the birth of six children. 
Caroline, the wife of John Volz, has two children, ^ 
Louise and Gertrude; Louise, Mrs. George Willy, 
has two children. Christian and George; Chris- 
tian and Gertrude complete the list of those living. 
William and Tilly are deceased. Mr. Stoehr is 
a member of the Independent Schuetzen Asso- 
ciation and for many years has been identified 
prominently with the Butchers' Guard, of which, 
in 1895, he was made captain, and recently sub- 
scribed a handsome sum which was used in giv- 
ing the boys a vacation. He is a true Christian 
gentleman and an active member of the Luth- 
eran Church. Although he is a member of the 
Democratic Club of this place he votes independ- 
ently. Personally he bears a high reputation for 
honesty and upright dealings with his fellow-men, 
and is always to be found in the front ranks in 
works of improvement and public benefit. 



JOHN STEWART, the proprietor of one of 
the neatest and most attractive farms at Bay- 
side, is a native of the Emerald Isle, his 
birth occurring near Belfast. The parents, John 
and Mary (Borden) Stewart, had two daughters 
and one son besides our subject. Margaret is the 
wife of John Richey, a resident of Monterey, N. 
Y.; Jane married Charles Clark and also lives in 
Monterey; and James, who is a farmer by occu- 
pation, is cultivating a nice tract of land at Bay- 
side. 

John Stewart, Sr., was also born and reared in 
Ireland, and when ready to embark in life for 
himself chose farming as his vocation. About 
the year 1845 h^ decided to emigrate to America, 
and after landing on the shores of the New World 
came immediately to Bayside and spent the re- 
mainder of his life in this charming locality. In 
1889 he passed away, firm in the faith of the 
German Reformed Church, of which he was a 
member. He was a highly esteemed citizen of 
Bayside and by hard work and economy attained 
a competency as regards this world's goods. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad of about 
fifteen years when he accompanied his father to 
America. He then commenced the battles of life 
on his own account, hiring out as a farm hand, 
and for twenty-five years worked for other peo- 
ple. He then purchased the home farm from 
his father and in 1870 he took possession of the 
property and cared for his parents during their 
old age. He is now one of the solid and substan- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



539 



tial residents of the town of Flushing and is an 
example of what may be accomplished by push 
and energy. 

The lady to whom Mr. Stewart was married, 
September 12, 1868, was Miss Bridget Agnew, 
then residing in Bayside, but who was also born 
in Ireland. She is a devout Catholic, while Mr. 
Stewart belongs to the Reformed Church, in the 
faith of which he was reared by his worthy par- 
ents. He supports the candidates of the Repub- 
lican party whenever an opportunity presents 
itself and is a citizen of public spirit and progres- 
siveness who has done much for the upbuilding 
and devolopment of his community. 



DBADENHOP, who is proprietor of the 
Monument House, one of the most 
• popular hotels of Flushing, was born 
in Hanover, Germany, December 24, 1840. Deid- 
rick Badenhop, his father, was born in the same 
place and was a wealthy and influential farmer. 
He spent his entire life in his native land, dying 
when about seventy years old. His marriage 
united him with Miss Anna Sophia Kruse, a na- 
tive of Germany, and the daughter of John Kruse, 
who was an extensive land owner and a very 
wealthy man. Both were members of the Old 
Lutheran Church, and she died when a compara- 
tively young woman. Of the nine children born 
to them, six grew to mature years, but all are 
now deceased with the exception of our subject. 
The youngest of the family, he was reared in 
his native country, on his father's farm, and was 
educated in the public schools. In 1855 he came 
to America and located in New York City. At 
first he clerked in a grocery, at the same time 
attending" night school, and later he was on an 
American steamship as foreman, running between 
New York City and Aspinwall, and was on the 
"Ilhnois'' when she broke her shaft. Later he 
again became clerk in a grocery in New York, 
but about 1863 he embarked in business with his 
brother and continued with him about six months. 
About 1865 he ventured out in the coal business 
for himself in New York City, but subsequently 
sold out and visited his native land, where he re- 
mained one summer. Returning to New York, 
he opened a grocery and liquor house and was 
actively engaged in this for about seven years. 

Subsequently our subject engaged in the 
trucking business in the Empire City, but met 
with an accident which disabled him for five 



years. Later he again embarked in the coal 
business, also deahng in ice, and about ten years 
afterward, in the fall of 1884, he moved to Flush- 
ing. Here he bought out Charles Fitzner, pro- 
prietor of the Monument House, and after build- 
ing additions to the house and improving it in 
every way, opened up as hotel keeper. He is 
finely located for his business and is meeting with 
well deserved success. His house is generally 
full, and he has accommodated as many as one 
hundred and twenty individuals at a time. 

Mr. Badenhop was married in New York City 
to Miss Metter Menken, a native of Hanover, 
Germany, and they have three living children: 
Charles, with a life insurance company of New 
York; Mamie and Richard. Politically he is a 
Democrat, and fraternally a Knight of Pythias. 
He is a member of the Liquor Dealers' Associa- 
tion, and the German Rifle Club, and in religion 
is a Lutheran. 



FRED W. BURK was born February 3, 1859, 
in the village of Flushing, where he now 
resides. He is a descendant of German 
ancestors, by whom the family name was spelled 
Berks, but this was changed to the American 
form of Burk by his grandfather, Peter, a native 
of Germany, who became an early settler of Phil- 
adelphia. William, father of our subject, was 
born in Germany and was the oldest of four sons, 
his brothers being Conrad, John and Jacob, of 
whom the last-named was killed in the Civil War. 
At the age of ten years William Burk left home 
to begin an apprenticeship as a cigarmaker. 
Seven years later he went to New York, where 
for a time he worked in the employ of others, but 
afterward engaged in business for himself in Sixth 
Avenue, being a member of the firm of Burk & 
Wolf. Faihng health induced him, in 1858, to 
locate in Flushing, where he opened a factory and 
continued the manufacture and sale of cigars un- 
til his death in 1888, at the age of sixty- two years. 
In religious belief he was identified with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. His brothers, Con- 
rad and John, are still residents of Philadelphia. 
His wife, who resides with our subject, bore the 
maiden name of Harriet Stillwagon, and was 
born in Flushing, being a descendant of Hessian 
ancestors, who came to this village from New 
Jersey. 

The parental family consists of four children, 
all living, of whom Fred W. is next to the oldest. 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He was reared in Flushing, receiving a good ed- 
ucation in the pubHc and high schools. Under 
the instruction of his father he learned the cigar- 
maker's trade and at the death of the latter, in 
1888, he succeeded to the business, which he has 
since conducted, furnishing employment to five 
hands. Under his supervision the place has been 
remodeled and valuable improvements intro- 
duced. The business, both in wholesale and re- 
tail lines, is large, the superior quality of the 
cigars having secured a good trade. All of the 
leading brands are manufactured, including the 
"Espenola," "Gloriana," "F. W. B." and "La 
Esprecion,'" a ten-cent cigar. At the factory. No. 
5 Main Street, a full line of smoker's supplies is 
kept on hand, and the place is not only the oldest 
cigar house in flushing but one of the best as 
well. 

The wife of Mr. Burk, who was Emma Chap- 
man of Brooklyn, died in 1893, leaving one son, 
Elmer E. Socially our subject is connected with 
the Order of Foresters and Cornucopia Lodge 
No. 563, F. & A. M. He also takes an active 
interest in the Flushing Boat Club. All measures 
for the development of the interests of the place 
receive his hearty co-operation, and he aids pub- 
lic projects with his time and means. He served 
in Empire Hose Company No. i and contributed 
to the success of the fire department. As a citizen 
he favors the election of the men best qualified 
to represent the people in civic affairs and the 
encouragement of those measures best calcu- 
lated to promote the prosperity of the commu- 
nity. 



WILLIAM H. SCHEURER is a widely 
experienced hotel man and thoroughly 
understands the difficult art of modern 
hotel keeping. By his able management the 
Queens County Hotel, of Long Island City, has 
developed a large and desirable patronage and is 
firmly established. Mr. Scheurer is a shrewd 
business man and is so genial and wholesouled 
that his friendship is prized and- his hospitality is 
sought again and again. He was born in the 
village of Newtown, Queens County, November 
6, i860, and is a son of Christian Scheurer. 

Our subject was reared in his native village and 
received a good education there and in the fourth 
ward school of Long Island City. When fifteen 
years old he was employed in the locksmith 
branch of the Steinway piano manufacturing es- 



tablishment, but at the end of five years resigned 
to embark in business on his own responsibility. 
His mother had built the hotel in 1873 and our 
subject helped manage it. In 1880 he became the 
proprietor and a year or two later bought the 
entire concern. The Queens County Hotel, 
which is 30x65 feet, is three stories in height, and 
is the oldest hotel in Flushing Avenue. Mr. 
Scheurer is also a partner in the firm of William 
H. Scheurer & Co., proprietors of the Aster 
House at Ninety-second Street Ferry, which is 
one of the finest buildings in Long Island City, 
and is also interested in Astoria Hotel, just oppo- 
site Astor Hotel. He is thoroughly experienced 
in all that relates to the hotel business, and those 
who have enjoyed his warm hospitality will ever 
retain the most pleasureable recollections of his 
hotels. 

On the 26th of May, 1883, Mr. Scheurer was 
married to Miss Margaret Mimphius, a native of 
New York City, and daughter of John and Mar- 
garet (Hattie) Mimphius, the former a native of 
Holland and the latter of Germany. Mr. Mimphius 
came to America when a young man and located 
in New York City, where he engaged in the 
bakery business and was also a successful gro- 
ceryman there. He and his wife were devout 
members of the Catholic Church. Eight of their 
eleven children are now living, and Mrs. Scheurer, 
who is the fourth in order of birth, was reared in 
New York City. 

By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Scheurer be- 
came the parents of six children, as follows: 
Henry, Margaret, John A., Christie, Georgie and 
Josephine. In his social relations Mr. Scheurer 
is a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, being a charter member of John Allen 
Lodge No. 330, Astoria, and he is an active mem- 
ber of the Church of the Redeemer. Mrs. 
Scheurer holds to the belief of her childhood and 
is an earnest Catholic. In politics our subject is 
a Democrat and is a member of the Fourth Ward 
Democratic Club. 



WILLIAM C. BOLLER, who is engaged 
in the manufacture of soda and mineral 
waters at College Point, was born in 
this village October 29, 1865, and is a son of 
Jacob and Julia (Grell) Boiler, natives of Ger- 
many. His father, who was born in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, became an early settler of College Point, 
where he was engaged in the merchant tailoring 




JAMES NORTON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



543 



business for many years, but is now living retired 
from active work. William C. is ne.xt to the 
youngest of the family of three sons and one 
daughter. He received a practical education in 
Fuerst's Academy, from which he graduated. 

The first position obtained by our subject was 
in the employ of the Budweiser Brewing Com- 
pany, Limited, with whom he remained for some 
time as collector, then became shipping clerk and 
later was made assistant bookkeeper, after which 
he was given charge of the ale department when 
it was started. In the fall of 1894 he resigned his 
position and purchased the soda manufacturing ' 
business, which he has. since conducted. This is 
situated in Sixteenth Street, near Fourth Avenue, 
where a large wholesale and retail business in the 
manijfacture of soda and mineral waters and the 
bottling of ale is carried on. Mr. Boiler makes 
all his own syrups, which are of the very finest 
quality. During the busy season he has three 
wagons engaged in filling orders, which are not 
limited to College Point, but extend to Flushing, 
Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, 
Manhasset, Lakeville, Fowlerville, Corona, New- 
town and Woodside. 

Socially Mr. Boiler is connected with the orders 
of Red Men and Foresters. Since 1890 he has 
been a fireman in the Enterprise Hose Company 
No. 2. In addition to his soda manufacturing 
business he is the exclusive representative of Bud- 
weiser ale on Long Island. 



JAMES NORTON was born November 25, 
1847, to Wilhani and Mary Ann (Braden) 
Norton, natives of Ireland, who came to 
America and located in Oyster Bay. In 1864 
the father and our subject's younger brother, 
William, were drowned in Oyster Bay by the 
capsizing of a row boat. The mother was thus 
left a widow with seven children, of whom our 
subject was the eldest, and as a consequence 
much of the support of the family fell on his boy- 
ish shoulders. Previous to the death of his father 
he had attended school three or four months each 
year, during the winter season, but in summer 
worked on the farm. 

At the time of his father's death young Norton 
was deck hand on the schooner "Sarah Eliza- 
beth," owned by Smith Brothers, and he was 
in their employ for about two years. After that 
he went to New York City and became conductor 
on a street car, holding that position for about 



six years. Returning to Oyster Bay he em- 
barked in the grocery business, which he carried 
on for about two years. On the 22d of October, 
1872, he married Miss Mary A. Murphy, a na- 
tive of Ireland but a resident of Glencove at the 
time of her marriage. Three children were the 
fruits of this union: William D., who is now in 
the employ of E. R. Laredew, a leather dealer of 
New York City; James E. and Mary E. 

After quitting the grocery business Mr. Nor- 
ton moved with his family to Glencove, where 
he engaged in the hotel business, successfully 
conducting the same for about twenty years. 
While thus occupied his wife died, and his sec- 
ond union occurred June 16, 1886, with Miss 
Mary E. Molitor, a native of Brookville, Queens 
County. Two children were born to them, as 
follows: Edna E., who died when seven years 
old, and Frank Vincent, whose birth occurred in 
Glencove February 16, 1888. 

In the year 1873 Mr. Norton was elected con- 
stable for the town of Oyster Bay by the Dem- 
ocratic party and re-elected in 1874-75. He was 
twice elected collector of taxes in the town and 
twice elected county superintendent of the poor 
of Queens County, serving six years. In 1891 
his peculiar fitness for the office of sheriff led to 
his election to the same and he began his duties 
as such on the 1st of January, 1892, filling that 
position inost ably for three years. Mr. Norton 
is a member of the Democratic Central Commit- 
tee and has been delegate to town, county and 
state conventions. For some time he has been 
a member of the Seacliff Yacht Club and a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 



JACOB B. HUNTER, for many years one of 
the residents of Hunter's Point, comes of 
one of the honored families of this district 
who have been noted for their industrious and 
thrifty qualities. His father, Richard B. Hunter, 
was born at this place, while his father, bearing 
the name of George Hunter, came from England. 
During the Revolutionary War he served as 
captain of a sailing vessel employed by the gov- 
ernment, and one on occasion deposited a cargo 
of powder in one of the towns on Newtown 
Creek. 

Grandfather Hunter, on the cessation of hostil- 
ities, returned to his native land, and some time 
thereafter came again to America and married 
the only daughter of Jacob Bennett, a Hollander, 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



then the owner of a fine farm in Greenpoint. The 
young couple made their home on a farm, which 
had been given them, until after their children 
were reared to mature years, when Captain Hun- 
ter engaged in business as a wholesale and retail 
grocer in New York, but made his home in Hun- 
ter's Point, where his wife owned a fine tract of 
land, which had been inherited from her father, 
who was a large propert}' owner on the island. 
This place, which was then a hamlet, was named 
in his honor and has ever since been known as 
Hunter's Point. 

To Grandfather Hunter and his wife there were 
bom three sons and three daughters, of whom 
Jacob B. and John were for many years promi- 
nent business men in New York City. Richard, 
father of our subject, gave his attention to farm- 
ing, purchasing a fine tract of land in what is 
now Dutch Kills, a suburb of Long Island City, 
but which at that time was a portion of the town 
of Newtown. His property included thirty acres, 
which he cultivated in a most profitable manner 
until his death, which occurred when he was fifty- 
eight years old. He was a devoted member of the 
Episcopal Church and was interested in all wor- 
thy movements in his neighborhood. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Jane Van Alst, 
was born in Dutch Kills, on what is now the cor- 
ner of Jackson and Skillman Avenues. Her father 
was Henry Van Alst, whose birth occurred near 
the court house in Long Island City. Mr. Van 
Alst was the owner of a large farm in Jackson 
Avenue, a part of which he sold to the father of 
our subject. He was very successful in all his 
ventures and several years before his death lived 
in ease and comfort in a pleasant home in the 
city. He was about sixty-five years old at the 
time of his decease. 

To Richard B. and Jane Hunter there were 
born four children, only two of whom grew to 
mature years: George H., a resident of Long Is- 
land City, and Jacob B., the subject of this sketch. 
The latter, who was born in Jackson Avenue 
April 12, 1838, was reared on his father's farm, 
and, like most of the youths of that day and local- 
ity, acquired his education in the subscription 
schools. He continued to make his home under 
the parental roof until his marriage to Miss Jane 
A. Mount, which occurred in Springfield, or Fos- 
ters Meadow, May 2, 1858. Mrs. Hunter was 
born in New York City and was the daughter of 
Zebulon Mount, a native of Monmouth County, 
N. J., where he was for many years a well-to-do 



farmer. He later removed to New York City, 
where he was engaged for a time as car-man, and 
on leaving the city became the owner of a farm at 
Fosters M'eadow, L. I., where several years later 
he was killed by an attack of a mad bull. 

Grandfather Samuel Mount was also a native 
of New Jersey and was classed among its old 
pioneer farmers. The mother of Mrs. Hunter 
bore the maiden name of Mary A. Manley. Her 
birth likewise occurred in New Jersey and she 
was the daughter of Richard R. Manley, who 
amassed a handsome fortune as a hatter, and for 
many years previous to his death lived retired 
from work of any kind. Mrs. Mount died in 1869, 
when sixt3--one years of age. With her husband, 
she was a consistent member of the Reformed 
Church. She was given an excellent education in 
the best schools of New Jersey and was a lady of 
much refinement and culture. She became the 
mother of nine children, of whom five are now 
living, namely: Samuel, a resident of Brooklyn; 
Andrew M., a farmer of Rosedale; George W., 
engaged in agricultural pursuits in Springfield; 
Jane A., the wife of our subject; and Ellen, who 
married Jacob Kinzie, of Rosedale. Richard R. 
departed this life when sixty-two years of age; 
John died at Rosedale when in his fortieth year; 
and Aaron and Voorhees were also living in that 
place at the time of their demise. 

Mr. Hunter continued to farm the old place 
until the property became very valuable, when 
he divided his thirty-acre tract into city lots and 
sold them at a handsome advance in price. He 
still, however, is the owner of many buildings, 
some of which are located in Jackson, Hunter 
and Harris Avenues, while others are to be found 
in Jane, Henry, Radde and Crescent Streets. Mr. 
Hunter occupies a fine home in Hunter Avenue, 
near Jane Street, which is one of the best loca- 
tions in the city. 

To our subject and his excellent wife there have 
been born six children: Margaret O., now Mrs. 
George E. Clay, of Long Island City; Ellen W., 
the wife of William Hughes, also a resident of 
that city; Elizabeth J., whose husband, Anthony 
Ertel, is a druggist of Brooklyn; Jacob Bennett, 
Jr., engaged with Mr. Clay in the real estate busi- 
ness; Richard B., who died when seven years of 
age; and Charles, who died in infancy. In relig- 
ious matters Mr. Hunter attends services at the 
Episcopal Church, while his wife is a member of 
the Dutch Reformed Congregation in this place. 
In politics he is independent, reserving his right 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"545 



to support the man who in his judgment will best 
fulfill the duties of the office. He has never de- 
sired to hold office, but on one occasion was pre- 
vailed upon to accept the position of school trus- 
tee, which he filled acceptably for one term. 



CHARLES EDWARD HUSSON has 
been steadily growing in popularity since 
he engaged in business in Queens, and 
is now one of the leading merchants of the place. 
He was born in Williamsburg December 5, 1863, 
the youngest of eight children, six of whom are 
now living, born to Thomas T. and Josephine T. 
(Whitehead) Husson, the former of whom was 
born in England. Like many other youths before 
him, he determined to go to sea, and after a num- 
ber of years thus spent retired from a seafaring 
life with the rank of captain, and engaged as a 
stevedore in New York City. After following 
this occupation for many years he became quite 
well-to-do in worldly goods, and later in Hfe re- 
moved to Hollis, where his declining years were 
spent. 

The subject of this sketch was surrounded by 
the usual kindly and v/holesome home influences 
while growing up and his education was ob- 
tained in the district schools of Hollis and in 
Union Hall Academy of Jamaica. He was 
brought up on a farm, thoroughly learning its 
details, and it was perhaps but natural that he 
should follow agriculture when first starting out 
to make his own way in the world, the home 
farm being placed in his charge by his father 
when he had reached the age of twenty-one 
years. In this work he was assisted by an older 
brother, and they continued the management of 
the place for three years, at the end of which time 
the brother purchased a place of his own and 
Charles E. for eleven months drove a market 
wagon for him. For a like length of time he fol- 
lowed this calling for another man, then in 1890 
opened his present general mercantile establish- 
ment, in partnership with George P. Schnurr and 
Adrian Belknap. This partnership continued 
about five years, when Mr. Husson purchased the 
interest of one of his partners and about one year 
later became the sole proprietor of the establish- 
ment and has conducted the affairs of the house 
in a most businesslike and thorough manner and 
has demonstrated that he possesses executive 
ability of no mean order. 

April 10, 1895, occurred the marriage of our 



subject with Miss Gertrude A. Suffern, an intel- 
ligent and amiable woman, who was born in New 
York City. Mr. Husson has always supported 
the principles of the RepubKcan party, but is in 
no sense of the term a politician, as his time is 
fully demanded by his business. Socially he is a 
member of the American Legion of Honor. He 
is of the stuS of which good citizens are made 
and his present outlook for the ftiture is bright. 



PROF. OTTO SUSS. While his residence 
in America covers a period of a compara- 
tively few years only, Professor Siiss has 
already gained a knowledge of our national in- 
stitutions, our customs and language. At the 
same time he has become known as a musician of 
superior talent, one who has achieved unusual 
success in mastering the intricacies of the art and 
v/ho has the ability to impart to others much of 
his own skill and entrusiastic love for rhythmic 
harmonies. 

The Professor's parents were Ludwig and Hen- 
rietta (Newman) Siiss, natives of Koenigsburg, 
province of East Prussia, where they spent their 
entire lives, both dying there of cholera in 1866. 
They were a worthy couple, faithful members of 
the Lutheran Church and honest and honorable 
in their intercourse with all their associates. Their 
only child. Otto, was born in Koenigsburg in 
i860, and spent the first six years of his life on 
his father's farm. The sudden death of his par- 
ents leaving him the sole survivor of the family, 
he was taken into the home of a brother of his 
mother, who owned aud cultivated a large farm. 
His uncle gave him good educational advantages, 
sending him at the age of eight, to the gymna- 
sium at Koenigsburg, where he remained until 
completing the junior year. 

Meantime the boy had developed a passionate 
fondness for music, and his evident talent in that 
direction was cultivated under the fostering care 
of Professor Koehler, a celebrated musician, who 
took the greatest care in his musical education. 
On leaving school he taught in a seminary in 
East Prussia for two years, being instructor in 
instrumental and vocal music. Later he went 
to Posen, where for three years he held a private 
position as teacher of music. In 1890 he came 
to America and settled in Long Island City, 
where he has since given his attention to teach- 
ing vocal and instrumental music. Besides a 
large number of scholars here, he teaches in New 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



York City, and is vocal instructor in the free 
German school in Yorkville, N.'Y. In his last 
concert he had four hundred and seventy-eight 
children in a chorus. At the concert in Grand 
Central Palace in the spring of 1895 he had a 
chorus of over eight hundred children from the 
different schools of the city. 

The home of Professor Siiss, situated at No. 
288 Ninth Avenue, is presided over by his wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Hannah Wulff, 
being a daughter of George Wulff. She was born 
in Long Island City, where she received her 
education and was married. The Professor ad- 
heres in religious belief to the faith of his fore- 
fathers and is a devout follower of Martin Luther. 
He is the leader of the Arbeiter Leidertafel Sing- 
ing Association and of the Long Island City 
Leidertafel, also the Helvetia Switzer Choir. In 
addition, he is a teacher of local choirs and a 
member of the Long Island City Froshinn Sing- 
ing Society. 



JOHN D. GERKEN. No business man of 
Astoria, Long Island City, is more prosper- 
ous than he whose name introduces this 
sketch and who has been identified with the com- 
mercial interests of this locality for many years. 
That he has done well is evidenced by the fact 
that he is now building a new store, with a front- 
age of 44x50, and situated on Grand and Second 
Avenues. This structure is of brick and is two 
stories in height, being admirably adapted for its 
intended purpose. Mr. Gerken will occupy it in 
May, 1896, if the present plans are carried out. 

As the name indicates, the Gerken family is of 
German lineage and origin. Our subject was born 
in the province of Bremen in 1847, and is a son of 
Charles and Margaret (Meyer) Gerken, also na- 
tives of that part of Germany. His paternal 
grandfather, John Gerken, was a farmer, and 
two of his brothers served in the German army 
during the Napoleonic wars, taking part in the 
memorable conflict at Waterloo. The maternal 
grandfather, John H. Meyer, was a butcher by 
trade, and had two brothers who were teachers. 
Charles Gerken, who devoted his entire life to 
agricultural pursuits, died at the age of fifty years, 
while his wife survived until seventy. Both were 
Lutherans in religious belief. Of their five chil- 
dren, four attained years of maturity and three 
are now living, our subject being the only one 
now in America. An older brother, Henry, who 



was in the German army, came to the United 
States and lived in Long Island City until his 
death in 1894. 

At the age of fourteen our subject was con- 
firmed, and soon afterward he went to sea, work- 
ing as a cabin boy on a steamer that ran from 
Bremen to America. Later he went to South 
America, rounded both of the southern capes, 
and visited many foreign ports, remaining at sea 
about six years. On making his last ocean trip, 
at the age of twenty, he stopped in New York, 
and in 1869 secured employment there as a gro- 
cery clerk. One year later he came to Long 
Island City, where he clerked in a grocery for 
two years and then started in the butcher busi- 
ness in Grand Avenue, between Second and First 
Avenues. Twelve years later he bought out 
Thomas Meyer, his first employer here, and re- 
turning to the old stand, has since engaged in 
the grocery and meat business. 

In Long Island City, in 1872, Mr. Gerken mar- 
ried Miss Eliza Fink, a native of New York City, 
and daughter of John and Eliza Fink, the former 
of whom was a merchant tailor by trade. They 
are the parents of six living children: Henry, 
Lillie, Theodore, Annie, John and Laura, all of 
whom are at home. In religion Mr. Gerken is 
connected with the German Second Reformed 
Church, of which he is treasurer and an elder, 
and to which he has belonged since 1872. For 
a time he was connected with the Astoria Hook 
and Ladder Company No. i. In politics he is a 
consistent Democrat, upholding the party in its 
platform and theories. 



HERMAN ALTHOF. Not a few of the 
residents of Rockaway Beach are of Ger- 
man birth and ancestry, and by their com- 
bination of German thriftiness, with American 
energy, have succeeded in establishing business 
enterprises upon solid footings. Among this 
class is Herman Althof, who is proprietor and 
owner of a hardware and paint store at Oceanus. 
In 1890 he came to this village from Brooklyn 
and opened a store, where he kept in stock a full 
line of hardware and painters" supplies. Since 
that time he has built up a large trade and has 
become known as a reliable and efficient business 
man. 

Our subject is the son of Herman and Countess 
Sophia (Von Michalkowska) Althof, the former 
of whom was a German government official, and 




JOHN HENRY MACKEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



549 



both of whom are deceased. The subject of this 
notice was born in WestphaHa, Germany, Feb- 
ruary I, 1850, and in the splendid schools of his 
native country he obtained a practical education. 
In the high school from which he graduated he 
received general scientific training. Early in life 
he began to follow the sea and his voyages often 
took him to America, his first visit to this coun- 
try being when he was only sixteen. He was an 
officer in the German navy and for twenty-five 
years served as captain of a ship, his long experi- 
ence on the sea making him familiar with every 
department of a seafaring life. He came to 
America in 1879 and has been here since, with the 
exception of one year spent in Germany. For 
four years he resided in Chicago, but afterward 
sold his business there and formed a partnership 
with a brother-in-law and embarked in business 
at No. 15s Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 
also conducting another establishment at No. 265 
Manhattan Avenue. The business was extensive 
and frequently employment was given to as many 
as seventy-five men. 

After five years in Brooklyn, Mr. Althof came 
to Rockaway Beach, where he bought ground, 
built a store and established the business he has 
since successfully conducted. March 27, 1884, he 
married Elizabeth Hunerhoff, and they have two 
children, Erna and Herman, to whom they are 
giving excellent educational advantages. Politi- 
cally our subject advocates Democratic princi- 
ples, but is not partisan in his convictions. In 
religious belief he is a Lutheran, having been 
reared in that faith in his native countrj^. He still 
retains his old fondness for the sea, which he left, 
not because he grew tired of a seafaring life, but 
because he realized that he should settle down and 
estabHsh his home on land. As a business man 
his integrity is unquestioned, he is affable and 
gentlemanly in manner and has hosts of friends. 



JOHN HENRY MACKEY. Though Mr. 
Mackey has resided at his present home in 
Port Washington for a comparatively short 
period only, he has spent his entire life on Long 
Island and is well and favorably known by many 
of the people here. As a business man he pos- 
sesses the energy and ambition combined with the 
judgment and discretion of middle-age — qualities 
which will undoubtedly bring him success in the 
prosecution of the work to which he is g'iving 
his attention. As a florist he possesses a thor- 



ough knowledge of plants and the peculiar treat- 
ment every variety requires, and it is his intention 
to raise flowers especially for shipment to the 
New York market. 

The house in which Mr. Mackey was born, 
September 29, 1863, stood in Fulton Street, 
Brooklyn, and was the home of his parents, 
Elijah and Caroline Augusta (Griffin) Mackey, 
the latter of whom died in April, 1892, while the 
former, a carpenter by trade, resides in Port 
Washington. The paternal grandfather, John 
Mackey, who was the son of James and Eliza- 
beth (Wilson) Mackey, is still Hving (1896) and 
is now eighty years of age, enjoying robust health 
for one of his years. 

At the age of five years our subject was 
brought by his parents to Port Washington, 
where he spent his school days in attendance up- 
on the institutions of learning. At the age of 
fifteen he left school, and from that time forward 
has been self-supporting. For about six years he 
engaged in farming, being given charge of the 
home place with the privilege of retaining all he 
could make. Going to the village of Hempstead, 
he continued farming, and operated a farm there 
for eight years. During 1895 he turned his at- 
tention to the occupation of a florist, buying his 
present home, where he erected a substantial res- 
idence and greenhouse. 

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Mackey 
at Roslyn, July 8, 1894, bore the maiden name 
of Mary B. Cornelius, and spent her girlhood 
days in Freeport with her parents. Carman and 
Phoebe J. (Combes) Cornelius. She is an amia- 
ble lady of refined character, an earnest worker 
in all rehgious and charitable projects, and holds 
membership in ' the Presbyterian Church at 
Hempstead, to which Mr. Mackey also belongs. 
The latter is identified with the Atlantic Hook 
and Ladder Company at Port Washington, and 
aids in every enterprise for the elevation of man- 
kind. BeHeving that the liquor traffic is the 
greatest curse of the age he has adopted Prohi- 
bition principles and does all in his power to rid 
the world of this blighting evil. 



PROF. WILLIAM M. PECK, who holds 
the position of superintendent of the 
Whitestone schools, ranks as an educator 
of the highest order. In countless ways his in- 
fluence is felt throughout this part of the state 



5SO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and it would be strange if it were not so. Imbued 
with a love' for his work, and believing it to be 
one of the highest professions in which man can 
engage, he enters with a vim into everything that 
will raise the standard of education, not only in 
Queens County, but throughout the entire state. 

The subject of this sketch, the son of Orange 
and Charity (Alger) Peck, was born in Delaware 
County, N. Y., in 1844. His mother died when 
he was ten years old and he was then taken into 
the home of his uncle, Samuel Peck, a farmer of 
Delaware County. In 1861 he graduated from 
Delaware Academy, and shortly afterward he en- 
listed on the first call for volunteers as a mem- 
ber of Company I, Seventy-second New York In- 
fantry, Capt. Robert T. Johnson commanding. 
On account of his youth, however, he was not 
accepted into the service. In 1863, while teach- 
ing, he was drafted into the United States army, 
and was out for five weeks, when he was rejected 
on account of disability. In 1864 he was a sec- 
ond time drafted, but the town raised their full 
quota, and his services were not called into requi- 
sition. 

After teaching for a time in the village schools 
of his native county Professor Peck went to 
Hackensack, N. J., where he was principal for 
three years. He was then principal at South 
Nyack for six years, and spent a similar period at 
Glen Cove, L. I. In 1870 he received the degree 
of A. M. from Beloit College, at Beloit, Wis. He 
came to Whitestone in 1882 and has since been 
superintendent of the schools here. In 1885 he 
began the preparation of Graded Lessons In 
Number, or First Steps In Arithmetic, covering 
a four years' course, founded upon what his ex- 
perience as a teacher told him' was needed for 
common school work. Two years later this work 
was issued by A. Lovell & Co., New York City, 
and its merits won for it instant recognition from 
professional educators, through whose recom- 
mendation it has been introduced into the schools 
in various parts of the country. On completing 
this little book he began the preparation of his 
Grammar School Arithmetic, upon the same 
plan, which was issued in 1893 by the same firm, 
and covers a four years' course in the grammar 
school. Aside from his published works. Pro- 
fessor Peck is a regular paid contributor to edu- 
cational journals, his articles being usually along 
the line of number work. 

Reared in the faith of the Democracy, our sub- 
ject voted the Democratic ticket for twenty-five 



years, but being a strong protectionist he has 
recently allied himself with the Republican party. 
In 1866, while residing in Delaware County, he 
was a candidate for school commissioner upon the 
Democratic ticket, and though the majority was 
usually over one thousand RepubHcan, he lacked 
only seventy-seven votes of being elected. In 
boyhood he attended the Scotch Presbyterian 
Church and now holds membership in the First 
Presbyterian Church at Whitestone, in which he 
has served as a trusteee and elder. In October, 
1895, he represented the presbytery of Nassau 
in the synod at Binghamton, N. Y. Socially he 
is a member of Deposit Lodge No. 396, F. & A. 
M., at Deposit, N. Y.; Pembroke Lodge No. 73, 
I. O. O. F., at Glen Cove, L. I., where he filled 
every position from the lowest to the highest, 
being elected noble grand three times. He is 
also a charter member of Seawanhaka Council 
No. 362, Royal Arcanum, at Glen Cove. 

In Delaware County, N. Y., in 1868, Professor 
Peck married Miss May E. Love, daughter of 
Richard and Harriet (Alverson) Love. Two chil- 
dren blessed their union, of whom Bertis W. died 
at the age of eight years. William Raymond was 
born in Whitestone, July 14, 1883, and is a stu- 
dent in the schools here. Professor Peck owns 
one of the largest dairy farms in Delaware Coun- 
ty, the property consisting of four hundred acres 
of land, with all modern farm buildings. A man- 
ager is employed, who is responsible for the con- 
duct of the entire place. A large herd of thor- 
oughbred Jerseys furnish a supply of milk for 
the creamery that is run on the farm, from which 
large shipments of butter are made, principally 
to Long Island families. In 1884 Professor Peck 
bought his Riverside farm for a summer home 
for his family, and to that acreage he has added 
from time to time until now he possesses one 
of the finest and largest places on the Delaware 
River. He also has an elegant residence in 
Stockton Avenue, in the beautiful village of Wal- 
ton, N. Y. 



EDWARD J. KNAUER. The career of a 
lawyer is a succession of contests, and the 
successes made in the legal profession are 
probably greater than in any other calling in life, 
examples of the "survival of the fittest." To be- 
come distinguished at the bar requires not only 
capacity, but also sound judgment and persever- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



551 



ing industry, and these qualifications are admira- 
bly combined in the subject of our sketch. 

Mr. Knauer was born in New York City De- 
cember 7, 1855, to the marriage of Oscar and 
Catherine (Yost) Knauer, both natives of Ger- 
many, the former born in Saxony and the latter 
in Frankfort-on-the-Main. The parents were 
married in their native land and there the father 
followed the cabinetmakers trade until 1837, 
when he came with his family to America. He 
located in New York City, where he entered the 
employ of the old Steinway Piano Company, re- 
maining with that company for several years. 
Afterwards he was with the famous Weber Piano 
Company, and was at the head of the finishing 
department at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in Astoria, when he had reached sixty-six 
years of age. He was one of the first to finish 
an upright piano when they were first made by 
the Weber Piano Company. He was a most ex- 
cellent and worthy citizen and a member of the 
Lutheran Church. His father died in New York 
City at the age of eighty-eight. Mrs. Knauer died 
in Astoria at an advanced age. Of the twelve 
children born to this estimable couple seven are 
now living, two sons and five daughters. 

Our subject attended the pubhc schools of New 
York City, graduating from Grammar School No. 
18, and in 1871 he entered the office of the late 
President Arthur as errand boy, remaining with 
him and his successors until about 1882, when 
he became a member of the firm. He studied law 
with Air. Arthur and in May, 1877, was admitted 
to the bar in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Since the 
death of Mr. Arthur the firm ^ name has been 
changed to Knevals & Perry. In the month of 
August, 1876, Mr. Knauer became a resident 
of Astoria, and his pleasant home at the corner 
of Woolsey and Franklin Streets is presided over 
by his wife, formerly Miss Matilda Leonhard, a 
native of New York City, and a lady of more 
than ordinary attainments. Her father, Freder- 
ick W. Leonhard, is a merchant of that city. Mr. 
and Mrs. Knauer are the parents of three chil- 
dren, Adelaide, Ransom and Florence. 

Politically Mr. Knauer is a leading Republican 
and has been strictly identified with that party 
since attaining his majority. For several years 
he was a member of the general committee, of 
which he was chairman at one time. He served 
two terms as a member of the board of aldermen 
of Long Island City, representing the fifth ward, 
and was president of the board one term. Well 



qualified in every respect for any position that 
may be offered him, Mr. Knauer's" future pros- 
pects are very bright indeed. 

Our subject was active in the case ousting 
Gleason, who claimed the office of mayor after 
being defeated. He is also active in educational 
matters, and in fact takes a deep interest in all 
that pertains to the advancement and welfare of 
the city. Socially he is a thirty-second degree 
Mason, member of Advance Lodge No. 635, F. 
& A. M., and was one of its past masters. He 
is a member of the Mecca Templars of New York, 
and John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W. Socially 
he is a life member of Astoria Athletic Club, of 
which for several years he was president, and is 
also a member of Queens County Bar Associa- 
tion, besides numerous societies in Long Island 
City. Mr. Knauer is a self-made man in all that 
the words imply and deserves much credit for 
the energy and perseverance displayed in his ca- 
reer. He received much valuable advice and as- 
sistance from Judge Rastus S. Ransom, of. New 
York City, during his early struggles, ' and con- 
siders himself indebted to the judge more than 
to any other person. 



CAPT. SAMUEL F. PHILLIPS. Among 
the influential citizens of Rockville Cen- 
ter the name of Captain Phillips takes a 
prominent place, for he has ever been public- 
spirited and enterprising. He was born in Cape 
Cod, Mass., in 1832, and is a son of Samuel and 
Cynthia (Studley) Phillips, natives of Cape Cod, 
where they spent their entire lives. The father 
followed the sea for a livelihood and was lost 
while on a voyage when a comparatively young 
man; his wife passed away in 1867. Both were 
kind, upright and persevering, and were highly 
esteemed wherever known. 

The subject of this notice attended the schools 
of Cape Cod until eleven years of age and then 
spent three years on a farm, attending school 
twelve weeks each year during that time. Prob- 
ably inheriting a taste for the sea, he shipped on 
a vessel when fourteen years old, and from that 
time to 1882 was constantly employed in that ser- 
vice, a period of thirty-six years. On the twenty- 
first anniversary of his birth he became master 
of the schooner "Sarah Elizabeth," and for the 
following twenty-nine years acted as master of 
sailing and steam vessels in the coastwise and 
foreign trade, being for the last seventeen years 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



master of passenger steamers sailing from the 
port of New York. He was always considered a 
most trustworth_v commander and held the re- 
spect of all with whom he associated. 

In 1853 Captain Phillips married Miss Marinda 
E. Doane, a native of Cape Cod, Mass., and the 
daughter of Freeman Doane, who was a member 
of an old and prominent family there. Two chil- 
dren bless the union, Samuel F,, a resident of 
Brooklyn, and Adela M., who is with her par- 
ents. For some years Mrs. Phillips was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Brook- 
lyn, and the daughter is identified with the Epis- 
copal Church. Socially the Captain is a Mason, 
and politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. For three years he served as special in- 
spector of foreign steam passenger vessels for 
the port of New York, having been appointed 
to that position by Judge Folger, when he was 
secretary of the treasury. 

In 1889 Captain Phillips came to Rockville 
Center, and since then has been identified with the 
growth and prosperity of this locality. He was 
one of the founders of the Bank of Rockville 
Center, was one of its first directors and served 
as assistant cashier until 1893, when he became 
president. Tlie duties of this responsible posi- 
tion he has since discharged in a satisfactory 
manner. He no doubt inherited much of his 
push and energy from his sturdy Welsh ances- 
tors, for he is descended from Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor Phillips, of Massachusetts, who came to this 
country from Wales and was the first of the 
name to setttle here. 



ALFRED E. VAN WAGNER. In 1889 Mr. 
Van Wagner removed from Brooklyn to 
Far Rockaway and at once opened a gro- 
cery store, which he has since carried on with 
commendable success, having by his industry', 
honesty and careful management gained a large 
trade among the people of this locality. Born 
September 18, 1862, he is still a young man, but 
has already achieved a measure of prosperity that 
does not always reward the efforts of men of 
more advanced years. 

The father of our subject, Jacob Mott Van 
Wagner, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., of 
Holland-Dutch ancestry, and was a bookkeeper 
by occupation, his death occurring when he was 
seventy years old. He married Margaret Lacey, 
a native of Ireland, and they became the par- 



ents of four sons and one daughter, namely: 
Mary M., John M., William B., and J. H., all resi- 
dents of Brooklyn, and Alfred E., of this sketch. 
The last-named was born in Summit, N. J., and 
at the age of one and one-half years was taken 
by his parents to Brooklyn, where he received a 
good education in the common schools. When 
fourteen years old he commenced for himself by 
securing employment in a grocery store and dur- 
ing the three years he remained in that position 
he gained a fair knowledge of the business. 

The next position secured by Mr. Van Wagner 
was in a chandelier manufactory, and while there, 
realizing the need of a better business education, 
he attended the night schools. He was thus en- 
gaged for nearly five years, after which he began 
for himself. Understanding and liking the gro- 
cery business, he chose that calling and was 
first in partnership with his oldest brother in 
Brooklyn, where he continued for three years. 
Thence he came to Far Rockaway, and, estab- 
lishing this store, purchased his brothers interest 
and has since been the sole proprietor. He keeps 
in stock only the best grade of goods, and selling 
at reasonable prices, he has been able to build 
up a good trade. 

By his marriage to Miss Mary Hayes, of 
Brooklyn, Mr. Van Wagner has three children, 
Alfred, Marie and Mott. In religious views he 
is a Catholic and contributes to the support of 
that church. For five years he has been identi- 
fied with the Order of Foresters and also holds 
membership in the Royal Arcanum. All local en- 
terprises receive his co-operation and his sub- 
stantial support wherever possible. He is con- 
nected with the fire department as foreman of the 
Hook and Ladder Company, and in this, as in 
other ways, aims to promote the interests of the 
village. 



JOHN DENGLER. The calling followed by 
Mr. Dengler is a most useful one and to 
many has its charms, and this is true of the 
subject of this sketch. Although he is a "son of 
the soil," it is not in a mean sense, for farming 
with him has become an art and his surroundings 
are beautiful and harmonious. He was born in 
Kuppingen, kingdom of Wt.irtemberg, Germany, 
January 7, 1834, to George and Magdalena 
(Boeckle) Dengler, and is one of the five sur- 
viving members of their family of eight children, 
and the only one in America. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



5S2 



George Dengler was engaged in farming 
throughout his Hfetime, and after an active and 
useful life died on the home place, which he had 
inherited from his father. On this farm John 
Dengler grew to manhood, and at the same time 
acquired a knowledge of and love for agriculture, 
which have remained with him to the present 
day. He acquired a common school education 
in his native land, and after the death of his moth- 
er, which occurred when he was twenty years of 
age, he made up his mind to come to America and 
try his fortune here. After an ocean voyage of 
thirty-five days he landed in the city of New 
York, May 20, 1854, and in a strange land and 
unacquainted with the English language he be- 
gan his career with a capital of $5'. A portion 
of this sum paid his way to Williamsburg, and 
after a week spent in seeking employment he se- 
cured a job at hod carrying, following it for two 
months. During this time Mr. Dengler and his 
comrades were given only enough money to pay 
for their board, and when the buildings were com- 
pleted the firm refused to pay them the remainder 
due them. 

Undaunted by this bad luck Mr. Dengler went 
to work on a farm, and after following this call- 
ing for four years, was united in marriage with 
Miss Fredericka Ruethmueller, after which he 
went to work in Havemeyer's sugar refinery, 
where he remained until the opening of the Civil 
War. He then espoused the Union cause and 
became a member of Company F, One Hundred 
and Third Richmond Volunteer Infantry, and 
fought under General Burnside in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Sharpsburg and others. After 
being honorably discharged in 1863 he was va- 
riously occupied for about two years in Green- 
point and Flatbush, then began farming for him- 
self as a renter. He continued thus for fifteen 
years, but in 1880 purchased his present farm, 
on which he has since lived. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Dengler eight children were 
born, seven of whom are still living. Gottleib, 
who is engaged in farming at Springfield, is mar- 
ried and has one child; John, who is also farm- 
ing there, is married and has three children; 
Frederick is managing the home farm, is married 
and has one child; Peter is the next in order; 
Catherine is the wife of Philip Moelins, by whom 
she has one child; and Caroline and Rose com- 
plete the number. Mrs. Dengler was born in 
Germany and came to America with her parents 
in 1854, at which time she was a young lady. She 



was an intelligent and amiable woman, a kind and 
faithful wife and mother and her death, which 
occurred December 12, 1895, was deeply de- 
plored. She was an active member of the Luth- 
eran Church and was a Christian in every sense 
of the word. To this church Mr. Dengler also 
belongs, and politically he is independent. 



LEONARD C. L. SMITH, B. S., C. E. 
Throughout this book it will appear that 
the cities of Long Island derive their im- 
portance chiefly from the number, the extent and 
the prominence of their manufacturing interests. 
To build up a center of activity of this character, 
it is not only necessary that the raw material 
shall be easily accessible, but it is also required 
that the machinery and appliances of the various 
industries shall be of a superior character and 
be put up and set in motion by men who thor- 
oughly understand the principles of mechanics. 
Leonard C. L. Smith, who has an established rep- 
utation as one of the most successful and efficient 
civil and mechanical engineers on Long Island, 
is thorough master of all the details of his pro- 
fession, and is now engineer of the Long Island 
City Water Works, and one whose reputation is 
not merely local. 

Our subject first saw the light in New York 
City, May 15, 1868, and no doubt inherits much 
of his ability as an engineer from his father, 
Joseph L. T. Smith, who was also a prominent 
civil engineer. The latter was a native of Con- 
necticut, but went to New York City at an early 
age and there practiced civil engineering for over 
half a century. In 1875 he located in Long 
Island City, and although now seventy-five years 
old, is hale and hearty for his years. He, with 
'Edward Serrell, assisted in building the first sus- 
pension bridge at Niagara. Mr. Smith married 
Miss Elizabeth Bilbrough, a native of England, 
who came to America when young. Twelve 
children were the fruits of this union, and eight 
are living at the present time. 

The subject of this notice is the youngest of 
the children now living, and until seven years old 
remained in New York City. From there he 
went to Long Island City, first attending the 
Fifth Ward public schools, and afterward the 
Fourth Ward schools, and when ten years old 
began the study of civil engineering under his 
father. When sixteen years old he entered the 
University of New York, and graduated in 1888 



554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with the. degree of Civil Engineer and Bachelor 
of Science. In a class of twenty-two he received 
second honors as salutatorian and was elected an 
honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa Society. 

In the year 1889 Mr. Smith took one year's 
post-graduate course and practiced with his 
father until the close of 1891. In 1892 he lo- 
cated in Long Island City, which has since been 
his home. In March, 1893, he was appointed 
engineer of the water department and has held 
that position up to the present time. He is one 
of the most prominent representatives engaged 
in this most useful branch of activity and has met 
with weir merited success. He is engaged in the 
general practice of civil engineering here and 
now does all the work for the North Beach Com- 
pany, as well as for other firms here. 

Mr. Smith's office is at No. JJ Jackson Ave- 
nue, and he has a pleasant and comfortable home 
at No. 59 Woolsey Street, Astoria. He was mar- 
ried at Glenhead, L. I., to Miss Mary H. Remsen, 
a native of that place, and daughter of Andrew J. 
Remsen. One child has been born of this union, 
Leonard C. L., Jr. Mr. Smith is a member of the 
Psi Upsilon, the Alumni of New York City, and 
Phi Beta Kappa Society. He is a deacon in 
Remsen Street Reformed Church, Astoria, and is 
a teacher in the Sunday-school. In politics he is 
a Democrat, and a member of the Jefferson 
Democratic Club. He is secretary of the Demo- 
cratic general committee of Long Island City 
and in 1895 was secretary of the county conven- 
tion. 



M 



ICHAEL SULLIVAN. In recounting 
the forces that have combined to make 
Long Island City what it is, reference 
should be made to the life and labors of Mr. Sul- 
livan. He was born in Cambridge, South Bos- 
ton, Mass., March 25, 1841, a son of Michael and 
Mary (Kinney) Sullivan, natives of the Isle of 
Erin, where they were also reared and married. 
Soon after the celebration of their nuptials thev 
came to the United States and took up their resi- 
dence in Cambridge, but in 1842 removed to 
Brooklyn and founded a home in Henry Street. 
There the father died in 1849, his widow surviv- 
ing him only about one year, and they left two 
daughters and two sons. 

Michael Sullivan is the only member of the 
family in Long Island City. He was reared in 
Brooklyn until he was nine years of age, then 



came to Blissville, Long Island City, and entered 
the employ of John J. Paynter, a farmer, but re- ' 
ceived some educational advantages in the old 
schoolhouse in Dutch Kills. On the 20th of July, 
1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty- 
third New York Volunteers, but after the bat- 
tle of Brandy Station he was transferred to Gen- 
eral Sickles' brigade and was a participant in the 
battle of Petersburg in 1863, where he was 
wounded in the leg. He was compelled to re- 
main in the Rhode Island Hospital for four 
months, at the end of which time he rejoined his 
command. He was then at Chancellorsville, 
Spottsylvania, in the battle of the Wilderness, 
which lasted seven days; the second battle of 
Chancellorsville, Petersburg,' Hatchers' Run, and 
various others of less importance. In the last 
mentioned engagement he was wounded in the 
left arm and side while in the act of firing his 
own gun. He was then carried to the rear and 
later was taken to City Point, and finally to 
Washington, where he remained until June, 1865, 
when he returned home on furlough. At the 
close of the war he received an honorable dis- 
charge and returned to his home in Blissville 
with the consciousness of having served his coun- 
try faithfully and well. 

Mr. Sullivan began learning the plumbing and 
steamfitting business under Jefferson Patton, and 
after being with him for two years was put in 
charge of the boilers, of which he had the man- 
agement for eleven years. In 1879 he became en- 
gineer in charge of the boilers of the Queens 
County Oil Works, numbering fourteen in all, 
and his duties were discharged in a prompt and 
highly satisfactory manner. In 1870 he organ- 
ized Friendship No. 3 truck of the fire depart- 
ment, of which he was chosen foreman on seven 
different occasions. He was then assistant chief 
of the' department for three years, at the end of 
which time he was elected chief engineer two 
terms. He had served one year of his second 
term when he was suspended by the then mayor 
without just reason, but he did not care suf- 
ficiently for the office to make a fight for it. Soon 
afterward the city paid department was organ- 
ized. 

Mr. Sullivan was married in Winfield, Decem- 
ber 2, 1867, to Miss Catherine C. Carroll, who 
was born in Ireland. To their great sorrow the 
two children born to them died in infancy, but 
they have an adopted son, James J. Sullivan, and 
are rearing the child of a sister-in-law. Mr. Sul- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



555 



livan served one term as a member of the board 
of health under Mayor Petry, has been vice-presi- 
dent and treasurer of the Volunteer Firemen's 
Association, and is a member of Sheridan Post of 
the Grand Army of the Republic. In national 
politics he is a Republican and favors protection, 
but in municipal matters he is a Jefifersonian 
Democrat. The family have a nice home at No. 
io8 Star Avenue, Blissville, Long Island City. 
Mr. Sullivan is a man of excehent morals, a be- 
liever in justice and right, and is counted one of 
the most useful and public spirited citizens of 
the place. 



JOHN TALLON has perhaps as many 
friends as any man in Long Island City, and 
is one of her substantial business men. He 
was born in County Cavan, Ireland, August 27, 
1838, a son of John and Mary (Burns) Tallon, 
both of whom were natives of the Isle of Erin, 
but after their marriage removed to Scotland, 
where the remainder of their days were spent. 
They became the parents of three children, two 
sons and one daughter, only the former of whom 
are living. Michael, the brother of John, is a 
merchant of New York City. 

John Tallon remained with his parents until 
he was past the age of fifteen years, and for some 
time worked as a laborer in the vicinity of his 
home. Then he entered the employ of a Mr. 
Carr, a contractor and builder, and finally be- 
came an apprentice in the shipyards at Dunbar- 
ton, Scotland. After remaining there for some 
time he was placed in the machine shop of the 
shipyards and soon after became a machinist's 
apprentice, in which capacity he labored faithful- 
ly and with profit to himself for three years, when 
a strike among the laborers caused the shops to 
be closed indefinitely. He finished his trade in 
Renfrew, Scotland, and after a few months went 
to Glasgow, where he embarked on a ship for 
Liverpool. After his arrival in that city he se- 
cured employment as engineer on a boat plying 
between Liverpool and Dublin, making six trips 
in all, and then made two trips to the Mediterran- 
ean Sea, in the fruit trade. 

In 1866 Mr. Tallon landed in New York City, 
whence he made his way to Potter County, Pa., 
where he engaged in farming for one year on one 
hundred and ten acres which he had purchased. 
At the end of that time he sold out and returned 
to New York, where he engaged in carting, then 



peddled crockery through Queens County, and 
finally, in 1880, started in the undertaking busi- 
ness, which he has very successfully followed 
since that time. In 1890 he built his present 
pretty residence in Flushing Avenue and is suf- 
ficiently supplied with this world's goods to ren- 
der him independent. He is now serving his 
third term as overseer of the county poor, to 
which position he was elected on the Democratic 
ticket, and with truth it may be said that he is 
admirably fitted for the office, being humane and 
considerate to the unfortunates under his care 
and conscientious in every way in the discharge 
of his duties. For four years he was a member 
of the excise board, was president, secretary and 
treasurer at different times, and has at various 
times been chairman of the Democratic central 
committee. Socially he belongs to John Allen 
Lodge, A. O. U. W., and is also identified with 
the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Tallon is married 
and has two sons, John and Felix, who superin- 
tend the undertaking business of which he is the 
head. 



FRANK TRUDDEN. In every commun- 
ity may be found numbers of solid, repre- 
sentative men, leaders of thought and in- 
fluencers of action, who have been brought to 
honorable positions by the sheer and sole force of 
their own pluck and energy, and these words are 
in every way applicable to the subject of this 
sketch, who is a member and president of the 
board of assessors of Long Island City, and one 
of her foremost and substantial business men. 
He is the proprietor of an admirably kept un- 
dertaking and livery establishment and has a lib- 
eral patronage. 

Mr. Trudden was born in Brown County, 
Ohio, in 1850, a son of Michael F. and Bridget 
(McAnery) Trudden, both of whom were born 
on the green isle of Erin, but eventually removed 
to the United States, and became the owners of a 
good farm in Ohio, on which the father died in 
1855. His widow returned to Ireland with her 
only child, the subject of this sketch, but in 1865 
again returned to America and settled in Long 
Island City, where she quietly breathed her last 
at the home of his son in Fourth Street. 

The early education of Frank Trudden was ac- 
quired in Ireland, but in later years in the rough, 
but most thorough, school of experience, he ac- 
quired a knowledge of men and things that has 



556 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been of material use to him. He was employed 
in various business capacities in Long Island City 
until 1873, when he decided to embark in busi- 
ness for himself and became a wholesale and re- 
tail dealer in milk, his depot being in Fourth 
Street. In the meantime he opened a livery es- 
tablishment here in a very modest way, but as his 
patronage increased and his means permitted he 
increased the capacity of his barns and now has 
one of the most extensive livery and boarding 
stables in the city and a fine line of all kinds of 
conveyances, which are at the service of the pub- 
lic at reasonable rates. 

In 1892 Mr. Trudden disposed of his milk busi- 
ness, and in connection with his livery business 
laid in a choice supply of undertaking goods, 
which necessitated the use of more room in 
Fourth Street. To thoroughly fit himself for this 
most important calling, he went to New York 
City and took a course in embalming, since which 
time he has been liberally patronized. This voca- 
tion is essentially a very delicate one, and it in- 
volves for its successful prosecution peculiarly 
important qualifications, which are possessed by 
Mr. Trudden in an eminent degree, and he has 
therefore gained a liberal and influential patron- 
age by honestly deserving it. 

In Long Island City Mr. Trudden married 
Miss Ellen Hays, a native of the Isle of Erin, by 
whom he has five children: Mary, Bessie, Frank, 
Nellie and Joseph. Mrs. Trudden is a daughter 
of John Hays, a native of County Wexford, Ire- 
land, who brought his family to America and set- 
tled in Brooklyn, After a time he came to Long 
Island City as chief engineer of the city water 
works, a position he held two years. Here he is 
now living in retirement, and here his wife, who 
was formerly Miss Mary Brown, passed from 
life. In January, 1893, Mr. Trudden was ap- 
pointed a member of the board of assessors by 
Mayor Sanford, for three years, and for the past 
two years he has been president of the board, 
and has made an able and painstaking officer. 
Mr. Trudden is quite prominent in social circles 
and belongs to John J. Mitchell Lodge No. 338, 
A. O. U. W., the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 
and the Ancient Order of Foresters, of which he 
is treasurer and a charter member. He is also 
identified with the Queens County Undertakers' 
Association, the Kings Count}^ Liverymen's As- 
sociation, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the 
Exempt Firemen's Association, for six years was 
treasurer of Empire Hose Company No. 2, is a 



member of the Ravenswood Boat Club and is a 
charter member of the JefTerson Club. In all 
these societies he has been active and promi- 
nent, and in everything tending to benefit the 
city in which he lives he has been deeply inter- 
ested. In fact, he is of the stuff of which use- 
ful citizens are made and is to be relied upon at 
all times to give his influence to the side of jus- 
tice and right. He and his wife are members of 
St. Mary's Catholic Church and in his political 
proclivities he is a Jefifersonian Democrat. 



VALENTINE WILLIS. Through a life, 
void of stirring events, Mr. Willis has de- 
voted his attention to the occupation of 
a farmer, which he follows in the town of North 
Hempstead, near East Williston. While his ca- 
reer has been unmarked by thrilling experiences, 
it has, nevertheless, been a busy and useful one, 
that honors himself and uplifts the moral tone of 
the community. Associated with the history of 
this locality through the greater part of the pres- 
ent century, he has witnessed its growth and con- 
tributed to its development. His memory often 
reverts to the days of the old fair association, 
which held its last meeting at the time he was six 
years old and from which his father received a 
prize of $10 for a colt he exhibited. Since the 
organization of the Queens County Agricultural 
Society, he has attended every season and every 
da}' of its session, which is probably more than 
any other man in the state can say. In 1878 he 
was elected a director in the society and held that 
ofKce for seventeen successive years, when he re- 
signed. 

The father of our subject, Samuel Willis, was 
born in Queens County and was a prominent 
and extensive farmer, owning about four hun- 
dred acres of land, which he cultivated until his 
death, about 1834. He married Mary, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Denton, and they had eleven chil- 
dren who attained mature years. William, the 
eldest, who lived on a portion of the old home, 
died leaving a son, who now occupies his farm; 
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Stephen 
Bowne, a farmer and miller of Flushing; Mary 
married Stephen Cornell, who was a builder and 
contractor of Brooklyn; Jane, Mrs. Edwin Van 
de Water of Brooklyn, is still living, being now 
(1896) eighty-one years old; Valentine is next in 
order of birth; Samuel remained in his native lo- 
cality and engaged in farming until his death; 




GARRETT V. W. ELDERT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



559 



Phoebe became the wife of Thomas Valentine 
and lived on a farm near Mineola vmtil her death ; 
Charles C. was a lifelong farmer of this vicinity; 
Joseph D., formerly a hardware merchant of 
Brooklyn, is living retired, his sons having taken 
charge of the business; John H. is still living in 
this neighborhood and has always engaged in 
farming; Emily A. married Luke Fleet. It is 
worthy of note that of this large family all mar- 
ried, settled on Long Island and reared families. 
Educated in the common schools, our subject 
has since added to the information there acquired 
by systematic reading. His home has always 
been on the farm and he has occupied the same 
- bedroom since he was a child. At the time of 
his father's death he was sixteen years of age, and 
immediately afterward took charge of the home- 
stead, which he purchased in 1840. About 1855 
he established a boarding stable for city horses, 
at times keeping as many as ninety head. In ad- 
dition to this, he has followed general farming. 
While he takes an interest in public matters, he 
has never sought ofifice, though he has served as 
road commissioner and in other positions. In 
former years he was connected with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, but since the de- 
cline of the lodge he has not retained his active 
membership in it. 

In 1840 Mr. Willis married Annette Bogart, 
daughter of Daniel Bogart, of Roslyn, and an es- 
timable lady, who remained her husband's help- 
mate for almost a half century, dying in i8go, a 
few months before they were to have celebrated 
their golden wedding. Three children blessed 
their union, namely: Oscar B., who lives in 
Queens; William Wallace, who died at the age of 
four years; and Eugene, who makes his home 
with his father, and is connected with him in 
business. 



LUKE ELDERT. Some men are possessed 
of such remarkable activity and energy that 
they are not content to do business in as 
extensive a scale as their competitors, but strive 
onward with restless zeal to excel them all and 
place their own establishment foremost in the 
ranks of industry. Men of this kind are valuable 
citizens, and are always foremost in advancing the 
public welfare. Luke Eldert of Rockaway Beach, 
L. I., is engaged in the hotel and real estate 
business, but rents the hotel and gives his entire 
attention to his numerous other enterprises, for he 
22 



owns considerable property in the place. He is 
one of its most progressive and thorough going 
citizens, and during the twenty-five years he has 
resided here has won the respect and confidence 
of all. 

The father of our subject, Garrett V. W. Eldert, 
bought property here thirty-five years ago, many 
acres on the beach and forty acres at this partic- 
ular point. He was practically the pioneer of 
Rockaway Beach, where he was very popular, 
and his memory is revered for his integrity and 
charity. When he came to Rockaway the place 
was practically a desert. People said that he was 
crazy to settle there. His brother Luke said that 
he had better put his money in the savings bank 
than invest in property there. Mr. Eldert told 
Luke to put his money in the savings bank and 
that "sand bank was good enough for him." The 
savings bank broke and Luke lost his money, 
while Garrett lived to see Rockaway Beach grow 
from a mere sand bank, as it were, to a populous, 
thriving village. Mr. Eldert was an hotel man 
most of his life and made a complete success of 
this business. He built the fine Elderthurst Ho- 
tel, Avondale Hotel Pavilion and Bathing House, 
and improved a great deal of property. He died 
January 19, 1890, when sixty-five years old, and 
although he had conducted a hotel most of his 
hfe, was retired from active duties ten years pre- 
vious to his death. He first married Miss Matilda 
Rider, who died about twenty-five years ago, 
when forty-two years old. She was of an old and 
prominent family that at one time owned all 
the Beach, now worth millions of dollars. By his 
first marriage Mr. Eldert had a large family. In 
1880 he married Miss Julia Seaman, who is still 
living. She comes of a family who have long 
been residents of Hempstead. 

Luke Eldert was born in what was called New 
Lots, now twenty-sixth ward, Brooklyn, May 
25, 1855, and there received good educational 
advantages. He first began working in the hotel 
with his father and remained with him until twen- 
tj'-two years old. At that age he started out in 
the hotel business for himself, renting a hotel of 
his father, and conducted the first one where 
Elderthurst now stands. For a number of years 
past he has been engaged in real estate business 
and in the management of his own property. He 
builds hotels and rents them, and is constantly 
improving and increasing the value of his places. 

Mr. Eldert is a charter member of the fire 
department and of Atlantic Engine Company, 



s6o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



having donated the land on which the engine 
house now stands. Socially, he is a member of 
Arlington Lodge No. 394, A. O. U. W., and 
politically he is a RepubHcan. In all local affairs 
of moment he takes a deep interest, and is one of 
the county's best citizens. 



ROWLAND SEAMAN, who has resided at 
Oceanus since 1872, is a son of David and 
Catharine M. (Rowland) Seaman, the for- 
mer of whom, a carpenter and builder by trade, 
resided in Lawrence, L. L, until his death at the 
acre of thirty-five. His wife is still living, as are 
four of their six children, namely: Sarah Amel- 
ia Mrs. William C. Mott of Brooklyn; Row- 
land- Annie, wife of WilUam R. Dunn of Law- 
rence; and Mrs. Amanda McNeil of Philadel- 
phia. ' Rowland was born at Lawrence, October 
21, 1842, and was ten years of age when death 
removed his father from earth, thus depriving the 
boy of his counsel and assistance at a time when 
it was most needed. He was taken into the home 
of his grandfather at Northport, where he re- 
mained until eighteen years old, meantime at- 
tending school whenever the opportunity was of- 
fered. 

At the opening of the Civil War Mr. Seaman, 
then a youth less than twenty years of age, en- 
listed in the defense of the Union, becoming a 
member of Company E, Fourth New York In- 
fantry, at Brooklyn, which was assigned to the 
Army of the Potomac. Among the memorable 
engagements in which he took part were those 
at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg 
and Chancellorsville. At Antietam he was se- 
verely wounded and for three months afterward 
was confined in a hospital. His physical condi- 
tion was so impaired by his illness that he was 
unable to serve longer in the army, and was 
honorably discharged at New York, returning 
home with a record as a valiant and faithful sol- 
dier. 

For seven years Mr. Seaman was employed in 
a grocery store in Brooklyn, meantime attend- 
ing the night schools. In youth he had learned 
the carpenter's trade and also started to learn 
the ship builder's trade, but only worked a month 
at that occupation. On coming to Rockaway 
Beach he was employed as superintendent of the 
erection of the Seaside House, and built the first 
house in Arverne. He soon became known as 
the principal builder on the beach, and many of 



the houses now seen here are the monuments of 
his handiwork and skill. It is his intention to 
soon retire from the trade, although his services 
are still in frequent demand. He is married, his 
wife having been Miss Catherine A. Bedell, a 
native of Long Island. 

In former years Mr. Seaman was a Demo- 
crat, but during the days of the Civil War, his 
experience and observations were such as to in- 
duce a radical revolution in his opinions, and he 
has since advanced Republican principles. So- 
cially he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and also 
belongs to the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. He is one of the charter members of the 
Beach fire department, of which he has been 
assistant chief for four years. Interested in edu- 
cational matters, he has been a member of the 
board of education for two years and still holds 
that position. He has done all in his power to 
promote the welfare of the schools here, as well 
as to advance all lines of mental, material and 
commercial development. 



C 



HARLES H. BARKER, M. D. The 
most imperishable monuments erected to 
commemorate the virtues of our departed 
friends are not built of marble, but are found in 
the hearts and memories of mankind. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was one of those whose mem- 
ory will live through the coming years, for his 
acts and words were such as to make the world 
better and to bring humanity into nearer relation 
with the great Infinite. A genial, whole-souled 
man, he was the friend of every person who 
needed a sympathetic ear into which to pour their 
joys or sorrows. 

The Barker family, on emigrating to America, 
settled in Canada, the first of the name removing 
from England in 1670 and locating on a farm 
near the St. John River, where subsequent gen- 
erations resided. Dr. Barker was born in Shef- 
field, New Brunswick, September 5, 1831, and 
was a son of Enoch Barker, an extensive farmer 
living near the St. John River. There were four 
sons and four daughters in the family. 

In boyhood Dr. Barker came to the states, 
where he received his hterary and medical edu- 
cation, graduating from the University of Penn- 
sylvania at Philadelphia in 1854. Soon afterward 
he came to Jamaica, where he opened an office 
and began the practice of his profession. Sep- 
tember 18, 1856, he married Lydia Stuart Sayers, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



561 



youngest daughter of Rev. Gilbert Hunt Sayers, 
S. T. D., at that time rector of Grace Episcopal 
Church, Jamaica. 

Shortly after his marriage Dr. Barker went to 
Canada, and for one year practiced his profes- 
sion in Fredericton, New Brunswick, but then re- 
turned to Jamaica, where he remained until his 
death. His skill gained for him an enviable repu- 
tation throughout Queens County and his name 
was a well-known, household word. Having an 
extensive and remunerative practice, he ac- 
cumulated considerable wealth, but being lib- 
eral almost to a fault, much of his means was 
given to help those less fortunate than himself. 
No worthy person ever appealed in vain to him 
for help; his benefactions were constant and 
generous, and his sympathy was extended in a 
practical way to the unfortunate and destitute. 
His death, which occurred August 30, 1893, was 
mourned by rich and poor alike. The entire com- 
munity sustained a loss that was felt as a personal 
bereavement by every citizen. 

During the trying days of the Civil War Dr. 
Barker took an active part, and served as exam- 
ining surgeon for the government in Queens 
County. In religious belief he was an Episco- 
palian, and served as vestryman in Grace Church. 
His wife died July 10, 1865, and of their three 
children only one survives, Mrs. S. J. Scovil. 



i T 1 ij 



ICHAEL E. CONWAY, who was born 
in Astoria, Long Island City, August 23, 
1859, passed from the scenes of earth No- 
vember 5, 1894. He was a son of John Conway, 
a native of the Isle of Erin. When the latter had 
reached man's estate he decided to seek his for- 
tune in America, and tipon his arrival here en- 
gaged in tilling the soil in what is now Carver 
Street, Astoria, and on this place the rest of his 
life was spent. His life companion, formerly Ann 
Conway, died in 1890. 

Our subject was one of the younger members 
of their family and while growing up he was 
given the advantages of the public schools of As- 
toria, where he acquired sufficient education to 
fit him for the ordinary duties of every-day life. 
When the time came for him to depend upon his 
own exertions for a livelihood he decided to em- 
bark in the livery business, and from 1882 to 
1886 he was in partnership with a Mr. Gleason. 
In the last mentioned year Mr. Conway pur- 
chased Mr. Gleason's interest and was the sole 



proprietor of the establishment in Front Street, 
opposite the Queens County Bank, until death 
closed his career. 

Being a man of keen business discernment, Mr. 
Conway was quick to take advantage of every 
opportunity that presented itself for the improve- 
ment of his financial condition, and in 1888 he 
added to his fine line of livery goods, a select and 
complete stock of undertaking goods, including a 
fine assortment of caskets, coffins and the minor 
requisites for funerals. At first he conducted 
this business at No. 52 Jackson Avenue, but aft- 
erwards removed to No. 47 the same street. Here 
he was unfortunately burned out a few months 
later with a heavy loss, but with characteristic 
energy he immediately began the erection of the 
fine brick building on the same site, the building 
having a frontage of twenty-five feet. He at 
once began to reap the reward of his careful at- 
tention to business and the duties of his voca- 
tion, for he possessed the best possible character 
and an undoubted reputation for honorable busi- 
ness principles. Mr. Conway fought his own way 
up from the lowest round of the ladder and was 
wholly unaided by any adventitious circum- 
stances, but depended entirely upon his own brain 
and brawn for his commercial standing, and thev 
were not found wanting. At the untimely age of 
thirty-five years, November 5, 1894, his summons 
came to join the innmerable band gone before, 
and thus his earthly career closed just at the 
height of his usefulness. He was buried in Cal- 
vary Cemetery. Politically a Democrat, he was 
never an aspirant for office, and socially he be- 
longed to J. J. Mitchell Lodge, A. O. U. W., the 
Foresters, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and 
the Exempt Firemen's Association. Religously 
he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. 

On the 17th of November, 1886, in Long 
Island City, Mr. Conway married Miss Mary 
Rooney, who was born in Flushing, a daughter 
of Patrick Roone)^, a native of Ireland. The lat- 
ter came to the United States in his boyhood, and 
on Long Island he followed the mason's trade. 
He now makes his home with his daughter, Mr.s. 
Conway, who was the eldest of his six children, 
and who has been a resident of Long Island City 
since she was one year old. Since the death of 
Mr. Conway his widow has successfully carried 
on all branches of the business founded by her 
husband and can at all times be relied upon to 
do all in her power to please those who patronize 
her. The building in which she does business is 



S62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



three stories in height, the first floor being de- 
voted to store rooms, and the two upper floors 
are arranged in flats. Mrs. Conway bore her 
husband three children: John, aged six years; 
May, aged five years, and George, four. Mrs. 
Conway is a member of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church. 



HENRY W. SHARKEY, commissioner of 
public works at Long Island City, has 
been for many years one of the leading 
citizens and prominent politicians of the county. 
He was born in Jersey City in 1858, and is a son 
of Henry Sharkey, a native of Belfast, Ireland, 
and a machinist by trade, who after coming to 
America obtained a position as foreman in the 
Paterson (N. J.) locomotive works. The year 
in which Henry W. was born his father purchased 
property in Long Island City and the following 
year moved his family to this place. The two 
lots of which he became the owner were situated 
on West Avenue and Fifth Street, and on these 
he erected three residences, in one of which he 
made his home. For some time he was em- 
ployed as machinist and engineer for the Long 
Island Railroad Company, holding his position 
with this corporation until retiring from all ac- 
tive work. He was an expert machinist and set 
up the first stationary engine ever run in Ja- 
maica, in the interest of the Long Island Rail- 
road. He died in Queens County in 1880, when 
sixty-three years of age. For three years he 
served as examining engineer and inspector of 
steam boilers, having been appointed to that re- 
sponsible position by Mayor Ditmars. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Mary J. Warwick, 
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and accom- 
panied her parents to America at the age of sev- 
enteen years, some time afterward becoming the 
wife of Henry Sharkey. Of their seven children 
four are now living. 

After having , attended for some time the 
schools of Long Island City, the subject of this 
sketch became a student in Cooper Institute, 
from which he graduated in 1875. He then en- 
tered the employ of Pratt & Lambert, manufac- 
turers of varnishes, and by the time he was twen- 
ty-one he had worked his way from the most 
humble position to that of superintendent of the 
works. In 1884 he resigned to enter the employ 
of the National Construction Company of New 
York City, then engaged in building the iron 



pier at Rockaway Beach. After being in their 
employ for a period of two years Mr. Sharkey 
left and shortly thereafter became the proprietor 
of the New York Hotel on Borden A_venue. This 
he sold out five years later in order to accept the 
office of under sheriff of Queens County, assist- 
ing M. J. Goldner, sheriff. He gave to his super- 
ior the best of satisfaction during the three years 
in which he held his office, being his able helper 
from January, 1889, to January, 1892. 

Shortly after his experience as under sheriff 
Mr. Sharkey was appointed general inspector of 
the Vernon and Jackson Avenues Improvement 
Commission, having charge of the work of the 
commission for a twelvemonth, or until he was 
appointed commissioner of public works in Jan- 
uary, 1893. This position was conferred upon 
him by Mayor Sanford and is one of the most 
important appointive offices in the city. Mr. 
Sharkey is superintendent of the entire water de- 
partment and since he has taken charge of the 
work more water mains have been laid than dur- 
ing the administration of any other mayor. The 
engines pump two million gallons of water every 
twenty-four hours, and in order that it may be 
made accessible to many who do not now enjoy 
this convenience, Mr. Sharkey is engaged in lay- 
ing another three miles of water main. He gives 
his personal attention to all work of the depart- 
ment and sees that it is done in the best manner 
possible and with the least cost to the people. 
Since being appointed commissioner the work of 
paving, flagging, curbing, etc., of the various 
streets of the city has gone rapidly forward and 
Mr. Sharkey, although very busy, has not neg- 
lected the laying of sewers, and is providing 
every portion of the city with this necessary 
feature as quickly as means can be procured to 
carry on the work. 

Mr. Sharkey is a member of the firm of John 
J. Peters & Co., manufacturers of sheep fertiliz- 
ers, whose headquarters are in Long Island City, 
although they have a branch house in East St. 
Louis, Mo. The firm have made this their busi- 
ness for the past six years, and the product, which 
they manufacture in large quantities, is shipped 
to all parts of the Union. Mr. Sharkey owns a 
half interest in the General Manufacturing Com- 
pany, with offices at Nos. 102-104 Fulton Street, 
New York City. He is also president of the 
branch of the United States Savings and Loan 
Bank, which is located in this city, and of which 
he has been the head ever since the institution 




ABRAHAM VAN SICLEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



565 



was established here. In 1888 he was elected al- 
derman from the first ward on the Democratic 
ticket, serving during his term of two years as 
chairman of the finance committee. At that time 
he was also a member of the committee on fire 
and water, and through his influence the city was 
induced to purchase the first steam fire engine 
ever used here and erect a building for the same. 
At the present time Mr. Sharkey is president of 
the fire and water board, though whose sugges- 
tion five new engines have been bought. When 
twenty-two years of age he was foreman of Live 
Oak Truck No. 2 of Long Island City, and is 
now a member of the Exempt Eiremen of Long 
Island City and the Volunteer Eiremen's Asso- 
ciation. He is also connected with John J. Mitch- 
ell Lodge No. 338, A. O. U. W., of which he is 
past commander. He likewise belongs to the 
Arion Singing Society. For the past eight years 
Mr. Sharkey has been one of the most influential 
and active politicians of the county. He was one 
of the first members of the Jefferson Club, which 
he served as vice-president and president, and is 
still a member of the same. Eor six years he has 
been secretary of the Democratic general com- 
mittee, and has represented his party at various 
times as delegate to the county and state conven- 
tions. He is a great athlete and for some time 
was manager of the Star Base Ball Club, the 
champion amateur club of the state. Previous to 
that time he was captain of the old Resolute Club, 
champion of Queens County. He is a charter 
member of the Star Athletic Club, also of the 
Ravenswood Boat Club. 



ABRAHAM VAN SICLEN, a retired 
farmer, living in a pleasant home on Lib- 
erty Avenue, near Woodhaven, is a native 
of Kings County and was born at New Lots Feb- 
ruary 22, 1829. His father, John Van Siclen, was 
born at the same place January 3, 1787, and April 
3, 1814, was married to Maria Ryerson, whose 
birth occurred October 12, 1795, also in Kings 
County. 

The father of our subject was a shoemaker by 
trade, but during the greater part of his Hfe fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer. During the 
War of 1812 he was in the employ of the Govern- 
ment as mail-carrier from Fort Green to Ama- 
gansett, L. I. He was a prominent man of his da)^ 
and in his locality, and in addition to the various 
positions of trust which he held was that of tax 



collector. He departed this life July 8, 1845, 
while his wife survived him five years, passing 
away September 30, 1850. Our subject's paternal 
grandfather, Abraham Van Siclen, came from 
one of the oldest families on the island, as also did 
Grandfather Martin Ryerson, who was born at 
Wallabout, now Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Martin Van Siclen, a brother of our subject, 
was born September 25, 181 5; he was married 
January 16,, 1839, to Catherine Drew, who de- 
parted this life January 20, 1842. May loth of 
the following year he married Phebe Eldert, and 
together they made their home on a farm located 
on the Rockaway Road until the death of Martin, 
which occurred February 24, 1889. The wife and 
children still live on this estate. 

John Van Siclen was born June 28, 1820; he 
was never married and makes his home at New 
Lots. Cornelia was born October 19, 1823; she 
became the wife of Henry Eldert October 25, 
1846, and to them was born a son, John H., who 
is now a large contractor, living at Morris Park. 
Mrs. Van Siclen died December 11, 1886, being- 
preceded to the better land by her husband, who 
passed away May 2d of that year. 

Jacob Ryerson Van Siclen, another brother of 
our stibject, was born June 24, 1826. He never 
married and followed farming on the old home- 
stead in New Lots until his death, October 24, 
1879. ^^^ M^aria was born October 31, 1831; 
she married John A. Suydam February i, 1854, 
and January 24, 1866, departed this life; her hus- 
band is now living at Waterloo, Seneca County, 
N. Y. Gertrude was born February 20, . 1834. 
Her marriage to Jeremiah Lott, who is now de- 
ceased, occurred November 18, i860; she is living 
at New Lots. James Cornell Van Siclen was born 
January 11, 1838; he was married November i, 
1871, to Rebecca Bergen, and departed this life 
March 20, 1886. His family also live at New Lots. 

The subject of this sketch grew to mature years 
on the home farm and was educated in tne schools 
of the vicinity. He was trained to a full knowl- 
edge of farming and continued to make his home 
on the old place until 1887, when he erected his 
present residence in Liberty Avenue, into which 
he moved his family. Although taking great in- 
terest in the affairs of his community, he has 
never aspired to hold office, preferring to let those 
serve the public who have more desire to do so. 
He was married November 4, 1866, to Miss Phebe 
Maria Van Wiclin, a native of Woodhaven and 
the daughter of Hendrick Van Wiclin. 



s66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



To our subject and his excellent wife there were 
born three children, of whom John died July 4, 
1868, when an infant of six months. Abraham 
is also deceased, departing this life May 27, 1887, 
when a lad of seventeen years. Henry, who was 
born April 11, 1872, still lives with his parents and 
gives his attention to looking after the cultiva- 
tion of the old homestead. In politics our sub- 
ject is a Republican. Mrs. Van Siclen is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, which church 
her husband also attends. 



SINGLETON LATHAM MITCHILL, a 
well-known surveyor of Queens County, 
is living in Manhasset in the house where 
his birth occurred January 26, 1836. He and a 
brother, who died at seven years, were the only 
children of Warren and Catherine (Onderdonk) 
Mitchill. His father, who was born at this place 
in 1804, was well educated for his day and by 
following the occupation of a farmer and sur- 
veyor became well-to-do. He voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket until 1856, when, having sufficient 
reason to change his views, he supported Fre- 
mont, and from that time until his death was a 
true-blue Republican. He was very popular in 
his community and during the sixteen years in 
which he held the office of justice of the peace 
gave entire satisfaction to the public by the wis- 
dom of his decisions. He was a true Christian 
gentleman and for many years an elder in the 
Presbyterian Church at Roslyn. For some time 
he was actively connected with the Sons of Tem- 
perance and in every good work in the commun- 
ity his influence could always be counted upon. 
He departed this life in January, 1888. His good 
wife survived him one year, and at the time of 
her decease, in April, 1889, was in the eightietli 
year of her age. 

The subject of this sketch is a finely educated 
man, having been a student in some of the best 
schools on the island. His attendance at the dis- 
trict school was supplemented by a course in the 
academy at Roslyn, and later he attended a 
boarding school at Hempstead, which was con- 
ducted by Charles Rutherford. When leaving 
there he went to Schoharie County, this state, 
and prepared himself for becoming a surveyor in 
. the Carlisle Seminary. When ready to commence 
work at his profession he joined his father, who 
was then engaged in surveying, and assisted him 
in this work for several years. He has been verv 



successful in all his undertakings in this line and 
for a period of forty-one years has given to this 
business his entire time and attention, so that he 
is well known throughout this locality. The pro- 
fession has brought him into close contact with 
the people of the island especially, and at one 
time he was acquainted with all the owners of 
property on Great Neck. 

Mr. Mitchill was married October 19, 1864, to 
Miss Addie E., daughter of Col. Andrew A. and 
Maria (Case) Bremner. They have no children. 
In politics our subject voted for Lincoln in i860 
and 1864, and says that had that grand old man 
been permitted to live he would have supported 
him every time. He continued to be allied with 
the Republican party until 1884 when he voted 
the Democratic ticket and has voted for Cleve- 
land three times. For twelve years he held the 
office of inspector of elections. Religiously he is 
an Episcopalian and vestryman in Christ's 
Church at Manhasset. 

The Mitchill family is of Enghsh origin, and 
has been represented in the town of Hempstead 
for more than two hundred years. Our subject 
has in his possession a family tree showing over 
six generations. Robert Mitchill, a descendant 
of Sir Humphrey Mitchill, came from Old Wind- 
sor, Berkshire, England, about two hundred 
years ago, and settled on Long Island, in what 
is now the town of North Hempstead. He mar- 
ried (first) Mary Lokerson, and (second) Hester 
Smith, by whom he had one child, Robert. The 
latter married (first) Phebe Denton, by whom he 
had three children, and (second) Hannah Van 
Wyck (the widow Smith), by whom he had eight 
children: William, Hannah, Robert, Phebe, 
Thomas, Uriah, Augustus and Mary. William 
Mitchill married Sarah Latham, and Robert 
Mitchill married Mary Latham, daughters of 
William and Amy (Underbill) Latham, and 
granddaughters of Joseph Latham, v4ao was born 
in 1674 in Bristol, England, and came to New 
York in 1695, and there, July 4, 1696, married 
Jane Singleton. He engaged in ship building 
until 1 718, when he retired from the business and 
purchased of William Nicoll in the town of 
Hempstead, Nicoll's patent, on which he built 
his residence in 17 19. He had four children: Jane, 
William, Margaret and Mary. William was born 
June 17, 1706, and married July 17, 1726, Amy, 
daughter of Samuel and Hannah Underbill, and 
died Julv 3, 1763; his widow died February 18, 
1775, in her seventy-second year. They had six 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



567 



children: Joseph, Samuel, Sarah, Hannah, Mary 
and Thomas. 

William Mitchill and Sarah Latham had two 
children, Charles and William. The former, 
who for many years was a practicing physician 
at what is now Manhasset, married Elizabeth 
Thorne'and they had five children: John, Wil- 
liam, Jane, Maria and Charles. William, also a 
physician of Manhasset, never married. John 
married Margaret Olivia Mitchill, and their 
descendant, Charles T. Mitchill, now occupies 
the Mitchill homestead of Manhasset. 

Robert Mitchill and Mary Latham were mar- 
ried June 22, 1759, and had eight children: 
James, Jane, Samuel Latham, Joseph, George, 
Robert, Singleton and Priscilla. Samuel Lath- 
am Mitchill, M. D., LL.D., became noted for his 
learning and various attainments, served in the 
legislature, congress and United States Senate, 
and was professor in Columbia College. He was 
born August 20, 1764, and died September 7, 
1 83 1. The home of his ancestors and himself he 
christened "Plandome," which he interpreted to 
mean "plain home." He married Catherine Ak- 
erly. Singleton Mitchill, born May 9, 1774, mar- 
ried Maria Schenck, May 12, 1803, and died 
December 9, 1861. They had ten children: War- 
i-en, Mary E., Robert, William L., Edward, Sin- 
gleton L., John S., Joseph L., Mary E. and Eras- 
tus. Afterward he married Sarah Hewlett, daugh- 
ter of Judge Hewlett of Coldspring, L. I., but 
they had no children. Singleton was adopted 
by his uncle. Dr. Samuel Latham, an eminent 
physician, when but two years of age, and went 
to live with him at "Plandome." When he was 
six years old his uncle died July 24, 1781, in his 
fifty-third year, leaving his house, mills and a 
portion of his land to Singleton, while he left a 
part of the land to Charles, his nephew, who also 
lived with him. As Singleton was only six years 
old, his father exchanged his farm at Manhasset 
for the land bequeathed to Charles and went to 
live at "Plandome," taking charge of Singleton 
and his inheritance. The father, Robert, died 
July 12, 1789, and afterward Singleton and his 
brothers ran the mills and the farm of over two 
hundred acres for a time, but later he bought his 
brothers' interest in the land left to Charles. In 
1 819 he built the present house at "Plandome" 
on the foundation of the one which Joseph Lath- 
am had erected one hundred years before. Dur- 
ing his life of over eighty years at "Plandome," 
lie found time not only to cultivate a large farm 



and run the Plandome mills with profit, but also 
to offer the hospitalities of his home to his many 
friends, attend to public duties and politics, serv- 
ing as justice of the peace for twenty years, for 
six years as one of the judges of the county 
court, for two years first judge of Queens Coun- 
ty, six years supervisor of the town of North - 
Hempstead, and five years commissioner of high- 
ways in that town. In 1807 Governor Tompkins, 
David Geson, mayor of New York City, and Dr. 
Samuel L. Mitchill, came to "Plandome" and 
spent the night, and the next day were taken by 
Singleton to Sand's Point, where they bought 
land of Benjamin Hewlett for a lighthouse, this 
being built in 1809. In 181 1 Singleton Mitchill, 
Andrew and Joseph Onderdonk and Daniel 
Hoogland were empowered to build a cotton fac- 
tory, where William H. Hewlett's grist mill now 
stands, and this was kept in successful opera- 
tion for several years until it was burned. 

In 181 5 Singleton Mitchill was appointed on a 
committee with Peter Onderdonk and David 
Brinkerhoff by the Reformed Dutch Church to 
build a new edifice. They bought the land of 
George Onderdonk and built the church at Man- 
hasset in 1816. In 1820 he received ten prem- 
iums from the Queens County Agricultural So- 
ciety, six of which were silver ctips and one dozen 
silver spoons. He was a delegate to numerous 
political conventions and to the Baltimore con- 
vention, when Martin Van Buren was nominated 
for President of the United States. In 1845 he 
was chosen president of the Queens County Ag- 
ricultural Society. He was administrator and ex- 
ecutor to about twenty-seven estates, all of which 
were amicably settled. 

Warren Mitchill, the eldest son of Singleton 
and Maria (Schenck) Mitchill, was born May 2, 
1804, and died January 13, 1888. He mariied 
Catherine Onderdonk — born February 10, 1809, 
died April 24, 1889 — a daughter of Minnie On- 
derdonk. They had two children, namely: Jos- 
eph Warren, born Eebruary 26, 183 1, died Oc- 
tober 2, 1838; and Singleton L., born January 26, 
1836. Warren Mitchill was educated in the pub- 
lic schools and at the seminary in Jamaica, of 
which Mr. Eigenbrodt was principal. After his 
marriage he purchased a part of his father's farm 
and began an active life as farmer, surveyor and 
auctioneer. For sixteen years he was justice of 
the peace in the town of North Hempstead, and 
in all that time his constant endeavor was to dis- 
suade those who applied to him from taking is- 



568 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sue at law and to have an amicable settlement 
without recourse to law. In character he was not 
afraid to assert his rights, noted for his honesty 
and integrity, a great talker and fond of a joke. 
An old friend once asked him: "Warren, how 
many children has thy father?" His reply was: 
"Uncle Samm)', there are seven of us boys and 
we each have a sister." "Oh, my, Warren, thy 
father has a large family," was Uncle Sammy's 
reply. For years he was an elder in the Roslyn 
Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Dem- 
ocrat until the time of Fremont's candidacy for 
President, after which he was a Republican. 

NicoU's patent, granted to Mathias Nicoll, 
father of A¥illiam Nicoll, contains twelve hun- 
dred acres, and the deed from William Nicoll to 
Mr. Latham, which is now in possession of Sin- 
gleton L. Mitchill, a great-great-great-grandson 
of that gentleman, covered the same tract of land 
in two surveys lying adjoining each other. There 
was a reservation in the deed of a burial ground, 
sixty feet square, which was destroyed in the 
Revolutionary War, when the British troops oc- 
cupied the land and were encamped on the 
ground south of the house of Dr. Samuel Lath- 
am. During the time they were there, they 
burned nearly all of the fencing on the farm. 
When they came Dr. Latham, being loyal, pro- 
posed to leave as others did and go within the 
American lines, but the commanding officer ob- 
jected to this, stating that he would need his 
services as physician. Dr. Latham said he could 
not stay unless allowed to talk and act as he 
pleased, and upon the assurance of the Colonel 
that he would be protected he remained. While 
there the Colonel presented Dr. Latham with an 
ivory cane nearly five feet long, with silver head, 
which is now in the possession of his great-great- 
nephew, S. L. Mitchill. 



M' 



RS. HENRIETTA CLAVEN. This es- 
timable, liberal and enterprising woman 
is a native of the city of New York and 
a daughter of Henry Jensen, a native of Sles- 
wick-Holstein, Germany. When still a young 
man and unencumbered, he came to the United 
States with a view to bettering his financial con- 
dition, and having become a thoroughly prac- 
tical and competent piano maker in his native 
land, he was engaged in their manufacture for 
a short time after his arrival here, but was unfor- 
tunately burned out. He then entered the employ 



of Decker Brothers as foreman, with whom he 
remained until ill health compelled him to retire. 
About 1870 he removed with his family to Long 
Island City, and was here at the time of his death, 
in 1894, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife 
was formerly Miss Sarah Fogarty, a native of 
Ireland, but who was brought when young to 
this country by her parents, who took up their res- 
idence in New York City, where she was reared. 
Her death occurred in January, 1895, when in her 
fifty-fifth year. Of a family of fourteen children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Jensen seven survive and 
all reside in Long Island City. 

In 1879, in Long Island City, Henrietta Jen- 
sen was married to John Claven, who was born 
in New York City in 1846, a son of Patrick 
Claven, an old resident of New York, who event- 
ually died in Long Island City. John Claven 
was the founder of the hardware firm of Claven 
& Co., which was composed of himself and his 
brother Thomas, and was the head of this reliable 
firm until his death, which occurred in the prime 
and vigor of manhood, in 1887. He was quite 
prominent in local politics, and for two terms 
was alderman from the first ward and for a like 
length of time supervisor of Long Island City. 
Politically he was a Democrat. 

After the death of John Claven his widow mar- 
ried his brother Thomas, in 1890. The latter 
was a native of the city of New York and was 
there reared and received a grammar school edu- 
cation. In 1871 he came with the family to 
Long Island City, and here, with his brother 
John, and George Petry, he established the hard- 
ware business above mentioned, but shortly 
afterward the brothers bought Mr. Petry's in- 
terest and became the sole owners. In connec- 
tion with their business they engaged in the man- 
ufacture of varnish and tacks and conducted a 
successful business in Jackson Avenue until the 
death of John Claven, when Thomas became the 
sole manager of the business. He continued suc- 
cessfully to discharge the responsibilities of his 
business, but unfortunately his earthly career was 
cut short at the comparatively early age of thirty- 
nine years, in January, 1893. John and Thomas 
Claven had a younger brother, Michael, who 
came to Long Island at the time they did and 
here he received his education, later engaging in 
business. He became prominent in commercial 
circles, and, like his brothers, bore an excellent 
reputation for honesty and upright dealing. He 
died early also, in June, 1895, when thirty-four 




PETER LOTT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



571 



years old. At one time he was president of the 
board of aldermen, and at the time of his death 
was president of the Long Island improvement 
committee. 

Mrs. Claven has entirely refuted the old notion 
that women are utterly lacking- in business ca- 
pacity, for since the death of her husband, Thom- 
as Claven, she has taken her place at the helm 
and has continued to guide the business into 
safe and lucrative channels. She conducted both 
the store and the manufactory successfully until 
about September, 1895, when she closed out the 
former establishment and has since devoted her 
attention to the manufacture of varnish and tacks 
in Borden Avenue, near Jackson Avenue, and to 
doing a general jobbing business. She is 
shrewd, capable and intelligent and has lost none 
of her womanliness by so successfully continu- 
ing the business which was inaugurated b}- 
Claven Brothers. She is a Christian in all that 
the word implies and is a worthy member of St. 
Mary's Catholic Church. 



PETER LOTT, who is living on the Jamaica 
plank road in Woodhaven,was bornonthis 
place February 4,1812. He was the young- 
est member of a family of ten children, two of 
whom died in infancy. Stephen, born February 
28, 1788, married Phebe Sprang. He served as 
a soldier in the War of 1812 and became a man 
of great prominence in his community, holding 
several positions of honor and trust. During 
the greater part of his life he followed farming 
and died in 1859. Phebe, who was born July 24, 
1790, never married and lived to be eighty-eight 
years of age. John was born July 24, 1792, and 
died September 13th of the following year. John 
S., who was born August 2, 1794, also fought 
in the War of 181 2, and during the active years 
of his hfe served his town as highway commis- 
sioner, assessor and supervisor. By occupation 
he was a farmer. Hendrick was born April 8, 
1797; he made farming his life vocation and died 
October 10, 1849. Dow S. was born July 28, 
1800, and died September loth of that year. 
Anna was born July 6, 1801 ; she married Jacob 
Snediker and lived until August 22, 1867. Dow 
S., the second of that name, was born Decem- 
b)er 25, 1803, and died May 27, 1868. Sarah was 
born May 23, 1806; she married F. L. Wyckofif 
and to them were born eight children — ^John, 



Henry L., Jacob S., Ferdinand L. and William 
J., and two daughters and one son who died in 
infancy. William and John Lott, now promi- 
nent residents of Jamaica, are sons of Jacob S. 

The father of the above family was Hendrick 
Lott, whose birth occurred March- 24, 1761, on 
the old Lott homestead. He was a very prom- 
inent man in his day and was the incumbent of 
many offices of trust and responsibility. In the 
Reformed Church, of which he was one of the 
leading members, he served as elder for many 
years, and passed away September 13, 1832. His 
father, by name Stephen Lott, came to Long 
Island from Pennsylvania during the early set- 
tlement of this region. Of his children we men- 
tion the following facts: Hendrick was the eldest 
of the family. Johanas, born November 19, 1763, 
was a farmer by occupation and a captain of 
militia; Peter was born January 31, 1766, and 
died unmarried; Anna was born March 4, 1768; 
she married John Vandev'ere; Stephen was born 
April 26, 1770, and married Phebe Eldert; 
George was born May 22, 1772, and married 
Wilenpea Schenck; Maria, born March 21, 1774, 
married Benjamin Sammis; Catherine, born June 
17, 1786, became the wife of Timothy Nostrand; 
and Nicholas, born August 7, 1778, married 
Addie Snediker. This branch of the Lott fam- 
ily is enabled to trace its ancestry on Long Island 
back to the year 1652. Among its members was 
one Johonas, who was elected to the New York 
Assembly, serving for twenty years from 1727 

to 1747- 

Peter Lott has spent his entire life on the place 
where he is at present residing. He followed 
farming for many years and also speculated quite 
extensively in land, meeting with very flattering 
success in this venture. He is to-day one of the 
wealthy and substantial citizens of the town of 
Jamaica, which result has been brought about 
through his own efforts. He has always taken 
an active interest in the welfare of his community 
and on several occasions has held office. He has 
never married, and, although now well advanced 
in years, is active in mind and body, and it is no 
uncommon occurrence for him to walk to Ja- 
maica to attend prayer-meeting, a distance of 
three or four miles. The Reformed Church re- 
gards him as one of its most consistent members, 
and during his younger days he served his con- 
gregation in the official capacity of deacon and 
elder. Mr. Lott has a very pleasant home and 
among its furnishings is a splendid library. He 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



takes great delight in reading good books and 
papers, and is without doubt one of the best- 
posted men on current events in his locality. 



PROF. JOHN WAMBSGANSS. No pro- 
fession has a greater influence upon man- 
kind and none is loftier in its aims or more 
uplifting in its effects than that of music. Tliose 
who devote their lives to the mastery of its in- 
tricacies and who from its study evolve new beau- 
ties in the realms of harmonic symphonies well 
deserve the praise of their friends and the ap- 
plause of the world. Perhaps few have given 
more earnest or closer attention to the study of 
music than has Professor Wambsganss, and that 
the results have been satisfactory may be attested 
by the writer, who had the pleasure of personally 
hearing this well known pianist. 

Though of American birth, the subject of this 
sketch traces his lineage to Germany, where were 
born his father and grandfather, both named 
George. The latter brought his family to Ameri- 
ca and settled in Kendallville, Ind., where he spent 
his remaining years. George, Jr., was a lad of 
eight years when the family came to this country, 
and he grew to manhood in Indiana, being edu- 
cated in Ft. Wayne for the profession of a school 
teacher. His first work in that occupation was 
in A'an Wert County, Ohio, after which he was 
similarly employed in Crete, 111., then in Chicago 
for fifteen years, and is now at Bremen, Ind., 
where he teaches in a Lutheran school. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Germann, 
was born in Vanwert, Ohio, being a daughter of 
Charles Phihp Germann. 

Among six children, our subject was third in 
respect to age. He was born in Chicago, 111., 
August 12, 1869, and spent his childhood years 
in his native place, being educated in the pa- 
rochial schools. At the age of fourteen he en- 
tered the Addison Seminary, near Chicago, from 
which he graduated in 1889. Going to Decatur, 
Macon County, he accepted a position as teacher 
in German and English in the parochial school. 
In January, 189 1, he came to Long Island City 
to take the position of instructor in Trinity pa- 
rochial school, which he has since held. He is 
also organist in the Trinity Lutheran Church 
and is an instructor in music, making a specialty 
of the piano. For the last three years he has 
been studying music with Prof. F. O. Dulcken. 
On several occasions he has given concerts in 



Long Island City, and of these functions he has 
made a decided success. 

In Long Island City occurred the marriage of 
Professor Wambsganss to Miss Gussie Wingrove, 
a native of this place, and daughter of Benjamin 
Wingrove, of whom mention is elsewhere made. 
One child, Benjamin George, blesses this union. 
While the Professor has been prevented from the 
pressure of his professional duties from taking an 
active part in politics, he is nevertheless well in- 
formed regarding topics of current interest, and 
in national affairs gives his allegiance to the Dem- 
ocratic party. 



PAUL A. GEIPEL, collector for George 
Ehret's brewery, was born in Saxony, Ger- 
many, in 1865, being a son of August and 
Wilhelmina (Koemer) Geipel, also natives of Sax- 
ony. His father was a baker by trade and his 
grandfather a manufacturer of vinegar, though 
both also engaged as dealers in horses. The for- 
mer first came to America in 1854, remaining 
about five years. He then returned to Germany, 
married, and for a time engaged in dealing in 
horses there, but in 1866 he brought his wife 
and child to the United States, settling in New 
York City, where he found employment as a bak- 
er. In 1873 he located in Woodside, Queens 
County, where he was in the employ of the Wood- 
side brewery until its failure. In 1874 he came 
to Long Island City and started a saloon on 
Newtown Road, which he continued for a few 
years. In 1888 he became a collector for Ehret's 
brewery, which position he has since filled. He 
still resides here, making his home at No. 38 
Newtown Road. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of four 
children, of whom three are now living. He was 
reared in Woodside and Long Island City, his 
education being carried on in the Fourth Ward 
school under Professor Gould. Later he attend- 
ed Thompson's Business College. In 1881 he 
entered a drug store in New York, where, in ad- 
dition to working as clerk, he studied pharmacy. 
After two years he became a student in the New 
York College of Pharmacy, where he continued 
until 1885, but was then obliged to relinquish 
the work, owing to the fact that the confinement 
injured his health. On leaving school he went 
West, where he spent five months in travel, thus 
regaining his strength. Returning to Long 
Island City, he became his father's assistant as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



573 



collector. In 1890 he was appointed a collector 
for Ehret's brewery, which position he still holds, 
he and his father being the only two representa- 
tives of the brewery on Long Island. 

Mr. Geipel's family residence is at No. 473 
Grand Avenue. He was married in Long Island 
City to Miss Dora Nentwich, whose father is pro- 
prietor of the Sunnyside House, and who is a 
native of New York, though a resident of this 
city throughout the most of her life. Three chil- 
dren comprise the family, Wilhelmina, Paul A., 
Jr., and Dora. Socially Mr. Geipel is a member 
of the Arion Society in New York, the Frohsinn, 
Turn Verein, Harmony Singing Association, As- 
toria Mannerchor, Eintracht Singing Associa- 
tion, Queens County Athletic Club, Long Island 
City Wheelmen, Dutch Kills Mannerchor and 
Steinway Gun Club, from which list it will be seen 
that he is fond of social pleasure and of athletic 
sports. He has a complete hunting outfit, and 
as a result of his efforts along the line of that 
sport, he has some fine natural history specimens. 
Politically he takes an active interest in public af- 
fairs and casts his vote with the Democratic party. 



EZRA WOODHULL CONKLIN. The 
family of which this representative citizen 
of Jamaica is a member originated in Eng- 
land, but has been represented in America about 
three centuries. The first of whom there is any 
record bore the name of John Conclin and was 
born in 1600; his son, John, Jr., a native of the 
same country, was born in 1630. In company 
with the illustrious "Pilgrim Fathers" he crossed 
the Atlantic from Nottinghamshire and settled in 
Salem, Mass. His wife's name was Mary. 

As early as 1660 John Conclin, Sr., with his son, 
Timothy, removed from Southold to Huntington, 
L. I. The other sons, John, Jr., Jacob, Benja- 
min and Joseph, established their homes in 
Southold and some of their descendants still re- 
side at the east end of Suffolk County. One of 
the most prominent members of the family was 
Roscoe Conkling, said to be a descendant of the 
eastern branch. John, Sr., and Timothy owned 
land at West Neck, and their names appear in the 
records and rate bills as freeholders. Timothy 
was one of the purchasers from the Indians un- 
der Governor Fletcher's patent of 1694. 

The four sons of Timothy were Timothy, Jr., 
Jacob, John and Cornelius, all of whom resided on 
West Neck during early life, but later Cornelius 



went to Coldspring and John removed to Clay 
Pitts. Jacob in 171 1 purchased a large tract ol 
land at Half Hollow Hills, where he died at an 
advanced age; he married Hannah Piatt, daugh- 
ter of Epenetus Piatt, and among their descend- 
ants was Jesse Conklin, formerly sheriff of Suf- 
folk County. Timothy remained on West Neck, 
and the Conklins of Huntington are mostly his 
posterity. 

Ezra Conkling, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a descendant of Timothy, before named. He 
married Sarah, daughter of Isaac Piatt, of Hunt- 
ington, and their nine children were: Piatt, Eras- 
tus Harvey, Ezra, Nathaniel Woodhull, Eliza- 
beth, Experience, Letitia, Matilda and Maria. 
During the Revolutionary War he was stabbed 
by a Hessian soldier, receiving injuries which 
resulted fatally. His son Piatt, who lived at Clam 
Point, Huntington Harbor, married Ehzabeth 
Wood, daughter of Jeremiah Wood, and their 
children were named as follows: Ansel and 
Brewster (twins), Warren, Frank, Jeremiah, Will- 
iam, Mary, Matilda and Elizabeth. Erastus Har- 
vey, son of Ezra, married Ruth, sister of Ehza- 
beth, and daughter of Jeremiah Wood, and they 
had five children: Charles, Ezra, Maria, Sarah 
and Deborah. Ezra, Jr., son of Ezra, Sr., married 
Jane A. Brown, of Huntington, and had three 
children: Seaman, Sarah Maria and Mary Eme- 
line. 

The father of our subject, Nathaniel Woodhull 
Conklin, was born at Huntington, L. I., and was 
a harnessmaker by trade. Possessing large in- 
ventive ability, he had the experience similar to 
inventors — that of never realizing much from his 
inventions. When a young man he came to Ja- 
maica, where he followed his trade. For many 
years he was sexton of the Presbyterian Church 
and also served as superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. He married Phoebe, daughter of Piatt 
Smith, of Jamaica, and they had two children, 
Sarah Reioecca and Ezra Woodhull. Their 
daughter is the wife of Benjamin E. Vandervoort, 
of Wallabout, by whom she had a son, Benjamin 
W. The latter married Dorcas Champlain, of 
Jamaica, and they have one child, named Ed- 
gar A. 

The Piatt family, from whom our subject is 
descended, was first represented on Long Island 
by two brothers, Isaac and Epenetus, and their 
father, Richard Piatt, who came from Hertford- 
shire, England, and settled in New Haven, Conn., 
in 1638, but the following year they removed to 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Milford, Conn., where the father died in the fall 
of 1684. The sons were among the earliest set- 
tlers of Huntington, Suffolk County, and were 
patentees of the town. Isaac Piatt died July 31, 
1691, leaving the following children: Elizabeth, 
born September 15, 1665; Jonas, August 10, 
1667; John, June 29, 1669; Mary, October 26, 
1677, and Jacob, September 29, 1682. 

Jonas, son of Isaac Piatt, had four sons, Oba- 
diah, Timothy, Jesse and Isaac, of whom the two 
first-named settled in Fairfield, and the others re- 
mained in Huntington. Jesse, son of Jonas, had 
three children, Jesse, Isaac and Zophar. Isaac, 
son of Jesse, died in 1772 and left six children, 
Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Obadiah, Jesse and Isaac. 
Obadiah, son of Isaac, resided upon a farm at 
West Hills, now belonging to the McKay estate. 
His brother, Isaac, married Eunice Piatt, of Con- 
necticut, who died in Huntington in 1862 at the 
age of ninety-seven years; she was a descendant 
of Obadiah Piatt, of Fairfield, Conn. Obadiah, 
son of Isaac, left seven children: Elkanah, Phi- 
letus, Daniel, Esther, Rebecca, Phoebe and Sarah. 

Elkanah, son of Obadiah Piatt, of Huntington, 
married Dency, daughter of Jeremiah Wood, in 
1795, and their children were: Elizabeth; George 
W., of New York City ; David ; Brewster W. and 
Daniel (twins) ; Nathan C, deceased, at one time 
chamberlain of New York City; Deborah W. and 
Hannah C. Isaac Piatt, son of Jesse, married 
Sarah Mathews, of Huntington, and after her 
death was united with Elizabeth Doty, of Cold- 
spring Harbor; by his second wife he had sev- 
eral children, whose descendants reside in West- 
ern New York. Joel, son of Jesse, married Miss 
Suydam, of Centerport. Jesse, son of Jesse, set- 
tled in New Jersey; his brother, Ansel, married 
Miss Maria McChesney, of New York City; his 
sister, Sarah, was three times married, her hus- 
bands being Tliomas Steele, John Scudder and 
Joshua B. Smith. 

Philetus Piatt, son of Obadiah, married Content 
Sammis, of Huntington, and their children were 
Obadiah, Zophar, Stephen, Oliver, Watts, Polly, 
Amelia, Sarah, Phoebe and Nancy. Daniel, son 
of Obadiah, married a Miss Smith, of New York 
City. Esther, a daughter of Obadiah, became 
the wife of Stephen Fleet and their children were 
Piatt, Ruth and Mary Esther. Rebecca, daugh- 
ter of Obadiah, had by her first husband one 
son, John Duryee. Her second marriage was 
to Jonas Sammis, of West Neck, by whom she 
had four children. Nelson, Daniel P., Mary (de- 



ceased), and Mrs. Sarah Denton, of Lloyds Neck. 
Phoebe, daughter of Obadiah, married Nathaniel 
Chichester, of West Hills, and their children were 
Nathaniel, Eliphalet, Piatt and Mary Ann. Sarah, 
daughter of Obadiah, married Jesse Rogers, of 
Huntington, and they had one daughter, Eliza- 
beth. 

In the village of Jamaica, where he still resides, 
the subject of this notice was born in Ma}^, 1831. 
He was educated in the district schools and Union 
Hall Academy, and after completing his studies 
went West, but not liking the country, returned 
home. Soon afterward he took up civil engi- 
neering, which he has since followed with marked 
success. His active business career covers a 
period of nearly forty-five years, and during that 
time he has surveyed almost every piece of land 
in the towns of Jamaica and Far Rockaway, made 
what was called the best assessment map ever 
made anywhere in the state outside of New York 
City, and while engaged at his profession he laid 
out Rockaway Beach, Ocean Point and a num- 
ber of other places on the island. In religious 
belief he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
His political views have led him to afiiliate with 
the Democratic party, and in its prosperity he 
feels a keen interest. 

By his marriage to Mary Bennett, of Jamaica, 
which took place November 17, i860, Mr. Conk- 
lin had three sons, namely: Frankhn Woodhull; 
Edgar P., who died in infancy, and Archibald E., 
who was born in Jamaica, June 27, 1867, was 
educated in the public schools, and is engaged 
as a civil engineer with his father, while socially 
he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the 
Twenty-third Regiment, New York National 
Guard, of Brooklyn. The oldest son, Franklin 
W., was born April 3, 1862, and in youth was a 
student in the public schools. From 1880 until 
1886 he was employed as telegraph operator at 
different places, and later, until 1890, held the 
position of recording clerk in the office of the 
clerk of Queens County under John H. Sutphin. 
Since 1890 he has been engaged in civil engineer- 
ing with his father. His first wife, Annie B. 
Cramford, of Valley Stream, with whom he was 
united May 21, 1884, died December 30, 1889, 
after having become the mother of two children. 
His second marriage took place June 29, 1892, 
his wife being Ella L. Vincent, of Brooklyn, who 
passed away March 16, 1894. The only child of 
this union is Grace Adele, who was born Feb- 
ruary 15, 1894. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



575 



SAMUEL T. SKIDMORE. One of the at- 
tractive homesteads of Queens County is 
occupied by the subject of this notice and 
is pleasantly situated on Great Neck. It com- 
mands one of the most magnificent views to be 
found on Long Island. To the right and left of 
the place stand Ft. Schuyler and the fort at Will- 
et's Point, while in the distance lie the waters 
of the sound. The owner is a successful farmer 
and has attained a degree of success which proves 
the possession of energy, prudence and sagacity. 
Near where he now resides Mr. Skidmore was 
born, in 1839, to Gen. James H. and Mary A. 
(Hewlett) Skidmore, being a member of one of 
the old families of the county. His great-grand- 
father, Samuel Skidmore, married Abigail White- 
head in 1774 and their children spent most of 
their youthful days on the homestead near Flush- 
ing. Their son John had three sons, Samuel 
Tredwell, James Henderson and David William, 
all of whom were educated at Union Hall Acad- 
emy, Jamaica, and engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits. Of these James H., the father of Samuel 
T., was born near Flushing, and after retiring 
from business spent the remainder of his life at 
Great Neck, occupying a place situated only a 
stone's throw from where our subject now lives. 
He was born March 4, 1802, and died January 2, 
1887, at the time of his demise being the oldest of 
the Skidmore family in Queens County. Inter- 
ested in military tactics, he was appointed general 
of the Fifteenth Infantry of Long Island. In 
religious belief he was an Episcopalian and served 
for many years as vestryman and warden of 
Christ Church, Manhasset. His children surviv- 
ing him are: Susannah, wife of John T. Willis; 
Samuel T., of this sketch; Mary Jane, widow of 
Frederick K. Edwards; Sarah M., widow of Dr. 
D. Rea Porter, and George W. The widow of 
the General still resides at the old homestead on 
Great Neck. 

The boyhood days of our subject were spent 
in attendance at private schools in Great Neck 
and Coldspring, where he gained a useful fund of 
information. June 3, 1870, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Rosa A. Messenger, a native of 
Brooklyn, and daughter of Harry and Emma 
Messenger. Since their marriage they have re- 
sided in their present home, where they are sur- 
rounded by all that goes to make life comforta- 
ble and enjoyable. They are the parents of a 
daughter and son, the former of whom, Eliza- 
beth, was born in Brooklyn, and is the wife of 



D. Edgar Smith, of New York Cit}^; the son, S. 
Tredwell, was born on Great Neck and is a youth 
of fifteen years (1896). Mr. Skidmore is highly 
esteemed in this community, as in every walk of 
life he has conducted himself in an honorable 
and upright manner. Since the election of Ab- 
raham Lincoln to the presidency, he has always 
supported Republican principles and voted the 
party ticket. For one year he was clerk in the 
custom house of New York. In religious belief 
he has been identified with the Episcopal Church 
for manv vears. 



ALFRED C. BAYLES is one of the 
successful business men of Port Washing- 
ton, where he is proprietor of a general 
store, stocked with a complete assortment of 
goods adapted to meet the need of every custom- 
er. He is a native of Long Island, born in the 
village of Oyster Bay, January 6, 1846, and is a 
son of Samuel Y. and M'ary A. (Weeks) Bayles. 
His father, who was a tailor by trade, followed 
the bay throughout the most of his life, but died 
when his son was quite small, after which the or- 
phan lad was given a home with his maternal 
grandfather at Locust Valley. His education 
was obtained in the country schools there, and 
while it was comparatively meager, yet by self- 
culture he has gained an excellent business edu- 
cation. 

From the age of fifteen until seventeen he 
worked on a farm, after which he clerked in a 
store at Locust Valley, and later was similarly 
engaged at Roslyn and Old Westbury, remaining 
in the last-named place for three years. Going 
to Brooklyn, he purchased a milk route, which 
he conducted for a year, but as the venture did 
not prove a profitable one, he sold out and went 
to Little Neck, where he was employed in a drug 
store for a year. Thence he came to Port Wash- 
ington and for three years was engaged as a clerk 
in a drug store. Saving his earnings, he was 
able, in 1872, to open in business for himself, 
taking Mr. Baxter as a partner, and carrying on 
the trade under the firm name of Baxter & 
Bayles until 1880, since which time he has been 
alone. In addition to other lines he has a men's 
furnishing department, in which he carries a full 
and complete stock. 

December 10, 1874, Mr. Bayles married Miss 
Priscilla L., daughter of Stephen P. and Emeline 
(Loweree) Wright, of Little Neck. Politically a 



576 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Republican, the first presidential ballot cast by 
our subject was for Ulysses S. Grant in 1868. In 
1876 he was appointed postmaster, which position 
he held until the election of President Cleveland, 
but later he was again chosen for the office un- 
der Harrison. His first wife died, childless, Sep- 
tember 7, 1880. His second wife, with whom 
he was united October 25, 1882, bore the maiden 
name of Ida C. Buhrman, and was a daughter 
of William C. and Mary E. (Loweree) Buhrman. 
One child blesses this union, a son, Alfred S., who 
was born April 28, 1887. In religious belief our 
subject is a consistent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he has held various 
offices of trust and responsibility, including those 
of trustee, steward and treasurer. 



THOMAS SKILLMAN PAYNTAR. In 
every community some men are known 
for their upright lives, strong common 
sense and moral worth, rather than for their 
, wealth or political standing. Their acquaint- 
ances respect them, the young generation heed 
their example, and when their earthly career is 
closed posterity listens with reverence to the story 
of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men 
is Thomas Skillman Payntar, a man of quiet, un- 
assuming demeanor, a friend to the poor, charit- 
able to the faults of others, and ready to unite 
with them in every good work. He is a native of 
the town where he now lives, his birth having 
occurred in Vernon Avenue, December 29, 1828, 
being the fourth of six children born to his par- 
ents, notice of whom is given in the sketch of 
George H. Payntar. 

When Mr. Payntar had reached the age of 
five years he was placed in the district schools, 
where his education was obtained. He remained 
with and assisted his father on the farm until the 
latter's death, when he began working at the car- 
penter's trade. He inherited eight acres of land 
from his father's estate and this he laid out into 
lots, as did his brothers and sisters, who had in- 
herited a like amount. His property extended 
on Beebe Avenue, over seven blocks. All of 
this he eventually sold (and it is now nearly all 
improved and built up), with the exception of his 
comfortable residence, which he still owns at No. 
630 Academy Street. 

Mr. Payntar was tmited in marriage with Miss 
Angeline Bragaw, who was born in Poughkeep- 
vsie, N. Y., a daughter of Isaac Bragaw, who was 



successfully engaged in tilling the soil in that 
locaHty. To their marriage six children were 
born: Georgiana, Mrs. Brown, who lives in 
Mendocino, Cal.; Benjamin R. H., also of Men- 
docino; Thomas Irwin, who makes his home 
with his father ; Clara Kate, who resides in Eliza- 
beth, N. J.; Belle, who teaches in the public 
schools of this place, and Alfaretta B., who is still 
at home. 

Mr. Payntar was instrumental in organizing the 
postoffice at Dutch Kills, August 28, 1886, was 
appointed to the position of postmaster by Gen- 
eral Vilas, qualified for the position the following 
i6th of September, and filled the office with 
marked ability for four years, when he resigned. 
He also filled local official positions in Newtown, 
and although he has been a delegate to various 
conventions and has been a grand and petit juror, 
he cannot be said to be an official aspirant. When 
chosen to these positions he filled them to the 
best of his ability, and always with satisfaction 
to those who supported him. He has always 
been a Democrat politically and for many years 
he has been an elder in the Reformed Church 
of Long Island City. He has also been Sunday- 
school superintendent, in fact, is an active church 
worker. 



REV. CHARLES M. BELDEN, rector of 
St. George's Episcopal Church, Long 
Island City, is a member of a family that 
has been identified with the history of America 
since an early period of its settlement, when two 
brothers of this name came from England dur- 
ing the reign of Charles II. Both settled at 
Wethersfield, Conn., but later one removed to 
Hadley, where he suffered severely from Indian 
depredations and finally lost his wife and a child 
during the dreadful massacre at Deerfield. With 
his two remaining children he escaped from their 
savage foes, and going to Norwalk, established 
his home in that place. From him the subject of 
our sketch is descended. 

Rev. David Belden, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was a clergyman of the Church of 
England and lived during the stirring times of 
the Revolutionary War. His son, John A., a na- 
tive of Wilton, Conn., received excellent educa- 
tional advantages, and entering upon the profes- 
sion of a teacher, soon acquired a widel}^ extend- 
ed reputation as a successful educator. Next in 
line of descent was Hon. Nathan M., our subject's 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



577 



father, who was born in Fairfield County, Conn., 
and graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, in 
1848, with the honor of Greek salutatorian of his 
class. His ability in the study of languages was 
noticeable throughout his entire college course 
and he gained the reputation of being one of the 
finest linguists in the state. Among his class- 
mates at Trinity were Attorney L. N. Middle- 
brook and the late Bishop Paddock, who was the 
valedictorian of the class. 

For a time after graduating Mr. Belden was 
assistant professor of ancient languages at Trin- 
ity. Later he was principal of a boarding school 
at White Plains, Westchester County, N. Y., and 
also held similar positions at Andover, Mass., and 
Southport, Conn. Alternating with the teacher's 
work, he gave considerable attention to the oc- 
cupation of a civil engineer. In religious belief 
he was an Episcopalian and served as warden, 
vestryman, treasurer and layreader of St. 
Matthew's Church at Wilton, to which he be- 
longed for thirty-three years. He was active in 
almost every public enterprise for good, and was 
often called upon by his fellow-citizens to occupy 
positions of trust and responsibility. For seven 
years he was a member of the Connecticut As- 
sembly, and for eight years served as commis- 
sioner of Fairfield County. Elected to the office 
of justice of the peace, he served in that capacity 
for a long time. He was a director of the Con- 
necticut state prison and in that capacity, as in 
all others, rendered satisfactory service. His 
death, which occurred in 1895, was regarded as 
a public loss to the community, where he had 
so long resided. 

The mother of our subject, who still resides in 
Wilton, was born Sarah J. Stocking and was 
reared in her native place, Norwich, Conn. Her 
father, Serenius S., was a farmer, and one of his 
brothers, Rev. S. S. Stocking, D. D., is a resi- 
dent of Jamaica, L. I. Her grandfather, Rev. 
Jeremiah Stocking, was a member of an old Con- 
necticut family and was in the ministry of the 
Methodist Church for forty years. For years the 
family had been prominent in English public life, 
but a member of that name emigrated to America 
and settled in the town of Boston. George, the 
ancestor of this branch of the family, removed, 
in 1635, to Hartford, Conn., where succeeding 
generations resided. 

Our subject is the elder of two sons, his brother 
being John Belden, a business man of Danbury, 
Conn. Charles M. was born in White Plains, 



Westchester County, September 3, 1857, and was 
reared principally in Wilton, where he was pre- 
pared for college under his father's supervision. 
In 1877 he entered the sophomore class in Trini- 
ty College, but after one year there entered Co- 
lumbia College in 1878, becoming a member of 
the junior class. He graduated in 1880 with the 
degree of A. B., after which he taught in St. 
Paul's school, Concord, Mass., under Rev. Dr. 
Coit, for two years. In 1882 he entered the 
General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal 
Church, in New York, and took the three years' 
course, graduating in 1885 with the degree of S. 
T. B. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Pot- 
ter, in the Church of the Holy, Communion, and 
became assistant to Rev. Cornelius B. Smith, D. 
D., at St. James' Church, Madison Avenue and 
Seventy-first Street. In 1886 Bishop Potter or- 
dained him to the priesthood, the ceremony being 
solemnized at St. Thomas' Church in New York. 
.For six months Rev. Mr. Belden was in charge 
of St. Paul's Church at Troy, N. Y. In De- 
cember, 1886, he came to Astoria, Long Island 
City, where he was in charge of the services at 
St. George's Episcopal Church. In January, 
1887, he was chosen rector, which position he has 
since held. January 10, 1894, the church and its 
contents were destroyed by fire. The rectory 
was then moved back, and the larger portion of it 
used for church and Sunday-school services, un- 
til such time as the new church will be erected 
near the old site, corner of Woolsey and Frank- 
lin Streets. This is the oldest Episcopal Church 
in Long Island City and was originally a branch 
of St. James' Church in Newtown. St. George's 
was established about 1824 and the first church 
built about the same time, though services had 
been held regularly for some years prior to that 
time. In addition to the Sunday-school the 
Ladies' Guild and Industrial School are doing 
excellent work, each in its own line. 

The marriage of Rev. Mr. Belden, in Danbury, 
Conn., united him with Miss Sarah B. White, 
daughter of William R. White, a manufacturer 
of Danbury, where she was born. Three daugh- 
ters, Susan, Margaret and Elsa, bless their un- 
ion. Mr. Belden is a member of the Clericus of 
Queens County, also of the examining committee 
of the Greek alumni prize for the theological 
seminary. While he has never displayed any 
partisanship in his political opinions, he always 
supports Republican principles and votes for the 
candidates of that party. 



578 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



As his record shows, Mr. Belden has spent an 
active and useful Hfe in the interest of the church 
and his fellow-men, and combines many essential 
traits of character which peculiarly fit him for 
the varied and arduous duties he has been called 
upon to perform. Blessed with a pleasing ad- 
dress and fine command of language, combined 
with executive ability, he has proved himself 
competent, faithful and earnest in every place 
where duty calls him, and it is to be hoped that 
he has many years of usefulness yet before him. 



FREDERICK CYRIAX, a contractor and 
builder residing in Dutch Kills, Long 
Island City, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany, December 12, 1844. His father, John, 
a native of the same place, devoted his entire life 
to the carpenter's trade and died in the province 
where he was born, being eighty-four years old 
at the time of his decease. His wife, Sophia, 
was a daughter of George Schneck, a mason and 
builder; she was born in Hesse-Darmstadt and 
died there, aged sixty-six. In religious faith she 
was a Protestant. 

The parental family consisted of five sons and 
one daughter, of whom four are living, Frederick 
being the only one in America. He was reared 
in Molburg and Beidenkopf, and attended the 
public schools until fourteen years of age, when 
he was confirmed. When a mere child he com- 
menced to learn the carpenter's trade under his 
father's instruction, and soon acquired proficien- 
cy in that occupation. In 1861 he took passage 
on the sailer "Athenia'' at Bremen, and after a 
voyage of sixty-three days landed in New York 
City, where he at once commenced to work at 
his trade. In 1878 he began to take contracts, 
which work he has since continued. 

In 1890 Mr. Cyriax came to Long Island City, 
where he has since erected a large number of 
buildings, including the Methodist Episcopal par- 
sonage and the residences of Messrs. Bosse, Bos- 
ki, NoUen, John Weed, Hewitt and Gombel. His 
residence and place of business are at No. 45 
Academy Street. Politically he is a Republican, 
firm in his allegiance to that party. In his social 
relations he is identified v/ith Peconic Tribe, I. 
O. R. M., Long Island City, and is a charter mem- 
ber of Long Island City Leiderkranz, of which 
he is vice-president. 

While residing in New York City Mr. Cyriax 
married Miss Minnie Block, a native of Hesse- 



Darmstadt, born May 25, 1840. They have six 
children, namely: Charles, a piano tuner with 
Decker & Bros., in New York; Philip, a car- 
penter of Long Island City; John, Louisa, Clara 
and Mary. 



JOHN CASSIDY, who for nearly half a cen- 
tury has been a resident of Long Island 
City, now bears the distinction of being the 
oldest citizen of Blissville, where he makes his 
home. For many years he has followed the busi- 
ness of a florist and gardener and has been one 
of the most successful in this business in the 
county. He located here in 1849, ^^'^ since 
that time has been identified in various ways with 
the prosperity of his particular locality. 

Our subject is a native of Ireland, and was 
born in County Tyrone, in 1821. His father, 
John Cassidy, was a tanner and currier by trade, 
and in addition to operating his tanyard, tilled a 
snug little homestead. He died early in Hfe. His 
wife, Mrs. Jane (McWilliams) Cassidy, was also 
born in County Tyrone, where she reared her 
three sons and one daughter. One of the for- 
mer, Michael, married and became the father of 
two sons, who with him served in the Civil War 
on the confederate side. In this conflict one of 
the sons was killed. Michael lived for many 
years thereafter, departing this life in 1894. 

John Cassidy continued to make his home with 
his mother in the Emerald Isle until 1846, when 
he determined to see something of the New 
World. He accordingly too'k passage on a ves- 
sel which landed him in due time on the shores 
of Amei-ica. He made his home in Williams- 
burg until 1849, when, as we have stated above, 
he came to Queens County, first engaging in 
landscape gardening. He manifested unusual 
artistic taste in planning and carrying out his 
work and was employed by the best residents of 
the community to decorate their lawns. It must 
be remembered that at the time he located here 
Long Island City and many of the beautiful vil- 
lages surrounding it did not exist, but he found 
plenty to do, as he was employed by those own- 
ing lots in Cavalry Cemetery to beautify the last 
resting place of their loved ones. 

In 1885 our subject opened a greenhouse, and 
during the busy season gives employment to 
twenty-five and sometimes thirty men. He has 
fottr greenhouses one hundred feet long located 
on Penny Bridge, and four others the same 




J. N. F. SIEBS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



581 



length situated in Greenport Avenue. The main 
office of Mr. Cassidy is located in Cavalrj' Cem- 
etery. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Hanora 
O'Neil occurred at Newtown in 1863. This lady 
was born in Ireland and has become the mother 
of five children, Joseph, James, John, Thomas 
and Richard, all of whom are engaged with him 
in his business as florist and gardener. The eld- 
est son, however, is serving as a member of the 
city council, having been elected alderman from 
the second ward. 

Mr. Cassidy owns a pleasant residence in 
Hurst Street, which he occupies with his family, 
besides owning other real estate. For twelve 
years he was school trustee and a portion of the 
time served as president of the board. He is a 
stanch Democrat politically and for twenty years 
was a member of the general committee. Mr. 
Cassidy was one of the original incorporators of 
Long Island City and by its residents is highly 
regarded. He is a regular attendant at St. 
Raphael's Catholic Church and is greatly inter- 
ested in all good works in his community. 



JOVINIANUS N. F. SIEBS, ex-supervisor 
of the town of Newtown, is also proprietor 
of the Central Llotel, which is the principal 
establishment of its kind in Middle Village, a 
thriving place of several hundred inhabitants. 
Mr. Siebs was born here November 29, 1865, and 
is the son of Christian F. and Anna M. (Nolte) 
Siebs. He had one sister, but she is now de- 
ceased. 

Christian F. Siebs was born May 31, 1831, in 
Germany, where he was given a good education. 
In 1855 '1^ took passage on a vessel which landed 
him in due time on the shores of the New World, 
and after spending a few years in Newtown took 
up his abode in Middle Village, where he em- 
barked in the hotel business. He started out in 
a modest way, having only four rooms, but as he 
prospered he made additions to his building until 
it reached its present commodious proportions. 
He was a man greatly esteemed in the commun- 
ity, and for two terms held the office of county 
coroner, the first term being elected on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket, and the second on the Repub- 
lican. He departed this life May 28, 1889, when 
advanced in years. 

Mrs. Anna M. Siebs was the first postmistress 
of Middle Village, serving most acceptably in 
23 



this capacity from 1880 to 1889. She too was a 
native of the Fatherland and was born January 
12, 1827. Prior to her union with Mr. Siebs she 
had been married to John Obrock, by whom she 
became the mother of several children, two of 
whom are living at the present time. 

After attending St. Matthew's Academy of New 
York City the subject of this sketch became a 
student in the Columbia grammar school, where 
lie completed his education. He then engaged 
as a lithographer in the metropolis, following this 
business with success for four years. At the ex- 
piration of that time he formed a partnership 
with his nephew, C. F. Heick, and engaged as a 
florist in Middle Village, following this until the 
death of our subject's father, when, not being 
able to attend to this business and at the same 
time assist his mother in carrying on the hotel, 
he disposed of his interest in the greenhouse 
and has since given his entire attention to con- 
ducting the hotel. 

In 1894 Mr. Siebs' name appeared on the Re- 
publican ticket as the chosen representative of 
that party for the office of supervisor, to which 
position he was elected by a handsome majority. 

June 18, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Siebs and Miss Emma Bezzenberger. To them 
have been born three children, Emma A., Chris- 
tian H. and William H. Fraternally our sub- 
ject is a Mason of high standing, belonging to 
Herder Lodge No. 348, Altaie Chapter and St. 
Elmo Commandery. He is likewise connected 
with the Odd Fellows lodge and is a working 
member of the Independent Order of Goodfel- 
lows. He is one of the trustees of the Newtown 
fire department, and for some time was secretary 
of Fearless Hook and Ladder Company No. 7. 
With his family he occupies a neat residence in 
this village of pleasant homes. 



GEORGE C. AHRENS, the efficient me- 
chanical engineer of the Queens County 
Oil Works, was born in Reading, Pa., 
January 28, 1858. His father, William Ahrens, 
who is chief engineer of the Eastern Distilling 
Company, has held that position since 1871. His 
sketch the reader will find in detail on another 
page in this volume. 

The subject of this sketch was taken by his 
parents to Cincinnati, O., when young and made 
that city his home until 1871. During this time 
he pursued his studies in the public schools, and 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



582 

on coming to Long Island City in that year, he 
found a position with the Eastern DistiUnig 
Companv. For about two years he was in the 
yeast-making department, but not likmg this oc- 
cupation he began looking about him for some- 
thing else to do, and decided to become a ma- 
chinist. He was accordingly apprenticed to 
James Bulger of Brooklyn, and after serving 
with him four years was a competent workman. 
He then went to Greenpoint where for one year 
he was engineer for a branch house of the East- 
ern Distilling Company, and next went to Mill- 
stone, N. J., where he continued for fifteen 

months. 

The next we hear of Mr. Ahrens he was filhng 
the position of chief engineer of the Harway Dye 
Wood Works in Flushing, L. I. In 1884, how- 
ever, he became connected with the Queens 
County Oil Works as foreman of the machinists' 
department. In due time he was promoted, tak- 
ing charge of the pipe fitting department, and in 
1890 was made mechanical engineer. He is 
skilled in this special line of work and has the 
reputation of being one of the finest machinists 
in the state. Mr. Ahrens made several inven- 
tions which are now used by various companies, 
among them being a steam valve motion for 
pumps, and an engine lubricator. 

Mr. Ahrens was married in Long Island City m 
1880 to Miss Ameha Beckel, whose birth oc- 
curred in Ridgewood. She was the daughter of 
Peter Beckel and the sister of Charles Beckel, 
whose sketch also appears in this volume. Mrs. 
Ahrens died in 1883, leaving two children, Katie 
and Peter. The second marriage of our sub- 
ject occurred September 29, 1885, when Miss 
Kate Bogen, a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, 
became his wife. She was the daughter of Dr. 
Louis Bogen, a prominent physician of the Fath- 
erland. An uncle of Mrs. Ahrens, Frederick Bo- 
gen, was for many years a well-to-do resident and 
large property owner of Long Island City; he is 
now, however, living in Greenpoint. The wife 
of our subject is finely educated, having com- 
pleted her studies in the model schools of her 
native land. Four children have been born of 
our subject's second marriage: Lillie, Bertha, 
Louis and George C, Jr. 

In politics Mr. Ahrens is an enthusiastic Re- 
publican, although in no sense of the word an 
office-seeker, as he has often been solicited by his 
friends to accept some such honors, but always 
refused. He is an active member of the Lin- 



coln Club of this city. Socially he belongs to the 
Royal Arcanum and Mt. Ararat Lodge, I. O. O. 
F., of Greenpoint. He has been identified with 
the Lutheran Church for many years and has 
been greatly interested in the work of the Sun- 
day-school. A progressive and public-spirited 
citizen, he is ever ready to do his full share in 
matters of public welfare, and is numbered 
among the leading men of his community. For 
some time he was connected with Friendship 
Truck No. 3. With his family he occupies a 
pleasant home in Blissville. 



HENRY BAUMANN, one of the prosper- 
ous business men of Woodhaven, has a 
well stocked 'hardware establishment and 
is conducting a very profitable trade in this line. 
He is of foreign birth, being a native of the can- 
ton of Aargau, Switzerland. He was born Janu- 
ary I, 1847, to Daniel Baumann, who in turn was 
born in the above place in the year 1805. The 
latter was a manufacturer of plaster of paris in 
his native land. In 1864 he came to America, 
but four years later departed this fife at his 
home in Woodhaven. His father, by name Hen- 
ry Baumann, met his death when seventy-five 
years of age by drowning in a creek which he 
was attempting to cross. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Barbara Ung- 
richt, was also a native of Switzerland, and was 
sixty-four years of age at the time of her de- 
cease in 1874. Henry, of this history, had two 
brothers, Jacob, who died in the old country, and 
Adolph, who came to America, where he lived for 
some time in comparatively good health, but 
finally succumbed to the dread disease — con- 
sumption. 

Henry Baumann attended school quite regu- 
larly until a lad of fifteen years, when he was ap- 
prenticed to a tinsmith in order that he might 
learn the trade. He came to America about this 
time and found work in this line in Brooklyn. 
After a twelvemonth spent there he changed his 
place of residence to Woodhaven, having ob- 
tained a position in the large factory of the La- 
lance and Grosjean Manufacturing Company, for 
whom he worked for a period of fifteen years, a 
portion of this time being foreman of the tin- 
shop. His evenings were spent in making ar- 
ticles of tin for himself and from the sale of these 
he gained a start in life. Finally he became 
proprietor of a little shop of his own, located on 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S83 



the site of his present commodious quarters, but 
which was then only one room 10x20 feet in size. 
The stock of goods which he put in at that time 
he was obhged to purchase on credit, but pros- 
perity attended his efforts from the first and his 
business grew rapidly until he was compelled to 
erect a larger building. He gradually branched 
out in the line of furniture and now keeps on 
hand a large and varied assortment of house fur- 
nishing goods and is well patronized by the best 
people of the community. M!r. Baumann de- 
serves great credit for the success which he has 
made of life, for when he came to America his 
parents were poor and he was obliged to support 
them. This he did uncomplainingly, although he 
was greatly hindered in working his way up the 
ladder of fortune. Besides his hardware and fur- 
niture establishment, he owns much other valu- 
able property in this locality. 

In 1866 Mr. Baumann was instrumental in or- 
ganizing the German Mutual Association, and a 
year later he was made treasurer of this body, 
which office he has held ever since. When 
twenty-five years had rolled around he was pre- 
sented with a handsome gold watch in recogni- 
tion of his long and faithful services in behalf 
of the association. For three years Mr. Bau- 
mann held the position of excise commissioner of 
Woodhaven, being elected to that office on the 
Republican ticket. He is a leading member of 
the German Lutheran Church and takes great in- 
terest in the work of the Sunday-school. This 
department of church work was first started in 
his home and for twelve years he was superin- 
tendent. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna 
M. Wuerger, a native of Germany, was celebrated 
m 1875. To them were born seven children, of 
whom those living are Henry A., Carl Fred, 
Frederick Augustus and Albert Gustav. 



JOSEPH CASSIDY, alderman from the 
second ward and treasurer of the board 
of excise commissioners of Long Island 
City, is one of the prominent politicians and 
popular residents of Queens County, and is one 
who, through his efficient management and 
sound judgment, has promoted the welfare of 
the people of this locahty. His devotion to the 
material interests of the community is exceeded 
only by the patriotism which never loses sight 
of the highest duties of citizenship. Politically 



he is a Jeffersonian Democrat and is ever ready 
to give a reason for the faith that actuates him in 
sustaining this exponent of his ideal in the prog- 
ress of good government. 

Of the history of the Cassidy family, more 
may be learned by reference to the biographical 
sketch of John Cassidy, our subject's father and 
business partner, which is presented on another 
page of this volume. Joseph was born and 
reared in Long Island City and received his edu- 
cation here and in Brooklyn, attending the 
grammar school in Java Street. His first posi- 
tion was in the wholesale house of Arnold & Con- 
stable, where he was employed in the fur depart- 
ment. Such was his efficiency that within two 
years after taking a position with the firm, he 
had entire charge of the manufacturing depart- 
ment. After five years he started in business for 
himself on Broadway and Thirty-seventh Street, 
New York, where for one year he engaged in 
the manufacture and sale of fur. From that 
time until 1889 he was general manager for the 
wholesale house of Freysted & Sons. 

Returning to Long Island City, Mr. Cassidy 
in 1889 became a partner with his father in the 
florist's and gardening business, which has since 
been carried on under the name of Cassidy & 
Son. Their sales are largely made to the whole- 
sale cut flowers market, and they have two busi- 
ness locations, with five or six greenhouses at 
each. They raise all their own plants, averaging 
three hundred thousand per year. The business 
is the largest of the kind in the city, and is bring- 
ing to its owners a gratifying degree of prosper- 
ity. 

In Hulst Street, where Mr. Cassidy owns six- 
teen lots, he erected a fine residence, and here 
he and his wife make their home. Mrs. Cassidy 
was born in Connecticut and bore the maiden 
name of Elizabeth Casey. In 1893 Mr. Cassidy 
was appointed excise commissioner by Mayor 
'Sanford and from the start he was treasurer of 
the board. When elected alderman, he did not 
resign the other position because the intended 
successor was not favored by him or by his con- 
stituents. In the fall of 1893 he received the 
election by a majority of fifty, although the ward 
gave Gleason almost three hundred majority. 
He took his seat January i, 1894, and since that 
time has served as chairman of the pubhc works 
committee, the lamps and gas committee and 
the committee on public instruction, also as a 
member of finance committee. It has been 



584 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his aim and ambition to worthily represent his 
constituents and to insist that their rights shall 
be respected, and so well has he succeeded that 
they have the greatest confidence in him. He 
was a charter member of the Jefferson Club and 
has served on the house committee for years. 
■ In addition, he has rendered efficient service on 
the general committee and for some time has 
been chairman of the local committee. Both in 
business and in political circles, he has made 
many friends and is held in high esteem for his 
sterling worth and the excellencies of his char- 
acter. He takes a commendable interest in 
everything pertaining to the welfare of the city 
and county, and is public-spirited and pro- 
srressive. 



FRANKLIN P. BAYLIS,who is well known 
in Queens County, was born at what is 
now Floral Park, then Plainfield, on the 
i8th of October, 1855, his parents being Wil- 
liam P. and Phoebe A. (Pearsall) Baylis. The 
father was also born at Floral Park, where he 
now resides, in September, 1825. For the last 
few years he has lived retired, but prior to that 
he had been actively engaged in business enter- 
prises. In pubHc affairs he has been quite 
prominent and has held a number of local offices. 
Mrs. Baylis was born in May, 1826, the daugh- 
ter of Alexander Pearsall, of Rockville Center, 
for whom the village of Pearsalls was named. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Baylis were born six children, 
who are living: William H.; David A.; Mary 
A., wife of Charles Johnson; Franklin P.; Ella, 
wife of Lawrence Suydam, and Eugene I. Wil- 
liam Baylis, grandfather of our subject, was a 
native of the town of Hempstead, born in 1805. 
His father was Puntine Baylis, for whom Puntine 
Street of Jamaica was named. 

Our subject grew to mature years under the 
home roof and was educated in the public 
schools. When seventeen years old he took a 
position in the railroad office at Hinsdale, re- 
maining there for about two years. Subsequent- 
ly he opened a general store there, and after con- 
ducting it for six years sold out. Then he was 
employed for one year as general agent for Wal- 
ton, Whann & Co., of Wilmington, Del., and 
had charge of the business for the entire island. 
About 1883 he engaged in farming, but still con- 
tinued as agent for a number of companies. 
Mr. Baylis selected his wife in the person of 



M'iss Evelyn G. Miller, daughter of William and 
Maria L. (Tuttle) Miller, and their union was 
celebrated November 10, 1875. November 10, 
1895, they celebrated the twentieth anniversary 
of their marriage. Mr. Miller was a prominent 
citizen of Newtown for a number of years and 
was a representative man. He built the Meth- 
odist Church at that place, donating it to the peo- 
ple, and also established a stage line from New- 
town to the Williamsburg ferries, carrying it 
on successfully for years. Mrs. Baylis was born 
in Newtown and was but an infant when her 
father moved to Rockville Center. After re- 
maining in that place a short time he located in 
Broo'klyn, where he died in 1864. He was mar- 
ried three times and became the father of several 
children. 

In connection with farming Mr. Baylis has al- 
ways been engaged in other enterprises and is 
now agent for the Equitable Life Insurance 
Company. In politics he is independent. Both 
Mr. and M'rs. Baylis are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church at Floral Park, and have 
been active workers in it since the organiza- 
tion, in which Mr. Baylis took an active and 
prominent part. He has held all the offices 
in the same and is now trustee and district stew- 
ard. In 1890 he was instrumental in the forma- 
tion and organization of the Sunday-school, and 
since that time has been its superintendent. In 
his social relations Mr. Bayhs is a member of 
Jamaica Lodge No. 433, Royal Arcanum. He 
has ever been interested in all worthy movements, 
particularly those relating to educational and 
religious matters, and is one of the representa- 
tive men of the section. To Mr. and Mrs. Bay- 
lis has been born one child, Sarah C, who is 
now a student at the Friends Academy of Locust 
Valley. 



JOSEPH HARTMANN, a well-to-do Ger- 
man farmer of the town of Flushing, has, 
by his indefatigable industry and untiring 
labor, been enabled to acquire considerable prop- 
erty and to lay the foundation of a competence 
tliat will remove the necessity of further labor 
when he reaches old age. The situation of his 
farm, on Lott Lane, is particularly convenient to 
the village of Jamaica, enabling him to enjoy all 
the comforts of rural life yet bringing him with- 
in reach of such advantages as a village affords. 
February 5, 1839, Mr. Hartmann was born in 



'I 'XJ 



-■?;:v. 






.,*?n-- 



^ 



*\ 




JOHN M. CLARK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



587 



Prussia, and was the son of Joseph and Helena 
(Hildebrant) Hartmann, to whom there were 
granted five children, of whom four are living. 
The father of this household was also born in 
Prussia, where, after attaining mature years, he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old home- 
stead which had been in the family for many 
generations. His life was one of usefulness, and 
the prosperity which he achieved was the reward 
of his perseverance and excellent management. 
He departed this life in 1863. 

The subject of this sketch attained mature 
years under the parental roof and was educated 
in the model schools of his native land. One 
year after becoming of age he crossed the Atlan- 
tic and after landing on the shores of the New 
World came immediately to Long Island, his 
first employment being as a farm hand in As- 
toria. After some six years thus employed he 
engaged in cultivating the soil on his own ac- 
count, first renting property at Ravenswood, 
where he made his home for about five years, 
when he purchased his present place. This was 
in 1872 and he has made this his home ever 
since. 

Miss Christina Hartmann became the wife of 
our subject in 1867. She was also born in the 
Fatherland, and although bearing the same 
name was in no way related to him. Their 
union resulted in the birth of eight children, four 
of whom are still living. Joseph is the eldest of 
the household; Mary is the wife of Joseph Muhs 
and they make their home in Brooklyn; John 
and Henry are still at home and assist in carry- 
ing on the farm. In politics Mr. Hartmann is a 
stanch supporter of Democratic principles and 
in religious affairs he is a devout Catholic, at- 
tending services at Jamaica. 



JOHN M. CLARK, a well-to-do farmer of 
Great Neck, was born in New York City, 
January i, 1821, in the home of his parents, 
on the corner of North Moore and Greenwich 
Streets. He was the son of James and Mary (Mc- 
Kie) Clark, the former of whom was a native of 
Scotland and was born in the highlands, near 
Castle Douglas. He came to America when a 
boy and shortly thereafter began to follow the 
sea. For several years he was captain of a vessel 
owned by John Jacob Astor. and our subject now 
has in his possession a letter from Mr. Astor 
giving directions for a voyage to France. Later 



he was in the employ of the Harvard Packet Line, 
and during his life as a mariner he visited nearly 
every port of importance in the world. He de- 
parted this life in New York City in 1835. 

Of the seven children included in the parental 
family our subject is the only member now liv- 
ing. At the time of his father's death he was a lad 
of about fourteen years, and up to this time he 
had attended some of the best private schools in 
New York. His school days now being over, 
however, he obtained employment with John I. 
Boyd, an agent for the Harvard Packet Com- 
pany, and after a year or two began working for 
an uncle, who was engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness. 

In the year 1841 John M. Clark came to Great 
Neck and in 1848 purchased the property on 
which he now lives. April 12 of the following- 
year he was united in marriage with Miss Ma- 
tilda, daughter of Thomas and Phebe S. (Under- 
hill) Udall. The house in which the young couple . 
began life together had been built in 1817, but 
Mr. Clark made many changes in it, transforming 
it into a very cozy 'home. Their union has been 
blessed by the birth of two children. Mary C, 
who married Julian A. Udall, has two children, 
and is now living with our subject; Richard U., 
who is also married, farms a portion of the old 
homestead. 

Our subject cast his first presidential vote in 
1844 for Henry Clay and in i860 voted for Lin- 
coln. He has ever since been a firm believer in 
the principles of the Republican party and on all 
occasions uses his influence to further its inter- 
ests. He has often been a delegate to county and 
• state conventions. Mr. Clark was elected super- 
visor of the town in 1854 and so well and 
honorably did he discharge all the duties required 
of him that he has been called upon to serve in 
this capacity twenty-one terms, being elected the 
last time in 1890. Much credit is due Mr. Clark 
for the effort which he put forth in securing a 
macadamized road from Flushing to K.oslyn. In 
religious matters he is identified with the Society 
of Friends. 



WILLIAM FRAME is a representative 
of the men of energy, ability and en- 
terprise who have made Queens Coun- 
ty so prominent 'in the state. His name is asso- 
ciated with the agricultural interests of the town 
of Flushing, where he owns and resides upon a 



588 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



valuable farm. His estate is located just outside 
the limits of the village of Flushing and contains 
all the improvements of a model farm. A native 
of this community, he was born in the house 
now owned by C. W. Cooper, July 15, 1819. He 
continued to live there until about twenty years 
ago, when he sold it to Mr. Cooper. His parents 
were Jesse and Mar}' (Leggett) Frame, to whom 
were granted nine children, three now living. 
Of these William was the youngest. His brother 
Thomas was born March 8, 1809, and is now liv- 
ing at Patchogue. Eliza, the wife of Gilbert H. 
Pearsall, of Brooklyn, was born May 4, 1814. 

Jesse Frame was born February 4, 1774, and 
departed this life October 7, 1826. His wife, 
w'hose birth occurred December 17, 1776, sur- 
vived him until February 3, 1853. Mr. Frame 
was born and reared in Pennsylvania, whence he 
afterward removed to Rahway, N. J., where he 
met and married Miss Leggett. For several 
years he was engaged in farming, but upon his 
removal to New York City about 1809 he en- 
tered into the leather business, conducting a very 
profitable trade for some four years. In 1813 
he came to Flushing and gave his attention to 
the raising of sheep, which at that time was a 
very lucrative business. He acquired quite a 
reputation in this line, and was well known 
among stockmen in various parts of the state. 
Later he purchased the property on which his 
son, our subject, was born, and there prepared 
to spend the remaining years of his life. He was 
the owner of much valuable property in this 
neighborhood, all of which had been acquired 
by his ability and enterprise. Religiously he 
was a faithful member of the Society of Friends. 
In every way that he could he aided the good 
work in the county, and was highly esteemed by 
all who knew him. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad of seven 
years when he was deprived of the care of his 
father, therefore on the mother fell the burden 
and responsibility of rearing the fam'ily. This 
lady, although living in New Jersey at the time 
of her marriage, was a native of Chappaqua, N. 
Y., and a member of one of the oldest and most 
influential families of Westchester County. She 
was a woman possessing rare business tact, as 
was evidenced by the judgment displayed in 
manag-ing the estate until her sons were old 
enough to relieve her of this care. She, too, was 
a member of the Society of Friends and for 
many years was an elder in the Society. 



William, of this history, first attended the pri- 
vate schools of Flushing, after which he was 
sent to New York and completed his education in 
one of the best schools of that city. On his re- 
turn home he was eighteen years of age and 
thus early in Hfe assumed the responsibility of 
the management of the home farm. He contin- 
ued to cultivate this tract of land until his moth- 
er's death, in 1853, when the estate was divided. 

The marriage of Mr. Frame with Miss Phebe 
Willets of Jericho, was celebrated in 1854. They 
have two children: Catherine, who has never 
married; and Mary, now the wife of Edmund 
V. D. Cox, of Brooklyn, who is a member of the 
New York Stock Exchange; they have three 
children. In the year 1873 Mr. Frame sold his 
home farm and purchased his present place which 
contains forty-three acres of excellent land. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Society of Friends. 
He is not allied to any political organization, re- 
serving his right to support the man who, in his 
judgment, will best discharge the duties of the 
office. 



JOSEPH J. TOMPKINS. It is universally 
conceded that our happiness and well-being 
as individuals depend necessarily to a large 
extent upon our own efforts, upon our own self- 
culture, self-discipline and self-denial, and, above 
all, upon that honest and conscientious perform- 
ance of individual duty which is the true strength 
of manly character. What he has and what he 
is, may be attributed by Mr. Tompkins to his 
own efforts, as he began life with limited means, 
but has steadily worked his wa}' onward to suc- 
cess. The schools of his boyhood were few and 
his attendance at these was irregular, but he has 
gradually acquired the best of all educations — 
that which a man gives himself while engaged in 
the ordinary pursuits of life. 

For many years Mr. Tompkins has made his 
home about one mile southeast of the village of 
Newtown, where he has large and valuable 
landed possessions. A native of this town, he 
was born September 17, 1815, to Edward and 
Elizabeth (Way) Tompkins, and is now the sole 
survivor of their six children. His father was a 
native of Cripple Bush (now a part of the city of 
Brooklyn) and some years after his marriage 
came to the town of Newtown, where he contin- 
ued to reside until his death. A public-spirited 
citizen, he was for years justice of the peace and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



589 



overseer of the poor, which offices he filled with 
efficiency. 

Until twenty-dght years of age, Mr. Tompkins 
remained beneath the parental roof. At that 
age, in 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Amelia Tompkins, and soon afterward his 
father presented him with five acres of land, to 
which, after erecting a cottage, he took his 
young wife. To the original acreage he has 
from time to time added different tracts of land 
until his farm now comprises seventy-five acres, 
and through the rise in property he has become 
wealthy. 

Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins 
there were born fifteen children, of whom five are 
now living, namely: Oscar E., who is married, 
has three children and resides on a stock farm 
near Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Phoebe E., who is 
single and resides with her parents, for whom 
she tenderly cares in their old age; Josephine, 
wife of George Debevoise, of Jamaica; Eloise, 
wife of James Debevoise, of Bay Shore; and 
Clarence P., who married Miss Ella Painter and 
lives with his father on the home place. 

Progressive, enterprising and liberal, Mr. 
Tompkins was in his younger years largely in- 
strumental in promoting the general welfare and 
industrial thrift of Newtown, and still maintains 
a warm interest in matters pertaining to the prog- 
ress of the people. His vote has always been 
given to the Democratic party, but he has never 
been narrow in his opinions regarding politics. 
For nine years he ser\^ed as commissioner of the 
highways and for six years filled the office of 
assessor. His business relations in his active 
life were such as to demonstrate the activity of 
his mind and the honesty of his purpose, while 
his disposition has always been kind to those in 
trouble and generous to those in need. 



JOHN M. SAMMIS. Among the most act- 
ive, energetic and successful business men 
of Oyster Bay is the gentleman whose name 
appears above. He was not born with a sil- 
ver spoon in his mouth, but he nevertheless has 
made his way in the world and by his intelli- 
gent business methods, together with assiduity, 
has amassed a competency and established a rep- 
utation for probity and honesty 'in dealing with 
the public which stamps him as one who recog- 
nizes business principles as the sure and essen- 
tial passport to success. 



In his early years Mr. Sammis was not rugged 
physically, and was confronted with an aflfection 
of the throat which suggested a fatal conclusion. 
With that energy and determination character- 
istic of his life, he combatted successfully the 
enemy and through the most adverse atmos- 
pheric conditions he is today, notwithstanding 
his seventy-five years of active life, as rugged, 
stalwart and robust as many who have not en- 
countered the years or been confronted with the 
varied experience of the subject of our sketch. 

Mr. Sammis was born in this village October 
8, 1820. At the age of seventeen he entered the 
service of Col. Samuel Youngs, who kept a gen- 
eral country store and lumber yard at Oyster 
Bay Cove. Colonel Youngs was for a number 
of years an important political factor in the 
town. Rugged in his intellectual endowments 
and always possessing the courage of his convic- 
tions, he was regarded with especial favor by 
the citizens of this town and county. He served 
as supervisor for several years and afterward 
represented Queens County in the lower house 
for two years. In 1849 he went to California as 
one of the Argonauts, and remained there for 
many years, returning home about 1891, broken 
with the weight of years and unsuccessful in his 
financial ventures. He died soon after his re- 
turn, at St. Johnland, and his remains were 
brought to Oyster Bay Cove and interred beside 
those of his ancestors in the Youngs cemetery. 
For several years, when Colonel Youngs was en- 
gaged in merchandising at the Cove, Mr. Sammis 
had entire charge of his business, purchasing 
goods and conducting affairs as his judgment 
suggested. The kindness evinced for his old em- 
ployer was not abated by time and the veteran 
colonel was indebted during the last years of 
his life to the generous remembrance of Mr. 
Sammis. 

About 1843 Mr. Sammis came to this village 
and commenced business with a limited capital, 
his savings during his service with Colonel 
Youngs, in the place now occupied by Val- 
entine Baylis. Here he remained for three 
years and in 1846 purchased the store property 
now occupied by E. A. Hegeman. He soon im- 
proved this corner and for a number of years 
kept a general country store which he abandoned 
to engage in the lumber business, conducted for 
many years by James Prior, and here for more 
than three decades he has furnished the public 
with all kinds of building materials. For many 



S90 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years he was the purchasing agent of the prom- 
inent flouring mills of Hecker Brothers, and was 
the representative of the wool interests of the 
island for Dike Brothers. For forty-five years 
Mr. Sammis has been a trustee of the Presbyteri- 
an Church, for forty-three years treasurer of the 
same, and for a period of twenty years an active 
member of the society. 

In his social relations our subject has been 
extremal}'- forttmate. He was married Januar}^ 
6, 1846, to Rebecca, daughter of Isaac Town- 
send, of Yellow Coat, and grand-daughter of 
James Titus, of Syosset. Of their children we 
mention the following: Mary A. became the 
wife of James H. Ludlum; Louise was married 
to George Nelson Duryea, who died in the year 
1882 leaving one clinu, Edna S. Duryea; in 1890 
Mrs. Duryea became the wife of William Wood- 
hull Sammis, of West Neck, Huntington. Sarah 
E. is the wife of Edward A. Hegeman. Edgar 
Townsend Sammis, who is now with his father, 
assists in conducting the business. 

It can truly be said that Mr. Sammis has 
grown up with the village. Here he was born, 
here his boyhood was spent and here he deter- 
mined to achieve that success in life which illus- 
trates his industry, his intelligence and his su- 
perior business qualifications. Not daunted by 
any adverse circumstances but fastening his eye 
upon the o.bject before him, by persistent effort 
and judicious management, his business career 
has been crowned with success. We certainly 
know of no better or any more complete illustra- 
tion of what may be accomplished in a lifetime 
by intelligent methods than that which finds an 
illustration in the career of John M. Sammis. It 
can be said with truth that he is a self-made man. 
He was formerly a Democrat, but has affiliated 
with the Republicans ever since the organization 
of the party. 



PETER S. FLANAGAN, alderman of the 
fourth ward, has been a resident of As- 
toria, Long Island City, all his life, his 
birth occurring here March 14, 1847. He has 
identified himself with the interests of his county, 
has won numerous friends, and has built up a rep- 
utation for honesty and fair dealing that is in 
every way merited. (For a fuller history of his 
father, Andrew Flanagan, see sketch of Andrew 
Flanagan, Jr.) Peter was the third youngest son 
and in his native city grew to mature years and 



secured a good practical education, completing 
his course in the Fourth Ward school when sev- 
enteen years old. He then began serving an 
apprenticeship as a compositor with the "Astoria 
Herald" and started at the bottom. This paper 
was edited by Mac Richie. 

Later young Flanagan went to Brooklyn and 
was on the "Brooklyn Standard," a weekly story 
paper, where he finished his trade. From there 
he went to New York City and was on the 
"Era," a Masonic paper, until the daily was sus- 
pended. Our subject was with it again after it 
became a weekly and was thus employed until 
1869, when he became connected with the "Shoe 
and Leather Reporter," with which he has been 
associated since. Although he is deeply inter- 
ested in all that relates to the "Reporter," he 
has other enterprises and does not lose sight of 
his duties as a citizen. 

Mr. Flanagan is a member of Typographical 
Union No. 6, with which he has held member- 
ship since the age of twenty years. He has a 
commodious and pleasant residence at No. 542 
Lockwood Street, which is kept in perfect con- 
dition by his estimable wife, formerly Miss Eliza- 
beth Egan, who is a native of the Emerald Isle. 
The following children have been born to them: 
Annie, May, Sadie, Frank, Nellie, Charles, Rose, 
Joseph, Gertrude and Betsey and Bess (twins). 

In the fall of 1895 Mr. Flanagan was elected 
on the Democratic ticket for alderman of the 
fourth ward and has discharged the duties of that 
position most acceptably. He is a member of 
the finance and law committees, besides two or 
three others. Socially he is a member of John 
Allen Lodge, No. 330, A. O. U. W., of Astoria, 
of which he is past officer and has been a delegate 
to the grand lodge. 



ARNOLD NELIUS, a contractor and 
builder residing at New Hydepark, was 
born in the city of New York April 7, 
1858, to Balthaszar and Mary (Miller) NeHus, 
natives of Germany. His father, who was a shoe- 
maker by trade, settled in New York after com- 
ing to America and there married. In 1861 he 
moved his family, consisting of wife and two 
children, to Mobile, Ala., where he remained 
about three years. Thence he went to Brazil and 
settled at Santarem, a place of about one thou- 
sand inhabitants, situated on the Amazon about 
fourteen hundred miles from its mouth. The 




LUCIEN KNAPP. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



593 



climate, however, was so tmhealthful that, after 
two years, he concluded to return to the United 
States. He took passage on a vessel northward 
bound, but soon became fatally ill and died when 
about five days out from New York. 

The widow was left with two children, Arnold 
and Elizabeth. The latter became the wife of 
George P. Simon and died February i8, 1895. 
The mother came to New Hydepark when it 
was a village of but a few houses; here she 
bought property, built a house and made her 
home until her death, January 30, 1890. Our 
subject was a boy of thirteen years when he came 
to this village and here he grew to manhood. At 
the age of twenty-two he apprenticed himself to 
learn the carpenter's trade under James H. 
L'Hommedieu, whom he served for six years. 
He then worked at his trade for a year in the 
vicinity and for six months in the city of Brook- 
lyn, after which he settled at Floral Park and, in 
partnership with Charles B. Cox, engaged ex- 
tensively in building and contracting. After a 
partnership covering three years, during which 
the business aggregated about $40,000 annually, 
the connection was dissolved by mutual consent. 

Coming to New Hydepark, Mr. Nelius has 
since carried on work as a contractor, having 
built about thirty houses here. Among them are 
seven that he built for himself, four of which he 
still retains. Politically he is a Republican, and 
with his wife belongs to the Reformed Church. 
At this writing he is serving as trustee of school 
district No. 11. He is a Master Mason, belong- 
ing to Morton Lodge No. 63, at Hempstead, 
and a member of the Shield of Honor, belonging 
to Lodge No. 3 at New Hydepark. October 13, 
1886, he married Louisa, daughter of Joseph 
Britton, a native of Germany. Mrs. Nelius was 
born in New Hydepark April 6, i860, and is the 
mother of four children : Elizabeth, Adelia, Ellen 
B. and Arnold B. 



LUCIEN KNAPP, city treasurer and re- 
ceiver of taxes of Long Island City, en- 
joys the distinction of having been the 
first Republican city official elected in this place. 
Active in political affairs, he is also energetic and 
successful in business, being president of the 
Knapp Alanufacturing Company, a close corpo- 
ration of which he is the principal stockholder. 
The business which he follows, that of a manu- 
facturer of metal goods, has been the chosen oc- 



cupation of his family for many generations, and 
he brings to it a discriminating judgment, sound 
common sense, habits of close observation and 
unwavering integrity, qualities which are his by 
training as well as inheritance. 

The Knapp family are of Saxon origin and in 
that country of iron mines and iron industries 
they have for generations been engaged as work- 
ers of metals. The subject of this article was born 
of French and German extraction, in 1848, on 
the Rhine at Strasburg, in Alsace, when that prov- 
ince was French territory. His father, John G. 
Knapp, went into France, where he engaged with 
the firm of Coulaux Aine & Cie, large manufac- 
turers of sheet steel, fire arms and hardware. 
There he married Sophie Melina Dubois, daugh- 
ter of Jules Dubois, one of the firm and its me- 
chanical engineer. Jules Dubois was consid- 
ered to be one of the most progressive business 
men of his time, and at the World's Exposition 
in Paris, early in 1800, he exhibited the first 
model of the endless handsaw, since so universal- 
ly in use and of such general utility. Branches of 
the Dubois family came to the United States with 
the early Huguenots and settled in South Caro- 
lina, Connecticut and New York, many of them 
serving in the Revolutionary War with distinc- 
tion. 

Both by birth and inheritance Lucien Knapp 
is a Republican. His father participated in the 
German Revolution of 1848 and later was com- 
pelled to leave France when Louis Napoleon sub- 
verted the Republic and made himself Emperor. 
In 1 861, when the tariff for war revenue was 
placed upon importations, the hardware business 
received a great impetus and the demand for 
metal goods was so great that John G. Knapp en- 
tered into partnership with Lalance & Grosjean, 
then importers of hardware, to manufacture iron 
spoons and other articles of household use. The 
factories of Lalance & Grosjean, located at 
Woodhaven, Queens County, where two thou- 
sand men are employed, are now the largest in 
the world in the line of seamless stamped metal 
ware. 

In 1870 Mr. Knapp, Sr., withdrew from the 
stamped ware business and later engaged with 
his son in the business, then, as now, under the 
title of The Knapp Manufacturing Company, in 
which he remained until his death in Newtown, in 
1887. One of his brothers. Prof. Frederick 
Knapp, settled in Baltimore in 1850 and founded 
Knapp's Institute, chartered by the state of 



594 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Maryland. Professor Knapp was distinctive!}' an 
educator, and received many honorable mentions 
and diplomas as professor in pedagogy from 
European universities. He was among the first 
to establish kindergarten systems, and the first 
to teach deaf and dumb how to talk by articula- 
tion instead of signs. More than twenty-five 
thousand names appear on the roll books of his 
institute, and the diplomas of graduation from 
Knapp's Institute are held by distinguished men 
all over this country, in commercial, political and 
educational life. The professor died in Balti- 
more in 1893, and his death was the occasion of 
tributes from all branches of his fellow-citizens. 

This sketch of the antecedents of the Knapp 
family explains the character of Lucien Knapp. 
He is aggressive, original, enterprising and fer- 
tile in resource. Receiving good educational ad- 
vantages, he graduated from the free schools of 
New York City and later from the New York 
Free College. In 1866 he entered into business, 
making a study of engineering, which he pre- 
ferred to remaining in the counting room. At 
twenty-one years of age he began to do business 
on his own account, and for twenty-five years has 
devoted himself assiduously to his manufactur- 
ing interests. As salesman and commercial trav- 
eler he has visited every city of note in the 
United States and Europe, introducing and sell- 
ing his goods in the line of sanitary and plumb- 
er's specialties and machinists' supplies. In 1883, 
in addition to his other enterprises, he assumed 
the general management of The Metallic Burial 
Case Company and The Winfield Foundry 
Works at Winfield and Newtown, L. I. These 
he successfully managed until 1889, when ill- 
health compelled him to reduce his labors, and he 
resigned from the company. 

In politics Mr. Knapp has been a Republican 
by conviction and a representative of the business 
man in politics. Never wanting an office for 
himself but ever ready to work for good men in 
oifice, he has been fearless in the expression of 
his views and independent in action. Believing 
in organization, he has always been a consistent 
"machine" man, but fights for good methods and 
organization inside the party lines. Crooked men 
in politics fear his frank honesty, and underhand- 
ed plotters have reason to beware of him. His 
labor has been directed to bringing the party ma- 
chinery close down to every individual Repub- 
lican. For this purpose he organized the election 
district plan, being among the first in this state to 



put the plan to practical test. The constitution 
and by-laws of the party in Queens County are 
the results of his progressive and aggressive la- 
bor. His platform is to "bring the party work 
down to the people, and you will have a strong 
party." In all conventions of the party his in- 
fluence is apparent and his wisdom recognized. 
Being a fluent speaker he is often called upon as 
orator for the defense and extension of party 
principles. As city treasurer he has attracted 
great attention by his stubborn and successful 
fig-ht against a ring in control of city affairs. His 
career in office thus far justifies the claims of his 
friends that he would be the people's and tax- 
payers' man in the city treasury. 

The family of Mr. Knapp consists of wife and 
two children, the latter being Louise, wife of 
Walter C. Foster, attorney-at-law ; and Harry 
Wilson. Mrs. Knapp is a Southerner by birth, 
and as is customary in that section of the coun- 
try, dispenses hospitality with a free hand. Her 
musical abilities are of the very highest, and the 
Knapp household has always been the center of 
an educated, aristocratic circle. 



ANDREW G. APPLEGATE has had a 
very successful career since establishing 
himself in the bicycle and sporting goods 
business in Long Island City, where he now has 
one of the largest houses of the kind in the 
county. Mr. Applegate was born in Freehold, 
Monmouth County, N. J., January 21, 1870. His 
father, Edw'in F., was a native of New York 
City, where also the birth of the grandfather, Wil- 
liam Applegate, occurred. The latter was a 
printer by trade and the job office which he 
started in the metropolis is now known as the 
James B. Cameron Printing Company. He died 
when forty-seven years of age. 

The father of our subject managed the print- 
ing office for a time after the decease of the 
grandfather, and when selling the office went to 
Providence, R, I., but afterward removed to Red 
Bank, N. J. There, during the Civil War, he 
raised a regiment which became known as the 
Twenty-seventh New Jersey. When ordered to 
the front he was chosen colonel of the regiment, 
and remained in command until the last six 
months of the war, when he returned home on 
account of sickness. His place was filled b}' the 
lieutenant-colonel, Dr. Remsen W. Taylor, who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



595 



is now one of the prominent physicians of As- 
toria, Long Island City. 

When recovering from the effect of his hard- 
ships and privations while in the war, E. F. Ap- 
plegate established the "Red Bank Standard," 
and remained in charge of the office until seUing 
out and removing to Freehold some time later. 
He then inaugurated the "Monmouth Inquirer," 
which he conducted on a paying basis for about 
twenty years. During nine years of his resi- 
dence in Freehold he held the position of post- 
master, and was the incumbent of the office at 
the time of his death, January 21, 1885. He was 
a true-blue Republican in politics and a promi- 
nent Grand Army man, being commander of 
Conover Post for many years. In religious af- 
fairs he was an Episcopalian and for a long time 
was vestryman of St. Peters, the old historic 
church that was used as a hospital during the 
Revolutionary War. 

Mrs. Mary L. (French) Applegate, mother of 
our subject, was born 'in New York City and 
died in New Jersey in 1890. Of the thirteen 
children whom she reared to mature years, ten 
are now living. Andrew G., who was the young- 
est of the household, was educated in the Free- 
hold Military Institute. When leaving school 
he entered his father's printing office and 
learned the trade. He was a lad of fifteen at 
the time, of the latter's death and his brother 
Maxcy succeeding to the business, he went to 
Philadelphia and was engaged as compositor 
with the James B. Rodgers Printing Company 
for eighteen months. At the end of that time 
he located in New York City, where he found 
employment in the office of the "Times." His 
stay there was of short duration, for we soon find 
him en route for South Carolina, in which state, 
he traveled for some time and then returning 
north located in New York and secured employ- 
ment with the Frank L. Hamilton Printing Com- 
pany, at No. 18 Spruce Street. Afterward for 
three years he was foreman of the "Bayonne (N. 
J.) Times." 

In August, 1891, Mr. Applegate came to Long 
Island City as foreman of the "Queens County 
Herald," which paper was established about that 
time, and remained in charge of the printing de- 
partment until resigning in 1893. In the spring 
of that year he rented a store room at No. 127 
Jackson Avenue, in which he placed a large stock 
of bicycles and all kinds of sporting goods, being 
the first to engage in this line of business in the 



city. In 1895 he moved into more convenient 
and commodious quarters and is now found at 
No. 139 Jackson Avenue. His partner is Charles 
J. Harvey and the firm have established a very 
paying business and are well known to all who 
ride wheels or engage in the numerous other 
sports and games which have become so popular 
of late years. They handle the Columbia and 
Spaulding wheels and their sales have been so 
large from the first that their customers have 
been obliged to wait a considerable length of 
time, as the factories could not turn them out 
fast enough to supply the demand. They are 
now prepared to manufacture wheels of their 
own, for which they find a ready market. In 
connection with their business they have a re- 
pair shop. 

November i, 1895, our subject was appointed 
enumerator of school census of this city by 
Mayor Sanford. With this exception he has 
never held public office, as his business interests 
have occupied his entire time and attention. Mr. 
Applegate was married in New York City in 1889 
to Miss Amy Sharman, a native of London, Eng- 
land. She was brought to America when quite 
young by her parents and was educated in New 
York. Her union with her subject has resulted 
in the birth of a son, Andrew, Jr. 

Mr. Applegate is a member of the Lincoln Club 
and is a strong Republican in politics. He is 
also a member of the Ravenswood Boat Club and 
pulls a strong, steady oar. The Long Island 
City Wheelmen regard him as one of their prom- 
inent members, as do also the League of Ameri- 
can Wheelmen. He belongs to the Associated 
Cycling Club of this city and has represented the 
same in various national gatherings in different 
parts of the country. 



JOHN BANNON, of Astoria, is overseer of 
the poor of Long Island City, and is also en- 
gineer of Our Lady Mt. Carmel's parochial 
school. He is a native of Ireland, having been 
born in County Tipperary in 1847. His father, 
Dennis Bannon, was also born in that portion of 
Ireland, and was in turn the son of Dennis Ban- 
non, Sr., a well-to-do farmer. The father of our 
subject having been reared to agricultural pur- 
suits, chose that occupation when starting out in 
life for himself, and followed it with signal success 
until his decease. 

Mrs. Mary (McGrath) Bannon, the mother of 



596 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John, was likewise born in County Tipperary 
and some time after the death of her husband 
came with her son to America, making her home 
with him until her decease, which occurred when 
she was seventy-two years of age. She was the 
mother of seven children, of whom John was 
the eldest. He passed the first seventeen years 
of his life in his native land and for the greater 
part of this time attended the common schools. 

In 1864 young Bannon, desiring to come to 
America, engaged passage on the sailing vessel 
"Atlantic," and six weeks and six days after 
leaving Liverpool was landed at Castle Garden, 
New York. He at once made his way to Kings 
County and at Gravesend found employment as 
a farmer. He made this place his home for two 
years, when he went to the oil regions of Penn- 
sylvania, working in the oil wells of Pithole City 
and Oil City for a period of five years. At the 
expiration of that time he returned to New York, 
and in 1870 we find him a res'ident of Long Island 
City. At first he was engaged as fireman and 
engineer for the East River Ferry Company, 
holding these positions for seven years, after 
which he was stationary engineer for various 
firms, and in 1892 was employed by the parochial 
school of the Catholic Church, which position 
he still holds. 

The marriage of Mr. Bannon and Miss Ellen 
O'Brien, who was also born in Ireland, occurred 
in Long Island City, and of their union Mary is 
the only survivor. Mr. Bannon is very prom- 
inent in his community and for three years, from 
1890 to 1893, was school commissioner. In the 
fall of 1895 he was the successful candidate for 
the office of' overseer of the poor, being elected 
by a majority of over two hundred votes. Janu- 
ary I, 1896, he took the oath of office and en- 
tered upon the duties of this responsible position. 
He is a Jeffersonian Democrat in poHtics and is 
a member of the general commission. For sev- 
eral vears Mr. Bannon served on old Jackson 
Eng-ine No. i. 



CHARLES F. ALIESKY. Germany has 
contributed to the population of America 
by giving some of her most worthy citi- 
zens, and among the number may be mentioned 
Charles F. AHesky, of Seacliff, a descendant of 
an old patrician Polish family, who was born at 
Mayence, dukedom of Hesse, Germany, October 
22, 1842. During the latter part of the fifteenth 



century the family lived at Riidesheim, on the 
River Rhine, where there are still Alieskys on 
the same old village estate, as wine growers and 
wine merchants. 

Our subject's great-grandfather spent his life 
in Mayence, which was the family residence of 
this branch for several generations. The father 
of Mr. Aliesky, Paul, was born in Mayence, Aug- 
ust 12, 1800, and served his time as an appren- 
tice with his father, who at that time was pur- 
veyor, confectioner and caterer to the archbishop 
of Mayence. Later he was engaged in agricul- 
tural economy (vintage, flour mill and red sand 
stone quarry) in the small town of Nackenheim 
on the banks of the Rhine. He married Miss 
Elizabeth Wenz, daughter of Francis Wenz, 
royal over-forester to King Frederick William 
the Fourth of Prussia, Germany. When their 
son, Charles F., was a small boy they came to 
America and settled in New York City. After 
receiving a fair education in the public schools 
he was put as errand boy in a banking house in 
1856. Financial business, however, did not suit 
him, he being of a mechanical and artistic turn 
of mind. 

Designing and modeling being his only pleas- 
ures, there was no peace until our subject was 
entered as an apprentice in an engraving, chas- 
ing and enameling establishment. After serving 
five years (and during that time entering Cooper 
Union Art School and graduating there) he be- 
came a pupil to the National Academy of De- 
sign, where he spent, at various times, aboyt 
eight years of study, from cast and life, in oil and 
black and white. During this time he began 
the study of medicine under Dr. De Penhoel, 
physician and surgeon, later in the service of the 
United States Army. He also attended anatom- 
ical lectures at the Academy and the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, more for the pleasure 
of information than for the purpose of making it 
his life work. He was one of the founders of the 
Art Club Pallette of New York City, of which 
society he was president for the first two terms. 

In New York City June 11, 1866, Mr. Aliesky 
married Miss Minnie Link, who was born in 
Maiden Lane August 30, 1847, daughter of Rob- 
ert and Elizabeth (Emerich) Link, natives of 
Germany, her grandmother on her father's side 
being Wilhelmina von Horst. For a few years 
Mr. Aliesky followed the occupation of a por- 
trait painter and crayon artist. In 1872 he estab- 
lished himself in the place where he is now, as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



597 



artistic engraver, chaser, die and metal cutter and 
enamel miniature painter. Being a patentee of 
a process of enameling, he was also very success- 
ful in introducing painted enamel flower jewelry 
in 1876, which caused quite a revolution in the 
jewelry business. Not only is he fluent in the 
use of the German and English languages, but 
he also spent five years in the study of natural his- 
tory, entomology, which gave him some insight 
of Latin. He was twice chosen president of the 
Entomological Society of Brooklyn, whose 
monthly reports he illustrated with specimens of 
coleoptera, diptera and lepidoptera. These ex- 
periments insured him designing for the "Rural 
New Yorker," an agricultural scientific weekly 
paper. His winters are spent in Brooklyn, and 
until 1 89 1 he spent a portion of each year in 
Seaclifif, but after his residence there was burned 
down in 1891 he erected a house on Hempstead 
Harbor, in sight of Long Island Sound. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Aliesky were born eight chil- 
dren, as follows: Charles Francis, whose birth oc- 
curred in New York; Paul Robert, born in 
Brooklyn; Elizabeth, who died when four days 
old; Annie, who died September 14, 1875, at the 
age of one year and two months; Olga Beatrice, 
who died July 16, 1883, aged eight years and two 
days; Minna Barbara, Amelia J- and Kurt Fred- 
erick. Mr. Aliesky's political sympathies are with 
the Democratic party, but he is not a strong par- 
tisan. His first vote was cast for George B. Mc- 
Clellan in 1864. At the present writing he is 
president of the village of Seacliff. He and his 
wife were reared Catholics. Fraternally he is a 
Mason, a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 449, of 
New York City, and has served as marshal. Fie 
has been an active member of the German Lieder- 
kranz Musical Society of New York City since 
1863 and for a number of years has been a 
member of the board of trustees. 



WILLIAM W. WRIGHT, of Ravens- 
wood, conducts one of the most flour- 
ishing groceries in the place and in ad- 
dition to giving his personal attention to its 
management conducts a paying business as coal 
merchant. He is also a member of the board of 
police commissioners, is agent for the Western 
Union Telegraph Company, having the office in 
his store, which is also the station for the post- 
office branch for Long Island City. He was bom 
in Astoria, L. I., January 2, i860. His father, 



Jacob Wright, was a native of Newtown, and the 
grandfather, William Wright, was also a native of 
Queens County, in which portion of the island he 
is still Hving. He was a farmer for many years 
at Newtown, but when reaching advanced years 
sold his possessions there and is now making his 
home with a son at Patchogue. He is eighty-nine 
years of age and is a member of the Episcopal 
Church, and while in Newtown served as ves- 
tryman for many years. 

The father of our subject was reared on the 
old home farm which belonged to his parents and 
when ready to engage in some business in life 
secured a position as clerk in the grocery 
of a Mr. Black well, of Astoria. He saved a suffi- 
cient sum of money during that time to enable 
him to embark in business for himself, and 
opened up a grocery in Fulton Avenue. His 
ventures in this line were not as successful as he 
had wished and he sold out after a time and in- 
vested his money in real estate, handling this and 
carrying on an insurance business until his death, 
which occurred when he was forty-eight years of 
age. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Lydia H. T. 
Webb, was a native of New York City. She was 
a granddaughter of William Webb, who was 
warden of Randall's Island during Tweed's ad- 
ministration. Mrs. Wright is still living and 
makes her home in the metropolis. Of the seven 
children of whom she became the mother, five 
are living. William W., the eldest of the house- 
hold, attended the public schools of Astoria and 
when seventeen years of age was thrown upon 
his own resources, owing to the death of his 
father, which occurred about that time. He 
learned telegraphy in the Western Union office 
at Astoria, and in 1876 was made agent for the 
company and has had charge of their business in 
this place ever since. Thus early in life he was 
made assistant postmaster, and when only nine- 
teen 3rears of age embarked in the grocery busi- 
ness. So well has he succeeded in this under- 
taking that he has given it his attention ever 
since that time, notwithstanding many other en- 
terprises have consumed much of his time. In 
his grocery and coal business Mr. Wright uses 
seven horses and runs four wagons, having orders 
to fill all over Long Island City. He gives con- 
stant emplovment to eight men, and by the able 
manner in which he manages his business inter- 
ests has become one of the most substantial men 
of the city. In 1881 Mr. Wright was appointed 



598 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



postmaster by President Arthur, Ravenswood be- 
ing made a third-class office, but upon the estab- 
Hshment of the free dehvery system the office was 
aboHshed. Mr. Wright is also engaged in the 
real estate business, owning one hundred and 
fourteen lots in Ravenswood, which he has laid 
out into streets. 

When ready to establish a home of his own 
Mr. Wright was married to Miss Annie E. Cor- 
nell, a native of New York City, and she 
became the mother of two children, Charles Cor- 
nell and WilHam Arthur. She departed this life 
in 1894. Our subject has always been active in 
politics and in 1893 was appointed a member of 
the police commission, of which he is now treas- 
urer. He is a member of the Ravenswood Re- 
publican Club and belongs to the General Re- 
publican city committee. Socially he is a Mason, 
holding membership with Advance Lodge, No. 
635, of Astoria, and is also identified with the 
Royal Arcanum and the Legion of Honor. He 
served twice as a member of Volunteer Truck of 
Astoria, No. 2, and is now identified with the 
Exempt Firemen's Association. Mr. Wright has 
manifested shrewd business ability in the man- 
agement of his affairs and has amassed a snug 
fortune as the result of his industrious and per- 
severing efforts. 



DR. DAVID R. LONGENECKER. One 
of the most important industries in a 
community and one in which its expo- 
nents are in great demand is that of dentistry. 
It is no small debt of gratitude that the world 
owes to the dentist for this opportunity to gain 
comfort. Among those engaged -in this most 
necessary business is Dr. David R. Longenecker, 
whose fine office at No. 519 Fulton Street, Brook- 
lyn, is supplied with all the modern implements 
for carrying on his work. He is a dentist of rare 
skill and ability and one in whom his patients 
rest entire confidence. A native of the Buckeye 
State, born at Dayton, July 30, 1847, the Doctor 
is a son of Dr. John H. and Ellen (Frame) Long- 
enecker, both born in Lancaster, Pa. 

The father spent his early life in his native 
city, where he received his medical education. 
During the Civil War he served as surgeon and 
after cessation of hostilities he went with his 
family to Hudson, Mass., and from there to 
Brooklyn about the year 1880. For the past 
few years he has been spending his time with his 



son. Dr. D. H. Longenecker, of Islip, who is 
living retired. He and his excellent wife are en- 
joying the best of health. 

The early education of our subject was re- 
ceived in the public schools at Lancaster, Pa., 
and later he was connected with the naval acad- 
emy at Annapolis, Md., for two years and a half 
as a medical cadet. After severing his connec- 
tion there he came to Brooklyn and took up the 
study of dentistry with Dr. George W. Frame. 
In 1870 he completed the profession and at once 
established an office in the city of Brooklyn, 
where he has ever since been actively and suc- 
cessfully engaged in professional duties. In 
1884 Dr. Longenecker came to Rockville Cen- 
ter, on account of ill health, and with the 
idea of spending the spring and summer here. 
As he liked the good, wholesome air and the 
surroundings generally, he purchased a nice 
house and has ever since made his home here, 
going and returning from Brooklyn each day 
except Sundays and holidays. 

In the year 1872 Dr. Longenecker married 
Miss Jessie Lambard, daughter of Roger F. 
Lambard, of Brooklyn. Four children have 
been born to this union, as follows: Dr. Wil- 
ham R., who is in business with his father; Bes- 
sie F.; Nellie B., and David R., Jr. Dr. and 
Mrs. Longenecker are worthy members of the 
St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church and the 
former is the superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. Socially he is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, and politically he is a Republican. 
The Doctor is a progressive citizen and is alive 
to the interests of his town. He is at present 
regent of the Royal Arcanum at Rockville Cen- 
ter and president of the board of trustees of St. 
Mark's Church. 



REV. FRANK MARION HALLOCK, 
pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Roslyn, was born in Brooklyn March 
9, 1846, and is a son of Samuel M. and Bethia A. 
(Terry) Hallock, natives of Suffolk County. The 
father, who is a mechanic and storekeeper, is 
prominent in religious affairs and for many years 
has been officially connected with the Methodist 
Church. In middle life he moved to Brooklyn 
and several years later went from there to Sag 
Harbor, thence to Riverhead and finally returned 
to his native place, where he has resided since 
1856. Although seventy-six years old, he con- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



599 



ducts a grocery and feed store, superintends the 
management of his farm and is active in church 
affairs. His wife, who still survives, is eighty- 
two years old (1896). Their family consisted of 
four sons and one daughter, as follows: Frank 
M., George F., Howard D., Henry O., who died 
in infancy, and Eugenie S. 

For about six years the subject of this record 
was a pupil in the private school kept by Miss E. 
C. Mapes, called St. Peter's Hall, and also at- 
tended the public schools. In 1862 he was con- 
verted at Cutchogue; six years later he was li- 
censed to preach, and in 1874 joined the New 
York East Conference. In 1872 he was ap- 
pointed to his first pastorate, that of the Middle 
Island Methodist Church, and the following year 
another congregation was added to his parish. 
From Long Island he went in 1876 to West- 
chester, N. Y., and later was given other import- 
ant pastorates in New York and Connecticut. In 
1892 he returned to Long Island and was called 
to Roslyn in 1894. Active in ministerial work, he 
is especially forceful and successful an an evan- 
gelist, his eloquence, zeal, earnestness and broad 
information having been the means of winning 
many to Christ. Other denominations, becom- 
ing cognizant of his success, have asked him to 
engage in evangelical work in their behalf, but 
he has preferred to remain with the church and 
faith of his father. 

During his seminary days Mr. Hallock passed 
a most creditable examination in English and 
engaged in teaching school, giving instruction 
in the highest branches of literature. During the 
winter of 1868-69 he was chosen from a number 
of classmates by a committee from the trustees 
to teach at Ludlow, Mass. A successful educa- 
tor, he was liked wherever his duties called him. 
After being licensed to preach he retired from 
the teacher's profession. For nearly thirty years 
he has been an active worker for temperance and 
also held the office of worthy chief in the Good 
Templars' Society, of which he is now an 'honpr- 
ary member. He was interested in the organiza- 
tion of a branch of the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union in Pleasant Valley, Conn., and 
was made an honorary member of the society. 
He is identified with Metamora Council, No. 
650, American Legion of Honor. For five years 
he 'has been secretary and treasurer of the North 
Side Sunday-school Association of Suffolk Coun- 
ty, embracing over sixty Sunday-schools. 

June 24, 1874, Mr. Hallock married Miss Lillie 



Annin, who was born in Brooklyn; they are the 
parents of two sons, George Annin and Howard 
Leichester, who are attending school. P. F. An- 
nin, father of Mrs. Hallock, is a noted wood en- 
graver of Brooklyn and for many years was fore- 
man of that department for the Frank Leslie 
Publishing Company, and was for some time con- 
nected with the Harper Publishing Company. 
He came of a prominent noble family of Scot- 
land, but although the title and estate would 
have descended to him he refused to relinquish 
allegiance to the United States. 



GEORGE H. PAYNTAR. To secure suc- 
cess in business a man must be energetic, 
persevering, capable and judicious; with 
these qualities he need have no fear of failure. 
It is largely due to these characteristics, which he 
possesses in a large degree, that Mr. Payntar 
owes the prosperity that has attended his efforts. 
He is recognized as one of the progressive citi- 
zens of Long Island City, where he carries on a 
large real estate and insurance business, having 
his office at No. 83 Borden Avenue. 

The Payntar family has been identified with 
the history of Long Island City (formerly town 
of Newtown) for three successive generations, 
and its representatives have been known as men 
of upright lives and energetic dispositions. Wil- 
liam, grandfather of George H., in an early day 
purchased the water front from Nelson's Point 
almost as far as Webster Avenue, which prop- 
erty he afterward sold to the city of New York, 
but which was afterward disposed of to others. 
In 1 83 1 he bought from Peter P. Lorrimore a 
large tract of land, including the family home- 
stead on Jackson and Skillman Avenues, and 
here he resided until his death, at the age of 
eighty-four. His landed possessions were ex- 
tensive and included some valuable property bor- 
dering on Dutch Kills Creek. He was always in- 
terested in public affairs. 

William Payntar, Jr., father of George H., was 
born in Ravenswood, and during the War of 
1812 served as acting sergeant; later was com- 
missioned by Governor Tompkins lieutenant in 
a company of New York militia. Ovh liis return 
to private life he resumed the work of a farmer, 
and this occupation he followed throughout his 
active life. He was a quiet, persevering and hon- 
orable man, one who was good-hearted, gener- 
ous and helpful to those in need. Whatever he 



6oo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



saw to be a duty he did at once. His nature was 
noljle and his friends many. While he never 
occupied positions of great prominence he served 
as commissioner of highways of Newtown and 
in other local offices, filling these places with 
credit to himself. He died in 1865, when seventy- 
four years of age.' A man of consistent religious 
belief, he held membership in the Dutch Re- 
formed Church of Newtown, and served the con- 
gregation in the ofific'ial capacity of elder and 
deacon. Politically he was always loyal to Dem- 
ocratic principles. 

By his marriage to Miss Mary A. Van Alst, of 
Newtown, William Payntar, Jr., had the follow- 
ing children: William, who died in Newtown 
at the age of thirty-six, leaving a family of six 
children; Isaac, who was in the grocery business 
for many years and died in Flushing; John, a 
contractor and builder, who died, in Newtown; 
Thomas, a carpenter in Astoria; Ida, who passed 
away in infancy; Abraham, a retired hardware 
merchant of Kingston, N. Y. ; and George H. 

The subject of this article was born at the 
old homestead July 17, 1834, and spent the first 
twelve years of his life there. At the age of 
fifteen he secured employment as clerk in the 
wholesale dry-goods house of Greenway Bros. & 
Co., of New York. Shortly before the outbreak 
of the Rebellion he went to Abingdon, Va., as 
manager of the general store of John C. Green- 
way, but the Civil War coming on, he returned 
to Long Island. Since 1867 he has been engaged 
in the real estate business, his first venture in 
which was the laying out in town lots of the old 
home farm. Since then he has platted several 
additions in Jackson Avenue and other streets, 
and has built up a large business in this line. 

The marriage of Mr. Payntar, in Flushing, 
united him with Miss Irene U. Merkle, who w.'as 
born in New York City, being a daughter of 
George and Elizabeth Merkle. The Merkle fam- 
ily is of German extraction and emigrated to this 
country from Waldorf. Of the four children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Payntar we note the following: 
Irene M. is the widow of the late Charles N. 
Shephard, of Brooklyn; G. Augusta married 
Frederick Jenkins, son of the president of the 
First National Bank of Brooklyn; Eliza D. is a 
graduate of the State Normal School at Albany, 
and is now a teacher in that institution; and W. 
Elmer is with F. K. & J. G. Jenkins, Jr., stock 
brokers of Brooklyn. 

As a citizen Mr. Payntar is progressive and 



patriotic, and although in no sense an office- 
seeker, is interested in all measures calculated to 
improve the community. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat and has represented his party in general 
conventions. Among the positions he has held 
are those of commissioner of highways of New- 
town, assessor of Long Island City, commission- 
er on estimate of assessments for Thompson 
Avenue, and commissioner on the division of the 
Margaret Gosman and the Manley estates. He 
is a member of Island City Lodge No. 586, F. 
& A. M., and in religious belief is identified with 
the Reformed Church, to which his wife also be- 
longs.. Lhitil 1856 he was for some years a mem- 
ber of the Flushing fire department. May 4, 
1858, he was appointed fireman of Brooklyn 
Hose Company No. 3, and was made exempt fire- 
man in February, 1864. In his office may be 
noticed a number of colonial and Revolutionary 
mementoes, and among other souvenirs is an old 
document dated 1807, regarding the sale of some 
property by his grandfather. 



FREDERICK WAGNER, a retired farmer 
residing on the Fresh Pond road, about 
one mile from Glendale, in the town of 
Newtown, was born in Baden, Germany, May 
ID, 1833, and is one of five survivors among the 
seven children of George Jacob and Barbara 
Wagner. His father, who was born in Germany 
in 1804, resided in his native place until forty- 
two years old, when, in 1846, he came to Amer- 
ica and settled in Brooklyn. After his arrival 
in this country he engaged in the milk business, 
but later in life gave this up and settled down 
to farming in Newtown. At his death, which 
occurred in 1868, he was one of the well-to-do 
farmers of this section, his prosperity being the 
result of his tireless labors. 

At the time the family came to America, Fred- 
erick was a lad of thirteen years and had re- 
ceived a good education in the schools of Ger- 
many. Soon after settling in Brooklyn he was 
bound out to a five years' apprenticeship at rope- 
making, but one year later he left because of his 
employer's refusal to comply with the terms of 
the contract. For some six months he was 
employed in a brick yard, after which he returned 
to his apprenticeship and served out his term of 
five years. He then engaged with his father in 
the milk business, which they carried on in con- 
nection with farming. This continued up to his 




WIIvLIAM E. VALENTINE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



603 



twenty-eighth year, when he leased his present 
place and operated it as a renter until 1880, 
when he purchased the property and in 1891 
erected his commodious and handsome residence. 
In 1891 Mr. Wagner married Mrs. Mary B. 
Wagner, the widow of his brother Henry and 
the mother, by her first marriage, of nine chil- 
dren. They are as follows: Henry H., who is 
married and ha% two children ; Caroline, wife of 
Andrew Betz Ind mother of two children; 
Philip, who left two children at his death ; George 
F., who is married and has one child; Charles; 
John A.; Anna; George J., and William H. Po- 
litically a Republican, Mr. Wagner was elected 
commissioner of highways in 1870, serving two 
terms. He and his family attend the Lutheran 
Church and are highly respected throughout the 
town. 



WILLIAM E. VALENTINE, one of the 
wealthy and retired farmers of Queens 
County, is a man whose success in 
life is due almost wholly to his perseverance 
and determination. He has one of the finest 
farms on the island, and his beautiful home shows 
what culture and refinement can accomplish. Mr. 
Valentine was born at Woodbury, April 17, 1823, 
and is a son of Hewlett and Hannah (Hendrick- 
son) Valentine, both natives of the town of Oys- 
ter Bay. The father resided in the village of that 
name until middle age' and then moved to Flush- 
ing, where for the most part the remainder of his 
days were passed. Flis death occurred in i860. 
He was a prominent citizen and farmer of this 
county and was universally respected. In his 
family were nine children, as follows: Joshua, 
Stephen, Obadiah, Elbert, Jacob, James, Sarah, 
William E. and Rachel. Sarah, the wife of Sam- 
uel C. Hendrickson, is the only one besides our 
subject now living. 

• William E. Valentine was a youth of twenty 
when his father moved to Flushing. He secured 
a good education in the common schools and in 
the academy at Woodbury, and later he and his 
brother successfully carried on the home place 
for a number of years. On the 6th of October, 
1846, our subject married Miss Phoebe E. Kis- 
sam, a daughter of Benjamin T. and Phoebe P. 
(Allen) Kissam. Mr. Kissam was a prominent 
farmer and owned a large tract of land adjoining 
that belonging to Mr. Valentine. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Valentine were born seven children, all but 
24 



two dying in infancy or early childhood. One 
son, Clarence, is engaged in the insurance busi- 
ness in New York, where Benjamin F. is en- 
gaged in the insurance and real estate business. 
Mr. Valentine's beautiful home with its charm- 
ing surroundings, is one of the finest sights on 
the island. The house was built by him in 1874 
and in its arrangement is beautiful indeed. Mr. 
Valentine does not operate his farm, but for the 
past twelve years has rented his land, which con- 
sists of about one hundred acres. He takes much 
interest in public matters, but has avoided poli- 
tics, accepting only those positions which . are 
connected with educational aft'airs. He and Mrs. - 
Valentine are worthy members of the Episcopal 
Church and their family stands high in the esti- 
mation of the people. 



JOHN F. ROGERS. Among those whose 
career in business has been rendered con- 
spicuous by the honorable methods and 
careful attention shown throughout, is John F. 
Rogers, the efficient receiver and collector of 
taxes of Flushing. For some time he has been 
engaged in the plumbing and hardware business 
here and is a pushing, thoroughgoing merchant. 
He was born in Flushing December 23, 1855, 
and no doubt inherits much of his stir and en- 
ergy from his Irish ancestors, his parents, Den- 
nis P. and Elizabeth (Carroll) Rogers, having 
been natives of the Emerald Isle. In 1830, be- 
fore his marriage, the father came to the United 
States and located in Flushing, following farm- 
mg at Bayside and vicinity until he retired. At 
the time of his death he was quite advanced in 
years. His wife, after crossing the ocean to 
America, settled in Canada. Later she came to 
New York, was married here, and resides here 
at the present time, well along in years. The 
father was twice married; there being three chil- 
dren born of his first union. Of the five children 
born of his second marriage, four are living, and 
our subject is the eldest of these. 

In the common and public schools our subject 
secured a good practical education, and when 
sixteen years old he was apprenticed to learn the 
plumber's and gas-fitter's trade with Henrv Lew- 
is, of Flushing. After serving six years he went 
to New York City, where he was engaged in 
business for himself for three years. Subsequent- 
ly he spent some time in Oregon, but returning 
to the East he was again in business in New 



6o4 



AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



York City for a short time. Coming back to 
Flushing "later he worked for his former employer 
for a time, and on the ist of February, 1887, he 
started in business for himself, and by persever- 
ance and industry has built up a good trade. All 
that he has is the result of his own hard work, 
for he started with very little of this world's 
goods. He is thoroughly familiar with every de- 
tail of his business and his work gives the best of 
satisfaction. He employs from fifteen to twenty 
men, all skillful workmen. 

Mr. Rogers was married in Corona to Miss 
Mary Birch, a native of New Jersey, and their 
■ union has been blessed by the birth of six chil- 
dren, as follows: Bessie, Mary, Florence, Louise, 
Cecelia and Sabina. For four years Mr. Rogers 
was overseer of the poor of Flushing. In 1891 
he was elected receiver of taxes of the village, 
and was re-elected to that position in 1893. In 
1895 he was appointed collector of the village of 
Flushing by the board of trustees and is discharg- 
ing the duties of that position very creditably at 
the present time. He is a member of the Cath- 
olic Benevolent Legion and the Ancient Order 
of Hibernians in Flushing, and for four years 
served as secretary of Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany No. I, of this place. He belongs to the 
Order of American Firemen, Flushing Council 
No. 6, and is past president of the state organiza- 
tion. For some time he was a member of the 
board of trustees of the same order and for two 
years was its president. At present he is cap- 
tain of the boating club. In politics he is an 
ardent Democrat and has often been a delegate 
to conventions. 



PROF. CYRUS E. SMITH, superintendent 
of the Woodhaven public school, occupies 
a prominent place among the educators of 
Oueens County. The citizens of Woodhaven are 
wont to say with pride that no village of similar 
size on Long Island has better schools, and cer- 
tainly they are everything that an efficient corps 
of teachers and an experienced superintendent 
can make them. The curriculum of study em- 
braces those branches usually taught in the best 
institutions of like character in the land, and 
the course is both thorough and comprehensive. 
The family to which Professor Smith belongs 
is one of the oldest on the island, the first repre- 
sentative here having made settlement in Suffolk 
County, where a large number of the descendants 



at present reside. Capt. Isaac Smith, our sub- 
ject's father, was born in Islip, L. I., and through- 
out his entire active life has followed the sea, 
though he is now living retired. He was captain 
and master of several yachts, among them the 
'Irene," owned by E. A. Johnson. The family of 
which he was a member consisted of three chil- 
dren, he being the youngest, and it is a note- 
worthy fact that all of them l^ved to celebrate 
their golden wedding. One of them, Capt. Jarvis 
Smith, who was master of a vessel during the 
Civil War, was taken prisoner by the Confeder- 
ates, his vessel burned, and he was put in Libby 
prison, where he spent some time before being 
released. 

The grandfather of our subject, Noah Smith, 
was a seafaring man. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Jemima Jarvis, was a member of 
one of the old Long Island families and attained 
the age of ninety-six. The mother of our sub- 
ject, Nancy, was born at Hackensack, N. J. Her 
brother, Capt. Matthew Betts, was master of the 
pilot boat "Commerce" and was lost on the New 
Jersey coast. Another brother, John, a seafaring 
man, fell from a masthead and was killed; Daniel, 
still another brother, also a sailor, enlisted in the 
Second New York Fire Zouaves in 1861 and was 
wounded at Gettysburg, after which he was trans- 
ferred to the navy by order of General Dix, and 
at the close of the war was made a watchman on 
the Seventh Street wharf, Washington, D. C, 
where he lost his life. 

Tlie family of Capt. Isaac and Nancy Smith 
consisted of three sons and one daughter, Cyrus 
E. being the eldest. The others are: Jarvis H., 
who is a member of the New York City police 
force; George C, who holds a responsible posi- 
tion with the New York Life Insurance Company 
in New York; and Fannie, wife of Preston D. 
Ritch, assistant postmaster at Floral Park, L. I. 
Cyrus E. was born at Islip, L. I., February 2, 
1846, and grew to manhood in his native place, 
receiving his education in the schools of Long 
Island. At the age of twenty he commenced to 
teach at North Babylon; later was similarly em- 
ployed in the schools of Amityville and Babylon. 
In 1869 he married Louise Augusta Jacobs, who 
was a teacher by profession; she and their only 
child, a daug'hter, both died in 1871. 

Going to Bellport, Professor Smith for seven 
years held the position of principal of the acad- 
emy at that place, and while there was united in 
marriage with Miss Frankie Louise Robinson, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



60: 



daughter of Perry Robinson. Thence he went 
to Piermont, Rockland County, N. Y., where he 
was superintendent of the schools for seven vears. 
At that place, in 1887, his wife met with an acci- 
dent that caused her death. In 1888 he married 
Miss Estelle G., daughter of Squire Peter Steph- 
ens, of Nyack, and member of one of the leading 
families of the Hudson valley; her uncles were 
the founders of the Knickerbocker Ice Com- 
pany, and the family has long been promi- 
nent in business and social circles. 

From Piermont Professor Smith went to 
Woodside, where he taught for three vears. 
Then, without solicitation on his part, the board 
of education tendered him the superintendencv 
of the Woodhaven schools. Since he came to this 
village great improvements have been made in 
the schools, and the new high school has been 
built. The attendance has increased from seven 
hundred to twelve hundred, and the number of 
assistants from thirteen to thirtv-one. He is a 
most efficient educator, and is in everv respect 
worthy of his high professional standing. 

Aside from the duties connected with his posi- 
tion. Professor Smith takes a warm interest in 
every enterprise that tends to the improvement 
of the place. He is a member of the volunteer 
fire department. Socially he holds membership 
in the Odd Fellows' lodge at Babylon, in which 
his father was a charter member. While not con- 
nected with any denomination, he is inclined to- 
ward the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife 
is a member. He is not aggressive in opinion 
nor disposed to be arbitrary, yet he has a "mind 
of his own," with the moral courage to express 
it when occasion demands. He possesses the 
moral and personal integrity and clear, well-bal- 
anced intellect that adorn private life and make 
and keep the public service pure. 



HENRY N. ABR.'VMS, of Woodhaven, was 
born in Far Rockaway April 18, 1822. 
The family of which he is a member has 
been identified with the history of Long Island 
for a number of generations. His paternal grand- 
father, Walter Abrams, was born here and de- 
voted his entire active life to the occupation of 
an agriculturist, dying at the age of fourscore 
years. The father of our subject, Capt. Samuel 
D. Abrams, was born in Far Rockaway and be- 
came a seafaring man, following the water as 
long as he lived. During the War of 1812 he 



was one of the patriots who fought in defense of 
American institutions. He married Catherine 
Frost, an estimable lady, who was born near Far 
Rockaway and died there at the age of seventy 
years. 

_ The family of Capt. Samuel D. Abrams con- 
sisted of seven sons and one daughter. Martin, 
who was a mariner, died many years ago; Hiram^ 
who was formerly engaged in the oyster trade! 
now lives retired at Far Rockaway; Elias, who 
was also at one time in the oyster business, died 
in 1892; Willett C, during the Civil War served 
as a pilot for the government on the coast, but 
later embarked in the oyster business, in which 
he was engaged at the time of his death in 1888; 
our subject, Henry X., is next in order: Samuel 
IS an oyster man living at Far Rockawav; Mor- 
ris has for many years been employed in the gov- 
ernment life saving station at p'ar Rockaway; 
and Rachel, the widow of James Lucy, resides at 
Far Rockaway. 

^ The earlier years of our subject were spent in 
his native place, and at the age of sixteen he be- 
gan to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he has 
since followed. In 1847, while still a resident of 
Far Rockaway, he was captain of the militia. In 
1852 he came to Woodhaven and opened the 
shop of which he is still the proprietor. During 
eighteen years of his residence here he had charge 
of the toll-gate on the road that ran past his shop. 
He has always been an industrious, persevering 
man, never "eating the bread of idleness," but 
working hard for an honest livelihood. Of late 
years he has turned the management of the busi- 
ness largely over to his sons, but may be seen at 
the shop every day superintending the work. Mr. 
Abrams has held the official position of commis- 
sioner of highways, and in politics is a stanch 
Democrat. In religious belief he is a Presby- 
terian, taking an active part in the work of that 
church here and has been trustee for a period of 
eight years. 

September 17, 1846, ^Lr. Abrams married Miss 
Charity Nostrand, a native of the town of la- 
maica. They have four children living and have 
lost four. Samuel, who is in business with his 
father, married Sarah Eldert, of Jamaica, and 
they had two children, both of whom are de- 
ceased; Sarah is the wife of William H. Blood, 
general superintendent of the Long Island Rail- 
road, and they, with their four children, reside 
in Woodhaven; Charles, who is with his father in 
the shop, married Lillie 3,Iusgro and has four 



6o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children, Charles, Viola, Nelson and Martha; and 
Anna is the wife of William Stoney, an employe 
of the Long Island Railroad, their union having 
resulted in the birth of one child, Marjorie. In 
all his good words and works Mr. Abrams has 
had the assistance and counsel of his devoted 
wife and faithful companion, who is a lady of 
beautiful Christian character, amiability of dispo- 
sition and gentle, kindly spirit. 



JOHN J. PETERS. This enterprising young 
business man of Long Island City is a na- 
tive Ohioan, born in West Jefferson, Madi- 
son County, in 1867, and is a son of John and 
Magdalene (Schmidt) Peters, who were born, 
reared and married in Luxemburg, Germany. 
On coming to America they located in West 
Jefferson, Ohio, where for many years the father 
engaged in farming pursuits, but finally he re- 
tired from active business cares and came to Long 
Island City, where he died at the home of his son. 
He was then fifty-seven years of age. Socially 
he was a Mason and had oiSciated as master of 
his lodge. His widow still resides in Long Island 
City. Of their nine children, five are now living. 
John J., who was next to the oldest of the fam- 
ily, attended the public schools of West Jefferson 
in early boyhood, but at the age of fourteen, in 
1881, he came with his oldest brother, Mathias, 
to Long Island City, where he was apprenticed 
to the machinist's trade under his uncle, John P. 
Peters, at the foot of Sixth Street. Gaining a 
thorough knowledge of the trade during the six 
years that he remained there, in 1887 he left the 
machine shop and turned his attention to the 
florist's business and also to the manufacture of 
sheep fertilizer. The greenhouse had been estab- 
Hshed by his father-in-law, Victor Fredericks, 
about 1878, and our subject continued to carry 
it on until he perfected the manufacture of fertil- 
izer, when he turned his attention exclusively to 
that work. 

For about three years Mr. Peters was engaged 
principally in experimenting with the fertilizer, 
having people in different states try it, and finally, 
as it gave entire satisfaction, about 1890 he be- 
gan as a manufacturer. When a boy he noticed 
that sheep manure was a fine fertilizer, this fact 
being called to his attention by some corn grown 
on the home farm where sheep had pastured for 
years. The corn was of such excellent quality 
that.it took first prize at an exhibition, a result 



due entirely to the peculiar fertilization of the 
soil. In order to assist in the manufacture of the 
fertilizer Mr. Peters has invented the necessary 
machinery, by which the product is dried, com- 
pressed and condensed in such form as to retain 
all the chemical properties of the original, but 
lessened in weight and bulk. The boiler and en- 
gine are each of twenty-horse power, and the 
capacity of the plant is large. Recently a manu- 
facturing plant was established in East St. Louis, 
adjoining the city and near the National Stock- 
vards, and as $40,000 was invested in the plant, 
with unlimited capital to carry it on, there can 
be no result other than success. Shipments are 
made to every state of the nation, as well as to 
Canada and Mexico, where the fertilizer is in 
demand for farms, lawns and greenhouses. 

In this city Mr. Peters married Miss Rachel 
Fredericks, who was born in New York and was 
reared there and in Long Island City. Her fath- 
er, Victor Fredericks, a native of Germany, 
came to New York City, where he had a meat 
market. On removing to Long Island City he 
became a florist and had charge of a large green- 
house until his death. Socially Mr. Peters is a 
Mason and belongs to Island City Lodge No. 
586; also to Astoria Lodge No. 186, K. of P.; 
and John J. Mitchell Lodge No. 338, A. O. U. W. 



JOHN COVERT, probably one of the best 
known citizens of Queens County, was for 
many years one of its most prominent and 
successful farmers. Now, however, he is retired 
from the active duties of farm life and is residing 
in a pleasant home in the village of Woodhaven, 
among whose residents he has hosts of warm 
friends. His birth occurred September 7, 1821, 
at Valley Stream, in the town of Hempstead, 
where also his father, Morris Covert, was born in 
1797. The latter was a wagonmaker by trade, 
but during the greater portion of his life he was 
engaged as a farmer and miller. 

The grandfather, John Covert, was also a tiller 
of the soil, and in the early days his knowledge 
of house carpentering led to his building many 
of the dwellings in the vicinity of his home. He 
took part in the War of 181 2, participating in 
many hard-fought engagements. The name of 
Covert is a very familiar one in Queens County, 
as members of the family have been identified 
with the upbuilding of this portion of Long Is- 
land since pioneer days and have always been 




THOMAS R. KILLII.EA, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



609 



classed among the leading citizens of their re- 
spective communities. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Sarah Murray. She was also descended from 
one of the old-time families of this section, and 
lived to be fifty-four years of age. Her husband 
departed this life when in his seventy-fourth year. 
To Morris and Sarah Covert there were granted 
eight children, two sons and six daughters. Of 
these, Luke is living on the old home place, and 
two sisters reside in Brooklyn. 

John Covert came to Woodhaven in 1874, hav- 
ing previous to that time been engaged in farm- 
ing, making a specialty of truck gardening. Since 
locating in the village, however, he has given his 
attention to real estate, and through profitable 
speculations has become the owner of consider- 
able property in the village. He is also the pro- 
prietor of a small farm located one mile from 
Woodhaven which is operated by tenants. Mr. 
Covert is very justly regarded as one of the solid 
financial men of the place, and his influence and 
aid can always be counted upon to push forward 
any measure or movement which has for its ob- 
ject the welfare of the village. He is one of the 
prominent members of the Dutch Reformed 
Church and is liberal in his contributions toward 
the support of the same. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Sarah 
Smith occurred in April, 1857. Mrs. Covert was 
born in Far Rockaway and is the daughter of 
Samuel and Hannah Smith, well-to-do residents 
of Far Rockaway. Mr. and Mrs. Covert have 
never had any children. 



THOMAS RUTLEDGE KILLILEA, M. 
D. The people of Flushing may with jus- 
tice claim the palm over nearly every other 
city of similar size in the number of first-class 
physicians and surgeons that form part of the 
population. One of the guardians of the city's 
health who has risen to prominence in the prac- 
tice of medicine is Thomas Rutledge Killilea, M. 
D., who, although young in years, ranks among 
the leading medical men in the East. He is wel- 
come everywhere, not only for his rare profes- 
sional skill, but for a geniality of temperament 
which makes for him a friend of every one with 
whom he comes in contact. Affable, courteous 
and impressive in manner, an interesting and in- 
structive conversationalist, he is endowed with 



those qualities which never fail to attract and 
please. 

Dr. Killilea is a native of San Francisco, CaL, 
born September 28, 1864, and the son of Michael 
and Catherine (Ganley) Killilea, both natives of 
the Emerald Isle. The paternal grandfather, 
Thomas Kilhlea, was born ■ in Galway, Ireland, 
and was a stock raiser and agriculturist by oc- 
cupation. His brother, John, was a soldier in 
the Duke of Wellington's army and was killed 
at the battle of Waterloo. The father of our 
subject came to America when a young man 
and engaged in business in New York City for 
a time; in 1848 he went to San Francisco, CaL, 
where he engaged in the shipping and forward- 
ing business between San Francisco and New 
York City. After following this business suc- 
cessfully for a few years he returned to New York 
City. He was a member of the old Sixty-ninth 
Regiment under Colonel Corcoran, and at the 
first tap of the drum volunteered and with his 
company went to the front. He was in the first 
battle of Bull Run, and after serving his term of 
enhstment was honorably discharged. His mar- 
riage occurred in New York City and from there, 
in 1863, he went to San Francisco, where he en- 
gaged in the hotel business. Later he opened a 
hotel at San Jose, CaL, and after conducting it 
for some time sold out and returned to the East. 
His death occurred in New York City, October 
10, 1885. Our subject's mother, Ann Rutledge, 
came from one of the most honorable and esti- 
mable families of Ireland. She now makes her 
home in New York City. The parental family 
included three children: Thomas is our subject; 
John, who was for five 3'ears clerk for the board 
of aldermen of New York City, is now a resident 
of that city; James died in New York City in 
1890. 

Dr. Killilea's childhood was passed in New 
York City and he was educated in the grammar 
schools there. Until 1883 he studied the classics 
and then took a trip abroad, traveling about a 
year in Ireland, England and on the continent. 
While in Dublin he attended lectures at Queens 
Medical College. Returning to his native coun- 
try, he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- 
lege, but his studies there were soon afterward 
interrupted by the death of his uncle, John Killi- 
lea, who was residing in San Francisco, and he 
went there as administrator and settled the estate. 
In 1888 he crossed the Pacific, visiting Yoko- 
hama, Japan, and Hong Kong, China. Return- 



6io 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing to San Francisco, he subsequently made a 
tour through Central America and South Ameri- 
ca, and on his return re-entered Bellevue Hos- 
pital Medical College, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1889 with the degree of M. D. Soon 
after he began practicing in New York City, at 
No. 342 West Forty-seventh Street, and con- 
tinued there until October, 1893, when he located 
in Flushing, and in a very short time he had a 
successful and lucrative practice. He still main- 
tains an office at No. 32 East Twenty-ninth Street, 
where he has a consulting practice. 

In the month of June, 1894, the Doctor was 
appointed health officer to the village board of 
health and he has since filled that position most 
acceptably. His knowledg-e of mechanical and 
sanitary engineering is of the greatest import- 
ance, assisting him, as it does, in executing his 
official duties. The plumbing in buildings is 
carefully scrutinized and he sees that habits of 
cleanliness are observed. The Doctor was mar- 
ried in New York City to Miss Anna White Chit- 
tenden, a native of Chittenden Falls, Columbia 
County, N. Y., and the daughter of Edward Chit- 
tenden, a manufacturer there and proprietor of 
Chittenden mills. Mrs. Killilea is the grand- 
daughter of Robert Chittenden and great-grand- 
daughter of George Chittenden, who came from 
Vermont in 1805 and founded the mills that were 
named for him. He also founded the town of 
Stockport, Columbia County, N. Y. Her moth- 
er's maiden name was Kate Ouintard Leake. 
Dr. and Mrs. Killilea have one child, Thomas 
Rutledge, Jr. 



JOHN ANDERSON. Integrity, intelligence 
and system are some of the characteristics 
of the above mentioned gentleman, and 
these have furnished- the stepping stone to the 
success which has followed his efforts. He is a 
prominent farmer of Queens County and resides 
one and a half-miles southwest of Jamaica, on the 
Hawtree Creek Road, where he has a well im- 
proved and well stocked farm. Mr. Anderson is 
a native of the town of Jamaica, born about one- 
half mile from where he now lives, July 8, 1857. 
He is the third of five children born to James and 
Hannah (Murphy) Anderson, but of these chil- 
dren only one besides our subject now survives, 
William. James Anderson was born in Ireland 
in 1817 and came to this country in his early man- 
hood. Farming has been his principal occupa- 



tion and he was thus engaged at Black Stump, 
L. I., for three years. From there he moved 
down on South Road, town of Jamaica, and there 
resides at the present time. 

John Anderson had the advantages of the 
average country boy, receiving his education in 
the common schools and assisting his father in 
the management of the farm, but when twenty 
years old he branched out to fight his own bat- 
tles in life. For nine years he drove a market 
wagon, but about this time he began farming for 
himself on his father's land, and then removed to 
his present home, where he has tilled the soil most 
successfully for the past eight years. 

In his choice of a companion in life Mr. An- 
derson selected Miss Elizabeth Ann Moesch, and 
their nuptials were solemnized December 22, 
1 89 1. Two children blessed this union, Walter 
Edward and James Henry. Politically Mr. An- 
derson is a strong supporter of Republican prin- 
ciples, and in religion he and his wife are Epis- 
copalians. He has a comfortable home and is a 
public-spirited and most worthy citizen. 



CHARLES DANIEL LAWRENCE. A 
prominent position among the well-to-do \ 
farmers of Queens County is held by this 
gentleman, who is the fortunate possessor of a 
nice farm of twenty-six acres. He is very fond 
of fine horses and for several years past has fur- 
nished both summer and winter board to these 
animals. Throughout the county he is known 
as a competent trainer and horse-breaker, his 
stables being located at Bayside. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the 
town of Flushing August 9, 1836, on the place 
now owned by L. White, on Black Stump road. 
His parents were Charles C. and Ann (Lawrence) 
Lawrence, to whom were granted nine children. 
Of this family Charles D. was the fifth in order of 
birth and with his brother Isaac, is the only sur- 
vivor. 

In 1803 the father was also born in the town 
of Flushing, in the same house in which his son 
was born. The farm, which then included one 
hundred and seventy-eight acres, had been in 
the Lawrence family for two hundred and fifty 
years, but after the death of Charles C. it was 
divided among his heirs. During his life he was 
one of the representative men of his neighbor- 
hood and a leading farmer of the county. For a 
period of twenty-two years he served as super- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



6ii 



visor, to which position he had been elected on 
the Democratic ticket, and for some six years he 
rendered the people of the town efficient service 
as assessor. He was a devoted member of the 
Episcopal Church, and none knew him but to 
love him. 

Charles D. acquired his education in Union 
Hall Academy and on his return home began 
training horses, in which business he has been in- 
terested ever since. He is known far and wide 
as an expert in this line and he has been chosen 
by many of the prominent residents of New York 
City to train their carriage horses. In 1880 he 
purchased his present desirable place, which is 
located within one mile of Bayside. One of the 
most valued residents of the village, he well de- 
serves the success with which his efforts have 
been crowned. 

The lady to whom our subject was united in 
marriage in 1865 was Miss Agnes A. Cain, a resi- 
dent of this village. Of the four children born 
of their union, three survive, namely: Charles 
C, James C. and Mabel E. The elder son makes 
his home in Flushing, although his business calls 
him daily to New York City, as he is in the 
employ of Sargeant & Co., a large hardware firm. 
James C. is also engaged in the hardware line in 
the city. Mabel is a student in the high school at 
Flushing. In political affairs our subject is in- 
dependent, taking no active part in public affairs 
other than to cast his vote for the best man, re- 
gardless of party line. He is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, which is also the faith of his 
wife and children. 



JOHN A. BELDEN, editor and proprietor 
of the "Roslyn News," was born in Canaan, 
Conn., in 1842. It was there that he re- 
ceived his education in the public schools and 
Canaan Academy. He commenced the struggle 
of life by learning the printer's trade in Litch- 
field, Conn. Although but a youth at the break- 
ing out of the Rebellion, he entered the ranks of 
the Fifth Connecticut Volunteers as a private in 
1861, and afterward re-enlisted in the Second 
Connecticut Heavy Artillery, where he remained 
until discharged in June, 1865. During the per- 
iod of his service he took part in several engage- 
ments and was wounded at Cedar Mountain, Va. 
At the close of the war Mr. Belden returned 
home and shortly afterward moved to Water- 
bury, Conn., where he became one of the editors 



of the "Valley Index." Later he went to New 
York City, where he continued at printing, and 
was an occasional contributor to the "New York 
Sun." In 1878 he came to Long Island and be- 
came the editor of the "Roslyn News," of which 
he is now the proprietor. Politically he is a 
stanch Republican. He is not only a G. A. R. 
man, but is interested with the fraternities of the 
Masonic order and Odd Fellows. 



CHARLES A. VAN NOSTRAND. This 
enterprising and popular business man 
of Little Neck, who is also a member of 
one of the oldest and most respected families of 
Long Island, was born at Little Neck, July 4, 
1848, and is a brother of D. L. Van Nostrand, 
from whose sketch, presented on another page, 
may be obtained particulars regarding the fam- 
ily histor}^. His education was gained in the 
neighboring schools, and he continued to reside 
with his parents until his marriage in 1873, 
when he settled on a farm about one mile north 
of Flushing and for three years operated rented 
land. Later he went to Lakeville, where he 
purchased property and for some five years his 
time was devoted to farming there. His next 
move was to Hinsdale, where he was similarly 
engaged for two years. 

From Hinsdale Mr. Van Nostrand went to 
Garden City and in partnership with' Charles J. 
Sutphin became the successors of the grocery 
business of E. C. Poole. After a time he became 
the sole proprietor of the business and for seven 
years, including the period of his partnership, he 
did a successful business there. On coming to 
Little Neck, he became a partner in the general 
store of B. W. Schenck and for four and one-half 
years the firm was known as Schenck & Van 
Nostrand. In April, 1895,- he and his partner 
disposed of the business to Sutphin Brothers, 
and he then became connected with the coal and 
feed business conducted by his brother, D. L., 
to which he has since given his attention. In 
September, 1895, the new yard was opened at 
Douglaston Bridge, where they have commodi- 
ous dockage facilities. 

November 20, 1873, ^r. Van Nostrand mar- 
ried Louisa, daughter of Marshall Frost, now of 
West Woodstock, Conn., but recently of this 
place and a member of an old Long Island fam- 
ily. To this marriage have been born five chil- 
dren, namely : Cornelia, wife of Frederick Hew- 



6l2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lett, of Brooklyn; Harriet L., a student in Mt. 
Holyoke College, in Massachusetts; Elizabeth, 
who is attending the high school of Flushing; 
C. Herbert and Howard Frost, who are public 
school students. Politically a Democrat, Mr. 
Van Nostrand was appointed postmaster at Lit- 
tle Neck in June, 1895, and held a similar posi- 
tion at Garden City under the first administra- 
tion of President Cleveland. Socially he is a 
member of Martin Lodge, F. & A. M., at Hemp- 
stead, and in religious belief is identified with the 
Reformed Church, of Manhasset. 



JAMES M. CARPENTER, who is one of 
the most extensive contractors and build- 
ers in Queens County, makes his home at 
Great Neck. He was born at Herricks, this 
county, November 10, 1832, liis parents being 
James and Jane (Smith) Carpenter, the former of 
whom was a native of Rhode Island. His father 
was a farmer and drover, and also owned a first- 
class meat market which netted him a fine in- 
come. 

James Carpenter, Sr., was reared to farm life 
in his native state and after coming to Long 
Island was married, it is supposed, at Hempstead. 
Upon starting out for himself he learned the 
mason's trade and it was not long before he was 
taking contracts for building structures, most of 
which are ' located in the town of Flushing, in 
which vicinity he also leased a Avell equipped 
farm. 

The parents of our subject moved to the above- 
mentioned town wlien he Avas very young, and 
there he was reared to man's estate, acquiring a 
fair education in the village schools of Flushing. 
When a lad of sixteen years he decided to be- 
come a carpenter, and, going to Brooklyn, ap- 
prenticed himself to a good workman, with whom 
he remained for four years and eight months. 
He was given $60 for his first two years' work 
and the next two years had his wages raised to 
$70. 

In the year 1854 Mr. Carpenter came to Great 
Neck and obtained work with James S. Car- 
penter, whose sketch will also be published in 
this volume, and whose sister, Rosalia, our sub- 
ject married February 20, 1856. Her parents 
were John S. and Sarah (Hawkins) Carpenter, 
well-to-do residents of the couhty. 

Mr. Carpenter was employed as a journevman 
but a few years when he began to take contracts 



for himself, and so well has he succeeded in this 
undertaking that he is now in the possession of a 
goodly property and will be enabled to spend his 
declining years free from labor if he so desires. 
For many years he made his home in a pleasant 
residence in the village, which he erected ex- 
pressly for the occupancy of his family, but short- 
ly after the death of his wife, which occurred in 
August, 1885, he made his home with his married 
daughter, Mrs. C. H. Gregory, of Great Neck. 

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Car- 
penter we mention the following: John Fred- 
erick, a well known contractor and builder, makes 
his home at Great Neck; Arthur Wallace died 
in infancy; Sarah Jane became the wife of 
Thomas J. McKee, whose life history will be 
recorded on another page of this volume ; Ernes- 
tine married C. D. Corwin, and they are making 
their home at Brookhaven, Suffolk County; Ad- 
die Elma married Charles H. Gregory, of Great 
Neck ; and Lottie G. is the wife of Edward Scott, 
engaged as a harnessmaker of this village. 

Our subject, like his father before him, is an 
independent Democrat in politics. The former 
is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and is trustee of his congregation. He 
built the first edifice occupied by this denomina- 
tion at Great Neck. The parents of Mr. Car- 
penter were likewise active members of the Meth- 
odist Church. His father was sixty-eight years 
of age at the time of his decease, while his mother 
lived to be seventy-eight. They were both 
buried in the cemetery at Flushing. 



FDeHASS SIMONSON. The name of 
Simonson is known and respected 
• throughout Queens County as belong- 
ing to some of its best residents. The present 
representative of the family is one of the most 
successful business men of Newtown, and is both 
liberal and enterprising. He is engaged in the 
real estate business, handling some of the 
most valuable property of the community, is also 
a notary public, and as an insurance agent rep- 
resents some of the best companies in the East. 
A native of Newtown, Mr. Simonson was born 
June 14, 1863. Flis parents were Charles and 
Frances A. (Thomas) Simonson, to whom there 
were granted eight children, but of these three 
are deceased. The father, who was born in Ja- 
maica in the year 1832, accompanied his parents 
to Newtown when a boy and in 1870 established 




WILLIAM H. DURYEA. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



615 



the business which his son, our subject, now car- 
ries on. For many years he was notary public 
and one of the most substantial and influential 
men of the community. His death, therefore, 
which occurred November 4, 1884, was the occa- 
sion of universal mourning. 

The marriage of Mr. Simonson and Miss Eliz- 
abeth Nelson occurred November 28, 1888, and 
to them were born two children, of whom 
Charles, a bright little lad of six years, is the 
only survivor. Mr. Simonson is collector of 
school taxes in district No. i. He is foreman of 
the Wandowanock Fire Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany and is always ready to assist in worthy 
movements for the general good. 



WILLIAM H. DURYEA, No resi- 
dent of Plainview has been so closely 
identified with its progress or has con- 
tributed in a larger degree to its development 
than has the gentleman whose name introduces 
this article and who is well known throughout 
the eastern part of Queens County. Although 
not a politician, he is active in local affairs and 
has held almost every position within the gift of 
his fellow-citizens, including, among others, the 
office of president of the village, in which capacity 
he rendered efficient service. 

At Mannetto Hill, town of Oyster Bay, the 
subject of this sketch was born March 16, 1847, 
to Henry W. and Margaret (Van Nostrand) Dur- 
yea. The family of which he is a member origi- 
nated in Holland. His grandfather, Rudolph 
Duryea, was born in Queens County, November 
16, 1776, and spent his entire life here, dying 
February 20, 1849; h^ married Charlotte Waters, 
who was born January 4, 1771, and died Janu- 
ary 13, 1843. Their children were John, Eliza- 
Tjeth, Mary A., Catherine, Elbert, Henry VV. and 
Jane. 

The father of our subject was born at the old 
homestead at Ireland Trees, July 27, 1805, and in 
youth was apprenticed to the trades of wheel- 
wright and carpenter, which he followed in con- 
nection with the cultivation of his small farm. 
About 1826 he married Margaret Van Nostrand, 
a native of the same locality as himself, and in 
1832 he purchased the farm known as Mannetto 
Hill prior to the establishment of the postoffice of 
Plainview. Here he continued to reside until his 
•death, June 24, 1883. He was a man of promi- 



nence in political and educational matters, and 
held a high place among the people of this local- 
ity. His wife, who was born in i8og, passed 
away August 14, 1887. 

Of their children we mention the following: 
Marv J., is the widow of Charles Mott and re- 
sides in Brooklyn ; John, a veteran of the late war, 
who lived in Commack, died January 29, 1896; 
Susan A. and Edgar H. are deceased; Armenia 
is the widow of James Seaman; James N. was 
killed in 1863 while defending his country in the 
Civil War; Charlotte A. is deceased; William H. 
and Catherine E. are twins, and the latter is mar- 
ried to A. R. Young of Glencove; and Charles 
M. resides in Bethpage, L. I. 

At the age of sixteen years our subject became 
a farm hand in .the employ of Walter Powell of 
Bethpage, with whom he remained for ten years, 
meantime being promoted to be foreman of the 
place. During his residence there he was united 
in marriage, September 7, 1870, to Deborah A., 
daughter of Edward Young of Glencove, but 
their wedded life was of brief duration, Mrs. Dur- 
yea dying in April, 1872. The second marriage 
of Mr. Duryea took place May 15, 1875, when 
Mrs. Charlotte Sowden became his wife, and by 
this union there are two children, Walter F. and 
Mary E., both at home with their parents. 

Mrs. Duryea was born in London, England, a 
daughter of William Mitchell, and was reared in 
her native place, where she married John Sow- 
den. In 1862 she accompanied her husband to 
America and settled in New York City, but later 
came to Mannetto Hill, in the town of Oyster 
Bay, where Mr. Sowden died June 5, 1873. The 
two children born of this union are Charlotte,, 
wife of John T. Raynor of Freeport; and Freder- 
ick W., who married Miss Annie Walker of 
Brooklyn, and is now living in Hicksville. 

With the intention of going into business, Mr. 
Duryea went to New York in 1875, but his plans 
were changed and the following year he returned 
to his native county, locating on the farm which 
has since been his home. This place consists of 
fifty-two acres and was formerly the property of 
Mr. Sowden, but has since been purchased by our 
subject, who has devoted his attention to farm- 
ingr in connection with numerous other lines of 
business. In 1878 he was elected sealer of 
weights and measures, serving two years. For 
ten years he was overseer of the poor for the 
town of Oyster Bay, and for three years, begin- 
ning in 1893, he served as coroner, while he has 



6i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been school trustee of his district for fourteen 
years. 

Through the efforts of Mr. Duryea in 1885, the 
postoffice at Plainview was estabhshed, and for 
the five ensuing years he served as postmaster, 
his wife being his assistant. During the second 
administration of Cleveland, in 1892, Mrs. Dur- 
yea was appointed to the position,, which she has 
since filled, her previous experience as deputy 
having prepared her for the entire management 
of the office. Mrs. Duryea is a lady of far more 
than ordinary abihty, and is very popular in so- 
cial circles. For ten years she was assistant sup- 
erintendent of the Plainview Methodist Episco- 
pal Sunday-school, and for the past two years 
has been its superintendent, her manifest interest 
in the work and force of character having been 
instrumental in advancing the cause and increas- 
ing the attendance. 

For four years Mr. Duryea has been overseer 
of highways and for two years, under the new 
system, has had charge of the contracts for road 
work. He has never failed in his allegiance to 
Democratic principles and has never faltered in 
his enthusiastic support of its principles. Socially 
he is a charter member of Primrose Lodge No. 
569, I. O. O. F., at Hicksville, in which he has 
filled a number of the chairs. He is also a char- 
ter member of the Knights of Protection at Farm- 
ingdale, and is connected with the Mutual Bene- 
fit Association of Suffolk Count)'. 



friendless among a great throng of busy people. 
He accepted the first position he could secure, 
which was that of driving a beer wagon. As 
might be supposed, he was not content to remain 
in that work, and availed himself of the first op- 
portunity to enter business more congenial. In 
1892 he came to College Point and took charge 
of the business which had been previously estab- 
lished by a brother-in-law. The enterprise was 
prosperous and he soon felt warranted in remov- 
ing to better quarters, selecting the place on the 
corner of Sixteenth Street and Fifth Avenue, 
where he now has a first-class store. 

By his marriage to Sophie Oberist, our sub- 
ject is the father of two daughters, Olga and 
Lillie. Since coming to this country he has giv- 
en some study to the fundamental principles upon 
which this government rests and is well informed 
regarding the great problems of the age. Po- 
litically he votes the Democratic ticket. 



JACOB WYSS, owner and manager of the 
grocery situated on the corner of Sixteenth 
Street and Fifth Avenue, College Point, is 
a native of Switzerland, where he was born Jan- 
uary 18, 1864, being son of Jacob Wyss, Sr., 
a lifelong resident of that beautiful republic be- 
yond the seas. The boy grew to manhood amid 
the mountains and picturesque scenery of his 
native canton, where he gained a good education 
in the Swiss language. His father and relatives 
were content to remain in the Old World, but 
his ardent, ambitious spirit looked forth across 
the ocean to the newer republic of the United 
States. Hither his aspirations were bent. 

Finally the time came when he was permitted 
to realize the hope of his boyhood years. At the 
age of twenty-two, bidding farewell to the frieftds 
of his youth, he set out alone for America, and 
reached the shores of this country after an un- 
eventful voyage, a stranger in a strange land, 



DAVID BALDWIN, whose well cultivated 
homestead is located in the town of 
Hempstead, has been for many years 
identified with the welfare and development of 
this neighborhood. He was born in this locality 
in 1845, and is the son of Stephen and Ann (Jack- 
son) Baldwin, natives also of this town where 
they spent their entire lives. 

During the active years of his life the father of 
our subject was a prominent merchant, owning 
one of the best equipped establishments in the 
town. He was quiet and unassumnng in man- 
ner, but being public-spirited, his infitience was 
safely relied upon in everything relating to the 
best interests of the community in which he 
dwelt. He departed this life March 4, 1893. His 
excellent wife, however, preceded him to the land 
beyond, dying January 21, 1892. 

David Baldwin acquired a common-school 
education and later completed a business course 
in one of the schools of Brooklyn. Subsequent- 
ly he obtained a position as bookkeeper in an es- 
tablishment in New York City, holding the same 
for over five years. He was then made a better of- 
fer by a firm in Brooklyn, and remained with his 
employers in the City of Churches for three years. 
In 1872, however, tiring of city life, he returned 
to his old home and gave his undivided attention 
for many years to general farming. Later he en- 
gaged in the sale of agricultural implements, but 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



617 



owing to poor health he has been hving in retire- 
ment for the past few years. 

Mr. Baldwin was married in 1876 to Miss 
Marian, daughter of John Gumming of Scotland. 
Their union has resulted in the birth of a large 
family of children, twelve in number. They are 
named respectively: Stephen, David, John Jack- 
son, George Jackson, Lily Ann, Oscar, Ethel 
Marion, Elizabeth, Tillie, Amos Gumming, Min- 
nie Gumming and Ralph, the latter of whom is 
deceased. 

While not members of any religious body Mr. 
and Mrs. Baldwin attend services at the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is 
independent and is not confined to party lines 
during elections. He is upright and honorable 
and has a reputation for veracity and high prin- 
ciples which is second to none in the neighbor- 
hood where he has lived as a bov and man. 



ALFRED COX. Ability, when backed by 
enterprising business measures and pro- 
gressive ideas, will accomplish more than 
any other professional or commercial require- 
ment. An illustration of this may be seen in the 
career of Alfred Cox, who, although engaged in 
various occupations throughout his business life, 
has been reasonably successful in them all. He 
is a native of White Plains, Westchester County, 
and was born January 6, 1830, a son of Daniel 
and Susan (Foster) Cox, the former of whom was 
a successful miller by trade. 

In the county that gave him birth the subject 
of this sketch grew to manhood and acquired a 
good common education in the district schools. 
He was the ninth in a good old-fashioned family 
of fifteen children, and, owing to this and to the 
fact that his father's means were limited, he was 
compelled to begin the battle of life for himself 
at the early age of twelve years by working on 
the home farm and in other capacities. At the 
age of sixteen, he left the shelter of the parental 
roof and went to Brooklyn, where he began 
working at the sash, door and blind business, at 
which he continued for about four years, receiv- 
ing for his services from $30 to $50 per year and 
his board. 

When his term of apprenticeship had expired 
our subject started out to see what Dajne For- 
tune had in store for him, and instead of work- 
ing for others, wisely started in business for him- 
self in New York City, where he remained some 



three years. ' He then turned his attention to 
milling in Westchester County, which business 
he had learned of his father while growing up, 
and after following it for some ten vears, he and 
two brothers came to Glencove, purchased a mill 
and conducted it with fair financial results for 
some ten years also. They disposed of their mill 
to a starch manufacturing company, and soon 
after began handling the corn feed from the 
starch works, and built up a large market for it 
in three states, amounting frequently to sixty 
thousand bushels per month. This business oc- 
cupied the attention of Mr. Cox for about fifteen 
years, and proved both remunerative and agree- 
able. 

In Westchester County, N. Y., in October, 
1853, Mr. Cox was united in marriage with Miss 
Harriet A. Sniffen of Northcastle, N. Y.. a daugh- 
ter of Lyman and Huldah (Totman) SnifTen. Two 
children came to bless their home: Frances, who 
died at the age of one and one-half years, and 
Fannie J., who married W. N. Stewart of -New 
York City and died without issue. In his po- 
litical proclivities Mr. Cox was first a Whig and 
cast his presidential vote for Scott in 1852, for 
Fremont in 1856 and for every Republican presi- 
dential nominee since that time. For half a cen- 
tury he has been connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he is a steward and 
president of the board of trustees at Seacliff. He 
was one of the parties who helped get the ma- 
terial together for the building of the tabernacle 
and to draw the first load of lumber onto the 
grounds. His home is now on the site of the old 
tabernacle, and he has been a resident of Sea- 
cliff ever since 1893. In church work he has ever 
been active and is a man of unblemished reputa- 
tion. 



M' 



ICHAEL MOORE, a contractor and 
builder residing in Dutch Kills, Long 
Island City, is a native of Ireland, and 
was born in County Kerry in 1854, being a son 
of Gerhard and Mary (Callahan) Moore, also na- 
tives of the Emerald Isle. His father, who spent 
his entire life in the place of his birth, was a 
civil engineer by occupation and for some time 
was in the employ of the government. It is a re- 
markable fact that every one of his eighteen chil- 
dren attained years of maturity. Of that large 
family nine are living, four being residents of 



6i8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dutch Kills. One brother, Edward, who par- 
ticipated in the Civil War, is now deceased. 

Michael, who was next to the youngest among 
the children, was reared to manhood in Ireland, 
where he attended the national schools. At the 
age of twenty, in 1874, he came to America, set- 
tling at once in Long Island City, where he 
learned the brick mason's and plasterer's trade. 
On thoroughly familiarizing himself with the 
work, he followed it for a time in Massachu- 
setts and Rhode Island, then returned to Long 
Island City, where he was similarly engaged. For 
fifteen years he was foreman for Lyons & Bunn 
in New York, and his long service with that firm 
is sufficient proof of his industry and ability. 

In 1891 Mr. Moore began contracting and 
building, and soon had command of a large 
trade, building residences in Hoboken, Yonk- 
ers and other places adjacent to New York 
City. He built the Margaret flats and the Ben- 
nett building in New York City; also the 
bonded warehouse in Pearl Street. The resi- 
dence which he built at No. 248 Harris Avenue. 
Dutch Kills, he still occupies, and in addition he 
owns other valuable property in this locality. 
While in Massachusetts he married Miss Mary 
Griffin, a native of Ireland, and they have two 
children, Frank and Michael. The religious 
home of the family is St. Patrick's Catholic 
Church. While Mr. Moore does not aspire to po- 
litical honors, he is a stanch Democrat, and has 
served on the general committee at different 
times. 



NEIL O. FITCH, M. D., one of the suc- 
cessful, competent and skillful medical 
practitioners of Astoria, Long Island 
City, is justly entitled to a biographical notice 
in this connection. He was born at Coopers- 
town, Otsego County, N. Y., in February, 1862, 
and is the son of Orrin Fitch, also a native of 
the Empire State. Grandfather Prentice Fitch 
was born in Connecticut, whence he later re- 
moved to Otsego County and there carried on 
farming until his decease. The family is a very 
old one in the United States and is able to trace 
its ancestry back to one of the founders of the 
New Haven Colony, who came hither from Eng- 
land. 

Orrin Fitch was trained to mature years on the 
farm of his father, but during the gold excite- 
ment of 1849, ^6 l^^t home and went to California 



via the Isthmus of Panama. On reaching that 
far western state he entered the mines and met 
with such marvelous success that he was shortly 
afterward enabled to purchase a ranch. He re- 
mained there until 1861, in the meantime hav- 
ing been appointed postmaster of Shasta, where 
he was also at the head of a mercantile establish- 
ment. He made a trip East, however, in 1857, 
and was married to Miss Jennie E. Forbes, a na- 
tive of Canajoharie, N. Y., and the daughter of 
David Forbes, whose birth occurred in Scotland. 
The latter, after making his home in America, be- 
gan contracting and building, following the same 
until his decease, which occurred early in life. 
The father of our subject after his marriage re- 
turned to his western home and lived there for 
the four years following. We next find him a 
resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, N. Y., 
where he embarked in the mercantile business 
and was also justice of the peace. Later he re- 
moved with his family to Buffalo, N. Y., and 
during his residence there gave his attention to 
the insurance business. In 1873, however, he 
took up his abode in New Hartford, Conn., where 
he still makes his home. Soon after locating there 
he engaged in the manufacture of cotton duck 
and at the present time is secretary of the 
Greenwoods Company, perhaps the largest man- 
ufacturers of this article in the country. 

Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Orrin Fitch only one is living besides our sub- 
ject. The latter attended the private schools of 
Otsego County until 1873, when he accompanied 
the family to their new home in Connecticut and 
was there graduated from the high school at New 
■ Hartford when only sixteen years of age. In or- 
der to obtain a good business education he went 
to Poughkeepsie and took a course in Eastman's 
Business College, after which he located in New 
York. The next removal was to Boston, Mass., 
where for a short time he was engaged with the 
wholesale dry goods house of R. H. White. 

About this time our subject took up the study 
of medicine, which science from his early boy- 
hood days he had desired to master. Early in 
1882 he became a student in the medical depart- 
ment of the University of New York, from which 
institution he was graduated in the spring of 
t886, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 
In September of that year, when looking about 
for a suitable location, he came to Long Island 
Citv, opening an office in Prospect Street. Here 
he remained until 1888, when he purchased a 




CLARENCE M. MASTER, D. D. S. 



PORTRAIT AND. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



621 



beautiful residence in Astoria, which he fur- 
nished complete and moved into the same year. 
Though a comparatively young man, the Doctor 
is in command of an enviable practice, and the 
splendid reputation which he enjoys has been at- 
tained by much hard work and study on his part. 

Dr. Fitch was married in 1887 in Brooklyn to 
Miss Margaret Forbes, a native of that city, and 
the daughter of. George Forbes, whose birth oc- 
curred in Scotland. Their union was blessed 
by the birth of four children: George F., Do- 
rothy M., Evelyn M. and Nellie, deceased. The 
Doctor takes a deep interest in the welfare of his 
community, materially and otherwise, and has 
borne a prominent part in promoting its rise and 
progress to its present high standing. For three 
years he has been police surgeon of the city and 
for two years has filled the position of county 
physician. He is at the present time visiting 
physician to Astoria Hospital. Socially he is a 
member of Advance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. 
M., at Astoria, belongs to Enterprise Lodge No. 
228 at the same place, and is a member of the 
Royal Arcanum. He is medical examiner in the 
Legion of Honor and is a member of the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen. The Doctor 
is also medical examiner in the Sons of St. 
George. 

Our subject has contributed many articles of 
interest and value to the Medical Society of Long 
Island City, the Medical Society of the County of 
Queens and Medico-Legal Society of New York, 
in all three of which he holds membership. He 
stands well as a citizen, possessing advanced 
views, and is among the best-read, modern phy- 
sicians and surgeons of to-day. His familiar form 
and face have cheered the sick room of many a 
household in Queens County, and it has ever 
been his aim to exercise all the skill he possesses 
for rich and poor alike. 



CLARENCE M. MASTER, D. D. §. The 
profession of dentistry has made the most 
marked progress in the past quarter of a 
century, and a good dentist is able to preserve 
the teeth of persons indefinitely if they will place 
themselves in his charge and carry out his in- 
structions; and his skill is such that he can re- 
place those that are lost with sr;ch consummate 
art that it is impossible to detect the counter- 
feit, while his operations in the matter of filling, 
capping, etc., indicate the most advanced prac- 



tical knowledge. Among the number of expert 
and eminent dentists of Flushing is Dr. Clarence 
M. Master, who, although young in years, is one 
of the best representatives of his profession in 
the village. He is a native of this place, born 
February 8, 1873, and is the son of David Mas- 
ter, whose sketch is also given in this volume. In 
Flushing our subject grew to manhood and re- 
ceived his education, graduating from Flushing 
Institute in 1888. At an early age he evinced a 
strong liking for dentistry and as soon as he had 
left Flushing Institute he began the study of den- 
tal surgery under E. Parmelee Brown, who was 
considered one of the most skillful followers of 
the profession. 

Later our subject was with Drs. Bennett and 
King for over three years, and in 1892 he en- 
tered the New York College of Dental Surgery. 
During that time he took a one-year's course in 
dissecting at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
and in 1895 graduated with the degree of D. D. S. 
After graduating he began for himself at No. 85 
Main Street, in the office of Dr. King, and has 
had numerous interesting cases. 

Dr. Master was married in Flushing in Octo- 
ber, 189s, to Miss Luella Combs, a native of 
Greenpoint, and the daughter of Louis V. 
Combs. The latter was formerly a contractor and 
builder of New York City, but is now living re- 
tired in Flushing. The Doctor is a member of 
the Psi Omega fraternity and is vice-president of 
the alumni association. While in college he lield 
the highest official position, that of marshal. He 
is a member of the Reformed Church and is a 
young man of more than ordinary ability and 
promise. 



FRANCIS McNENA. A leading business 
man of Long Island City is Francis Mc- 
Nena, who has built up a first-class patron- 
age and who is universally liked for his good 
qualities. His father, Francis McNena, Sr., 
was a native of the Emerald Isle, born in 
County Tyrone, and he there learned the gro- 
cery business. 

When a young man the father came to Amer- 
ica and located in Brooklyn, where he clerked 
in a grocery for some time. Later he started in 
business in Grand Street and continued there 
until about i860, when he came to Long Island 
City and settled at Blissville, engaging in the re- 
tail grocery business. This he followed with fair 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



success until his death in 1888, when sixty-three 
years old. He had erected a good brick build- 
ing, looxioo feet, and carried a general stock 
of goods. Pie was a public-spirited and pro- 
gressive citizen and was appointed commissioner 
ot public works of Long Island City under Mayor 
DeBevoise, but resigned before the close. Pre- 
vious to this he was the first alderman of the sec- 
ond Avard of Long Island City and held other po- 
sitions of importance. He was a member of St. 
Raphael's Catholic Church in this city. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Ann Quinn, was born 
in County Tyrone, Ireland, and she is the mother 
of Rev. Father John J. McNena, who is a priest 
at Eddington, Bucks County, Pa. Mrs. McNena 
has been a resident of Long Island City for over 
thirty-five years and may in truth be called one 
of the old settlers. 

The youngest child born to his parents, his 
birth occurring in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1858, 
Francis McNena, Jr., was reared and educated in 
Blissville, Long Island City, coming to this place 
with his parents when two years old. When about 
fifteen years old he entered his father's store, and 
under the direction of that admirable business 
man laid the foundation for his subsequent suc- 
cessful career. Since the death of his father 
Francis has carried on the business with prompt- 
ness and dispatch. He has three delivery wag- 
ons on the road, and in connection with general 
merchandising has an excellent stock of hard- 
ware, this being the only hardware store in 
Blissville. Politically Mr. McNena is a Demo- 
crat, and in religion a Catholic, a member of St. 
Raphael's Church. 



FRAHM BROTHERS. Energy and indus- 
try, which will almost invariably bring suc- 
cess in any calling, have contributed to the 
high business standing of the firm of Frahm 
Brothers of Astoria, Long Island City. While 
they have not been engaged in business many 
years, yet they have already gained noticeable 
success and have established a trade so large as to 
necessitate the constant use of three delivery 
wagons. In their store, which is situated at No. 
286 Flushing Avenue, they carry a full line of 
groceries, staple and fancy; also hay, feed, grain 
and flour, keeping, in fact, a full equipment of 
everything in their line. 

The father of our subjects, Paul Frahm, was 
born in Germany, and is a painter and decorator 



by trade. For some time he carried on business 
at Eightieth Street and Second Avenue, New 
York City, but in 1888 came to Long Island City, 
where he has since been retired. By his mar- 
riage to Catherine Hahr, a native of Germany, he 
was the father of five sons and one daughter, 
namely: Mrs. Sophia Snyder of Astoria; Rti- 
dolph, Fred, Gustav, William and August. 

The senior member of the firm is Fred, who 
was born in New York City, October 3, 1872, re- 
ceived a good grammar school education, and at 
the age of fourteen began to work as newsboy for 
the ''New York News." Two years were spent 
in that way, after which he clerked in a retail 
grocery business, thus gaining a thorough knowl- 
edge of the occupation to which he afterward de- 
voted himself. He also learned the painter's 
trade, which he followed four years, and then, in 
1894, formed a partnership with his brother. Po- 
litically he is a Republican, and supports the 
party ticket with enthusiasm and fidelity. He is 
fond of sport and is identified with the Queens 
County Athletic Club. 

Gustav Frahm, junior member of the firm, was 
born in New York City, September 19, 1874, and 
was educated in that place and in the grammar 
school of Long Island City. His first position 
was that of clerk in a wholesale grocery store of 
New York, but in April, 1894, he resigned in or- 
der to enter business for himself. Forming a 
partnership with his brother, they bought out the 
store of Charles Jurgenson, who had carried on 
the concern for five years. Since purchasing the 
business, they have carried it on with success 
and have gained a name as reliable, efficient busi- 
ness men. Like his brother, Gustav Frahm is a 
Republican in politics and a member of the 
Queens County Athletic Club, and is a wel- 
comed guest in the best homes of the city, his so- 
cial qualities fitting him for association with the 
cultured and refined people of the community. 



RICHARD E. KANE. The name of the 
Kane Hotel in Blissville, Long Island 
City, is synonymous with first-class enter- 
tainment. In this hotel everything is as clean, 
comfortable and convenient as it is possible for 
hands to make it, and a home-like air pervades 
the whole house, which adds materially to its at- 
tractions. Richard E. Kane is the beau ideal of 
a hospitable landlord, and attends to the wants 
of his guests efficiently though without ostenta- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



b23 



tion. He was born in the city of New York in 
1856. His father, John Kane, was with the 
Twenty-third Street Ferry Company for many 
years, but later embarked in the hotel business 
and started the Kane House, which he conducted 
in a successful manner until his death in 1863. 
The maiden name of his wife was Margaret 
Leavy. She was a native of Ireland and died in 
Long Island City in 1893. Two children be- 
sides our subject were born to this union. Ed- 
ward died in infancy; Pierce, who was in the gen- 
eral postofiRce department of New York City for 
ten years, and for a similar period was in the 
railway mail service, later was on the improve- 
ment committee in the city. His death occurred 
in 1892. 

Our subject, the only child now living, grew to 
manhood in Long Island City and received his 
education in the Second Ward school. Later he 
entered the employ of Charles Pratt's Manufac- 
turing Company of Brooklyn, where he remained 
about fifteen years, and then resigned to engage 
in business in Long Island City. He started the 
hotel business on his father's old place, at the 
corner of Gale and Young Streets, and in 1890 
moved the old place back, building a large frame 
hotel there. In 1893 he was nominated for alder- 
nian on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated 
by twenty-three votes. In the fall of 1895 he was 
nominated and elected alderman of the second 
ward on the regular Democratic ticket and took 
his seat in January, 1896. 

Mr. Kane is vice-president of the Catholic 
Benevolent Legion, is also a member of the An- 
cient Order of Hibernians, the American Fire- 
men of Long Island City, Council No. 17, and 
served his time with Rambler Hose Company 
No. 3, of which he was foreman two years, and 
was secretary and treasurer at different times. He 
is a member of the Exempt Firemen's Associa- 
tion and the Liquor Dealers' Association. In pol- 
itics he has always supported the principles of 
the Democratic party and was on the general 
committee for two years. 



BENJAMIN A. ASHMEAD. There is no 
vocation calling for qualities of so pecu- 
liar an order as that of detective. To 
achieve success in this vocation it is necessary 
that a man must be exceedingly keen in discrim- 
ination, accurate in judgment, and a wise judge 
of human nature, able to look beneath the actions 



to the motives impelling them. That Mr. Ash- 
mead has been successful in the calling- proves 
that he possesses these qualities, and it is largely 
due to their exercise that he has gained promi- 
nence among others of the same occupation. 

In Jamaica, where he still resides, the subject 
of this article was born April 22, 1852, being the 
youngest of the four sons who comprised the fam- 
ily of Alfred and Amelia (Wilkerson) Ashmead, 
natives respectively of Gloucestershire and Bris- 
tol, Somersetshire, England. He was educated 
m the public schools, and on starting out for him- 
self was first engaged in railroading, but after- 
ward carried on a liquor business. Politically 
espousing the cause of the Republican party, he 
has been prominent in local affairs. In 1888 he 
was elected constable of the town of Jamaica, 
which office he has since filled. It is said that 
the detective work done by him ranks among 
the best on the island, and his name has come 
to be a terror to evil doers. His popularity is 
proved by the fact that he was elected constable 
in the spring of 1895 without any opposition, his 
name appearing on all the tickets in the field. 

In 1871, when nineteen years of age, Mr. Ash- 
mead married Miss Louisa Lispenard, of Jamaica, 
and they reside in this village, where they have 
a large circle of acquaintances. Their family 
consists of seven children, of whom the eldest, 
Hester, is married to Peter Walster. The oth- 
ers, who are at home, are named Warren, Frank 
B., Arthur, Nelson, Elmer and Bertha. 



JOHN CLEARY, a mason and contractor, 
was formerly connected with the fire depart- 
ment of Long Island City. He joined the vol- 
unteer fire department in 1878, becoming a mem- 
ber of Hunter's Engine Company No. 4, which 
had the only steam engine in Long Island City 
until the paid department was established. In 
1884 he was made foreman of this company, hold- 
ing it until 1886, and in 1890 was elected assist- 
ant chief of the fire department for three years, 
continuing to hold this position until the com- 
pany was disbanded. He was one of the prime 
movers in the organization of the Volunteer Fire- 
men's Association, June 17, 1891, the headquar- 
ters of which are in the Grand Army of the Re- 
public Hall in Jackson Avenue, and he was elect- 
ed its first president, holding the office three 
years. He was also a member of the Exempt 
Firemen's Association, but finally resigned. July 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



18, 1894, having- passed the required examination, 
he was appointed by the fire brigade and mayor 
foreman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, 
which had just been organized, but on the ist 
of February, 1895, he -was transferred to engine 
No. I. At the time of the fire in the terra cotta 
works, July 18, 1890, Mr. Cleary was the one to 
rescue the man buried under a pile of brick. 

Mr. Cleary is a native of New York City and 
was born October 23, i860, to Patrick and Sarah 
(Maher) Cleary, the former of whom was for 
some time a merchant of New York.' The fam- 
ily moved to Long Island City about 1865, and 
here the father eventually passed from life. His 
widow survives him and has a comfortable home 
in this citv. John Cleary is their only surviving 
child and has resided in this city since he was five 
years of age. Here his initiatory educational 
training was secured and later he attended a 
gramnrar school in New York City. He was 
Then, apprenticed to learn the mason's trade under 
C. Curtis Woodruff, after which he became fore- 
man under him and continued in this capacity for 
some time. 

In the city of New York, in November, 1894, 
Mr. Cleary was married to Miss Kate Foley, who 
was born and educated in that city. They have 
one child, Florence. In 1892 Mr. Cleary was 
nominated by the Republican convention for as- 
semblyman, and though not elected, he made 
an excellent race and received the largest num- 
ber of votes ever given a Republican candidate 
for the legislature in Queens County. He is 
treasurer of the Bricklayers' Union No. 40. 



to his father and here he has since resided, de- 
voting his attention to the labors incident to agri- 
culture. During- the years that have intervened 
since he settled here in 1883, he has given his at- 
tention principally to the cultivation of market 
produce, in which line of work he has been more 
than ordinarily successful. Five children were 
born to his marriage, of whom four are living, 
named as follows: George K., Clarence E., Les- 
lie and Elmira. 

Though agricultural pursuits have engaged the 
close attention of Mr. Van Nostrand, they have 
not done so to the exclusion of public matters. 
He is well informed upon all the great problems 
of the present age and possesses firm convictions 
concerning matters of common interest. Politi- 
cally he adheres to the platform laid down by 
Thomas Jefferson, and as a Democrat gives his 
influence to party men and measures, though 
never displaying any partisanship in his prefer- 
ences. In religion he is a member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church. 



WILLIAM H. VAN NOSTRAND, a 
farmer of the town of Flushing, occu- 
pying a place adjoining the Little 
Neck road, is a member of one of the old estab- 
lished families of Long Island and was born Jan- 
uary 31, 1855, upon the old homestead, where he 
still resides. Of his parental history mention will 
be found in the sketch of his brother, D. L., which 
appears elsewhere in this volume. He acquired 
his education in the common schools of this dis- 
trict and continued to assist in the management 
of the home farm until his marriage, which event, 
occurring February 14, 1883, united him with 
Miss Mary Ketcham, daughter of Washington 
Ketcham, of Manhasset. 

After his marriage Mr. Van Nostrand settled 
upon a portion of the old homestead belonging 



PETER LUYSTER. The name of Luyster 
is known and honored throughout the 
island, as its members have been quite 
numerous here for many generations. Peter 
was engaged in farming for many years, but 
is now living retired from the active duties of 
life, having accumulated a sufficient sum of mon- 
ey to provide himself and family with all the com- 
forts which they may desire. Our subject was 
born at Bowery Bay, January 4, 1822, his parents 
being Peter and Anna (Moore) Luyster. Their 
household included seven children, of whom Cath- 
erine is the wife of William Fairweather, of Flush- 
ing; Peter of this sketch, was the next born; 
and Cornelia L. completes the list of those living. 

Peter Luyster, Sr., who was of Holland descent, 
was born at Bowery Bay, about the year 1787. 
Here he grew to mature years and became a 
prominent farmer. By his fellow-citizens he was 
held in high esteem, and although of a very retir- 
ing disposition and in no wise a politician seeking 
honors, was elected to the office of assessor, 
which he held for one term. Later he was made 
supervisor and was a much esteemed member of 
the board. 

On the death of his first wife the father of our 
subject married Miss Sarah Moore, a sister of his 
former companion, who survived him some 
twelve years. Peter gained a good education in 




SAMUEL B. PARSONS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



627 



the common schools and shortly after his mar- 
riage to Miss Caroline J. Eldert, which occurred 
in 1845, hs purchased the place on which he still 
lives. A year later he moved onto this farm and 
gave his whole attention to cultivating the soil, 
with the result that he is now enabled to retire 
and live comfortably for the remainder of his life. 
During the long years of his residence here he 
has become thoroughly identified with the place, 
not only as a farmer, but as a progressive citizen. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Luyster there were born five 
children, only two of Vifhom survive, Henry M., 
who has been employed in the freight department 
of the New York Central Railroad Company for 
a period of eighteen years, and Harriet D., still 
at home with her parents. The wife and mother 
departed this life on the 27th of March, 1896. 
Mr. Luyster is very liberal in his political views, 
although at heart he is a Republican. Religious- 
ly he is a devoted member of the Episcopal 
Church, 



SAMUEL B. PARSONS, one of the promi- 
nent horticulturists of the East, was born 
in Flushing in 1819 and comes of good old 
English Quaker stock. The father, Samuel Par- 
sons, and the grandfather, James Parsons, were 
both natives of the Empire State, and for many 
years were prominent merchants of New York 
City. When a comparatively young man the 
father left that city and settled at Flushing, where 
he lived retired tmtil his death in 1841, when six- 
ty-eight or seventy years of age. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Mary Bowne, was born 
in the Empire State and was one of an old and 
influential family. The old Bowne house, built 
in 1 661, is still standing and is occupied. Mrs. 
Parsons died in 1839. Of the children born to 
this worthy couple two are living at the present 
time, our subject being the older. One son, 
James, died in 1895, when eighty-five years old; 
and William died in 1856. 

Our subject was educated in a private school, 
and in 1834 engaged in business in New York 
City. In 1835 he began clerking, following this 
for some time, and in 1839 embarked in the nur- 
sery business. In 1845 he went to Europe to 
study the horticulture of the Old World, and the 
following year added to his experiences by start- 
ing a plantation in Florida. In 1859 he again 
crossed the Atlantic, having been commissioned 
by the United States Government to investigate 
25 



the agriculture and horticulture of Sicily and the 
Ionian Islands, and to obtain the Italian bee, 
which as yet had never existed in this country. 
He has been very successful in his efforts to in- 
troduce rare trees and shrubs, and has taken a 
very prominent part in the progress of grape cul- 
ture in our country. H:e and his brother started 
in business together and kept up a thriving trade 
until 1 87 1, when they dissolved partnership. The 
Kissena Nursery is well known, and Mr. Parsons 
has done much to raise horticulture in America 
to a high pinnacle of culture, refinement and dig-- 
mty. 

In early days Mr. ^Parsons supplied the whole 
western country, importing fi-om foreign lands, 
and was the largest and first importer and grower 
of Japanese plants. He and his brother were the 
only propagators of rhododendrons in the United 
States, and also introduced Japanese maples and 
other Japanese plants. Mr. Parsons enjoys the 
distinction of being the first to introduce the 
Brazilian navel orange into Florida, where he 
propagated it. In 1893 he and his brother made 
an exhibit at the World's Fair. 

Mr. Parsons was president of the Flushing 
Bank for about ten years, or until it was reor- 
ganized, when he retired. Previous to the war 
he was a Whig, but later he espoused the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party. He was a stanch 
Abolitionist, assisting the colored people when- 
ever he could, and was one of the first to declare 
for emancipation. His son, George H., is in Col- 
orado, in charge of the lands of The Colorado 
Improvement Company. Another son, Samuel, 
Jr., is superintendent of all the parks of New 
York City; and the youngest son, Herbert, is in 
New York Citv 



SAMUEL BLACKWELL SMALLWOOD, 
M. D. In the noble army of workers in 
the great field of medicine may be found 
the name of Dr. Smallwood, of Long Island City, 
who, while pursuing a general practice mainly, 
has devoted much attention to diseases of the 
eye, ear and skin. The Smallwoods are of Eng- 
lish Hneage and are descended from the F. F. Vs. 
The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
Samuel and Mary (Field) Blackwell, the former 
of whom was proprietor of the port of Astoria 
many years ago. He was first married to Sally 
Moore, by whom he had one child, and was next 
married to Mrs. Mary (Whitehead) Field, who 



628 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bore him eight sons and eight daughters. He 
was the brother of Thomas Blackwell, the pro- 
prietor of Blackwell's Island. 

Dr. SmaUwood was born in Brooklyn in 1841 
to Eli and Anna E. (Blackwell) Smallwood, v'ho 
were born in Virginia and Astoria, N. Y., respec- 
tively. The father was reared in Virginia, but 
finally located in North Carolina, becoming 
a prominent man and a successful merchant 
at Newbern. He died in i860, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. His father, John Small- 
wood, was a successful physician of Virginia, and 
during the American Revolution was surgeon on 
one of the vessels of marque. He was related 
to Colonel Smallwood, who commanded a regi- 
ment on Long Island and who was instrumental 
in preventing the capture of General Washington 
at New York. 

The wife of Eli Smallwood was born in this 
section in 1802 and was educated in what was 
known as Middletovvn, Long Island City. After 
spending her entire life here she died in 1893, an 
earnest member of the Episcopal Church. She 
bore her husband seven children, five of whom 
grew to maturity, and three of whom are living 
at the present time: Eliza B., Annie M. Hughes, 
a widow, who resides in Newbern, N. C, and Dr. 
S. B. Until 1855 the latter's home was in New- 
bern, where he attended a private boarding 
school, the Newbern Academy, then spent one 
year in Elizabeth City, N. C, pursuing his studies, 
after which he came North to complete his edu- 
cation in a private school of Westchester County, 
N. Y., preparatory to entering college. In 1859 
he entered Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., and 
was there pursuing his studies when the Civil 
War opened, which necessitated his leaving that 
institution. 

In 1861 our subject began the study of medi- 
cine under Dr. James D. Trask, after which he 
entered the medical department of the University 
of New York, from which he graduated in 1864 
with the degree of M. D. He then was appointed 
to the position of assistant physician to the luna- 
tic asylum on Blackwell's Island, a position he 
held one year, after which he opened an office at 
Fortieth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, and 
there practiced his profession one year. Subse- 
quently he came to Huntington, L. I., and in 1878 
located in Astoria, where he has since been lo- 
cated. For two years he was Dr. Agnew's as- 
sistant in the Manhattan Ear and Eye Hospital, 
and while there his inventive genius asserted 



itself and some very useful surgical instruments 
were perfected by him. 

In 1889 Dr. Smallwood purchased the pickle 
factory at Long Island City and put in one of 
his inventions, a machine for sorting cucumbers, 
with a capacity of four hundred barrels per day, 
and this invention he patented in April, 1890. 
He then found it necessary to devise some means 
for the rapid bottling of his goods, and invented 
his present patent rotary bottling and corking 
machine, which has a capacity for handnng from 
sixty to one hundred bottles a minute. He will 
eventually perfect this machine so that it will seal 
and label the bottles and pack them in boxes 
ready for shipment, in fact he has this improve- 
ment almost completed, and it will doubtless 
biing him a fortune. The work is all done auto- 
matically and the device is the wonder and ad- 
miration of all who see it. He organized a cor- 
poration known as the Rotary Bottling & Cork- 
ing Company, with a capital of $500,000, of which 
he is president and the principal stockholder. 
The company are to manufacture and lease these 
machines, but they will not be for sale. 

Dr. Smallwood was married in 1864 to Miss 
Annie Mulligan, who was born in New York, 
a daughter of William Mulligan, who was for- 
merly president of the Humboldt Fire Insurance 
Company, and who is now living in retirement 
in Astoria. Mrs. Smallwood died in 1868, leav- 
ing two children, William M., who is associated 
with his father in the bottling business, and An- 
nie M., now the wife of Henry S. Oakley, of 
Englewood, N. J. The Doctor is a member of 
St. George's Episcopal Church, is a member and 
an ex-official of the Queens County Medical So- 
ciety, and has been medical examiner for different 
insurance companies and pension boards. Pie is 
of a very genial disposition, is a good companion, 
and a whole-souled, generous fellow. He is quite 
a nimrod, and nearly every fall goes on hunting 
expeditions to Canada, Upper Michigan or to 
North Carolina. 




ARTIN MAGER, JR., who is one of the 
progressive citizens of Middle Village, 
was appointed postmaster under the ad- 
ministration of President Cleveland. He is also 
interested in real estate in this section, owning 
and handling much valuable property. His birth 
occtirred in Essex Street, New York City, De- 
cember 16, 1859, his parents being Martin and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



62c 



Elizabeth (Wannemacher) Mager, to whom there 
were granted four children. 

The father of this family, who was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1824, acquired a 
splendid education in his native land and when a 
young man of twenty-three years set sail for 
America. Landing on the shores of the New 
World, he took up his abode in New York City, 
and after a stay there of some two years removed 
to Baltimore and later to Philadelphia. By trade 
he was a tinsmith, which business lie followed 
continuously until about thirty-five vears ago, 
when he opened a hotel. Coming to Middle Vil- 
lage in 1875, he opened the Germania Hotel, 
which he has conducted ever since. He makes a 
typical "mine host," and his house being orderly 
and neat, he is well patronized by the traveling 
public. 

Martin was given every opporttmity to acquire 
a good education, and after leaving school assist- 
ed his father in the management of his hotel en- 
terprise until about eight years ago, when he be- 
gan for himself as a dealer in real estate. He 
has met with success in this undertaking, and, 
having lived in this community nearly all his life, 
is a good judge of property in this particular lo- 
cality and has about all he can do in this line. 
In 1893 he was appointed postmaster of the vil- 
lage, and now has as his assistant his brother- 
in-law, John E. Broddicker. 

The lady to whom our stibject was married in 
August, 1882, was Miss Theresa Bradhring, a 
most estimable young lady, whose home is in 
Ridgewood. To them have been born four chil- 
dren: Louisa, whose birth occurred May 6, 1883: 
Maggie, September 26, 1884; Martin, November 
7, 1887, and Lizzie, March 4, 1891. In politics 
Mr. M'ager is a Democrat, and on this ticket was 
elected collector of school taxes, and so well did 
he discharge the duties of this office that he has 
been his own successor at each succeeding elec- 
tion for the past ten years. Socially he belongs 
to Goethe Lodge No. 629, F. & A. M., and is 
also connected with the Knights of Pythias and 
Robert Burns Lodge, I. O. O. F. 



THEODORE F. ARCHER. In the death 
of this gentleman, September 21, 1893, 
Jamaica lost one of its high-minded and 
public-spirited citizens, while from the bereaved 
family a loving husband and father was removed, 
leaving a void in their lives that not even his hon- 



ored memory can fill. Possessing business acu- 
men and executive ability in a rare degree, he 
made his influence felt in various directions, but 
especially in promoting the welfare of the vil- 
lage where he made his home. With the single 
exception of F. W. Dunton, it will be generally 
conceded that no one accomplished more than 
he in securing the valuable improvements in Ja- 
maica and promoting its progress. 

In Monroe, Orange County, N. Y., where he 
was born in 1837, the subject of this notice passed 
the years of boyhood, having but limited educa- 
tional advantages. At the age of thirteen he be- 
gan life for himself, going to New York City, 
where he secured employment. Later he was 
employed in other places, following any occupa- 
tion that would furnish him an honest livelihood. 
The struggle was not an easy one; he had neither 
the prestige of wealth or friends to aid him, but 
whatever the hardships might have been, what- 
ever the obstacles that stood in his pathway, he 
never grew discouraged, but steadfastly persisted 
in his determination to attain success and attain 
it honestly. 

After having spent some years in New Jersey, 
Mr. Archer went to Greenpoint, L. I., and from 
there to Middle Village, where he conducted a 
general store, meeting with fair success in this 
enterprise. On selling out he went to Long 
Island City, where he became a builder and real 
estate speculator. For a time fortune smiled on 
his efforts. He accumulated a fortune, but the 
great panic of 1873, coming so unexpectedly, 
found him unprepared and swept away the sav- 
ings of years. Fie settled all his obligations, and 
when this was done, found himself again a poor 
man. Failure, however, instead of discouraging 
him, only proved the mettle of which he was 
made. He spent a short time on a farm near Sy- 
osset, in the town of Oyster Bay, but finally re- 
turned to Jamaica, where he remained until his 
death. 

In this village Mr. Archer established a sash 
and blind factory, and about the same time re- 
sumed his real estate speculations, becoming one 
of the most extensive dealers and auctioneers of 
land on Long Island. Great credit is due him 
for the active part he took in bringing about the 
substantial boom in Jamaica and other villages 
of Queens County. His enterprise resulted in 
the increasing prosperity of the village and also 
enabled him to recuperate his fallen fortunes, in 
which respect he succeeded so well that at his 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



death he was classed among the wealthy men of 
Jamaica. His personal characteristics were such 
as to command the respect and confidence of oth- 
ers, and among his warmest friends he num- 
bered such men as Governor McCormick, John 
H. Sutphin, Theodore Rogers and John M. Crane. 
His business interests engrossed his attention to 
such an extent that he never participated active- 
ly in political matters, and had no social connec- 
tions other than his membership in the Jamaica 
Club. For a time he served as chief of the Ja- 
maica fire department. 

The marriage of Mr. Archer took place in Sep- 
tember, 1861, and united him with Miss Caroline 
Cornish, of Newtown, L. I., who, with three chil- 
dren, survives him. The oldest child, James C, 
born in 1862, began to assist his father in business 
at the age of twelve and soon developed an apti- 
tude for the work, becoming his father's "right- 
hand" man in all his important business transac- 
tions. Some years before the death of the lat- 
ter he and his brother, T. F., became members of 
the firm of T. F. Archer & Sons, the name of 
which was afterward changed to T. F. Archer's 
Sons. 

The traits of character which were noticeable 
in our subject are also bringing success to his 
sons, J. C. and T. F., who are classed among 
the rising young business men of Jamaica. So- 
cially they are connected with the Jamaica Club 
and are popular in the best circles of society. 
By his marriage to Miss Isabella Young, of 
Flushing, James C. has four children, Margaret, 
Mary, Elmer and James. Theodore F., who is 
engaged in business with his brother, was mar- 
ried February 12, 1890, to Jennie W., daughter 
of Capt. Albert J. Wilkinson, of Jamaica. Three 
children bless this union, viz. : Alberta W., Gene- 
vieve, and Theodore F. Margaret A., the only 
daughter of our subject, married Thomas F. Mur- 
ray and resides in Brooklyn, where her husband 
is engaged in the boot and shoe business. 



HDeWITT SMITH, who is proprietor of 
a well-improved farm and also of a pop- 
• ular boarding house at Whitestone, was 
born in this place September 23, 1854, being a 
son of G. L. and Susanna (Stansbury) Smith, na- 
tives of Queens County. On the paternal side 
he is descended from one of the pioneer residents 
of this section, who about 1795 settled on the 
homestead now occupied by our subject. Here 



he spent the years of boyhood, and after com- 
pleting the studies of the home schools he en- 
tered Flushing Institute, where he remained un- 
til graduating at the age of seventeen. 

On choosing an occupation for life Mr. Smith 
selected that to which he had been reared and 
with which he was most familiar. As an agricul- 
turist he is energetic and industrious, and is main- 
taining the improvements of the old home place. 
December 11, 1878, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary L. Westervelt, daughter of Peter 
and Anne E. (Barclay) Westervelt, of Whitestone, 
and they are the parents of one son, DeWitt, Jr., 
now a student in the high school at Flushing. 

While Mr. Smith has never cared to actively 
identify himself with public affairs, preferring to 
give his attention to his personal matters, yet he 
is well informed in political questions and gives 
the weight of his influence to the Democratic 
party. His first presidential ballot was cast for 
Samuel Tilden in 1876, and he has never failed 
since then to vote for the candidates of his chosen 
party. In religious belief he is connected with 
the Episcopal Church, in which he fills the posi- 
tion of vestryman. 



THOMAS C. WEEKS is one of the worthy 
old residents and respected citizens of 
Hempstead, and has assisted the prosperi- 
ty and development of this region. He is a self- 
made man, and seven years after starting out to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith was in business 
for himself. July 9, 1829, his birth occurred in 
this village, his parents being John and Mary 
Ann (Fleet) Weeks, also natives of this county. 
After securing his education the father entered a 
shop and learned harness and carriage trimming, 
which combined occupations he followed for 
many years, having at one time the principal busi- 
ness of this kind on Long Island and receiving 
patronage from far and near. He was a man 
who gave his attention entirely to his own affairs, 
and his death, which occurred in 1853, was the 
occasion of universal mourning. His estimable 
wife survived him for many years, dying in 1884. 
The subject of this sketch passed the first six 
years of his life in the pleasant home of his par- 
ents in Hempstead. The latter then taking up 
farming in another locality, young Thomas ac- 
companied them, and from that time until fifteen 
years of age attended school and worked on the 
farm. He then returned to the village in order 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



633 



that he might learn the blacksmith's trade, and, 
as we have stated above, seven years thereafter 
was engaged in this business on his own account. 
He seems to have a natural gift for the calling, 
and is so handy in the use of blacksmith's 
tools that he can make anything which can be 
manufactured out of iron. For fifty years he has 
followed this business and his reputation as an 
expert at his trade is known all over the island. 

In 1853 Thomas C. Weeks married Miss Caro- 
line Edwards, the daughter of Thomas Edwards, 
for many years a prominent resident of Green- 
wich Point, this county. Their union was 
blessed by the birth of six children, of whom only 
three are living, namely: Alice, the wife of C. E. 
Cornell, of Hempstead; Chauncy Elmer, who 
assists his father in the shop, and Miss Jennie, 
still under the parental I'oof. Both our subject 
and his estimable wife are members in excellent 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which they have been connected for many years. 
Socially the former is a prominent Mason, being- 
associated with Morton Lodge No. 63. In poli- 
tics he is a stanch Republican, having an abiding 
faith in the purity of that party's teachings. He 
has never aspired to office himself, but has helped 
to put many a worthy and competent man in the 
public service. As a business man he has shown 
good ability and is very justly classed among the 
well-to-do and highly esteemed citizens of Queens 
County. 



CAPT. DANIEL W. TAULMAN, the ef- 
ficient superintendent of the New York 
and College Point Eerry Company, was 
born in Rockland County, N. Y., near Nyack, in 
1848. Plis father, John D. Taulman, and his 
grandfather, Daniel Taulman, were both born 
in the same place. The great-grandfather, Dowe 
H. Taulman, was an ofScer in the Revolutionary- 
War. He was of Holland-Dutch extraction, and 
his father, Oblenius Taulman, settled on Man- 
hattan Island and became the owner of a large 
tract of land which is now in dispute in the courts. 
Dowe H. Taulm.an settled in Rockland County 
about 1800 and purchased one hundred and 
eighty acres of land, on which he erected his 
residence and farm buildings. Our subject's 
grandfather, Daniel Taulman, was a farmer by 
occupation, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. 
John D. Taulman was a steamboat captain on 
different North River boats between Newburg 



and New York City, and later embarked in the 
real estate business in Park Row, New York City. 
There his death occurred in 1886. Fraternally he 
was a Master Mason. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Salome Lake, was a native of New 
Jersey and the daughter of Jacob and Charity 
Lake. She died in 1870. Of their six living 
children our subject is the eldest. He received 
excellent educational advantages in the graded 
and public schools of Nyack, and when fourteen 
years old began on the North River steamboats 
in the engineer department, working his way up, 
and when eighteen years old was made chief en- 
gineer of the steamboat "Champion," plying be- 
tween Nyack and New York. This business he 
followed for about twenty-five years on different 
boats, and the last one, "Riverdale," exploded in 
1883, Mr. Taulman escaping without injury. For 
some time after this he continued with the com- 
pany as chief engineer and then went on Myers' 
excursion boats as chief engineer. At the end 
of one year he went on the "Daniel Drew," an 
Albany day boat, and after one year began to 
work for the North River Steamboat Company, 
plying between Poughkeepsie and New York 
City. He remained in their employ as chief en- 
gineer for nine years. 

In 1893 Mr. Taulman resigned to accept the 
position of superintendent and chief engineer of 
the New York and College Point Ferry Company, 
which position he has held up to the present 
time to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.. 
He has charge of four boats, which will accom- 
modate eighteen thousand people, and during the 
busy season he has about fifty men under him. 
In summer the boats run from College Point to 
Ninety-ninth Street, New York City, stopping at 
North Beach. 

Mr. Taulman was married in New York to 
Miss Celie Sutherland, a native of Hastings, N. 
Y. They have three children : Bertram, with the 
McCreery Dry Goods Company; Blanche and 
Florence! The family home is at No. 342 Sixth 
Avenue, New York. Mr. Taulman attends the 
Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Re- 
publican. 



WILLIS H. YOUNG, who is one of the 
leading business men of Brooklyn, 
makes his home in a beautiful resi- 
dence in Hempstead. His birth occurred May 7, 
1844, in Riverhead, Suffolk County, he being the 



634 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



only son of J. Franklin Young, whose birth oc- 
curred at Aquebogue, April 19, 1821. The lat- 
ter bore the distinction in the locality of his home 
of being the first man to drive a team through the 
Brooklyn tunnel. He afterward became conduc- 
tor on the Long Island Railroad, which position 
he continued to hold until his death, March 11, 
1852. 

The Young family is one of the oldest and 
most highly respected in the eastern portion of 
Long Island. J. Franklin Young married Miss 
Mary Emma Terry, the daughter of Howell Ter- 
ry, formerly a leading citizen of Riverhead, and 
one of the original owners of the woolen mills 
located in that place. He was also at one time 
engaged quite extensively in handling real es- 
tate, thus accumulating considerable money. One 
of his sisters married Nathan Young, of Brook- 
lyn, who, during the years in which he was en- 
gaged as contractor, built the original Plymouth 
Church, where Mr. Beecher preached. 

Daniel Terry, the maternal great-grandfather 
of our subject, was a commissioned officer in the 
Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. 
He was born and spent his entire life on Long 
Island, and by his neighbors and friends was 
regarded as a man of considerable importance 
and influence. He was a true Christian and for 
many years served as deacon in the Congrega- 
tional Church. 

The maternal grandmother of our subject, 
Hannah Albertson, was born at a place known as 
the Upper Mill, a mile from Riverhead, and was 
the daughter of Richard Albertson, a miller by 
occupation. Mrs. Mary Emma Young, mother of 
Willis H., was one in a family of four children. 
Her eldest brother, John P. Terry, of Riverhead, 
was born in the year 1818, and was for more than 
forty years proprietor of the old Long Island Ho- 
tel of that place ; he is now retired from business 
of any kind and is the only survivor of the char- 
ter members of the Congregational Church of 
Riverhead. Phebe Jane Terry married A. M. 
Young, who, during his lifetime was a school 
teacher; Mrs. Young died in December, 1S95, at 
the residence of her daughter at Aquebogue. 
Oliver A. Terry, who married Charlotte Conklin, 
was a tanner by trade, and departed this life some 
twenty years ago : his widow is now living in 
Jamaica, which is the home of her daughter, El- 
la. The latter married Lewis Fosdick, a wealthy 
attorney, and the son of the late Judge Fosdick. 

The mother of our subject was born July 26, 



1821, and departed this life January 2, 1876. Wil- 
lis H. was seven years old at the time of his fath- 
er's death. The family were left in limited cir- 
cumstances, and when he was only fifteen years 
of age he started out to make his own way in 
the world, desirous also of aiding in the support of 
his mother. He first began as clerk for David 
Vail, of Riverhead, who paid him the munificent 
salary of $75 per year. As he was obliged to 
board and clothe himself there was not much left 
to turn over to his mother, and as soon as an 
opportunity presented itself he resigned his po^ 
sition with Mr. Vail and began working in the 
store of H. D. Foster. He remained here a few 
years, but being ambitious to make more rapid 
progress in life, and finding that he could not 
do so in Riverhead, he left and in 1867 we find 
him located in New York City. He found em- 
ployment as bookkeeper in one of the numerous 
iron foundries of Brooklyn and three or four years 
later he obtained a similar position in a sash and 
blind factory in the same city. He remained with 
this company for three or four years, during 
which time he saved quite a snug little sum of 
mone}'. 

About this time the business being for sale, Mr. 
Young concluded to purchase the factory, paying 
what cash he had and giving his notes for $16,- 
000, to be paid in installments of $1,000 per 
month. This was running a great risk, but suc- 
cess attended his efforts and he is now one of 
the most prosperous business men in Brooklyn. 
Upon first starting out he did not have the where- 
withal to purchase material, and going to many 
of the wholesale lumber merchants in both Brook- 
lyn and New York, he explained to them the sit- 
uation, telling them that if his plans succeeded 
they would receive their pay, but if he did not 
they would be the losers. This frankness on his 
part succeeded, and without an exception he was 
told that he could have whatever materials he 
wanted. The result was that in a few months he 
had $40,000 worth of lumber bought in this way, 
and as his notes came due he met every one o'f 
them. He now has a large sash' and blind fac- 
tory, which is one of the largest in either Brook- 
lyn or New York, giving employment to some 
three hundred men. 

Some twelve years ago, desirous of getting 
away from the noise and bustle of city life, Mr. 
Young came to Hempstead and erected his pres- 
ent beautiful residence, wdiich is without doubt 
one of the finest on Long Island. It is svirroimd- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



635 



ed by large and beautiful grounds, which are in 
turn adorned with handsome shrubs and a variety 
of choice flowers during the summer. Since com- 
ing to Hempstead Mr. Young has taken an active 
interest in local affairs and for three consecutive 
years has been a member of the village board of 
trustees. He was one of the founders of the 
Hempstead Bank and is at present serving as a 
member of its board of trustees. October 19, 
1869, our subject married Miss Mary W. Conklin, 
the daughter of Nathaniel Conklin, a prominent 
citizen of Brooklyn. They have a daughter, 
Edith, who is now the wife of Frank S. Harlow. 
In politics Mr. Young gives his support to the 
Republican party. 



F 



RED WIDMAYER, the leading plumber 
and gas fitter of Schuetzen Park, has been 
very successful in his line of work and is 
now classed among the representative and sub- 
stantial residents of the place. He is a native 
•of Germany, having been born in VVurtemberg, 
near Stuttgart, in the year 1854. His father was 
Jacob Widmayer, for many years an extensive 
wine grower in the Fatherland. Later he en- 
gaged in quarrying stone, following this branch 
of business until the time of his death, which oc- 
curred when he was forty-three years of age. 
He married Henrietta Doll, who survived him 
until 1894, being in her eightieth year at the time 
of her demise. Both parents were devoted church 
members and were connected with the Lutheran 
denomination. 

The parental family included seven children, of 
whom our subject was the youngest but one. He 
has two sisters who make their home in Ameri- 
ca, but with that exception the family still live 
in Germany. According to the custom in his na- 
tive land, our subject attended school until a lad 
of fourteen years, when he was apprenticed to a 
plumber and gas fitter in Ludwigsburg. He 
spent three years in becoming fully acquainted 
with the business, after which he was hired by his 
instructor for one year. Young Widmayer then 
went to Bavena, Baden, Switzerland, where he 
was engaged in work until twenty years of age, 
when he became a soldier in the German army. 
For two years he served in the One Flundred 
and Twenty-first Regiment, after which he was 
honorably discharged. 

Our subject continued at work in his native 
land until about the year 1880, when he carried 



out his long cherished plan of coming to Ameri- 
ca. On landing in the metropolis he secured 
work at his trade, and also was employed for a 
time in Brooklyn. In 1885, however, he came to 
Schuetzen Park, and purchasing the old store of 
a Mr. Rivholt, embarked in business for himself 
and has continued to make his home here ever 
since. Although he has been very successful in 
putting hot water apparatus and furnaces in 
dwellings he makes a specialty of plumbing and 
gas fitting. Mr. Rivholt was a tin and sheet iron 
roofer, and Mr. Widmayer has not neglected this 
department of work and has been given plenty to 
do in this line. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Annie 
Burk occurred in New York City in 1882. Mr.^. 
Widmayer, who was also born in Germany, is 
the mother of two sons, Fred, Jr., and Albert. 
Mr. Widmayer is a member of the Arion Society 
and has been connected with the Frohsinn. He 
belongs to the Long Island City Plumbers' As- 
sociation, of which he is treasurer. In politics 
he is independent, preferring to reserve his right 
to vote for the man whom he thinks will best fill 
the office, regardless of party lines. 



HENRY KIESEL. Among the attractive 
estates of the town of Jamaica is that 
belonging to Mr. Kiesel, who is one of 
the well-to-do and progressive farmers of the 
county. His place is located on the Flushing and 
Jamaica road, about a mile and a half from the 
county seat. He was born in Brooklyn, Febru- 
ary 27, 1849, ^nd is the son of John and Barbara 
(Kahl) Kiesel. The parental family included five 
children, all of whom were given fair advantages 
for obtaining an education. 

In the year 1821 the father of this family was 
born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where he 
was reared. When ready to learn a business he 
was apprenticed to a harnessmaker, and in the 
course of two or three years was pronounced an 
expert workman. A year after reaching his ma- 
jority he embarked on a vessel which landed him 
in due time on American shores. He very soon 
thereafter found employment with Ascan Back- 
us, of Newtown, a prominent resident of that 
place, and after leaving his employ was hired by 
a Mr. England, working for him faithfully and 
well for three years. The next account we have 
of our subject's father was when he engaged in 
farming in Ravenswood, and with the exception 



636 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of four years spent in Wisconsin he followed that 
calling until his death, in 1892. He was an eco- 
nomical and hard working man and when called 
from this life left his family a handsome property. 
His good wife is still living on the home place in 
Newtown and has one of the finest properties in 
the county. She too is of German birth and is now 
in the seventy-third year of her age. She re- 
mained in the Fatherland until a young lady, 
when she crossed the Atlantic and ver}' soon 
thereafter met and was married to John Kiesel. 

The subject of this sketch obtained a very lim- 
ited education in the parish schools of Winfield 
and continued to reside with his parents, assist- 
ing in operating the farm, until his marriage, 
February 22, 1876, with Miss Mary Mulford. 
The young couple then took possession of the 
farm adjoining that of Mr. Kiesel's parents, and 
which was owned by the latter, making this place 
their home until about seven years ago, when 
they removed to the estate which they now oc- 
cupy. Everything about their home has an air 
of neatness and order, while a good set of build- 
ings and excellent fences add to the pleasing 
prospect. 

To our subject and his excellent wife there 
have been born eleven children: John, Annie, 
Henry, Frank, Theresa, Martin, Joseph, Bar- 
bara, Alex, Charlie and Mary. In political af- 
fairs Mr. Kiesel is a stanch Democrat and on this 
ticket has served for seven consecutive years as 
roadmaster. He is a devout CathoHc, attending 
service in Jamaica. 



GEORGE S. JERVIS. It is a pleasure to 
chronicle the history of a man whose life 
has been one of honor and success, as 
is the case with Mr. Jervis, who, as a real estate 
and insurance agent, has accumulated a com- 
fortable competency and is classed among the 
substantial residents of Maspeth. He is a native 
of Amityville, Suffolk County, and is a worthy 
representative of one of the oldest and most re- 
spected families of the island. 

Grandfather Joel Jervis was a descendant of 
Sir PVancis Jervis, or Jervais, as the name was 
originally spelled, who came to America in the 
good ship "Primrose," which set sail from the 
coast of Scotland in the year 1639. On being 
landed at Salem, Mass., he immediately made his 
way to Long Island and made settlement at 
Huntington, where in after years the grandfath- 



er was born. The latter on attaining mature 
years removed to Amityville, with whose inter- 
ests, of both a public and private nature, he was 
prominently identified for the remainder of his 
long and active life. Among the responsible po- 
sitions which he held satisfactorily was that of 
justice of the peace, and so impartially did he 
render decisions that he endeared himself to the 
peace-loving residents of the community. 

The lady whom Joel Jervis married was known 
in her maidenhood as Elizabeth Smith, a native 
of Bluepoint, born July 20, 1794. She was the 
daughter of Henry Clark and Jemima (Terry) 
Smith, of Sayville. Her great-grandfather was 
Col. William Smith, English governor of Tan- 
giers, who in 1690 purchased Setauket, L. I., then 
a strip of land fifty miles long extending from the 
sound to the bay. The grandmother of our sub- 
ject was a most remarkable woman in many re- 
spects and on her one hundredth birthday, which 
she lived to celebrate, there were present seven 
of her sons and daughters, the eldest of whom 
was seventy-six years of age, twenty-three grand- 
children, fifty-four great-grandchildren and three 
great-great-grandchildren. 

In the year 1823 the father of our subject, 
Scudder C. Jervis, was born in Amityville, where 
he was reared to a life of usefulness. As soon 
as he completed a very limited education in the 
schools of the district he engaged in farming, 
which industry he followed during the active 
years of his life. He is still living in this com- 
munity, but is retired from work of any kind. 
The mother of our subject, formerly Mary Pur- 
dey, was the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth 
(Smith) Purdey, of Amityville, Suffolk County. 

The subject of this history, who was born 
March 21, 1851, attended the common schools 
until seventeen years of age, when we find him 
in New York City, where for one year he was 
employed in the Fulton market. At the 
end of that time he left his employer in 
order to accept a position as comparison 
boy in Wall Street. He had a very bright career 
before him, and during the ten years spent here 
gave every promise of attaining a position of 
prominence. His health failing, however, he was 
obliged to give up his work, and in 1873 came 
to Maspeth, where he established a grocery, which 
he conducted with success for five years. Sell- 
ing his stock of goods at a good profit, he then in- 
vested his money in the florist's business and for 
some three years was in command of a very re- 




EDWARD T. PAYNp;. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



639 



munerative trade. On retiring from this he was 
appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, 
holding this office for four years. 

In 1880 Mr. Jervis began dealing in real es- 
tate in this vicinity and is now the owner of con- 
siderable property. He also represents some of 
the best insurance companies in the East. The 
high position which he occupies in the communi- 
ty has been gained by patient and unremitting- 
attention to business. 

Mr. Jervis and Miss Marie A. Losee, of Mid- 
dle Village, were united in marriage in 1873. To 
them were born four children, named respective- 
ly: Fannie, the wife of Charles F. Smith; Marie, 
Ella and George. His second marriage, in 1893, 
was to Alice Primrose, daughter of James and 
Mary (Smith) Primrose, of New York City. One 
child is the result of this union, Elsie Anna. Our 
subject is a Democrat in politics. For three 
years he served as county superintendent of the 
poor, and while the incumbent of that trying po- 
sition gained the respect and confidence of the 
entire district. 



EDWARD T. PAYNE, attorney and coun- 
selor-at-lav>r, of Glencove, is a native of 
Connecticut, and was born at Haddam, 
October 10, 1853. ^"^^ is the son of Oliver N. and 
Ellen M. (Bolles) Payne, the former of whom 
was born at Southold, Suffolk Cotmty, N. Y., 
April 13, 1828. After receiving his diploma from 
Amenia Seminary he became a student of Yale 
College, from which he was graduated with the 
Class of '52. After completing his college course 
he beg"an teaching school at Haddam, where Ed- 
ward T. was born, and for about a year and a 
half was principal of Brainerd Academy at that 
place. He afterward went to Jamestown, Pa., 
and during the time in which he was engaged in 
teaching there studied law. When ready to en- 
gage in practice he removed to Corning, N. Y., 
and during the six years of his residence there 
became a citizen of great influence and widely 
extended popularity. 

The father of our subject was twice married, 
his union with Miss Bolles taking place in Brook- 
lyn in August, 1852. In i860 they removed to 
that city, where they remained for two years, Mr. 
Payne in the meantime having an office in New 
York City. At the end of that time he came to 
Glencove, where he purchased property and lived 
until after the decease of his wife, when he re- 



turned to Brooklyn, where his second marriage 
took place. Of his first union there are three 
children still living. Ernest B., a resident of 
Wading River, Suffolk County, is engaged as a 
farmer and is also justice of the peace; he studied 
law two years, it then being- his intention to fol- 
low the profession in which his father was so 
prominent, but he abandoned it at the end of 
that time and has since given liis attention to 
cultivating the soil. He is married and the fath- 
er of two children. Anna G. Payne married Dr. 
F. H. Bartlett, of Olean, Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., in 1 88 1, and is the mother of two daugh- 
ters. Tlie father of our subject was a stanch Re- 
publican in politics and at one time was candi- 
date on that ticket for the office of county judge 
and on another occasion for district attorney. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad of nine 
years when his father came to Glencove. Here 
he began his studies in the public schools, from 
which he -was graduated when in his sixteenth 
year. He then took the competitive examination 
for a scholarship at Cornell and won, but the ex- 
pense being too great, his father was obliged to 
abandon the idea of sending him to that institu- 
tion. Young Payne next attended the Polytech- 
nic Institute at Brooklyn, taking a two years' 
course, after which he entered the law office of 
his maternal uncle, ex-County Judge D. H. 
Bolles, at Olean, N. Y., where he remained for 
upwards of six months and then entered his fath- 
er's New York office. In 1874 he entered Colum- 
bia Law School, from which he was graduated in 
1876. The February before he was graduated 
he took an examination in court and was then 
licensed as an attorney and counselor. 

The marriage of Air. Payne and Miss Grace 
Eastman occurred at Roslyn, November 8, 1882. 
Mrs. Payne, whose birth occurred in that place, 
is the daughter of Henry M. and Lydia (Macy) 
Eastman, her father being a prominent attorney. 
After their marriage the young people came to 
Glencove, where they have resided ever since, 
although Mr. Payne spends several hours each 
day in his New York office. After his admis- 
sion to the bar he formed a partnership with his 
father and was associated with him until the lat- 
ter retired from active business. Mr. Payne is 
an independent Republican in politics. He served 
as a member of tlie board of education for a 
period of ten years, from 1885 to 1895. The sub- 
ject of education has few more enthusiastic sup- 
porters, and it was largely through his efforts 



640 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that the project for the long-needed new school 
building and enlarged school grounds was 
adopted. 

Fraternal^ Mr. Payne is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled 
all the chairs of Pembroke Lodge. The same 
may be said of the Royal Arcanum, in which he 
takes great interest. He has at all times and in 
all places shown himself to be a loyal citizen and 
is highly regarded by his feUow townsmen. In 
the organization of the Glencove Bank, which was 
established in 1892, he took a prominent part and 
is a director and stockholder of that institution. 

Our subject and his wife have three children 
living, Owen Street, Oliver Edward and Dorothy, 
all natives of Glencove. They lost their youngest 
son, Henry Eastman, in 1895. 



CHRISTIAN D. HOMEYER. We take 
pleasure in presenting to the readers of 
this volume a history of the above-named 
gentleman, who is one of the prominent residents 
of Metropolitan, where he is engaged as a hard- 
ware merchant and dealer in grain and feed. He 
is a native of Ridgewood, this county, and was 
born June 22, 1853, to Henry and Mary (Hom- 
field) Homeyer. The parental family included 
nine children, of whom six are now living. Of 
these we make brief mention. Christian D. was 
the oldest of the household. Richard A. is rep- 
resented on another page of this volume : Fred- 
erick H. is the proprietor of a grocery at Ever- 
green; John is also a groceryman, his place of 
residence being Morris Park; Margaret married 
Charles Rogers, a merchant of Middle Village ; 
and Elizabeth is the wife of John A. Hartman, 
proprietor of a hotel at Richmond Hill. 

Henry Homeyer was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, in the year 1826. He received his educa- 
tion in the Fatherland and continued to make his 
home with his parents until sixteen or eighteen 
years of age, when he determined to try his for- 
tunes in the New World. On coming hither he 
secured employment in New York City and re- 
mained there variously occupied until 1850, when 
he took up his home on the island. He worked 
for different parties for the following seven years, 
when he rented a farm at what is now Ridge- 
wood and was engaged very profitably in its cul- 
tivation for ten years. At the expiration of that 
time he invested his means in a small place in 
Middle Village, where he passed the remainder of 



his life, dying January 23, 1888. He was a valued 
member of the Lutheran Church and for a period 
of fifteen years held the ofSce of trustee. The 
cause of education in this neighborhood found in 
him a most worthy advocate and for twelve years 
he was treasurer of the school board. 

Christian D. Homeyer, after acquiring a good 
common school education, remained at home as- 
sisting his father in the further improvement of 
the homestead until reaching his twenty-fifth 
year, when he went into business for himself, and 
for seven years conducted a good trade as grain 
and feed merchant at his old stand on the corner 
of Flushing and Bushwick Avenues. He was 
endowed with an unusual amount of energy and 
good judgment and succeeded from the very 
first. In 1885 he erected his present building in 
East Williamsburg, now known as Metropolitan, 
by whose residents he is regarded as a self-made, 
prosperous and leading citizen. 

In September, 1878, Mr. Homeyer married 
Miss Emma EUinger, daughter of Henry and 
Helena (Brummer) Ellinger, a prominent and 
well-known family of East Williamsburg They 
had but two daughters, Mr. Homeyer's wife and 
Henrietta. The union of our subject and his wife 
has been blessed by the birth of five children, 
named respectively: Alice H., Henry F., Edward 
R., Eleanora and Emily. While he has never 
identified himself actively with political affairs, 
Mr. Homeyer is a strong supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles and always votes that ticket. 
For the past thirty years he has been a member 
of the German Lutheran. Church. Socially he be- 
long's to Temple Liberty Lodge, and is also a 
member of the Provident Association. He is re- 
garded as a man of sound judgment, and the ser- 
vice which he has rendered the residents of Metro- 
politan as treasurer of the school board has been 
very much appreciated. He is now serving his 
third term in that capacity and prior to this he 
was for six 3'ears school trustee. 



M 



ATTHEW J. SMITFI, A. B., LL. B., is 
one of the most successful young lawyers 
of the Long Island City bar and has ac- 
quired a fine reputation and a large practice in 
this city. He numbers among his clients many 
of the best firms and business men of this lo- 
cality. In Long Island City, where he now re- 
sides, the subject of this sketch was born Au- 
gust 24, 1867. His parents were Matthew and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



641 



Mary (Sheridan) Smith, the former of whom de- 
parted this life when in his fifty-sixth year. He 
became the proprietor of an hotel in this city 
many years ago and indeed was one of the first 
to engage in this line of business here. 

Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Matthew Smith all are living, and of these our 
subject was the eldest. After attending a course 
in the grammar school in his native city he en- 
tered St. Francis College, of Brooklyn, from 
which institution he was graduated in 1885 with 
the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Very soon there- 
after he entered the office of Judge Goldfogel, of 
New York City, remaining with him for a period 
of eighteen months. In 1886, or six months pre- 
vious to leaving the office of Judge Goldfogel, he 
entered the Columbia Law School, being grad- 
uated with the Class of '88. Here he had con- 
ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Laws. 
After completing his law course Mr. Smith en- 
tered the office of Donohue, Newcombe & Cor- 
dozo, of New York, receiving many valuable 
hints from these learned gentlemen during the 
seven months he remained with them. We next 
find Mr. Smith with the firm of Shepard & Os- 
borne, the latter of whom is now assistant district 
attorney of New York. Nine months later, how- 
ever, on the recommendation of one of his former 
■ professors in Columbia College, he obtained the 
position of managing clerk in the office of Kenni- 
son, Grain & Ailing, a prominent law firm in 
Wall Street. He remained with them for a year 
and a half, during which time he not only dis- 
charged the duties of head clerk in a thorough 
and satisfactory manner, but practiced some on 
his own account. 

In 1892 Mr. Smith located for practice in Long 
Island City, opening an office in the Savings 
Bank building, where he is rapidly making his 
way to the front rank of his profession in this 
community. He is counsellor from Long Island 
City for a number of the New York breweries 
and also represents the Mercantile Protective As- 
sociation of New York, besides a number of 
large wholesale houses of that city. He has been 
very successful in the settlement of various large 
estates in Queens County, and the honest and 
upright manner in which he has looked after all 
business confided to his care has won for him 
the confidence and good will of all with whom 
he has been brought in business relations. Mr. 
Smith is attorney for the United States Building 
and Loan Association in this city. Socially he is 



a member of the Queens County Bar Association, 
the Jefferson Club and the Astoria Athletic Club. 
He is a stanch Democrat in politics and takes a 
very active part in the work of the Jefferson 
Democratic Club and is one of that organization's 
most prominent speakers. In 1893, when Glea- 
son was defeated in receiving the nomination for 
the assembly of Long Island City, which was then 
the first assembly district, Mr. Smith was one of 
the number who succeeded in bringing about this 
result. 



GEORGE HANSMANN, who has met 
with excellent success as a blacksmith, 
is now living in ease and comfort in a 
pleasant home in East Williamsburg and is re- 
tired from work of any kind. Like many of the 
best residents of this county, he is a native of 
Germany, having been born in Hesse-Cassel, 
February 28, 1826. John and Eva (Rosenkranz) 
Hansmann, his parents, were likewise born in the 
Fatherland, and by their marriage there was 
granted them a family of seven children, only 
two of whom are living, George and Anna, the 
latter the widow of Elias Laudrebe. John Hans- 
mann was sixty-five years old at the time of his 
decease, in the year 1847. He was a promi- 
nent farmer of his locality and was a devoted 
church member, being for years an alder and trus- 
tee of the Dutch Reformed Church. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
under the paternal roof, acquiring his education 
in the model schools of his native land. Upon 
attaining the age of eighteen he decided to come 
to America, and the 29th of June, 1844, found 
him in the city of New York. He arrived here 
with but one five-franc piece in his pocket and as 
he was entirely alone in the New World and had 
no friends whom he could call upon for assist- 
ance, he lost no time in hunting for something to 
do. Until a better position offered itself he was 
engaged as a stock-feeder in Forty-fourth Street, 
New York, on the North River, but at the end 
of a few months he secured work at the black- 
smith's trade, which he had learned in Germany. 
In 1846 George Hansmann removed to Will- 
iamsburg, where he did journeyman work for 
three years, and then coming to East Williams- 
burg, embarked in business for himself and for 
forty years was the proprietor of a flourishing 
establishment. He was an expert workman, and 
although his trade was of the best class, he never 



642 



POirrRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



failed to give satisfaction to the most exacting of 
his customers. He was so unfortunate as to lose 
the sight of his right eye, which misfortune, to- 
gether with the fact that he had accumulated a 
fair amount of this world's goods and it was no 
longer necessary for him to work, caused him to 
retire from business. The blacksmith shop is 
now conducted by his son John and son-in-law, 
Fred Gabriel. 

Mr. Hansmann was married to Miss Cathe- 
rine M. Zeller in 1850, and to them were granted 
five children, of whom four survive. Catherine, 
now the wife of Fred Gabriel, is the mother of 
three sons and one daughter. George, who 
chose Miss Mary Moench for his wife, has three 
daughters: he is working for the firm of Hans- 
mann & Gabriel. John married Miss Grace 
Conway and their family includes one son and 
one daughter. Amelia is the wife of Remington 
Bedell and they have a daughter. 

Politically our subject affiliates with the Re- 
publican party and although not desirous of 
holding office himself he has been influential in 
placing the best men in the community in nomi- 
nation for responsible positions and in this man- 
ner has been of great benefit to East Williams- 
burg. He is an active member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and while living at Williamsburo- 
gave very material aid toward the erection of the 
Dutch Reformed Church which was built in 1847. 
In 1863 the church of which Mr. Hansmann is 
now a member was erected here and toward the 
accomplishment of this result he contributed very 
liberally of his means. 



DR. AMAZIAH FOSTER. The calling of 
the veterinary surgeon is a most neces- 
sary as well as a most humane one, for 
the noble animal, the horse, for his faithful serv- 
ice should be cared for intelligently as well as 
kindly. Much of this devolves on the veterinary 
surgeon and blacksmith, and one of the most ex- 
perienced, capable and efficient of those who de- 
vote themselves to this work is Dr. Foster, of 
Springfield, Queens County. He belongs to one 
of the old and highly respected families of the 
county and was born in East Rockaway, town of 
Hempstead, on the 25th of October, 1825. His 
parents, Jacob and Betsey (Skidmore) Foster, 
had nine children, of whom seven are living. The 
father was born at what is known as Fosters 



Meadow, and during the greater part of his life 
was engaged in the butcher's business and dealt 
in groceries at this place — Springfield. He was 
a very skillful violin player and was frequently 
engaged to furnish the music for entertainments. 
His father was John Foster, also of Fosters 
Meadow. 

At the age of ten years Dr. Foster was bound 
out and from that time until he was seventeen 
years of age he made his home with various fam- 
ilies. At this time the opportunity was offered 
him to learn a trade and he became a black- 
smith's apprentice at Flatlands, N. Y., and for 
about three years he worked at the forge and 
completed the trade. Several years were then 
spent under an employer at Flatbush, after which 
he purchased the shop and for the following seven 
years conducted it very successfully himself. His 
health then failing he gave up this business and 
purchased an interest in a stage line running 
from Flatbush to Fulton Ferry, but this life 
proved uncongenial to him and he finally gave it 
up. He next made his way to Sheepshead Bay, 
where he was engaged in fishing and clamming 
for about three years, and during this time, ow- 
ing to the fact that he was much in the open 
air, he regained a great deal of his former vigor. 
His next removal was to Springfield and here 
for eleven years he worked as a journeyman at 
his trade. At this time he purchased about thirty 
acres of land and with his sons settled down to 
farming. About this time he began the study 
of veterinary surgery, and finally began devot- 
ing his entire attention to this calling. During the 
twenty years that he followed this exclusively he 
made a name for himself and did much to raise 
the standard of his profession. About four years 
ago he reopened a blacksmith shop, since which 
time much of his attention has been given to this 
work. 

In the year 1846 Dr. Foster was married to 
Miss Chariette White and eleven children were 
born to them, of whom nine are living at the 
present time. Jacob H., a farmer, is married and 
has three children; Elizabeth is married and has 
six children; Louise has four children; Helen has 
three children; Levina has one child; Jane has 
six children; White, a carpenter and blacksmith, 
is married and the father of two children; Thom- 
as, a veterinary surgeon, is married and the father 
of two children ; and James, who is a blacksmith 
by trade, is also married and has two children. 
Mrs. Foster died in March, 1893, ^'^d in July, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



643 



1894, he was married to Mrs. Julia E. (StiUwell) 

Janes. 

In his political proclivities Dr. Foster has al- 
ways been a Republican, but he has never been 
particularly active politically. He is a member 
of the Methodist Church and is its class leader 
and one of its trustees. 



ELMER E. BERGEN, a successful young 
business man of Jamaica and the collector 
of village and school taxes, was born in 
this village September 22, 1862. The family of 
which he is a member was among the first es- 
tablished on Long Island, with the growth and 
development of which its representatives have 
been intimately identified. His grandfather, Ben- 
jamin Bergen, was born in the town of Jamaica 
near Bergen's Landing, and was a soldier in the 
War of 1812, receiving a pension in compensa- 
tion for his services in that conflict. The great- 
grandfather.'^Jacob Bergen, was a native of Ja- 
maica Town and served as an officer in the 
Revolutionary War. The history of the family 
in this country dates back to the landing "of the 
historic "Mayflower," and a record of the geneal- 
ogy has been published. 

The parents of our subject, Charles H. and 
Kate A. (Way) Bergen, are natives respectively 
of Jamaica and Middle Village, L. I., the latter 
being a daughter of Abraham Way, whose fam- 
ily was one of the oldest in Middle Village. The 
father, who was born in 1839, has at different times 
been engaged in various Hnes of business, but 
has been unfortunate in many of his ventures, 
and at this writing is with his son, Elmer E., in 
the store. The parental family consisted of four 
sons and two daughters, of whom Elmer E. is the 
oldest. The others are Abraham M'. W., who is 
unmarried and is engaged in the merchant tailor- 
ing business at Jamaica; Charles Benjamin, who 
is married and lives in San Francisco, Cal. ; Louis 
L., a bookkeeper for the Fidelity and Casualty 
Insurance Company of New York and a resident 
of Paterson, N. J., being married and having two 
sons, Morrel and Everett; and K. Adelle and 
Mabel, who are with their parents. 

Educated in the schools of Jamaica, our "sub- 
ject at a very early age began to work for him- 
self. His first employment was that of herding 
cattle for the people of the village, his wages for 
this being twenty-five cents per day. Later he 
secured a position as office boy with a hop store 



in New York City, after which he was for seven 
years with the clothing firm of Hirshkind & Co., 
Broadway and Walker Street, New York. In 
November, 1888, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Annie E., daughter of the late Elias Hen- 
drickson, the wealthy lumber merchant. 

While he had a flattering offer from the house 
he was with, Mr. Bergen refused it, determining 
to start in business for himself. Though he had 
but very limited capital, yet he had a reputation 
for uprightness and push that was better than 
a cash capital. Starting a small clothing store 
on the corner of Fuhon and Union Hall Streets 
he at once commenced to make money, and his 
career has been a successful one since that time. 
However, he has had his share of adversity and 
reverses. He started a branch store on the east 
end of Long Island, of which his father had 
charge, but the enterprise entailed a heavy finan- 
cial loss. Fortunately he was so well established 
in business that its failure did not cripple him 
financially. 

Actively interested in all matters pertaining 
to the welfare of Jamaica, Mr. Bergen has been 
chosen to occupy a number of local positions. In 
1894 he was elected tax collector of the village, 
which position required a bond of $105,000; he 
collected and turned over to the treasurer the sum 
of $45,000, and has filled this responsible position 
ever since. Politically a Republican, he is a 
member of the town committee of his party. So- 
cially he is connected with the Royal Arcanum 
and the Order of American Firemen, of which he 
was treasurer for several years. He is deeply in- 
terested in all religious work and holds member- 
ship in the Presbyterian Church. He has served 
as assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, 
as well as treasurer, and has been president of 
the Christian Endeavor Union of Queens Coun- 
ty. By his marriage he has had four children, 
but has had the misfortune to lose all but one, 
the only survivor being Claude D., a bright boy 
of four years. 



RICHARD B AMBER, a contractor resid- 
ing in Astoria, Long Island City, was 
born in Cumberland, England, November 
21, 1838, and is a member of a family that dates 
back over six hundred years in that locality. 
He is the son of Richard and Jane Bamber, na- 
tives of the same place as himself, the former 
of whom died at the age of fifty-seven and the 



644 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



latter when fifty years old. In their family were 
eleven children, of whom Richard is seventh 
in order of birth, and the only one of the num- 
ber in America. 

The childhood years of our subject were passed 
in Wigton, where his father had a gunsmith's 
shop. After attending the public schools for 
some time, at the age of sixteen he was appren- 
ticed to the cabinet-maker's and carpenter's trade, 
of which, by careful attention to instructions, he 
soon gained an accurate knowledge. His master 
retired from business after he had been with him 
four years and he then engaged in journeyman 
work, following his trade in Preston and other 
places. In 1859 he came to America and for 
a time was employed in New York City, but in 
1864 came to Astoria, Long Island City, where 
six years later he began as an independent con- 
tractor. He erected two residences in Wardell 
Street and two in Remsen Street for himself, has 
built a large number of business blocks, and not 
a few of the substantial dwelling houses of the 
place. He is one of the oldest contractors of 
Astoria and is also one of the most reliable and 
efEcient business men here. 

Mr. Bamber has been twice married, having by 
his first union two children, of whom one sur- 
vives, Mrs. Mollie Anderson, of Chicago. His 
second marriage, which took place at Marlboro, 
N. Y., united him with Miss Ann Staples, a na- 
tive of that village and a member of an old east- 
ern family. One child, Eva, blesses this union. 
A stanch Republican in political sentiment, Mr. 
Bamber is a member of the county committee, of 
which he has been chairman. In 1895 he was a 
candidate for assembly. Socially he belongs to 
the Royal Arcanum, in which he is regent, and 
the John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W. His mem- 
bership, religiously, is in the Reformed Church 
in New York Citv. 



JAMES MINOR FURLONG. The build- 
ing interests of Astoria have a capable rep- 
resentative in the subject of this sketch, and 
he has done much toward promoting the welfare 
of the place. With his brother, Henry H., he 
erected seventy or more residences here, thus 
greatly enhancing the value of property; and 
while the enterprise did not prove Yer\r profitable 
to himself pecuniarily, he has the satisfaction of 
knowing that he has greatly benefited the inter- 
ests of the place and the people. 



Both our subject and his father, James M., 
were born in New York City. The family, how- 
ever, is of Virginian origin. His grandfather, 
Robert Furlong, who was born at Cartersville, 
Va., was for some years engaged in the mer- 
cantile business in his native village, but after- 
ward moved to New York, where he was similarly 
occupied until the loss of sight terminated his 
business career. The great-grandfather, Robert, 
Sr., took part in the Revolutionary War under 
General Washington and was killed in the battle 
of Yorktown. He was a brave soldier and held 
the rank of sergeant. The family originally came 
from Scotland, but during the religious perse- 
cutions in that country took refuge in the north 
of Ireland, whence they emigrated to America. 

The father of our subject, who was a painter bv 
trade, followed that occupation for a time, but 
later became superintendent of a large whole- 
sale dry goods store in Chambers Street, New 
York. His death occurred at fifty-three years of 
age. He married Angeline Robinson, who was 
born in New York City, and now resides in Long 
Island City. Her father, Capt. Robert Robinson, 
was born in New York of English ancestry and 
was a seafaring man, being at one time part 
owner of a merchant ship. He married a Miss 
Harrison, a sister of ex-President William H. 
Harrison. 

The family of James M. Furlong, Sr., consisted 
of seven children, of whom five are living, our 
subject being third in order of birth. The others 
are Mrs. Mary A, Wheelwright; Henry H., a 
painter living in Long Island City; John Robert, 
an actor and stage manager living in Long Island 
City; and Mrs. Martha Jones of New York City. 
Our subject, who was born in 1852, received a 
grammar school education in New York City. 
In boyhood he accompanied his parents to Sta- 
ten Island, where for four years he worked on his 
father's farm. Later he followed various lines' of 
work until he finally took up painting, at which 
trade he served for six years as journeyman. 
Forming a partnership Avith his brother, he gave 
his attention to contract work, the two continu- 
ing together for ten years, and since the dissolu- 
tion of their partnership he has been alone. In 
1888 he came to Long Island City, where, as 
stated before, he erected about seventy houses 
in different parts of Astoria, thereby greatly ad- 
vancing the interests of this locality. He is the 
owner of some property here, including his resi- 
dence at No. 206 Elm Street. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



645 



Prior to leaving New York, Mr. Furlong mar- 
ried Miss Alice Sheridan, daughter of Thomas 
Sheridan, a contractor residing in Johnstown, 
Pa., where she was born. They are the parents 
of eight children, all of whom are at home, name- 
ly, Lorette, Joseph, Angelina, James Minor, Jr., 
Gertrude, John R., Walter and Florence. The po- 
litical opinions which control the public action of 
Mr. Furlong are in hearty accord with the decla- 
rations and platform of the Republican party, and 
he casts his ballot for the candidates of that or- 
g'anization. 



LUCAS E. DECKER is well known in the 
business circles of Springfield, where he is 
the proprietor of a well-stocked mercantile 
establishment,- in the conduct of which he has 
been unusually successful. Springfield is his na- 
tive town, and the date of his birth May 17, 1858. 
The father of Mr. Decker, also named Lucas 
E., was born in Brooklyn about the year 1833. 
During his early life he was a farmer and also 
had a milk route, but in 1854 he came to Spring- 
field and, purchasing the site on which our sub- 
ject's store now stands, erected a hotel and gro- 
cery store. These he carried on until his decease 
in 1 89 1, at which time he was one of the trustees 
of the town of Jamaica and a man most highly 
regarded in his community. In Masonic circles 
he stood high, taking great pleasure in meeting 
with the members of Jamaica Lodge. 

The parental grandfather of our subject, who 
bore the name of Stephen L. Decker, was born in 
New York in 1800. He, too, was a farmer and 
later added to his income by supplying the 
people of Brooklyn with milk. During the latter 
part of his life, the grandfather established a 
meat market, commanding a good trade. He 
had three sons, those besides the father of our 
subject being John W., now a wealthy farmer of 
Springfield; Reuben, who is engaged in the feed 
business in Brooklyn and who has a pleasant 
home at Chester Park, L. I., and Nicholas C, a 
hardware and real estate dealer in St. Louis, Mo. ; 
he is now serving his third term as justice of 
the peace. The great-grandfather of our subject 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, in which 
conflict he was killed. The family is of Dutch 
origin and one of the oldest and most highly re- 
garded on the island. 

Mrs. Abby C. (Nostrand) Decker, mother of 
our subject, was the daughter of John Nostrand. 



By her union with Lucas E. Decker, Sr., there 
were born three sons, those beside our subject 
being Smith N., engaged in the ice manufactur- 
ing business at Far Rockaway, and Elbert J., a 
veterinary surgeon of Far Rockaway. Lucas E., 
our subject, first attended school in Springfield, 
after which he conducted his studies in one of the 
private schools of Jamaica. Later he entered his 
father's store, and in 1885 established a coal and 
feed business in Springfield, running that in con- 
nection with helping his father. In 1891 he sold 
his feed yard, and in May of that year purchased 
his present property and business, the latter be- 
ing established in 1854. In local politics he has 
been a prominent factor, and from 1891 to 1895 
held the responsible office of highway commis- 
sioner. Socially he is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, the Foresters and Farmers' Union. 
Politically he gives his allegiance to Democratic 
candidates and principles. 

In 1 881 occurred the marriage of Mr. Decker 
with Miss Alice I. Clemanson. The latter was 
born at Troy, N. Y., and was the daughter of 
James Clemanson, a soldier of the late war, in- 
which conflict he was killed. Mr. and Mrs. 
Decker have two children, Edith and Lucas E. 



J 



OHN T. D. DONNELLY, a successful vet- 
erinary surgeon of Long Island City, was 
born in Belleville, Essex County, N. J., in 
1863, being a son of James and Mary (Duncan) 
Donnelly. He was the only one of three children 
who attained years of maturity, and was a boy of 
nine years when, in 1872, he was brought by his 
parents to Long Island City. Here he grew to 
manhood, meantime attending the old Fourth 
Ward school and the School of Languages. He 
was a studious boy, attentive to his tasks and a 
diligent pupil, so that he gained a comprehensive 
knowledge not only of the information contained 
in his text books, but of the world of histor}r, 
literature and science. 

Having determined to become a veterinary sur- 
geon, Mr. Donnelly in 1883 became a student 
in the New York Veterinary College, from which 
he graduated with second honors three years 
later, receiving the degree of V. S. During the 
same year, 1886, he began to practice in Long 
Island City, where he has since resided, devoting 
his attention closely to his chosen profession, in 
which he has met with success. He held the 
position of veterinary surgeon for the fire depart- 



646 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment and the board of health, and under the ad- 
ministration of President Harrison was appointed 
United States veterinary inspector of the bureau 
of animal industry. For a time he was also vet- 
erinary for the Steinway Railroad Company. In 
June, 1895, he purchased the old stand of Kiley 
Bros., horseshoers, at No. 12 Newtown Avenue, 
where he continues business in the same line. 
With his father he was for some time interested 
in breeding Jersey cattle in this city. 

The platform of the Republican party receives 
the hearty endorsement of Mr. Donnelly and he 
supports its men and measures with enthusiasm. 
He is filHng the position of vice-chairman of the 
general Republican committee of Long Island 
City and is also president of the Republican Dis- 
trict Association, rendering important service in 
these capacities. In 1894 he was a delegate to 
the state convention that nominated Levi P. 
Morton for governor, and he has also been dele- 
gate to numerous county, city and congressional 
conventions. In religion he is a member of the 
Church of the Redeemer. 



ANDREW FLANAGAN, proprietor of one 
of the largest ice houses in Long Island 
City, has been connected with this busi- 
ness longer than any other citizen of this locality. 
He is also the owner of much valuable property 
in this city and in almost all his ventures has 
met with success. 

Mr. Flanagan was born in Astoria in 1839. 
His father, also Andrew Flanagan, was a native 
of County Roscommon, Ireland, but upon attain- 
ing mature years he went to England, where he 
learned his trade — that of a mason — and re- 
mained there until coming to America, in 1832 
or 1833. He first made his home in Brooklyn, 
but about 1833 we find him living in Astoria, 
where he was engaged as a general contractor 
until his death, when sixty-six years of age. As 
may be supposed, he was one of the very earliest 
residents of Long Island City and in that day 
there was no other means of transportation be- 
tween the city and points on the island than the 
sloops. 

Andrew Flanagan, St., was married to Sarah 
A. Matthews, a native of Birmingham, England. 
She survived her husband several years, depart- 
ing life when seventy-six years of age. She had 
been twice married, her first union being with 
a Mr. Waldron of England, and to them was 



born a daughter, Mary A., now Mrs. Shuker, of 
Long Island City. Her marriage with Mr. Flan- 
agan, however, resulted in the birth of seven chil- 
dren, six sons and one daughter. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and 
educated in this city, and upon leaving school he 
was apprenticed to a machinist in New York 
City. For a time he worked for the Root Steam 
Engine Company, also learning steam and gas 
fitting. After following this business in all four- 
teen years he abandoned it in order to. become a 
dealer in ice. June 13, 1874, he purchased the 
ice business owned by John O'Conner and im- 
mediately set about increasing his trade. His 
ice was obtained at that time from Trains Mead- 
ow, Newtown and East River, but after ten years 
cutting ice at these points he transferred his 
operations to the upper Hudson and Kennebec 
Rivers. Of late, however, he gets his supplies 
from the Knickerbocker Ice Company and sup- 
plies his customers with the purest natural ice that 
can be obtained anywhere. He runs constantly 
five wagons, and during the summer months puts 
on extra help. Although at one time his route took 
in nearly the whole of Long Island City, he now 
confines his trade to Astoria, Steinway and 
Schuetzen Park. Mr. Flanagan also engages in 
the scavenger business, giving employment to 
two teams and several men. 

About 1866 occurred the marriage of our sub- 
ject and Miss Adelaide Exertier, a native of New 
York City and the daughter of Charles Exertier, 
who was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He was 
of French extraction and came to America when 
thirty-two years of age; his marriage occurred 
in New York City. He was an importer of 
liquors and carried on a large wholesale trade 
in New York until retiring from business, mak- 
ing his home in Astoria until his death, which 
occurred when sixty-one years of age. His wife, 
Annette Grapin, who was born near Paris, 
France, is now deceased, passing away when 
aged three score years and ten. Mrs. Flanagan, 
who was their only child, was educated in the 
schools of Astoria and St. Vincent de Paul 
School of New York. 

To our subject and his wife have been born 
seven children: Pauline Exertier, a finely edu- 
cated young lady and at present teaching in the 
fourth ward of this place; Charles Exertier, the 
assistant of his father in his business; Adelaide 
Exertier, Beatrice Theresa, Andrew Joseph, Ray- 
mond Aloysius and Julian Evans. The family 




HILBERT BLACK TINGLEY, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



649 



occupy a pleasant home at No. 536 Debevoise 
Street, which Mr. Flanagan had erected for his 
especial use. He has large stables in Grand 
Avenue, also a brick building, with stable adjoin- 
ing, on the corner of Debevoise Street and Grand 
Avenue. 

Mr. Flanagan has always manifested a high de- 
gree of interest in all that pertains to the welfare 
of his city, although he has never desired to 
hold office. Socially, he is a member of John 
Allen Lodge, No. 330, A. O. U. W., and Lodge 
No. 17, F. & A. M., of Long Island City. He 
is likewise connected with the Veteran Fireman's 
Association. In national politics he is Demo- 
cratic, but is not radical. He is a member of the 
Long Island City Building and Loan Associa- 
tion and has aided many worthy causes by his 
influence. In religion he is a devout Catholic, 
being identified with the Church of Our Lady 
of Mt. Carmel, which he helped to build. His 
father was one of the founders of this body here 
and for many years was trustee. 



HILBERT B. TINGLEY, M. D. Health is 
the most highly prized gift bestowed upon 
us by Mother Nature and it is a matter of 
most vital moment that we should know how to 
preserve it or regain it when lost. In the latter 
case medical science must frequently be resorted 
to and the services of a good physician employed. 
Dr. Tingley is one of the leading professional men 
of his section and in the practice of the "healing 
, art" has won golden opinions from all classes 
among whom he has labored. Dr. Tingley was 
born in New Brunswick, October 21, 1865, and 
upon his father's farm in that province he grew up 
and obtained a thorough knowledge of the duties 
of agriculture. His parents were Obed and Mar- 
garet A. (Dobson) Tingley, native Canadians, the 
latter of whom died at the untimely age of twenty- 
eight years, when the subject of this sketch was 
but two years old. Besides her sorrowing hus- 
band, she left four children to mourn her death: 
Amasa, who resides in Moncton, New Brunswick ; 
Melbourne, who lives in Sonora.Cal.; Minnie, wife 
of Dr. John F. Harvey of Boston, Mass., and Hil- 
bert B., whose name heads this sketch. 

In the excellent common schools in the vicinity 
of his rural home Dr. Tingley acquired a thor- 
oughly practical education, which he afterwards 
greatly improved by a six months' attendance in 
a preparatory school connected with King's Uni- 
26 



versity, after which he taught school for two years. 
He possessed a natural taste and inclination for 
the study of medicine, and with the view to 
making its practice his life work, he entered Balti- 
more University Medical College, from which he 
was graduated first in his class in 1889 with the 
degree of M. D., having previously studied pri- 
vately while teaching school and in the offices of 
Dr. W. P. Bowser, now of Brooklyn, N. Y., and 
D. C. Allen, a native of Nova Scotia. 

Upon the completion of his medical studies our 
subject went to Boston and was engaged in prac- 
tical work in the Baptist Hospital of that city 
for some time, having previously had a year and 
a half of hospital work while in college, and later 
was a part of the time assistant resident physician 
there. From Boston Dr. Tingley made a trip 
to the West, visiting most of the southern and 
western states for the purpose of extending his 
knowledge and broadening his views by ob- 
servation, remaining nine months. The following 
March (1893), after his return to Boston, he came 
to Long Island, took up his residence at Oceanus 
and opened an office for the practice of his pro- 
fession. Here he has conducted a general prac- 
tice ever since and has met with a more than 
average degree of success. His patronage is 
large, and owing to the success which has at- 
tended his efforts in behalf of suffering humanity 
is continually on the increase. Dr. Tingley took 
a post graduate course in the New York Polyclinic 
Hospital in New York City, graduating with the 
class of '94-95. 

The Doctor was first married to the daughter 
of Silas Kirby, of Easton, Md., but her death oc- 
curred ten weeks later. His present wife was 
formerly Miss Addie Rucker of Gainesville, Ga. 
The Doctor is a Republican in politics, a member 
of Kings County Lodge No. 511, F. & A. M., and 
of Arlington Lodge No. 394, A. O. U. W. For 
some years he has been connected with the Bap- 
tist Church of Boston. 



SAMUEL E. ELDERT, a resident of Wood- 
haven, was born on what is known as the 
old Ryder farm, in South Road, April 9, 
1820. He was the son of Eldert Eldert, whose 
birth occurred in Eldert's Lane, in the old house 
now owned by Henry Drew and which was built 
long before the Revolutionary War. During 
those trying times it was occupied by Grandfather 
Samuel Eldert. It is said that on one occasion 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



650 

it was taken into the possession of a company of 
British soldiers, who appropriated to themselves 
everything of value. The grandfather also served 
as a patriot in that conflict. The family is of 
Dutch origin and without doubt was one of the 
first to make their home on Long Island, where 
they are now so numerous. The first of the name 
to come to America was Eldert Luke, but for 
some reason which was not given the biographer, 
the surname was changed from Luke to Eldert 
and has been handed down as such to each suc- 
ceeding generation.- 

The father of our subject served faithfully dur- 
ing the War of 1812, and after peace was estab- 
lished returned to the occupation of a farmer, 
following the same until his death, when fifty- 
three vears of age. His wife, Mary Ryder, who 
was born on the old Ryder farm in the year 1800, 
was the eldest of six children born to her parents, 
Nicholas and Hannah (Lane) Ryder. It is said 
her father was born in the eastern portion of the 
island, where his parents were among the very 
first settlers. 

The subject of this sketch had one brother, 
Nicholas Ryder Eldert, a farmer, and six sisters ; 
Catalina married Henry S. Lott, by whom she 
had three children; Hannah M. also married a 
Mr. Lott; Sarah became the wife of James Lott; 
Susan is now Mrs. EHsha N. Jones, of Wood- 
haven; Ida Jane married John Williamson, a 
prominent farmer, whose estate is located in the 
Rockaway Road, south of Jamaica. After the 
death of her sister Catalina, Elizabeth D. married 
her husband, Henry S. Lott; they are the parents 
of three children: Eldert; Dow S., who is a large 
property owner in the town of Jamaica, and who 
lives on a beautiful farm near Woodhaven; and 
Stephen, an attorney of Woodhaven. 

Samuel E. Eldert was brought up to a full, 
knowledge of farm life. He removed to New 
York in 1842, but returned in 1855 and for the 
past thirty-seven years has made his home on his 
present place, which is a portion of the old home- 
stead. In 1842 he was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Van Sise, who was born near Farmingdale, L. 
I., and to them were born eight children, of whom 
two are deceased. Mary married Virgil Ketch- 
am; Charles W. is an employe in the agate fac- 
tory at Woodhaven; Julia is now the wife of Isaac 
Doxy, a carpenter of Brooklyn; Ditmus, who 
married Miss Lily M. Hadden, is a carriage- 
maker at Bridgeport, Conn.; John married Vir- 
einia Domina:e and makes his home in Wood- 



haven, and Nessel L. chose Fannie Danforth of 
Boston for his wife. He is engaged in business 
in New York City as a manufacturer of shoe 
dressing, and is also a dealer in typewriters. 

Like his forefathers, Mr. Eldert is noted for his 
sterling qualities and high principles. He is a 
devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, in 
which he has served as elder for many years. He 
is now living a quiet life in his pleasant home in 
Ferry Street, Woodhaven. 



SAMUEL WALKER, a retired farmer liv- 
ing in Port Washington, is one of the old- 
est and most highly esteemed residents of 
the county. He was born within fifteen miles 
of Boston, Mass., September 18, 181 5, his parents 
being Josiah and Sarah (Jenkins) Walker, well- 
to-do farmers of the Bay State. Samuel was 
reared to a full knowledge of farming, but when 
eighteen years of age left home and, going to 
New York where his brother Joseph was engaged 
in the charcoal business, drove one of his wagons 
for some time. 

Although not having the opportunity of ac- 
quiring a thorough education, the subject of this 
sketch possessed good judgment and that energy 
and perseverance which almost always bring suc- 
cess. Therefore, after working for his brother 
for a time he embarked in business on his own 
account and from 1835 to 1850 was the proprie- 
tor of a flourishing coal yard. In the latter year 
he sold out his possessions in New York and, go- 
ing to New Hampshire, purchased a quarter-sec- 
tion of land in the town of Hudson. His place 
was very conveniently located near Nashua and 
there he made his home for eighteen years. 

The lady to whom our subject was united in 
marriage. May 11, 1837, was Miss Elmira Bird 
of New York, whose birth occurred at Port Ches- 
ter, June 18, 1819. She was the daughter of 
Capt. James T. and Hannah (Denton) Bird, na- 
tives of the island. The mother was born at 
Newtown, but the exact location of the father's 
birthplace is not known. In his early life he 
was a sea captain, but spent his later years in the 
ovster business. 

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker 
we mention the following facts: James Elliott 
makes his home in Brooklyn ; at her death his wife 
left a family of seven children. William Leonard 
went out west when a 3'oung man and met his 
death in the coal mines of Wisconsin. Martha 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



651 



Jane married Austin Bailey and makes her home 
at Bath, N. H. John W. died in infancy. Samuel, 
wlio was for many years engaged as a truckman 
in Brooklyn, departed this life in July, 1895, leav- 
ing a wife and five children. Desdemona became 
the wife of Marshall Keator, and they make their 
home in the City of Churches. Mary died in in- 
fancy. Nellie married Edward Smith and is a 
resident of Great Neck; they have a family of 
seven children. Stephen Greeley is a resident of 
Brooklyn; he is married and the father of two 
sons. 

In 1870 Mr. Walker came to Port Washing- 
ton and engaged in oyster planting, following 
this business with marked success for many years. 
He stands well among the prominent men of this 
county and has won this standing by patient and 
unremitting work. In early years he voted the 
Whig ticket, but he has since 1856 supported 
Republican candidates. Since 1843 he has been 
a member of the Baptist Church, of which he is 
one of the leading members and holds the office 
trustee and deacon. 



THE SEABURY FAMILY has for many 
years been prominently identified with 
the history of Long Island and especially 
that portion of it comprised within the limits of 
the town and village of Hempstead. Established 
in America by one of the illustrious "Pilgrim 
Fathers," it has since borne an honorable part 
in the growth and development of this country. 
It has had representatives both in the trades and 
professions, though predominating in the latter, 
and has given to the world men of intellect and 
enterprise, whose labors in life have elevated the 
race mentally and morally. 

The first of the name known to have settled 
in America was John Seabury, who came here 
at an early Colonial period and endured all the 
hardships incident to life in a newly settled coun- 
try. His son. Dr. Samuel Seabury, was born in 
Boston in 1639, and by his union with Patience 
Kemp had a son, John, whose birth occurred in 
1673. The latter chose as his wife Elizabeth, 
daughter of David Alden and granddaughter of 
John Alden and Priscilla Mullen, of "Mayflower" 
fame. 

Samuel, son of John and Elizabeth Seabury, 
was born September 3, 1706, and while a student 
at Yale College he renounced the Presbyterian 
religion and embraced the faith of the Protestant 



Episcopal Church. This created such a disturb- 
ance in the college that he withdrew and entered 
Harvard College, where he graduated. Leaving " 
his family in America he went abroad, where he 
was ordained to the ministry of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church by the Bishop of London. On 
his return he accepted a pastorate at New Lon- 
don, Conn., where he was rector of^the church 
for thirteen years. Meantime, he received the de- 
gree of Doctor of Divinity. For twenty-one 
years he was rector of St. George's Church at 
Flempstead, in which capacity he was serving at 
the time of his death, June 15, 1764. 

Among the sons of Dr. Seabury was Rev. • 
Samuel Seabury, D. D., who had the distinction 
of being the first bishop of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church in America, and was one of the 
most brilliant men that denomination ever had. 
Another son. Dr. Adam Seabury, born in 1741, 
became a prominent physician of Hempstead and 
married Miriam Peters. Their son, Adam, who 
was born in 1767, married Jemima Skidmore and 
followed in one place for nearly a half century, 
teacher. A son of the latter, Robert Sands Sea- 
bury, was born in Hempstead in 1809 and was the 
father of the present generation of Seaburys in 
this village. For many years he was engaged 
in the mercantile business, and from 1850 to 1853 
served as sheriff of Queens County, also for some 
time was president of the village board. In St. 
George's Church, of which he Avas a member, 
he served as vestryman. A man of prominence 
and worth, he was regarded as one of the leading 
men of the place. 

The two brothers of Robert S. Seabury were 
John Skidmore and Henry P. The former, born 
January 8, 181 2, was for 'many years a druggist 
in Jamaica, where he died; his daughter is the 
wife of John M. Crane, president of the Shoe 
and Leather National Bank of New York. Henry 
P., born January 28, 181 5, spent his entire life 
in Hempstead, of which place he was a venerable 
and highly esteemed resident. When a young 
man he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he 
followed in one place for nearly a half century. 
His 4eath occurred February 13, 1896, aged 
eighty-one years. He was a bachelor, and as he 
had no extravagant tastes, accumulated a com- 
fortable competency. His membership was in 
St. George's Church, the doctrines of which he 
upheld in practice and life. 

May 10, 1837, Robert Sands Seabury mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hentz, who was born in Hemp- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



652 

stead April 25, 1817, and was a daughter of Al- 
bert and Elizabeth Hentz. Her father was an 
"inn keeper and also a dealer in real estate. She 
became the mother of eleven children, but five of 
the number died in infancy. Her husband, Rob- 
ert S died March 8, 1877, and at this writmg 
she is living.with her two bachelor sons. Her 
children who attained mature years were as fol- 
lows: Albert, who died in 1889; Adam, a banker 
in New York; Robert, a prominent attorney, 
Charles, who is engaged in the real estate busi- 
ness in Hempstead; John, a wholesale merchant 
in New York; and Samuel, a real estate dealer m 

Hempstead. • 

The eldest of the surviving brothers, Adam, 
was born June 6, 1842, and received a fair edu- 
cation in the schools of Hempstead. In boy- 
hood he went into a leading Nassau Street bank- 
ino- house, where he has since remained, havmg 
been the pacing teller for many yars. He is the 
owner of much valuable property in Hempstead. 
In St. George's Church, of which he is a member, 
he has officiated as vestryman, junior and senior 
warden. Like the other members of the family, 
he adheres to Democratic principles in politics. 
He is a bachelor and, with his mother and brother 
Samuel, occupies a beautiful residence in the 
most popular part of Hempstead. Business duties 
have engrossed his attention to the exclusion of 
pubHc affairs. 

Robert Seabury, the second of the brothers, 
was born December 10, 1844, and was educated 
in the schools of Hempstead and at Union Hall 
Academy, Jamaica. His law studies were com- 
menced under the supervision of his uncle, Alden 
J. Spooner, of Brooklyn, and completed with ex- 
Surrogate William H. Onderdonk. Shortly be- 
fore the close of the Civil War he enlisted in 
the Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, but saw little 
active service. In 1866 he was admitted to the 
bar and for two years was with John W. Lever- 
edge of New York, later formed a partnership 
witli his uncle, Alden J. Spooner, in Brooklyn, 
estabhshing a branch office in Hempstead. Of 
this he has^ since been in charge, carrying on an 
active practice in the general courts. At^ dif- 
ferent times he has occupied positions of trust 
and honor, all of which he has filled with credit 
to himself. For thirteen years he was president 
of the board of education. In 1874 he was elected 
town clerk of Hempstead, which he held for two 
years, and then, in 1876, was appointed clerk of 
the county board of supervisors, which he has 



held continuously since that time. He was one 
of the founders of the Bank of Hempstead, in 
which he is a director. 

Fraternally Robert Seabury is prominently 
connected with the Masonic lodge at Hempstead, 
of which he is past master. In religious views he 
is a member of St. George's Church. In 1870 
he married Miss AmeHa Hendrickson, who died 
in 1882. The only child of this union, Albert 
H., graduated from Cornell University in 1895. 
In 1884 Mr. Seabury married Mary Hendrickson, 
a sister of his former wife, and they occupy a 
fine residence in Franklin Street. 



J SEYMOUR SNEDEKER, an attorney 
of Hempstead and formerly postmaster 
• at this place, was born here April 9, 1845, 
being a son of Lewis and Mary Snedeker, na- 
tives of this town, where the latter is still living. 
The father followed the trade of a shoemaker 
throughout his entire life and was an energetic, 
industrious man, who, while he never gained 
wealth, was able nevertheless to surround his 
family with the comforts of life. There were 
eight children, but only four are now living, three 
daughters and one son. 

After having completed his literary education 
in the schools of Hempstead, the subject of this 
notice began the study of law in the office of 
Hadden & Clark, and after gaining a thorough 
theoretical knowledge of the profession, he was 
admitted to the bar December 13, 1866. At once 
he opened an office in his native village, where 
he has since carried on an extensive general 
practice in all courts. In politics, too, he has 
been a leader among Republicans and has upheld 
the principles of his chosen party with firmness 
and unwavering fidelity. In 1870 he was elected 
town clerk and served until 1873 in that position, 
which is considered one of the best local offices. 
From 1874 to 1878 he served as justice of the 
peace and was a trustee of the village in 1874-75. 
From 1879 until 1881 he was trustee of Green- 
field County. June 15, 1880, he was appointed 
postmaster, and was the incumbent of that office 
until August, 1886, when a change of adminis- 
tration caused his resignation. President Har- 
rison, in July, 1891, appointed him to the posi- 
tion again, and he remained in that capacity until 
Cleveland named William H. S. Smith as his 
successor. LTnder his supervision the office was 
conceded to be one of the best conducted on 




WALTER E. FREW. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



655 



Long Island, and he was justly popular as post- 
master with all classes. 

Smce 1875 Mr. Snedeker has been a trustee of 
the Presbyterian Church and has served as treas- 
urer since 1876. At present he is assistant super- 
intendent of the Sunday-school, and for twenty- 
five years has held the position of secretary of the 
school. It is a remarkable fact that during this 
long period he has never been absent a single 
Sunday. He was one of the charter members 
of Hempstead Council, No. 842, Royal Arcanum, 
on its organization in 1884, and has served as 
secretary from the first. September 9, 1874, he 
married Sarah Jane, daughter of William and 
Susan Rushmore of Hempstead. They have no 
children. 

As might be expected of one who has spent his 
entire life in this village, Mr. Snedeker is deeply 
interested in all movements relating to its prog- 
ress and the development of its resources. In 
the many positions to which he has been called 
it has been his aim to advance the interests of 
his fellow citizens and promote the welfare of 
the village. While he has been successful in his 
profession, his aims and purposes have not been 
selfish, but he has aided the worthy poor by 
substantil gifts and those just starting out in life 
by words of kindly counsel, striving by his life 
and actions to make the world better for his 
having lived in it. 



WALTER E. FREW. The practice of 
banking and the establishment of 
banks belong entirely to the modern 
world. The first bank estabhshed in the modern 
civilized world was the Bank of Venice, which was 
founded in 1157. According to some authorities, 
it was founded in consequence of a loan which 
the state had felt the necessity of raising in order 
to carry on a war. At the settlement of this coun- 
try the colonists brought over with them the 
financial theories and practices which prevailed 
at the time in the mother country. The first 
bank established was in Boston in 1784. From 
the earliest start in the banking business in Long 
Island City there has been a steady, constant and 
continuous growth, not only in the volume of 
business, but in the methods 'by which it has been 
conducted. Take the history of the banking 
business from the beginning to the present day, 
and it would form a remarkable page, and one 
of exceptional interest in any financial work. 



There is no financial institution in Long Island 
that can make a better showing to-day than the 
Queens County Bank, of Long Island City, and 
there is not an older bank on the island outside' 
of Brooklyn. Walter E. Frew, who was the 
youngest bank cashier in the Empire State when 
he was first elected to that position in the Queens 
County Bank, now holds the responsible posi- 
tion of president of this flourishing institution. 
There is undoubtedly no one department of en- 
terprise which has been so powerfully instrumen- 
tal in the development of this city's prosperity as 
banking and it is in the hands of such men as our 
subject that the calling under discussion becomes 
one of the most important levers for good in the 
commercial machinery of our country. 

When Mr. Frew first became cashier of the 
Queens County Bank, it was not in a very 
flourishing condition, having only $144,000 on 
deposit, but by his unusual business acumen and 
good judgment he won the entire confidence of 
the people, and the bank is now one of the sound 
financial institutions of the country and has a 
line of deposits of over $1,500,000. Pleasant, 
genial and courteous, Mr. Frew is very popular 
and has a host of admirers and friends. He was 
■ born in Brooklyn, July 18, 1864, the son of 
George E. Frew, who was a native of New York 
City. His grandfather, Michael, was a native 
of Scotland, as was also the great-grandfather, 
George Frew. Michael was married in his na- 
tive country to Miss Jeanette Stirlingshire, and 
while residing there was bookkeeper in a large 
iron work establishment of Glasgow. In 1827 
he came to America and located in New York, 
where he was engaged in market gardening until 
his death. He was a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

George E. Frew learned the trade of a pencil- 
case maker when a boy and later had two patents 
on gold-slide pencils and pens. He was meeting 
with an unusual degree of success in his calling, 
when the war broke out and this put a stop to his 
operations. Later he became cashier of the 
Greenpoint Ferry Company of Brooklyn, and was 
holding that position at the time of his death, 
in 1880, when forty-seven years old. His brother, 
John Frew, was killed at Spottsylvania Court 
House during the Civil War. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Amanda Decker Crooker, was 
born in New York City and was the daughter 
of Robert and Maria (Smith) Crooker, the former 
of English and the latter of French Huguenot 



656 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



descent. Robert Crooker was born on Long Is- 
land and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. 
Frew died in Brooklyn in 1870, and was the 
mother of two children, our subject being the 
younger. 

The elder son, George H. Frew, was born in 
South Brooklyn and there spent his childhood, 
attending the public schools. When fourteen 
years old he entered the employ of the old Hope 
Insurance Company in Broadway, New York, 
and continued with them until his father's death. 
He then became cashier of the Greenpoint Ferry 
Company, with which he remained for some time, 
and after resigning he accepted a position with 
the Metropolitan Ferry Company, Long Island 
City, and held the same until he accepted his 
present position as general manager, secretary 
and treasurer of the New York & Norwalk 
Steamboat Company, the line plying between 
New York and Norwalk, Conn. He now 
resides in Brooklyn. His wife, formerly Miss 
Lessie C. Carman, is a sister of Mrs. W. E. Frew, 
wife of our subject. He has one son, George 
H., Jr. 

Walter E. Frew received his educational train- 
ing in private schools of Brooklyn and in Green- 
point Academy, and when fifteen years old begaii 
business in Wall Street with Shepherd Knapp, 
banker and broker. He remained with Mr. 
Knapp until twenty years old, and in July, 1884, 
entered the Eleventh Ward Bank as messenger, 
but in two weeks was made bookkeeper and 
later became assistant cashier. He remained in 
the bank about four years, and in March, 1889, 
was made cashier of the Queens County Bank in 
Long Island City. On the nth of April, 1895, 
he was elected president of the bank. This bank 
was organized in 1873 as the Flushing and 
Queens County Bank and was at Flushing until 
1888, when it was located at Long Island City and 
the name changed to Queens County Bank. 

Mr. Frew was a director of the Steinway Rail- 
road Company, which controls all the trolley lines 
from Long Island City to Flushing. He is trus- 
tee in the Long Island City Savings Bank and is 
interested in numerous other institutions. He 
was the youngest cashier and also the youngest 
bank president in the United States when elected 
to those positions and it is due to his keen busi- 
ness foresight, good judgment and energy that 
the bank has reached its present prosperous con- 
dition. He belongs to the American Legion of 
Honor, Bank Clerks' Mutual Business Associa- 



tion, New York State Bankers' Association, and 
is a member of the executive committee of Group 
No. 8, having served as a delegate to the 
convention at Saratoga. For some time he has 
taken an active interest in Kent Street Reformed 
Church of Brooklyn. Mr. Frew was married in 
Brooklyn to Miss Ella Louise Carman, a native 
of Brooklyn and daughter of Samuel Carman 
of Long Island. They have one child, Helen 
Louise. 



THOMAS TRAPHAGEN. To have filled 
the position of a good citizen in any vil- 
lage is an object worthy of ambitious ef- 
fort and a record of which a man in either high 
or low life may feel proud. It is a worthy am- 
bition to place before the youth of any commun- 
ity that they should become enterprising, earnest, 
public-spirited members of society, always up- 
holding- the laws of the commonwealth and pro- 
moting the welfare of the people by any means 
in their power. 

It has been the aim and efifort of Mr. Trap- 
hagen to promote the interests of his fellow-citi- 
zens in Corona and also to advance the progress 
of the county. In the capacity of postmaster, 
he has proved an efficient, accommodating public 
servant and has won the commendation of the 
people. He is a native of New Jersey and was 
born in Bergen County, November 7, 1848, being 
a son of James and Amanda (Valentine) Trap- 
hagen to promote the interests of his fellow-citi- 
was a builder by occupation, and removed to 
Rensselaer, N. Y., when Thomas was about 
eleven years of age. 

The boy obtained the foundation of his educa- 
tion in the public schools, after which he at- 
tended Hudsondale Seminary at Lansingburg, N. 
Y. At the age of nineteen he went to New York 
City and began to learn the manufacture of mil- 
linery goods, starting in business for himself two 
years later. Prosperity attended his efforts, 
though he met with some reverses in the prosecu- 
tion of his business. After a few years he sold 
out and accepted a position in a large manufac- 
turing estabHshment, where he remained for a 
number of years. 

In 1876 Mr. Traphagen went West, with a view- 
to locating, and traveled through the Black 
Hills and other places of the West, finally stop- 
ping in St. Louis, where he and his family re- 
mained for five years. From St. Louis he came 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



657 



to Corona in 1880 and opened a dry-goods store, 
in which he soon built up a good local trade. 
While in New York City he was united in mar- 
riage, November 15, 1872, with Miss Mary E. 
Condor, an estimable lady, who was born in Ox- 
ford, England, but has spent her life principally 
in this country. 

Reared in the faith of the Republican party and 
in the opinion that its policy was faultless, our 
subject at first voted for its principles, but after 
a time he became convinced that the interests of 
the people would be best promoted by the plat- 
form and principles of the Democratic party, if 
fully carried out. From that time on he has given 
his support to the free-trade party. Soon after 
coming to Corona he began to take an active 
interest in politics and has since been one of the 
local leaders of his party. He has served on the 
Democratic Committee in several districts of the 
town of Newtown and has been chairman of the 
body. In May, 1892, he was appointed post- 
master at Corona, and has since acted in that 
capacity. 



CHARLES W. WEED, who is engaged 
in business in Corona, was born in 
Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1858, being a son of 
Alanson and Sarah E. (McGee) Weed. During 
his boyhood years he resided in New York in 
summer and Brooklyn in winter, his education 
being obtained in the public schools of the latter 
city. At the age of nineteen he received the ap- 
pointment to the naval academy there, which he 
at once entered, graduating at the age of twenty- 
two. However, instead of entering the service, 
he resigned his commission and accepted a place 
on a merchant vessel, going to sea as first mate 
and traveling all over the world. He made nine 
trips to Europe, also visited South America, 
touching at Maine, Florida and other places. 
When the merchantman's business ceased to be 
remunerative, he retired from an ocean li"fe. 

October 19, 1881, Mr. Weed was united in 
marriage with Miss Sadie Darby, of Brooklyn, 
and they are the parents of one child, a daugh- 
ter, Edith, who was born in Brooklyn January 
16, 1885. On leaving the sea he began to work 
as a pattern-maker, designing patterns for ladies" 
dresses, and this business he has since conducted 
successfully. As a recreation he took up the 
study of electricity, with which he soon became 
thoroughly familiar, and he has since become a 



consulting electrician. Through this enterprise 
he has made considerable money, being fre- 
quently called upon to plan the electrical ar- 
rangements for different places, both public and 
private. Since 1884 he has made his home in 
Corona. 

In 1880 Mr. Weed, being then on shore, had 
the privilege of casting his ballot for James A. 
Garfield for the Presidency, and since then he has 
always upheld the Republican candidates and 
principles. About 1888 he became a member of 
the school board, of which he had previously 
been clerk for two terms and has since held the 
office of president of the board continuously. 
Socially he has taken several degrees in the Ma- 
sonic order, and all the degrees in the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also connected 
with the Knights of Honor and the Royal Ar- 
canum. In religious belief he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Corona. A char- 
ter member of the Pioneer Fire Hook and Lad- 
der Company, he has in his possession the first 
certificate that was issued to any member of the 
company. His life has been a varied one and -his 
experiences while on sea were many and inter- 
esting. It is said of him by those who know him 
best that he is a man of energy, business ability 
and good judgment, one who has won every- 
thing he has by hard work, and whose position 
is justly among the influential men of the village. 



WILLIAM D. HIGGINS, who is en- 
gaged in the nursery business at 
Whitestone, was born in County Ker- 
ry, Ireland, in 1834. He spent the days of his 
boyhood and early youth in his native land, but 
soon after the death of his father, which occurred 
when he was about sixteen years old, he and his 
mother came to the United States, carrying out 
the intention formed" prior to the death of the 
father. In fact, the latter had started for the 
New World, taking with him his wife and six 
children, but a severe storm caused a delay in 
the voyage, and while waiting for fair weather 
he was taken ill and died at Cork, where he was 
buried. 

On reaching America our subject came to 
his uncle, who was engaged in the nursery busi- 
ness between Whitestone and Flushing. Under 
his supervision he soon gained a thorough knowl- 
edge of the business and in time was made fore- 
man of the nursery, remaining in that one place 



658 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for more than twenty years. In i860 he had 
purchased two acres, where he now hves, and 
while working for his uncle began the improve- 
ment of the new property. In 1870 he put in a 
nursery stock and has since carried on a lucrative 
business that requires his entire attention. 

In his political affiliations our subject is an 
upholder of Democratic principles, and has taken 
an active part in local affairs. For three years 
he was a trustee of 'the village and for a similar 
period he served as a member of the water board. 



CHARLES A. SILBERSDORF^^is one of 
the youngest business men in Long Isl- 
and City. He deals quite extensively in 
real estate and in this especial line has acquired 
a favorable reputation. His partner in this 
business is John Ohnemus, a progressive citizen 
of this place and a shrewd and reliable man of 
business. The firm of Silbersdorf & Ohnemus 
also represent some of the best fire and life in- 
surance companies in the United States. They 
have been for some time prominent in progres- 
sive movements and the upbuilding of Long Isl- 
and City and Queens County. Our subject makes 
his home at the present time in Schuetzen Park, 
although his office is in the above city. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the city 
of Passewalk, Prussia, July 28, 1871. His 
father, August Silbersdorf, followed the business 
of a carpenter and builder in the Fatherland un- 
til 1882, when he emigrated with his family to 
America, settling in Flushing Avenue in Long 
Island City, where he immediately began work 
at his trade. He married Miss Augusta Schwarz, 
who was also born in Prussia, and who, like her 
husband, was the first of her family to come to 
America. They were both members in excellent 
standing of the Lutheran Church. 

The children born to August and Augusta Sil- 
bersdorf were three in number, Hermina, Her- 
man and Charles A., all of whom are at present 
living in this city. Our subject spent the first 
ten years of his life in his native land, attending 
school there for some time, but after the fam- 
ily located in this city he completed his educa- 
tion in Steinway's school. He was then about 
fourteen years of age and immediately set about 
to make his own way in the world, first entering 
the real estate and insurance office of R. Horak, 
of this place. As the years passed by his serv- 
ices became very valuable and he was placed in 



charge of the office. During the last eighteen 
months of his stay with that gentleman, however, 
he was a member of the firm. This connection 
was dissolved February 16, 1895, when our sub- 
ject formed his present connection with John 
Ohnemus. They opened an office at No. 261 
Steinway Avenue and from the very first have 
been successful. They represent the Hartford 
Insurance Company, of Connecticut, and the 
Royal of London, and are kept very busy hand- 
ling Long Island City property, of which they 
make a specialty. 

Mr. Silbersdorf was married in 1895 to Miss 
Augusta Sohmer, a native of New York City, 
where she received a splendid education. _ Mrs. 
Silbersdorf is a niece of Hugo Sohmer, the piano 
manufacturer of New York City. The young 
couple occupy a beautiful home at No. 478 Titus 
Street, which Mr. Silbersdorf had erected for 
their especial tise. He is a talented musician 
and takes great pleasure in meeting with the 
Frohsinn Singing Society, of which he is a 
prominent member. He also belongs to the 
Long Island City Athletic Club. In politics his 
preference lies with the Democratic party. Mr. 
Silbersdorf is industrious, possesses correct busi- 
ness habits and principles, and is bound to make 
a success of life. 



CHARLES B. STORY, M. D. Among the 
rising young physicians and surgeons of 
Queens County mention belongs to Dr. 
Story, of Bayside, who in the practice of his 
chosen profession is establishing an enviable rep- 
utation among the people of his community and 
is building up a patronage commensurate with 
his zeal and ability. The son of Duane and Mari- 
etta ( Case) Story, he was born in Dutchess Coun- 
ty, N. Y., December 13, 1863, and is one of three 
sons, his older brother, Elmer G., being a prac- 
ticing attorney of New York City, while his 
younger brother, John H., is engaged in the 
photo-engraving business there. 

The Doctor's father was born in Dutchess 
County in 1835 and was a member of a family 
established in that county from a very early 
period of its settlement. Acquiring a thorough 
education in the common schools, he chose as 
his life work the calling of a farmer, to which he 
had been reared, and settled on the old home- 
stead, where he has since resided. Through his 
recognized ability in agriculture and his identifi- 




CAPT. JOHN F. BISBEE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



66 1 



cation with ptiblic affairs, he has gained promi- 
nence in liis community. Politically a Democrat, 
he was elected on that ticket to serve as super- 
visor several terms. He is secretary of the 
Farmers' Town Mutual Insurance Company and 
is associated with other important local enter- 
prises, to which his name gives prestige and in- 
fluence. . 

After completing the studies of the public 
schools, the subject of this article entered a 
preparatory school in Poughkeepsie, and later 
became a student in Cornell University, where 
he took the degree of B. S. He then entered the 
medical department of the University of the City 
of New York and in 1890 graduated with high 
honors. The summer of that year he spent in 
Brooklyn, from which place he came to Bayside 
in the autumn. He has since built up a re- 
munerative practice and has gained a place 
among the able practitioners of the neighbor- 
hood. In 1893, with his brother E. G., he es- 
tablished the Bayside Pharmacy, which has 
proved a successful venture from the start. 

The Democratic party finds in Dr. Story one 
of its firm supporters. He is well informed re- 
garding all the important issues of the age and 
is an enthusiastic advocate of the single tax the- 
ory. He retains connection with the Cornell 
University Club, of New York City, and socially 
is identified with the Improved Order of Red 
Men, the Niantic Club, of Flushing, and many 
other local organizations. 



CAPT. JOHN F. BISBEE. The record of 
the life of this gentleman affords an il- 
lustration of the results of force and de- 
cision of purpose in a man, as well as of the pow- 
er which an energetic and honorable character 
exercises upon the lives of others. Well dowered 
with stability and firmness, these attributes, to- 
gether with forethought and persistent labor, 
were instrumental in bringing about success. 
Chief among his characteristics was his patriot- 
ism, which led him to offer his services to his 
loved country in her hour of need, and made him 
deem no sacrifice too great when made in her 
tehalf. 

Captain Bisbee was born in Ogdensburg, N. 
Y., November 22, 1832, and died at Lincoln Park, 
Springfield, L. I., June 15, 1891. His father, 
Lucien I. Bisbee, was born in Rutland, Vt., where 
he spent his boyhood years, and whence he re- 



moved to York State in early manhood. The 
succeeding years were spent principally in New 
York City and Boston, where he was successfully 
engaged in various enterprises and was known 
as a man of ability. At different times he was 
called to occupy positions of trust and hon- 
or within the gift of his fellow men. He attained 
an advanced age, dying when seventy-nine years 
old. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Maria E. Bowers and was a cousin of 
Gov. Lewis Saltsonstal, of Massachusetts. She 
was also connected with the family of which 
Daniel Webster was a member, and was reared 
by one of that name in Cuba. She was a grad- 
uate of Miss Emma Willard's school at Troy, 
N. Y. Of her marriage five children were born, 
and of these three are now living. John F. grew 
to manhood in New York City, to which place his 
parents had removed from Ogdensburg in his in- 
fancy. His education was obtained principally 
in Columbia College and the West Point Mili- 
tary Academy, being a graduate of the latter in- 
stitution. At the outbreak of the RebeUion he 
enlisted in Company B, Sixty-second New York 
Infantry, Anderson Zouaves, and was commis- 
sioned First Lieutenant of the company, after- 
ward receiving promotion to Captain. Among 
the battles in which he participated were the fol- 
lowing: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, 
Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Turkey Bend, second 
battle of Bull Run, Antietam, first battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, and skirmishes at Warwick Court- 
house, Bottom's Bridge, Golding Farm and 
Williamsburg. 

After his return from the war Captain Bisbee 
accepted a position as cashier of the Phoenix In- 
surance Company in Brooklyn, and that office 
of trust he continued to hold until his death. He 
was twice married, his first wife being Miss Eliza 
O'Brien, ^ho died in 1868. Of her living chil- 
dren we note the following: Evelyn is the wife 
of William Groves of Hollis, and they have two 
children ; John F., who is married and resides in 
Brooklyn, has been in the employ of the Phoenix 
Insurance Company since a boy of sixteen years ; 
Lucien J., who is married, resides in Brooklyn, 
where he is engaged in the insurance and real 
estate business, and Lillian is the wife of Arthur 
Reed of Providence, R. I., and the mother of one 
child. 

July 16, 1870, Captain Bisbee married Miss 
Hattie L., daughter of Dr. Robert Atwood of 



662 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Windsor, Vt. Her grandfather was a Revolu- 
tionary hero and the famil)' was among the oldest 
in that state. Eight children blessed their un- 
ion, of whom all but one are living, namely: 
Hattie A.; Ethel M.; Robert F., who is connect- 
ed with the United States Casualty Company of 
New York; Herbert P., who is with the whole- 
sale dry-goods house of W. H. Hamihon, in New 
York; Plelen A., Mabel W. and Rudolph V. 
The family is prominent in social circles and the 
children share with their mother the respect of 
the community. 

For several years Captain Bisbee was con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternity, but later in 
life he dropped his membership. In the Legion 
of Honor he filled every office of the lodge. Po- 
litically he advocated Republican principles, but 
refused to accept nomination for office, though 
often solicited to do so by his friends. He was 
a member of the Episcopal Church. He could 
trace his ancestry back, in a direct line, to Gover- 
nor Bradford of Massachusetts and Miles Stand- 
ish, which is fully shown in the history of Bridge- 
water. 

The following notice, copied from one of the 
county papers, appeared at the time of Captain 
Bisbee's death: "Captain John Frederick Bisbee 
died at his home, 'Maple Bright,' Lincoln Park, 
Spring-field, L. I., June 15, 1891. Captain Bisbee 
was universally esteemed for his upright charac- 
ter and for his activity in all matters looking to 
the improvement of the town. He was presi- 
dent of the Springfidd Improvement Association 
and was most earnest and active in the endeavor 
to build up the place and put it in the front rank 
of suburban villages. He was known as a man 
of excellent judgment, ready in resources, fertile 
in expedients, and above all, trustworthy and re- 
liable. He was born in Ogdensburg and came 
to Brooklyn, where he began his business career 
at an early age. When the war brpke out his 
patriotic impulses sent him to the front as a mem- 
ber of the Sixty-second Regiment, New York 
Vohniteer Infantry. Pie came home a Captain. 
He was an earnest and active Republican, identi- 
fied with the best interests of the party and a 
member of the Republican Town Committee. 
For thirty years he was connected with the Phoe- 
nix Fire Insurance Company and when he died 
he held the responsible and confidential position 
of cashier of the Eastern District office, at No. 
114 Broadway. He was a member of No. 1143, 
American Legion of Honor. He removed to 



Springfield with his family seven years ago, soon 
making many warm friends in his new home. 
His beautiful residence, with spacious grounds 
and lake, is in that part of Springfield known 
as Lincoln Park.'' 



CHRISTOPHER E. ABRAMS, one of the 
honored and respected residents of 
Springfield, town of Jamaica, has for 
many years been engaged as a blacksmith in this 
place. He was born in Ontario, Canada, Decem- 
ber I, 1827, although his father came from one 
of the oldest families on Long Island. The lat- 
ter, Jacob Abrams, was born at Far Rockaway 
in 1788, but during the War of 1812 went to 
Canada, where he met and married Margaret 
Roshorne, a native of the Dominion, but of Ger- 
man ancestry. 

When our subject was a lad of about eight 
years his parents returned to the States and lo- 
cated on a farm at Rockaway where Christopher 
E. was reared to mature years. The parental 
family included fourteen children, nine of whom 
are now living. Of these, Catherine is the wid- 
ow of Foster Davenport and makes her home at 
Far Rockaway; Mary Jane is the widow of 
Charles Craft and is also a resident of Far Rock- 
away; John, who likewise makes his home there, 
is engaged as a blacksmith ; Priscilla is the wife 
of James Hendrickson, of A'alley Stream; Mar- 
garet married Hope Hendrickson and their home 
is at Rockaway; Abraham is cultivating a good 
farm at Cedarhurst; Fannie married John Den- 
nis and lives in Springfield; Emma became the 
wife of John Fredell and they make their home 
in Queens. 

When a young man our subject started out in 
life for himself as an apprentice to a blacksmith, 
and forty-three years ago located in Springfield, 
where he erected a shop and has been engaged 
in working at his trade ever since. He is well 
known in this locality, and from the very first 
has had all that he could do. 

A'Vhen ready to establish a home of his own 
Mr. Abrams was married to Miss Jane Fosdick^ 
a niece of the late Judge Fosdick, of Jamaica, 
and their union has been blessed by the birth of 
three children. Charles F. is associated with 
his father in business ; ' Amanda married D. H. 
Wonzer, of Far Rockaway, and they have two 
children, Benjamin and Edith. Edgar B. chose 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



663 



Miss Catherine Singer for his wife, and they are 
living in Springfield, where Edgar aids his father 
in the blacksmith shop; they have a daughter, 
bearing the name of Susan Jane. 

The subject of this sketch is the owner of a 
small farm within the corporate limits of Spring- 
field, on which he makes his home. He is one 
of the leading members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and at present holds the position 
of steward of his congregation. In political af- 
filiations he is a Republican and is devoted to 
the best interests of his party. 



M' 



ARTIN V. WOOD, president of the 
Hempstead Bank and ex-chairman of 
the board of supervisors, was born on a 
farm in the town of Hempstead, January 23, 1838. 
The first of the family to settle in this town was 
his' grandfather, William, who came here from 
Flatlands and followed the dual occupation of 
farmer and blacksmith. In his family there were 
four sons, of whom Lewis died in boyhood ; Wil- 
liam L,, a grocer in New York City, served as 
alderman, police justice and member of the 
board of education with the noted "Bill" Tweed; 
Lawrence was engaged in business in Fulton 
Market throughout his entire active life ; Valen- 
tine, who was born two miles west of Hempstead, 
was for forty years proprietor of a country store, 
in which business he amassed a competency. He 
was prominent in local affairs and held numerous 
offices, among which was that of overseer of the 
poor. 

The marriage of Valentine Wood united him 
with Eliza Jane Abrams, who was born in the 
town of Hempstead, where her father, White- 
head Abrams, for many years kept a country 
store. She died in 1883 at the age of seventy yeai's; 
her husband had passed away three years prior 
to her decease, aged sixty-six years. They were 
the parents of two children, our subject being 
the only son. The daughter, Mary D., married 
L. H. Clowes and they reside in Hempstead. 
Martin's boyhood years were uneventfully passed 
in work on the home farm and attendance at the 
neighboring schools. In 1861 he married Miss 
Harriet Watts, of Valley Stream, and they have 
two children, Jeannette, wife of William S. Hall, 
cashier of the Freeport Bank; and Wilhelmina, 
who is with her parents. 

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Wood bought a 
farm adjoining that of his father, and since then 



he has been extensively interested in agricul- 
tural pursuits, but for several years he has spent 
the winter months in the village. When the 
Hempstead Bank was organized, he was one of 
the principal stockholders and has been its presi- 
dent from the start. When first established the 
bank was of great benefit to the business public 
and it has lost none of its usefulness with years. 
It is one of the solid institutions of the county 
and is recognized as one of the substantial bank- 
ing houses of the state. Its stockholders and di- 
rectors are numbered among the most capable 
business men of this section, and their reputation 
is a sufficient guaranty that the affairs of the con- 
cern are managed with skill and integrity. 
Throughout its entire career the bank has pros- 
pered, having a steady increase in business. 
Ever since the bank was founded, it has pre- 
served an undisputed credit that has maintained 
the confidence of correspondents and depositors. 
Aside from the Hempstead Bank, Mr. Wood 
is a stockholder in several banks, an officer in 
three insurance companies in New York, and a 
director in the Glencove Insurance Company. 
For several years he was a member of the board 
of education and the board of health of the town 
of Hempstead. In 1882 he was elected to rep- 
resent the town on the county board of super- 
visors and held the office eight consecutive years, 
being for two years its chairman. In 1894 he 
was again elected to that office. In politics he 
is a Republican. He is a stockholder and direc- 
tor in the Bicycle Railroad, which is now in proc- 
ess of construction on Long Island, and his m- 
terests are many and important. 



HIRAM R. SMITH. The success of men 
in business depends upon character as 
well as upon knowledge, it being a self- 
evident proposition that honesty is the best pol- 
icy. Business demands confidence, and where 
that is lacking, business ends. Long Island has 
as fine banking institutions as can be found in 
the country, and of these the Bank of Rockville 
Center is one of the best known. Hiram R. 
Smith, the efficient cashier of the bank, was born 
in Merrick, Queens County, November 22, 1859, 
and is a son of Nelson H. and Catherine J. 
(Smart) Smith, natives respectively of Merrick 
and New York City. 

When a young man Nelson H. Smith engaged 
in merchandising in New York City, but later 



664 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



removed to Merrick and afterward settled in 
Freeport, becoming- one of the first mercliants 
of that place, and by his sterling integrity and 
honesty of purpose in all his business transac- 
tions, he has won the esteem and commands the 
respect of not only the people of the village, but 
Wherever he is known. His wife, who is of Eng- 
lish descent and comes of a well-known old New 
Jersey family, is a woman of striking individuali- 
ty, untiring in her efforts in every good cause, 
ever aiding in all ways possible to lift the people 
up to a better, brighter and happier life. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph 
Smith, who spent the greater part of his long and 
useful life on Long Island. 

The early educational training of Hiram R. 
Smith was received in the Freeport Academy and 
later he took a thorough course in Bryant & 
Stratton's Business College at Brooklyn. The 
old Freeport Academy, from which he graduated, 
gave to Long Island some of its best business 
men, and he was not the least among these. 
After leaving school he spent one year in his 
fathers store at Freeport, but in May, 1879, ^^ 
went to New York City and became a partner of 
George B. Raynor in the flour, grain and com- 
mission business at No. 129 Broad Street. While 
thus engaged he made numerous business trips 
through the Western States, receiving new im- 
pressions and acquiring ideas that have been of 
material benefit to him in his undertakings. In 
1880 he was elected a member of the Produce 
Exchange, with which he was connected for sev- 
eral years. He was Mr. Raynor's junior partner 
in business from 1886 until December, 1890, 
when he was tendered the position of cashier of 
the Bank of Rockville Center, which he accepted 
and has since satisfactorily filled. 

Mr. Smith has always identified himself with 
every worthy public enterprise and since 1886 
has been one of the school trustees of Freeport. 
On the formation of the board of education in 
1888 he was elected its president, which position 
he has since retained. At that time the school 
property was not considered worth more than 
$3,000, but to-day it is valued at $35,000, and 
twelve teachers are employed. Much of this 
great improvement has been brought about by 
his personal energy and influence. He is presi- 
dent of the Freeport public library, an active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a 
charter member of the Good Templars, and as- 
sociated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 



lows, the American Legion of Honor, Union 
League Club, of Freeport, and the Hempstead 
Bay Yacht Club. He was one of the first to 
project, and assisted in the incorporation of the 
village of Freeport. He also aided in the or- 
ganization and development of the Freeport fire 
department, which is one of the best disciplined 
and equipped departments on the island, and of 
it he served one year as assistant chief. 

June 29, 1892, Mr. Smith married Miss Carrie 
E. Raynor, of Milan, Ohio. Her father, William 
Raynor, who was a native of Freeport, removed 
to Ohio in 1866 and was an extensive ship builder 
there. Mr. Smith is one of the useful citizens of 
the county and his life affords a strong proof of 
what may be done by an honest purpose to make 
the best of one's opportunities. 



ADOLPH D. ROSENTHAL, D. D. S. 
The family of which this prominent citizen 
of Hempstead is a representative, has 
among its members many men of eminence and 
artists of world-wide reputation. In Jewish cir- 
cles it has gained influence and prestige, and 
among all races is honorably known. Those of 
the name who have come to America have at- 
tained positions of prominence in this country, 
both in social and professional circles. Some of 
the family reside in Europe, among them a broth- 
er of the Doctor, who is consul at Munich. 

The father of our subject, Morris Rosenthal, 
was born in Russia, but when quite young was 
taken to Paris, France, and from there, at the 
age of thirteen years, came to America, locating 
in Philadelphia. Early in life he displayed con- 
siderable artistic talent, and this was developed 
until he became a prominent figure in the world 
of art, gaining a reputation that extended not 
only throughout the United States but in Europe 
as well. For several years he was American con- 
sul at Heidelberg, and he has wielded large in- 
fluence in politics as well as in art. He is now 
living in Chicago, retired from the busy labors 
mcident to his professional career. By his 
marriage to Jeanette Ahrndt, a native of Ham- 
burg, he had six children, all of whom are living. 
In Philadelphia, Pa., where he was born De- 
cember I, 1856, the subject of this sketch spent 
his early childhood days. His literary education 
was acquired principally in Fleidelberg during 
his father's consulate there. Returning to the 
United States he entered the Jefiferson Medical 




JOSIAH L. PEARSALL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



667 



College at Philadelphia, from which he gradu- 
ated, and later studied dentistry in the Philadel- 
phia Dental College. For a time he practiced 
medicine in Philadelphia, but in 1883 went to 
New York City, where he commenced the prac- 
tice of dentistry. Soon afterward he came to 
Hempstead, where he opened an office and has 
since attended to professional work, accumu- 
lating a competency through energy, persever- 
ance and judicious investments. 

Interested in local and national politics, Dr. 
Rosenthal gives his support to the principles of 
the Democratic party. For five years he has 
been president of the Democratic Club and he 
has served as chairman of several large Demo- 
cratic conventions. At present he is a member 
of the board of trustees of Hempstead and fills 
the position of treasurer of the Hempstead fire 
department. In social organizations he also takes 
a warm interest. He is district deputy grand 
regent of the Royal Arcanum and district deputy 
supreme master of the Shield of Honor of the 
state of New York. In Masonry he has reached 
the thirty-second degree. He is vice-president 
of the Mutual Benefit Association of the village 
and among the' foremost citizens of the place, 
toward the prosperity of which he has largely 
contributed. In 1883 he married Miss Paulina, 
daughter of J. D. Rosenberg, of New York City, 
and thev have one of the most elegant homes in 
Hempstead. 



JOSIAH L. PEARSALL, proprietor of the 
Orchard House at Roslyn, and superinten- 
dent of the poor of Queens County, was born 
March 4, 1843, i" the village of Roslyn, which has 
always been his home. His father, Jacob Pear- 
sail, was a son of Uriah Pearsall. The latter's 
father was the founder of the family on Long 
Island and an extensive land owner, the village 
of Pearsall's being named in his honor. The old 
homestead is now the property of Treadwell Pear- 
sall, a cousin of our subject. After his marriage 
to Mary Lugar, our subject's father moved to 
Roslyn and engaged in cabinet making, in com- 
pany with Henry Wilson, until his death in 1846. 
He left eight children, namely: Charles H., a 
harness maker at Roslyn; Frances, wife of Kelsie 
Kirkpatrick ; Huldah, who, after the death of her 
first husband, John Murphy, was married to David 
Fenton; George, deceased; Alexander, living in 



Locust Valley; Jeremiah, deceased; Josiah L., 
and Mary J., wife of James Travers of Roslyn. 

Orphaned by his father's death when he was 
only three years old, our subject was reared under 
the supervision of his mother, who was a woman 
of business ability and good judgment. After at- 
tending the common schools for some years, at 
the age of fourteen he began an apprenticeship 
under Robert Hegeman, with whom he remained 
for three years. Afterward he worked at his trade 
with different contractors. Before he was nine- 
teen he married Mrs. Margaret (Monroe) Rey- 
nolds, daughter of Andrew Monroe, and widow 
of George Reynolds. Soon after his marriage he 
enlisted, in February, 1862, as a member of the 
Fifteenth New York Engineers and assisted in 
laying pontoons at Fredericksburg, remaining 
in the service until the close of the war, when he 
v\'as mustered out. 

Returning home, Mr. Pearsall resumed work 
at his trade, which he followed until November, 
1875. In 1874 he was elected road master, serv- 
ing one year, after which he was elected overseer 
of the poor for the town of North Hempstead. 
In 1875 he was elected to the office of superin- 
tendent of the poor for the county of Queens for 
three years. At the expiration of that time the 
office ceasing to be an elective one, he was ap- 
pointed by the board of supervisors for six con- 
secutive years. The office then became an elec- 
tive one, and our subject was elected with an 
overwhelming majority and has repeatedly filled 
the same position up to the present time. In 
1892 he was appointed deputy sheriff and served 
for three years in that capacity-. During his term 
of office he was the recipient of an elegant gold 
badge, set with four diamonds, bearing the words 
"1892-1895. Josiah L. Pearsall, Under Sheriff of 
Queens County," on one side, while on the other 
side was inscribed, "Presented toJosiahL. Pearsall 
by his friends of the town of North Hempstead, 
January 19, 1892." He was also presented with a 
badge by the sheriff as a token of appreciation of 
his services as first deputy sheriff. 

As an official Mr. Pearsall has served the public 
faithfully and well and is entitled to the regard of 
his acquaintances. Politically a Democrat, he 
has been a member of the county central commit- 
tee for twelve years, and has represented his party 
as delegate to the state convention at Saratoga 
and other conventions. He was reared in the 
Methodist faith, but is not directly connected with 
any church. Socially, he is connected with Pro- 



668 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn. In 
1875 he took charge of the Orchard House, which 
he has since conducted, with the exception of one 
year, when he was proprietor of the Mansion 
House. Having no children of their own, he and 
his wife adopted the orphan children of his sister, 
Mrs. Murphy. They are Ida, wife of Joseph Gib- 
son of Brooklyn, and Jennie, who is still at home. 



JOHN F. HAGGERTY. proprietor of the 
Central meat market at Hunter's Point, 
Long Island City, and member of the Rav- 
enswood Boat Club, was born in New York City 
October 19, 1868, being the only child of Patrick 
F. and Annie M. (Hackett) Haggerty. Flis fath- 
er, who for a number of years lived in New York, 
came to Long Island City in 1891 and has since 
resided in Eleventh Street. He is a butcher by 
trade and is now proprietor of the Clinton mar- 
ket on Sixth Avenue and Thirty-ninth Street. 
His wife died in this city June i, 1892. 

The subject of this article was reared in New 
York City and was given good common-school 
advantages, attending Grammar School No. 26, 
from which he graduated in 1883. Then begin- 
ning to work for his father, he gained a knowl- 
edge of the meat business during the six years 
he remained with him as an employe. At the 
age of twenty-one, in 1889, he was taken into 
partnership, and two years later he moved his 
home to Long Island City. Dissolving the part- 
nership with his father in 1893, ^^^ started the 
Central market at No. 56 Jackson Avenue, buy- 
ing out the business of William Woodill. Here 
he has since engaged in the general retail meat 
business with success, and now keeps in use two 
wagons for the delivery of -goods to his custom- 
ers. 

About 1885, soon after the organization of the 
Ravenswood Boat Club, he became a member of 
it and has since been connected with this well 
known organization, having been its lieutenant 
for two years. While stroke oar for the four- 
oared gig crew, they won nearly every race in 
which they engaged, and had the distinction of 
beating nine of the best amateur crews in the 
country at Philadelphia July 4, 1890. The record 
they made then has not since been excelled, ex- 
cept by themselves. Their best record was on 
the Passaic River, in New Jersey, where they es- 
tabished a maximum of eight minutes and nine 
seconds. 



In 1883 Mr. Haggerty became a member of 
the Star Athletic Club and for some years took 
a leading part in wrestling and athletics, being 
for some time the champion of the club both in 
boxing and wrestling. In 1889 he competed for 
the championship of the United States and won 
the distinction in a boxing match in Long Island 
City, defeating a number of men from other 
places. Among his defeated opponents was Bill 
McGarey, of Brooklyn, who for two years had 
been the champion light-weight boxer of the 
United States, having won in a bout in the Metro- 
politan Opera House, New York City. In a four- 
round bout at the Manhattan Athletic Club, New 
York City, Mr. Haggerty won a decided victory 
over the middle-weight champion, Charles Ram- 
mer, of New York. For three years he was a 
member of the Manhattan Athletic Club, and was 
one of the original members of the new Manhat- 
tan Club of New York. 



WILLIAM HARDENBROOK. Within 
the limits of Jamaica there is probably 
no citizen who has met with greater 
success than has rewarded the efforts of Mr. 
Hardenbrook. His prosperity is not the result 
of accident or luck, but has come to him as the 
result of indomitable perseverance, wise sagacity 
and sound judgment, qualities which almost al- 
ways bring their fortunate possessor financial 
success. 

Mr. Hardenbrook, who is one of the wealthy 
residents of this old village, laid out the avenue 
which now bears his name and on which he has 
a beautiful home. He was born in the village of 
Freeport, this county, June 2, 1810, while his 
parents were there visiting friends, although they 
were residents of New York City. His father, 
Philip Hardenbrook, was of German descent and 
a hatter by trade. He did not follow this business 
to any extent, however, as he was the owner of 
considerable New York property and gave most 
of his time to looking after his real estate inter- 
ests. During the latter years of his life his health 
failed and he was advised by his physician to 
take a sea voyage. The vessel on which he took 
passage was lost at sea with all on board. 

Our subject was four or five years of age 
when deprived of the care of his father. The 
maiden name of his mother was Marv Turner. 
She was a native of New York and the greater 
part of her life was spent in Harlem. Beside.* 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



669 



William she had two other sons, Philip and Da- 
vid, both of whom are now deceased. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared and educated in 
Harlem and for a period of thirty years was en- 
gaged in the butcher business thej-e, during which 
time was laid the foundation for his future suc- 
cess in life. As he could spare his means, he in- 
vested in Harlem real estate and as the property 
increased in value, he made good interest on his 
money. Later he became interested in property 
in Jamaica, and in 1869 made his permanent 
residence in this place. 

When locating here Mr. Hardenbrook pur- 
5 chased several acres of land, in which Fulton, 
I now the business street of the village, was in- 
cluded. Within the past few years he has sub- 
divided much of his property into lots and 
opened up Hardenbrook Avenue, which has be- 
come one of the most beautiful residence streets 
in the village. He has not stopped with merely 
opening the street, but has added to its attract- 
iveness by erecting thereon many large and mod- 
ern dwellings, which he never fails to dispose of 
as soon as it is learned they are for sale. Prob- 
ably there is no other citizen Of Jamaica whose 
name is connected with more progressive enter- 
prises or whose efforts have more largely pro- 
moted the material progress of the place than 
Mr. Hardenbrook. Although now past eighty- 
five years of age, he is quite active and maintains 
a general oversight of his large property inter- 
ests. 

In 1845 William Hardenbrook and Miss Hen- 
rietta Loper were united in marriage. The lat- 
ter was born in Brooklyn, of which city her par- 
ents were substantial and prominent residents. 
In the fall of 1895 they celebrated their golden 
wedding, at which time a large concourse of old- 
time friends and acquaintances gathered at their 
beautiful home in Hardenbrook Avenue and 
offered their congratulations. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there 
were born eight children, six sons and two 
daughters, bearing the respective names of 
Philip, Isaac, William, David L., Frederick, 
Harry, Ida, and M'yra. Isaac is one of the prom- 
nent physicians of Jamaica; David L., aside from 
looking after .his father's large interests in this 
place, is engaged in the real estate business on 
his own account, having an office in New York 
City, Brooklyn, and Jamaica. Frederick is pur- 
suing his studies in Harvard College. The elder 
daughter, Ida, married Theodore B. Willis, a 



hardware merchant of Brooklyn and commis- 
sioner of public works, and the other daughter 
is unmarried and at home with her parents. 
Harrjr departed this life when twenty-eight years 
of age, leaving a wife, who has since married. 

Prior to the late war our subject voted for 
Democratic candidates. Now, however, he is a 
stanch supporter of Republican principles and 
candidates. 



CHARLIE HEINBOCKEL, whose home 
is at Woodside, is manager of the Con- 
sumers' Brewing Company, of Brooklyn, 
in which he owns the controlling interest. As his 
name indicates, he is a German, and was born 
in Hanover in March, 1847. His parents were 
Henry and Maggie (Engelke) Heinbockel, and 
their household included four members besides 
Charlie, who was the youngest born. Diederich 
is his only son, besides our subject, now living. 

Henry Heinbockel was born in the year 1814 
in Hanover, where he was trained to mature 
years. After obtaining his education he learned 
the trade of a butcher, which he followed success- 
fully until his death, when sixty-seven years of 
age. At all times he gave his close and undivided 
attention to his business and the purchaser was 
always sure to find first-class goods at his mar- 
ket and receive courteous treatment. 

Our subject acquired his education in the high 
schools of Germany and when eighteen years of 
age bade farewell to his relatives and friends and 
emigrated to America, landing in New York City 
August 21, 1865. He found no difficulty in se- 
curing a position, and for the first three months 
was employed by Fisher & Bro., distillers. Later 
he went to work for his brother, John F., who was 
at that time engaged in the wholesale liquor busi- 
ness on the corner of Fulton and Hicks Streets, 
Brooklyn, and three years later accepted the 
agency of the Charles C. Clausen Brewery of 
New York, his territory being Kings County. 
After some five years spent in the employ of this ' 
company he resigned, transferring his allegiance 
to the Henry Clausen Sons Brewing Company, 
and acting as their Kings County agent for sev- 
enteen years. 

In 1890 Mr. Heinbockel became one of the 
leading spirits in the organization of the North 
American Brewing Company of Brooklyn, of 
which he was made president. After two years 
he disposed of his interest in this concern and es- 



67- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tablished the Consumers' Brewing Company, also 
of that city, of which he owns the controUing in- 
terest and is general manager. 

In 1873 Mr. Heinbockel was married to Miss 
Anna. Roggenkamp. a native of Germany. Their 
union was blessed by the birth of two children, 
of whom John F. is the only survivor. He is a 
brig'ht young man of twenty years and is at pres- 
ent acting in the capacity of bookkeeper for the 
brewing company. Our subject is a Mason of 
high standing, belonging to Allemania Lodge 
No. 740, F. & A. M., of Brooklyn. He is also a 
Knight of Honor, and holds membership with 
Allemania Lodge No. 21 14. Tlie Knights of 
Pythias claim him as one of the influential mem- 
bers and he has been associated with Manhattan 
Lodge No. 130 for some time. For a period of 
eleven years he was captain and is now major of 
the Brooklyn E. D. Schuetzen Company. He be- 
longs to the Lamsteder Society of New York 
and the Piatt Deutclier Volkfest Verein of Brook- 
lyn, of which he was one of the organizers, and 
for two years its president. Mr. Heinbockel was 
also instrumental in the building of the new Ger- 
man hospital in St. Nicholas Avenue, Brooklyn, 
and is one of the board of directors. He is quite 
a musician and meets with the Arion Singing So- 
ciety of Long Island City. In the volunteer fire 
department of Corona he is assistant foreman, 
and in various other ways aids in promoting the 
best interests of his county. A true Christian 
gentleman he is a worthy member of St. Paul's 
German Lutheran Church of Brooklyn. Politi- 
cally he is independent in his views and is not 
tied to any particular body of platform. 



F 



RANCIS F.WILSON. The value of a cit- 
izen to any community is not marked 
merely by his learning or the success which 
has attended his efforts in his business or profes- 
sional undertakings but also by his character in 
public and private life, his honorable adherence 
to all that is good and pure, by his personal in- 
tegrity, and by the interest he has taken in the 
welfare of his section. An honorable and public 
spirited resident of Rockville Center is Francis 
F. Wilson, who has made his home here for many 
years. Mr. Wilson is a native of Brooklyn, N. 
Y., born in 1844., and a son of James L. and Jane 
M. (Humphries) Wilson, both natives of New 
York City. The father was a sea-captain on the 
old Black Ball Line, which he served for many 



years, or up to the time of his death in 1854. He 
was a man who attended strictly to his business 
and whose uprightness and honesty were well 
known. His wife preceded him to the grave, 
dying in 1847, wjien Francis was but three years 
old. 

The youthful days of our subject were passed 
in New York City, and he graduated from Col- 
umbia College of that city in 1865. While in col- 
lege Mr. Wilson was a member of the Twent)^- 
second Regiment, New York State Militia, and 
during the Civil War this regiment was called out 
for three months' service, and later for thirty days' 
service. Subsequently he enlisted in Company 
A, Thirty-seventh New Jersey Volunteer Infan- 
try, and was mustered in at Trenton in 1864, serv- 
ing four months, the term of his enlistment. Dur- 
ing his career as a soldier he participated in the 
siege of Petersburg and several skirmishes, and 
was mustered out a non-commissioned officer. 
Returning from the war to New York City he 
entered Anthon Grammar School of that place as 
assistant teacher, and served in that capacity and 
vice-principal for twelve years. 

Some time later 'Mr. Wilson opened a college 
preparatory school in the Empire City at No. 622 
Fifth Avenue, and has conducted the same from 
that time up to the present. His reputation as 
an educator is well known and firmly established. 
In the year 1882 he removed to Rockville Center 
and has made his home in this thriving village 
since. He came here with the thought of spend- 
ing about three months, but, seeing the need of 
improvements, decided to locate permanently, 
and has since been identified with evers^ public 
enterprise of importance. Always deeply inter- 
ested in educational matters, his first and main 
step was to build up the school, which was car- 
ried on in an ordinary wooden structure of one 
room, where sixty or seventy pupils were accom- 
modated. Owing to his perseverance there is 
now a commodious $18,000 structure in use. 
There is also in process of erection a $15,000 
building, and the two buildings will require the 
services of eighteen teachers. 

Mr. Wilson has been persistent in his eflforts 
and is justly proud of his success. He is also one 
of the founders of the Episcopal Church at Rock- 
ville Center and put a motion on foot to erect the 
present edifice, which cost $7,000. He has also 
established an iron fencing business at this place, 
which is known as the eastern branch of the Ohio 
Fence Company, and which is carried on by his 



i 




J. ADRIAN DITMIS. 




JOHN DITMIS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



675 



sons, Francis F., Jr., and Frederick L. Mr. Wil- 
son lias a commodious residence in the village of 
Rockville Center, presided over by his estimable 
wife, formerly Miss Sarah Marsh, daughter of 
William R. Marsh. Of their marriage, which was 
solemnized in 1865, four children survive: Fran- 
cis F., Jr., Enid, Helen Louise and Frederick L. 
The family are identified with the Episcopal 
Church and Mr. Wilson is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. Although not an active 
politician, he is a progressive citizen and has 
served as president of the board of education 
since 1884. He is president of the public library 
of Rockville Center and was one of the first direc- 
tors of the Bank of Rockville Center, and is a 
director in the same at the present time. 



J ADRIAN DITMIS is a member of an 
old family of Queens County, whose rep- 
• resentatives for successive generations 
have been known for their ability as financiers and 
agriculturists. The farm which he owns is one of 
the best cultivated in the town of Jamaica and 
the valuable improvements to be found upon it 
have been placed there under his immediate 
supervision since he became the owner. An air 
of thrift pervades the place and speaks much for 
his intelligent oversight of the property. 

The father of our subject, Dow I. Ditmis, was 
for years one of the respected residents of this 
community and was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits throughout life. An account of his life, as 
well as a sketch of that of his father, John Ditmis, 
will be found in the biography of George O. Dit- 
mis, brother of J. Adrian of this sketch. Our 
subject was born in Manhasset, L. I., December 
31, 1824, and was a child of six years when his 
parents settled upon the farm, a portion of which 
he now owns and occupies. As regularly as pos- 
sible he attended the schools taught in this dis- 
trict and also was a student in Union Hall Acad- 
emy at Jamaica. By the careful perusal of good 
books and periodicals he has become well in- 
formed along general lines of thought. On the 
death of his father a portion of the estate fell to 
him, and this he has since cultivated with marked 
success. 

Although at all times interested in the growth 
and development of the town of Jamaica, Mr. 
Ditmis has never sought to hold office, prefer- 
ring to give his undivided attention to his pri- 
vate afiairs. Politically he generally supports 
27 



the candidates of the Republican party. He is 
a strong believer in the idea of protection for 
American industries, which platlorm furnishes 
the keynote of prosperity among our working- 
men. In religious connection he is a member 
of the Reformed Church at Queens and holds the 
office of an elder in the congregation. 

The marriage of Mr. Ditmis to Miss Helen 
W. Stoothoff of Jamaica took place June i, 1859, 
and was one of mutual happiness and helpfulness 
until the death of the wife, October 29, 1868. 
Two children blessed their union, of whom Sarah 
C. remains with her father, presiding over the 
old homestead; Helen W. married Charles Van- 
der\feer, a farmer owning a pleasant home on 
the plank road in the town of Jamaica, and they 
have two children, Sarah and Charles. 

Accompanying this sketch will be found, in 
connection with the portrait of our subject, that 
of his brother, John Ditmis, who was a life-long 
resident of the home farm, and after arriving at 
mature years made his home with J. Adrian. He 
died, unmarried, January 14, 1893. 



FRANK ELLSWORTH HAFF, superin- 
tendent of stations and general car agent 
of the Long Island Railroad Company, 
now makes his home in Hunter's Point. May 10, 
1862, he was born in Islip, Suffolk County, where 
his father, Capt. Albert S. Haff, was also born. 
Grandfather Henry Coleman Haff was also a sea 
captain and like his son and grandson was born 
in Suffolk County. He was the owner of a vessel 
and was engaged in the coasting trade for many 
years. He was lost with his vessel, which was 
wrecked at Port Royal, off the coast of North 
Carolina, in July, 1842. 

The Haff family was first represented in this 
countr_Y by four brothers who came from Hol- 
land early in the eighteenth century, and made 
settlement in the southern portion of New York 
City. Capt. Henry C. Haff married Miss Eme- 
line, daughter of Henry Clock, of Islip. His 
father, the great-grandfather of our subject, was 
also born in Suffolk County, where he followed 
farming all his life. Capt. Flenry C. Haff, brother 
of Capt. Albert S., is known all over America and 
Europe as the captain of the yacht "Defender;" 
he makes his home at Islip. 

The father of our subject passed the first nine 
years of his life in Islip, and then carried on a 
farm for four vears. When a lad of thirteen he 



676 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



went to sea as cook and worked his way up from 
the humble position to be owner of a vessel At 
one time he was commander of a g-overnment 
boat which landed troops at Port Royal. His 
winters were spent in the coasting trade, but dur- 
ing the summer months he had charge of yachts, 
many of them his own. His first yacht which 
was successful in a race was named "Eva," while 
the "Evelvn" was equally successful in the two 
races in which she was entered. After many 
years spent before the mast Capt. Albert S. Haf? 
retired from this kind of life, and in December, 
1890, removed to Long Island City and became 
policeman in the depot of the railroad company. 
After holding- this position for three years he 
was made doorkeeper. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Miss Sarah 
Wade, a native of New Jersey, was of Scotch and 
English descent. The parental family comprised 
three sons, namely: Frank E., of this history; 
Albert S., Jr., a resident of Babylon; and Selah 
S., who makes his home in Long Island City. 
The father of this family, after retiring from life 
on the sea, became prominent in public affairs, 
and while living in Islip was constable for one 
year. Socially he was a mason of high rank, be- 
longing to Meridian Lodge No. 691, of Islip. 

Frank E., of this history, was given a good 
education, attending the public schools of his 
native place until about nineteen years of age. 
He then entered the employ of the Long Island 
Railroad Company as telegraph operator, being 
stationed first at Babylon, and six months later 
was removed to Islip, where the duties of agent 
were added to his other charge. Four years 
thereafter he came to Long Island City as chief 
clerk in the roadway department, holding this 
position until 1889, when he became secretary to 
the general superintendent. In the year 1891 
he was appointed general car agent, and in 1893 
was made superintendent of stations, both of 
which positions he is filling most acceptably at 
the present time. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Ursula, 
daughter of G. S. and Ursula Taylor, occurred in 
Babylon in 1885. Mr. Taylor is one of the prom- 
inent residents of Babylon, where for many years 
he has been engaged in the manufacture of mould- 
ings and mill material. Their union has resulted 
in the birth of two sons, Raymond Ellsworth and 
Frank Ellsworth, Jr. 

Politically Mr. Flaff is a true-blue Republican, 
and has been a member of the general committee. 



He belongs to the New York Railroad Club, the 
International Association of Car Accountants, has 
been a member of the committee of management 
of the Mutual Relief Association of Long Island 
Railroad Employes for the past six years and is 
connected with the Long Island Railroad Branch 
of Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion, of which he is chairman. Mr. Haff is also 
a working member of the East Avenue Baptist 
Church, although by faith he is a Presbyterian. 
There being no denomination of that kind here 
he has united with the Baptist Church and does 
what he can to further the good work in this com- 
munity. While residing in Islip he was superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school. With his family 
he resides in a very pleasant home at No. 170 
Eleventh Street and is very justly regarded as 
one of the prominent residents of Hunter's Point. 



BENJAMIN WOOLLEY, who is one of the 
well-to-do and influential farmers of Little 
Neck, comes of one of the earliest families 
on Long Island, and was born at Great Neck in 
December, 1828. As one of the oldest residents 
of the town of Flushing, he receives and deserves 
the respect of a large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. 

Our subject is the son of John and Jane (Peters) 
Woolley, to whom there were granted four chil- 
dren, and of these Benjamin and Susan J., who 
is still single, are the only survivors. John Wool- 
ley was also born at Great Neck, and spent his 
entire life upon the farm where our subject first 
saw the light. He was one of the substantial 
farmers of this locality and during his last years 
enjoyed to the fullest extent the fruits of an hon- 
est, hardworking and uprig-ht life. His good wife 
survived him many years, living to be nearly one 
hundred years old, and retained the full posses- 
sion of all her faculties. 

The subject of this sketch attended the schools 
which were taught near his home, and by apply- 
ing himself constantly to his studies became well 
informed. He remained at home with his par- 
ents, assisting in operating the farm until nine- 
teen years of age, when he established a home of 
his own. He was married to Miss Margaretta 
Allen and the young couple began life together 
on the farm in Little Neck, which has since been 
in the possession of Mr. Woolley. It contains 
fifty-six acres and is most beautifully located, 
overlooking the bay and sound. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



677 



On the death of his first wife our subject chose 
for his companion Miss Mary W. Hewlett, their 
marriage occurring in 1880. She is a most esti- 
mable lady and, like her worthy husband, is well 
educated. Mr. Woolley is a warm advocate of 
Republican principles and never lets an oppor- 
tunity pass when he can cast a vote in support 
of its candidates. Both himself and wife are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church, and are very justly 
classed among the best residents of the county. 



LOUIS MULOT, M. D. The profession of 
the physician and surgeon is one that has 
drawn to it at all periods of its history the 
brightest and most upright of men, and prom- 
inent in this respect is Dr. Louis Mulot, whose 
cheerful confidence in the sick-room is often as 
potent as his medicines, and he is at all times a 
student in his profession, ever grasping after new 
truths in science. He keeps himself thoroughly 
posted in his profession, his diagnoses being al- 
most instantaneous and very seldom incorrect. 
Since the year 1872 he has been practicing in 
Long Island City and is one of the oldest and 
most successful physicians here. The Doctor 
was born in Germany May i8, 1820, and comes of 
old French Huguenot stock, his ancestors being 
obliged to leave France on account of religious 
persecutions. 

The parents of our subject, Ettigen George 
and Elizabeth (Bouchat) Mulot, were natives of 
Germany and of prominent Huguenot families 
there. The former followed the hatter's trade, 
and both he and his wife were members of the 
Lutheran Church. Mrs. Mulct's father, Jean 
Bouchat, Avas a French Huguenot, and for many 
years followed the hatter's trade. During the 
latter part of their lives Mr. and Mrs. Mulot came 
to America, made their homes with our subject, 
and both died in New York City when seventy- 
,six years old. 

Our subject, the only child of his parents, was 
reared in Rodenburg, Germany, received his pri- 
mary education in the schools of that city, and 
when sixteen years old entered the Universit}- 
of Marburg, where he completed the classical 
course. Following that he entered the medical 
department of that institution and was in his 
senior year when the revolution of 1848 occurred. 
Rather than be subject to military duty, he left his 
studies and crossed the ocean to New York City, 
where he landed in Tune of that year. He imme- 



diately entered the medical department of the 
University of New York City and graduated with 
the degree of M. D. in 1852. Afterward he con- 
tinued to practice his profession in the Empire 
City, on the east side of St. Mark's Place, until 
1872, when he located in Long Island City, at 
No. 8 North Henry Street. 

In 1875, when Mrs. Ottendorfur started her 
Isabella Home for Old Ladies, Dr. Mulot was 
made the house physician and continued as such 
until 1889, when he removed this institution to 
New York City. Since his residence here the 
Doctor has been engaged in the general practice 
of his profession and has met with more than 
ordinary success, having built up an extensive 
practice. He was a member of the New York 
Medico-Legal Society, and for one term was 
health officer of Long Island City. Socially he 
is a member of the Germania Lodge No. 182, 
K. T., of New York City, and is a charter mem- 
ber of Enterprise Lodge No. 769, K. P., Astoria. 
He is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church 
at Astoria, and in politics is an ardent supporter 
of Democratic principles. 

Dr. Mulot was married in New York City in 
1864 to Miss Martha Hortmeyer, born near Stutt- 
gart, Germany, and the daughter of John W. 
B. Hortmeyer, who was a business man of New 
York, and who came of a wealthy German fam- 
ily. He died in Brooklyn when eighty-six years 
old. To Dr. and Mrs. Mulot have been born 
two children, Emil I., a druggist in Tama City, 
Iowa, and Otto Louis, a graduate of the medical 
department of the University of New York and 
now a prominent practitioner of Long Island 
City. 



ALEXANDER GRADY, foreman of Hook 
and Ladder Company No. 2, of Long Is- 
land City, is one of the oldest firemen in 
the city, being the first foreman appointed here. 
He is well known for his bravery and fearlessness 
in time of danger and his many narrow escapes 
from death seem only to have made him the 
more daring. Mr. Grady is a native of New Jer- 
sey, born in Lambertville, Hunterdon County, 
October 15, 1853, and the son of Patrick and 
Mary Grady, the latter of whom died in New 
Jersey early in life. Four children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Grady, but of these only our sub- 
ject and his sister, Catherine Wright, now sur- 
vive. After the death of his wife Mr. Gradv mar- 



678 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ried again, but the onl}- child born of this union 
is now deceased. Mr. Grady was a contractor 
for tar roofing and for many years resided in 
Trenton, N. J. He carried on business until his 
death, on the nth of April, 1895, when seventy- 
two years old. 

Our subject grew to mature years in his native 
state, receiving the rudiments of an education in 
Lambertville, but finished in Trenton, where he 
had good educational advantages. He was ap- 
prenticed to a pressed brick maker until 1877, 
and on the 9th of August of that year he came to 
Long Island City, where he entered the employ 
of the Standard Oil Company, holding a position 
in the refining department. Later he resigned 
this to enter the fire department as fireman. He 
assisted in organizing Engine No. 5, and early m 
1890 was elected its first foreman, holding that 
position until it disbanded. In 1891, when the 
fire department was organized, he was appointed 
foreman of Engine No. i, on the 12th of Febru- 
ary, and was the first foreman appointed in the 
department. He was first foreman of Engine 
Company No. i at No. 24 Vernon Avenue, and 
held that until No. i engine was taken to its new 
quarters, No. 103 Jackson Avenue. He remained 
there until transferred to Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany No. 2, February i, 1895. He devotes all 
his time to the fire department. Socially he is a 
member of the American Firemen, Long Island 
City Council No. 17, and is also in the benevo- 
lent association of the same. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 



FREDERICK LEVENSON GREEN is a 
member of the firm of Green & Son and is 
one of the most popular young business 
men of Astoria, Long Island City, L. I. His 
father, John Green, was a native of London, Eng- 
land, and there grew to mature years. He first 
started out for himself as clerk in the perfumery 
house of Price & Co., and the business was con- 
ducted on the site of the present headquarters of 
the Royal Insurance Company, London, but had 
no connection with that company. 

In 1866 the father came to America with his 
family, all except our subject, and settled in As- 
toria, L. I., and he engaged in the general insur- 
ance business, first with the Lancashire Com- 
pany, but later with the Royal, remaining with 
the latter until his death, in New York City, in 
1892. He was a member of St. George's Society 



and was but fifty-four years old at the time of 
his death. He started the business which his son 
now carries on in 1873, in connection with the 
Astoria business, and it has been carried on very 
successfully since. His cousin, E. H. Oldfield, is 
a noted and very popular man and is decorator 
for Queen Victoria. The father of our subject 
was vestryman in the Church of the Redeemer, 
Astoria, L. I., for some time. He married Miss 
Elizabeth J. Green, who, though bearing the same 
name, was not a relative. She was born in Lon- 
don, England, and three of their five children are 
living at the present time. Arthur is in the em- 
ploy of the Royal Insurance Company, and Har- 
old G. is attending school. 

Frederick L. Green was born in London, Eng- 
land, May 5, 1865, and in 1869 he joined his par- 
ents in Astoria, L. I. He secured his education 
in Trinity School, New York City, and gradu- 
ated from that institution in 1880, when fifteen 
years old. He then began working for his father, 
commencing at the bottom, and by his excellent 
business acumen and upright career soon reached 
the top. In 1889, on account of his fathers ill 
health, young Green assumed charge of the busi- 
ness. 

Disposing of the Astoria branch to Mr. Thomp- 
son, who had been with his father for ten years, 
our subject took charge of the New York office, 
and now represents eight of the most prominent 
companies in the world, viz.: Royal, Hartford, 
Insurance Company of North America, British 
America, Western of Toronto, Agricultural of 
New York, Security of New Haven, Conn., and 
Broadway of New York. Mr. Green has very 
pleasant offices at No. 152 East Twenty-third 
Street and devotes all his time to this business, 
which is steadily growing under his able and con- 
servative management, and sustains a high rep- 
utation in the community. His long and success- 
ful career speaks volumes in favor of the busi- 
ness, and recommends it more highly than mere 
words ever can. 

Mr. Green was married in Astoria, in the 
Church of the Redeemer, by the rector, Dr. Coop- 
er, to Miss Blanche Field, a native of Boston, 
i\Iass., and daughter of Floyd T. Field, who is 
now government ofificial of New York City. Her 
grandfather, Robert Field, was for years vice- 
president of the Bowery Savings Bank and presi- 
dent of the board of directors of the Mer- 
chants and Traders Bank of New York. Mr. 
Green is a member of Hook and Ladder 




GEORGE W. BERGEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



68 1 



Company No. i and was its secretary for 
some time. In 1896 he received the appointment 
of fire commissioner. He is also a member of the 
American Legion of Honor, of which he was 
secretary for some time, and is vestryman in the 
Church of the Redeemer. He was one of the first 
boys in the vested choir of that church when it 
was first started, and remained there for fifteen 
years. He has much more than ordinary musical 
ability and for three years had charge of the choir. 
For two years he was solo tenor in All Angels 
Church, New York. In 1882 he made a trip to 
London, England, and made a business trip there 
again in 1894. 



GEORGE W. BERGEN. The wholesale 
and retail grocery trade occupies a very 
important position in the commerce of a 
thriving city, because this department of business 
includes nearly every necessary article of food, 
among which are the products of almost every 
country in the world. One of the prominent and 
popular business men of Freeport, L. I., is George 
W. Bergen, who is engaged in the wholesale gro- 
cery business in Brooklyn, N. Y., under the firm 
name of Valentine, Bergen & Co. The members 
of this firm are leading business men of that city, 
and the large establishment is carried on by 
George P. Bergen, the son of our subject. Mr. 
Valentine is now deceased. 

George W. Bergen was born on the present site 
of Brooklyn, in 1814, and is a son of John and 
Johanna (Wycoff) Bergen, natives of Long Is- 
land, where most of their lives were passed. The 
father, who was a tiller of the soil, spent a number 
of years in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, dying in 
the latter state. He was a quiet, well respected 
citizen. His estimable wife died in Long Island. 
During his early life George W. Bergen had lim- 
ited educational advantages. From the age of 
fifteen to seventeen he resided with an uncle at 
New Lots, now a part of Brooklyn. At the latter 
age he was employed as clerk in the wholesale and 
retail grocery house of Thomas Carman, which 
was located in Fulton Street, nearly opposite the 
present store of Valentine, Bergen & Co. He 
was with this firm nearly two years. Later, in 
1835, he and his brother engaged in the grocery 
business in that city, but one year later George 
sold out and went to Vicksburg, Miss., where he 
engaged in the retail grocery business with a 
brother who was located there. Eighteen months 



later Mr. Bergen withdrew from the firm and in 
1838 returned to Brooklyn, where he purchased 
the business of Thomas Carman, who subse- 
quently became his father-in-law. 

This business has since been successfully con- 
ducted under the firm name of Valentine, Bergen 
& Co. It is one of the leading wholesale enter- 
prises in Brooklyn and is carried on by George P. 
Bergen since the death of Mr. Valentine. While 
quite active for his years, our subject only visits 
his place of business two or three times a week. 
He came to Freeport in 1869, previous to which 
he had made his home in Brooklyn for many 
years. His home in Freeport is a beautiful one 
and is kept in a most exemplary condition by his 
excellent wife, formerly Miss Susan Carman, 
daughter of Thomas Carman, who was a promi- 
nent citizen of Freeport. Mr. and Mrs. Bergen 
celebrated their nuptials in 1838, and four children 
were born to this union. Those living are Eliza- 
beth C, wife of Horace D. Badger of Brooklyn; 
George P., a citizen of Freeport and his father's 
partner in business; and Anna V., wife of Horace 
Secor, Jr., who is a prominent attorney of New 
York City, but a resident of Freeport. One son, 
Charles M., is deceased. 

. Mr. and Mrs. Bergen are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church, in which he is a trustee and an 
elder. In politics he has been a life-long Repub- 
lican and in the '70s was elected county treasurer 
of Queens County, which responsible position he 
filled in a most efficient manner for three years. 
He is a director of the Brooklyn City Railroad 
Company, the Dime Savings Bank and the Brook- 
lyn Bank, the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company 
of New York and Brooklyn, and the only origin- 
al director now on the board, also a director in 
the Nassau Fire Insurance Company of Brooklyn. 
He has ever been upright and conscientious in 
business matters, has been unusually prosperous, 
and is richer and better for the experience that 
each decade has brought him. 



M- 



ARTIN FLEISCHER, JR. In all ages 
of the world industry, perseverance and 
energy, where intelligently applied, have 
achieved results which could only have been 
gained by having one end in view, and by im- 
proving every opportunity of ultimately attaining 
that object. Mr. Fleischer is an example of what 
can be accomplished when the spirit of determin- 
ation is exercised in connection with the every- 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



day affairs of life. He is at present a member of 
the board of health, and although young in years, 
takes a prominent place among the representa- 
tive men of the county. He was born in New 
York City in 1862, and is a son of Martin Fleisch- 
er, Sr., who was born on the Rhine, in Germany, 
and who now lives retired in New York City, 
where he was a prominent furniture dealer. Dur- 
ing the Civil War he was in the Fifth New York 
Volunteers, and was wounded while in service. 
The grandfather, George Fleischer, came to 
America at an early date and died from an acci- 
dent when eighty-seven years old. The mother 
of our subject, Elenora (Vogel) Fleischer, was 
also a native of Germany. 

Of the eight children comprising the parental 
family, seven are living at the present time. Mar- 
tin, the fifth in order of birth, was thoroughly 
educated in the schools of New York City, and 
when twelve years old began learning the piano 
maker's trade with Decker Brothers. He finished 
his trade with the J. & C. Fischer piano works 
and subsequently began working in the varnish- 
ing department of the piano works of E. H. Mc- 
Keown as contractor and superintendent. After- 
wards the business came under the control of S. 
T. Gordon and he continued with him as super- 
intendent for some time. Later he became var- 
nish contractor" for the Kroeger Company, and 
was thus occupied until January, 1896. For the 
past twenty years he has been connected with 
piano works. 

In the month of April, 1889, Mr. Fleischer 
moved to Long Island City, and in 1894 bought 
a fine place in Ninth Avenue. He was married 
in New York City to Miss Margaret Nicolai, a 
native of New York City, and the daughter of 
Edward Nicolai, who was born in Prussia and 
who was an iron worker by trade. Fie died in 
New York City. His wife, formerly Miss Eva 
Reib, was born on the Rhine and now resides in 
New York City. To Mr. and Mrs. Fleischer 
were born si.x children, four of whom are living 
at the present time, viz.: George, Eva, Edward 
and Wilhelmina. In the year 1893 Mr. Fleischer 
was appointed a memljer of the board of health 
by Mayor Sanford. liis term expired in Alarch, 
1895, and he was reappointed for three years. 
He is a member of the Catholic Benevolent 
Legion of Long Island City, and of the Knights 
and Ladies of Honor, Concordia Lodge No. 290, 
New York City. Mrs. Fleischer has also been 
a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor 



for eight years and is a lady of more than ordi- 
nary attainments. Mr. Fleischer is a firm be- 
liever in the principles of the Democratic party 
and takes an active part in its affairs. He is a 
member of the Democratic general committee of 
Long Island City and was a delegate to the city 
convention. 



JUDGE JOHN MAYNARD KISSAM, of 
Queens, justice of the peace, notary public, 
collector of the school board and treasurer 
of the Queens fire department, is recognized as 
one of the successful young business men of the 
county, and while he is being prospered from a 
personal standpoint, his views are so broad that 
every just and commendable enterprise having in 
view the material and moral welfare of the com- 
munity meets with all the encouragement it is in 
his power to grant. 

The third in order of birth among six children, 
the subject of this notice was born in the town of 
Flushing August 15, 1865, being a son of John 
R. and E. Amanda (Remsen) Kissam. His sur- 
viving sisters and brothers are as follows: Elea- 
nor A., widow of Wright P. Foster, and mother 
of one child; Carrie Ethel; Richard A.; and Wil- 
liam A., a student of the New York Law College. 
The father, also a native of the town of Flushing, 
grew to manhood upon a farm here and choosing 
the calling with which he was most familiar, en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits for some years. 
In 1875 he came to Queens, where he has since 
lived in retirement from active business cares. 

After completing the studies of the common 
school at Queens, our subject entered Brown's 
College in Brooklyn, where he remained until 
graduating, in 1882. Later he accepted a position 
with the Imperial Insurance Company of New 
York, but in January, 1886, severed his connec- 
tion with that concern in order to accept a posi- 
tion with the Lancashire Insurance Company. 
January i, 1889, he resigned that position and 
soon afterward formed a partnership with George 
W. Douglas, the two carrying on an insurance 
business in New York. The partnership, how- 
ever, was dissolved in October of the same year, 
and he returned to Queens, the home of his par- 
ents, but continued in business in New York, 
where he had an office at No. 1 1 Pine Street. In 
1893 he opened a real estate and insurance office 
in Queens, and has since divided his time between 
his office here and that in New York City. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



683 



There is probably no citizen of Queens who 
takes a more active part in its local affairs than 
does the subject of this sketch. In July, 1891, 
he was made a member of the school board. Two 
years later he was appointed notary pubhc under 
Roswell P. Flower, and in 1894 he was chosen on 
the Republican ticket to fill the office of justice of 
the peace. In spite of the fact that the town is 
strongly Democratic and the office was unsought 
by him, he was elected by a majority of nine hun- 
dred and thirty-five, while the head of the ticket 
was defeated. In January, 1894, he was elected 
to the office of treasurer of the Queens fire de- 
partment. 

Socially Judge Kissam is a member of. the 
Masonic fraternity, the Royal Arcanum and the 
Shield of Honor Lodge, of which he is past mas- 
ter. In 1894 he organized the Queens Council 
of the Legion of Honor and was elected to fill 
the chair of commander; at present he is serving 
as past commander. A lover of all sports, he is 
manager of the Queens Athletic Club, which is 
a flourishing institution. His activity, keen fore- 
sight, tenacity of purpose and skill in carrying 
out his plans, have made him successful in life, 
and in no small degree have contributed to the 
material prosperity of the village and town. He 
has shown much enterprise in his affairs and is 
prudent and cautious in his dealings, but at the 
same time energetic and wide-awake in all his 
transactions. His excellent citizenship, his in- 
terest in all that will tend to promote the material 
prosperity and the intellectual status of society, 
make him a valued member of the community in 
which he wields a decided influence. 



GEORGE WIGLE, a contractor and build- 
er at Mineola, was born in Byron, Ger- 
many, in 1 86 1, being a son of John and 
Barbara (Wigle) Wigle. After the death of his 
father, he accompanied his widowed mother to 
the United States and settled at Bloomingdale, 
N. Y., but after a short sojourn there they moved 
to Valley Stream, Queens County. In that place 
she was again married, becoming the wife of 
Anthony Ernst. By her first union she had only 
one child, while of her second marriage two 
daughters were born, Teresa and Annie, Mrs. 
John S. Lipps. 

In 1883 the subject of this sketch entered upon 
a three years' apprenticeship with Charles Mar- 
shall of Washington Square, and for a number 



of years after the expiration of his term of ser- 
vice he followed his trade. In 1888 he came to 
Mineola, where he has gradually worked up an 
extensive business as a contractor and builder, 
his patronage not being limited to this village, 
but covering a territory of forty miles around. 
Among his important contracts were a large 
residence for E. D. Warren at East Williston 
and the grand stand on the Mineola fair ground. 
The number of his employes varies with the 
amount of work on hand, and at times he has as 
many as sixty men on his force. Through his 
efficient discharge of every duty, he has earned 
the reputation of doing thorough and first-class 
work. It is always his desire to satisfy the other 
party to the contract, and he spares no pains to 
have the results in every detail accurate and neat. 
Politically Mr. Wigle gives his vote to the 
Democratic party. He is identified with the Odd 
Fellows, belonging to Protection Lodge No. 151. 
In the Royal Arcanum at Floral Park he is a 
charter and active member, and also trustee. 
Since 1891 he has been connected with the 
Mineola Hook and Ladder Company, No. i. In 
March, 1884, he was united in marriage with 
Mary F., daughter of J. C. Keisel, of Franklin 
Square. Their family consists of four children: 
George C, J. Alex, Anna L. and John S. 



JOHN P. VAN WICKEL was born August 
4, 1862, in the house at Corona where he 
still makes his home. On the paternal side 
he is of Holland-Dutch descent, being a member 
of a family honorably known in that country. 
His great-grandfather. David Van Wickel, with 
two brothers, immigrated from Holland to Amer- 
ica, one setthng in New Jersey, one in Connecti- 
cut, and David taking up his abode on Long 
Island, where he married Dorothy Leverich Mc- 
Donough. His life occupation was that of a 
farmer, and he owned land now included within 
the central portion of Corona. 

The father of our subject, John Van Wickel, 
was a lifelong resident of Newtown (now called 
Corona) and was a man well and favorably known 
throughout the community. At one time he was 
a member of the local militia, but as a rule he did 
not participate actively in public affairs, his retir- 
ing disposition rendering him averse to promi- 
nence. He was greatly interested in religious 
and educational matters, and for thirty years was 
treasurer and collector for the public school. 



684 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The policy adopted by the Republican party 
always i-eceived his co-operation and warm alle- 
giance, and he invariably cast his ballot for candi- 
dates on that ticket. In youth he attended the 
Episcopal Church and was reared in that faith, 
but later, at its inception, he became identified 
with the Union Evangelical Church, in which he 
served as elder and trustee until his death in July, 
1892, at the age of seventy. His wife, Elizabeth 
Mander Patterson, a native of England, came to 
America with her parents and other members of 
her family and settled in New York City. She 
later removed to Newtown, where she met and 
was married to John Van Wickel. 

The eldest of three children, our subject spent 
his bovhood years in Corona, where he attended 
the public schools until completing the course of 
study given there. His entire life has been 
passed in the place of his birth, nor has he been 
away from here for a longer period than ten days, 
his trip on that occasion being a pleasure excur- 
sion along the island in the sound. Notwith- 
standing the fact that he has traveled little, he is 
a man of culture and refinement, having gained 
through reading a thorough knowledge of his- 
tory and current literature. His brother, David 
L., is, like liimself, unmarried, but spends his 
time in travel. The other brother, Charles A., 
who is married and has a daughter, Florence Es- 
telle, resides on the old homestead with our sub- 
ject and his mother. 

In his political opinions Mr. Van Wickel fol- 
lows the teachings of his father, and is a stanch 
Republican, giving his influence and vote to the 
men and measures advocated by this party. He 
is a member of the Union Evangelical Church, 
of which his parents were among the original 
founders, and has been librarian in the Sunday- 
school for eleven years. For two years he served 
as financial secretary of the fire company. He 
gives his attention to the cultivation of the prop- 
erty formerly owned by his father, and is num- 
bered among the energetic young farmers of 
the vicinitv. 



ALBION K. P. DENNETT, who for many 
years prior to his decease was one of the 
most influential citizens of Flushing, was 
born in Lyman, Me., August 9, 1827. The fam- 
ily has been identified with the history of Maine 
since the days of early pioneer settlements, when 
the first of the name in this countrv emigrated 



from England. Through succeeding genera- 
tions agriculture has been the principal occupa- 
tion of the family. They have been conspicuous 
for bravery in war and patriotism in civic affairs. 
Our subject's grandfather, Joseph Dennett, a 
native of Maine, was one of those brave men who 
endured hardships and braved obstacles seem- 
ingly unsurmountable, in order to gain indepen- 
dence for the colohies. His services in the Revo- 
lutionary War entitle him to the respect of every 
patriot. 

The father of our subject, Jesse Dennett, was 
born in Maine, and married Ann Hooper, also 
a native of that state. He followed agricultural 
operations for many years, and subsequently 
moved to New York City, where he engaged in 
the ice business with our subject. He died about 
1858 at the home of his son. Of his 
children our subject was third in order of birth. 
He remained on the farm until he was about 
twenty-one, when he went to New York and 
became an employe of the Knickerbocker Ice 
Company, gradually working his way up until 
he became a stockholder in the concern. Later, 
locating in Thirty-first Street, he engaged in the 
ice business on his own account. 

Coming to Flushing in 1868, Mr. Dennett 
bought out John Willet's ice business and Kis- 
sena Lake, and afterward carried on a large trade 
in this locality. For some time he was trustee 
of the village and for two )-ears was president 
of the board. While holding this position he was 
largely instrumental in introducing the water 
works in Flushing, and later served as super- 
visor of the town of Flushing for about three 
years. He was made a Mason in New York, 
and was long an active member of Cornucopia 
Lodge in Flushing, also belonged to Pentalpha 
Chapter. For years he was trustee and leader of 
the choir in the Baptist Church, and at the tim^- 
of his demise held the position of president of the 
board of trustees. At the time of the erection of 
the church he was a member of the building com- 
mittee. Several times he represented his party — 
the Republican — as a delegate to county and state 
conventions. He was a member of the Twelfth 
Regiment of the New York National Guard and 
served as first lieutenant of his company, which 
was called to Washington for three months at 
the time of the war. 

In New York Mr. Dennett married Miss Jane 
M. Smith, who was born in Rensselaer County, 
N. Y., being a daughter of Ira and Lois (Allen) 




GEORGE WALLACE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



687 



Smith, natives of Petersburg, that county. Her 
father, who was a farmer, died at the age of sixty- 
three; her mother, who was the daughter of 
Wilham Allen, a farmer of Rensselaer County, 
died there at the age of forty-seven. Of their 
five children, three are living, Mrs. Dennett being 
third in order of birth. Her childhood years 
were spent in Petersburg, and she was trained, 
under the wise counsel of her parents for the 
responsibilities which future years brought to 
her. A member of the Baptist Church, she is an 
active worker in the Ladies' Aid Society, and 
has taken a warm interest in all measures for the 
benefit of the denomination. Her only child, 
Grace D., is the wife of W. T. James, who is 
manager of the ice business established by Mr. 
Dennett. 

The traits of character for which Mr. Dennett 
was especially distinguished were his generosity 
and integrity. No worthy person ever appealed 
in vain to him for aid, and the poor and the needy 
had in him a helpful friend, one who labored not 
only to relieve their temporary wants, bu^^'so to 
place them in a position where they mig. : be- 
come self-supporting. As a citizen he was mod- 
est and retiring, and, although a man of firm 
convictions and educated judgment, never sought 
to control the opinions of others. Beautifying 
life by his example, he was the type of a citizen 
and business man who can be pointed to with 
pride as a representative. 

"Such let thy life be — 
Not marked by noise, but by success alone; 
Not known by bustle, but by useful deeds." 



GEORGE WALLACE, senior member of 
the law firm of Wallace & Smith, with of- 
fices at Jamaica, counselor of the Queens 
County Board of Supervisors, and president of 
the Queens County Title Company, was born 
at Elora, Ontario, in 1849, being a descendant' 
of a long line of Scotch ancestors. He is a son 
of Donald Wallace, who was born in the high- 
lands of Scotland in i8j6, and still enjoys a vig- 
orous old age, having for many years made his 
home in California. 

The parental family consists of nine children, 
all of whom are still living. The eldest son, John 
D., is one of the leading men of the Republican 
party in North Dakota; Charles is editor of the 
leading Republican paper of Queens County, pub- 
lished at Rockville Centre, and in which his 



brother George is also interested; Frank is a 
prominent citizen of Los Angeles County, Cal; 
Albert, for years one of the influential men of Pas- 
adena, Cal., is now owner of a large fruit ranch in 
San Bernardino; Alexander H. is also a ranch own- 
er in same county; Lavinia M. is the wife of R. H. 
Young, editor of the "Methodist Herald" of Min- 
neapoHs, Minn.; Matilda H. married Rev. James 
Healy, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal de- 
nomination, now holding a pastorate in Southern 
California; Mary is the wife of Frank Johnson, 
who is engaged in the banking business at Pasa- 
dena, Cal. 

Coming to Long Island in boyhood, the subject 
of this article has been actively connected with 
public affairs in Queens County for more than a 
quarter of a century, being especially prominent 
and influential in the town of Hempstead. The 
years of his youth were spent on a farm, but his 
inclinations not running in the line of agricultural 
pursuits, he devoted himself to his studies with 
such assiduity that he was able, at an early age, 
to engage in the instruction of others, and at dif- 
ferent times he had charge of the schools at Law- 
rence,, Rockville Centre and Freeport, Queens 
County. 

Endowed by nature with a logical mind, keen 
discriminative powers and accurate insight, Mr. 
Wallace was fitted for the profession which he 
chose as his hfe calling. He entered the Uni- 
versity of New York, from which he graduated at 
the completion of the course, and since that time 
he has given his attention to the details of his 
large and general law practice. This includes a 
large real estate law practice, and he is president 
of the Queens County Title Company, the only or- 
ganization of its kind hi the county. He has also 
made a specialty of municipal law, and has fre- 
quently been called upon to act as counsel for 
various boards of officials. In the spring of 1895 
he was appointed attorney to the Board of Super- 
visors, a responsible position in which his serv- 
ices have been marked by signal success. In addi- 
tion to the office at Jamaica, he has one in Rock- 
ville Centre, and is numbered among the most in- 
fluential attorneys of the county. 

Mr. Wallace has his family residence at Free- 
port, where he married Miss Mariana, daughter 
of the late Benjamin R. Raynor, whose ancestors 
were the first settlers of the place. They have two 
children, Harriet R. and Archer B. 

Politically Mr. Wallace is a pronounced Re- 
publican, and a recognized party leader. For a 



688 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



number of years he served as justice of the peace 
of the town of Hempstead, and in his official duties 
displayed executive and judicial ability, discharg- 
ing the duties connected with the position in a 
manner satisfactory to all. His enterprising spirit 
has been felt in all the movements to advance the 
professional, moral and social welfare of the coun- 
ty. Few, if any, attorneys ever practiced at the 
bar of Queens County who have been more thor- 
oughly acquainted with the philosophies and in- 
tricacies of the lavi' than he. While always work- 
ing with zeal and energy for the cause of his 
client, he never resorts to unfair means in order 
to win a case. His success as a practitioner is due 
to the fact that he possesses legal abilities of a high 
order and has by his integrity won the confidence 
of judges and juries. 

Both in precept and example Mr. Wallace ad- 
vocates temperance principles, believing that they 
are necessary to the attainment of the highest 
manhood as well as the greatest welfare of city 
and nation. He is an active member of the Ever 
Ready Hook and Ladder Company of Freeport, 
in which he takes great interest, having been fore- 
man since its organization. In religious belief he 
is connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Socially he is a Mason, and a charter 
member of the Freeport Lodge of Odd Fellows, 
in which he has filled all the chairs. 



GEORGE WILLIAM COCKS. The in- 
troduction of insurance into the business 
world was the assurance of safety and has 
proved an inestimable boon to countless millions. 
Practically a nineteenth century product, for al- 
though previously introduced it had not become 
systematized or become a recognized, indispen- 
sable factor in business, it has assumed vast pro- 
portions and enters into the matter of all busi- 
ness standing and credits. Directly connected 
with it are many of the master financiers of the 
generation, while many of the companies have 
assumed colossal business proportions, having 
agencies in every city, large and small, of the 
country. 

Among the insurance agencies at Glencove, 
one of the largest and most important is that of 
George W. Cocks, who is assistant secretary of 
the Mutual Insurance Company here. He was 
born at Locust \'alley, December 14, 1829, a son 
of Clark and Catherine (Peeks) Cocks. The 
father was a native of Locust Valley, and was a 



farmer, merchant and miller. George's boyhood 
days were passed on the farm and he attended 
the district schools, in which he secured a fair 
education. Later he tilled the soil on his grand- 
father's farm for a few years, and after his mar- 
riage, on the 26th of April, 1858, he bought a 
farm at Glencove, on which he resided until 1870. 

In that year our subject bought an interest in 
' a store in Glencove, the firm name being Hege- 
man & Cocks, and he was thus occupied until 
1875, from which time until 1881 he was not in 
lousiness. After that he was a clerk in the tax 
department at Albany under Comptrollers Wads- 
worth, Davenport and Chapin. He left there in 
1884, the Democrats coming in power, and be- 
came a policy clerk in the insurance business. 
Still later he became accountant and assistant 
secretary. In an early day Mr. Cocks was a 
Whig in his political views and voted for General 
Scott in 1852. He was one of the few pioneer 
Republicans in 1854 and '56 and served as com- 
mitteeman at various times and was a delegate 
to various conventions. He has never been an 
office seeker, but took the census of a district in 
a town of Oyster Bay in 1880. 

Mr. Cocks was connected with the ^lethodist 
Episcopal Sunday-school from boyhood until his 
marriage. Afterwards he became superintendent 
of the Sunday-school in the Episcopal Church, 
a member of the choir and also vestryman. At 
the present time he is not a member of any 
church. At one time he was an active temper- 
ance worker and was a member of the Sons of 
Temperance. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Matilda Katharine Townsend, is a native of this 
county, born at Oyster Bay, and the daughter of 
William W. and Frances J. (Seaman) Townsend, 
Air. and Mrs. Cocks are the parents of two chil- 
dren, Frances S. and Robert Peeks. The latter 
is married and resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., where 
he has charge of a department in the American 
Leather Company of New York. 

The first record we have of the Cocks family 
was in 1659, when James Cocks settled at Setnn- 
ket, Suffolk County, and with others asked for 
and obtained governmental jurisdiction of Hut- 
ford Colony of Connecticut for their settlement 
at Setauket. Lots were given him in that p^ace. 
and in 1663 he purchased a lot in what is now 
the village of Oyster Bay. whither he moved. 
In 1669 he moved to Killing-worth, now Matine- 
cock, and there bought one hundred acres of laud 
from the Indians. This land is in the possession 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



68g 



of his descendants at the present time, and here 
he died in 1698. He reared a large family 01 chil- 
dren, one of whom, James, is the progenitor of 
our subject's branch of the family. The latter 
was born April 4, 1674, and married Hannah 
Feke, who bore him several children, of whom 
Samuel Avas the great-great-grandfather of our 
subject. Samuel's son, Clark, was born at Oys- 
ter Bay, October 14, 1738, and married Eliza- 
beth Pearce. He was a tailor, farmer and mer- 
chant in New York during Revolutionary times. 
The latter's son, Samuel, was the grandfather 
of our subject. He was born at Locust Valley, 
June 28, 1765, and was married December 14, 
1785, to Elizabeth Cock, a distant relative. Farm- 
ing was his principal occupation, but in connec- 
tion he also followed merchandising and milling. 
He was a birthright member of the Society of 
Friends, but on account of his gay spirits he was 
disowned and remained out for many years. The 
father of our subject was drafted in the War of 
1812, but as he was a miller he was exempt. 



AUSTIN CORNWELL It is a pleasure 
to chronicle the history of a man whose 
life has been one of honor and success, as 
has been that of Mr. Cornwell, who has ac- 
cumulated a comfortable competence and is now 
enabled to enjoy to the fullest extent the com- 
forts of an ideal home. He is a native of this 
county and was born at Oceanside, near where he 
is still living, in 1832. His parents were Abra- 
ham and Letitia (Rider) Cornwell, also natives 
of the island. 

While young the father of our subject 
learned the blacksmith's trade, and for many 
years worked at the same in Brooklyn. Sub- 
sequently he located at what is now Ocean- 
side, becoming the owner of a good property, 
and for the remainder of his life was interested in 
agricultural pursuits. He was a genial and re- 
spected citizen and was regarded as one of the 
most reliable men of the town. At the time of his 
death, which occurred in July, 1882, he left his 
family well provided for. His estimable wife is 
still living, being now ninety years of age. Of the 
children born to them five survive, namely: 
Austin, Mary Whealey, Emeline Smith, Minerva 
J. Davison and Charles Wesley. 

The education of our subject was carried on in 
the schools of his district, and although they 
were of a very inferior kind he made rapid prog- 



ress in his studies. Being reared to farm life he 
was ambitious to make this his calling and as 
soon as he was able obtained possession of the 
beautiful tract which is now his home. He man- 
aged his affairs so ably that he was soon inde- 
pendent and is known far and wide to the peo- 
ple of this section, for he is one of the old land- 
marks and worthy citizens. The estate of Mr. 
Cornwell is beautifully cultivated and improved 
with good and substantial buildings, and all the 
machinery necessary for carrying on farming 
after approved methods. 

In 1856 our subject was married to Miss Ann 
Eliza, daughter of Timothy Doxsey, for many 
years one of the well-to-do residents on the 
island, of which he is a native. Three children 
have been born them, of whom the eldest, Isa- 
bel, is now the wife of Edgar Southard of Rock- 
ville Center; Sarah Ann married Ebenezer 
Smith, also of Rockville Center; and Irene H., 
was the third of the household. Mr. Corn- 
well with his family is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church and in his congregation 
he has been steward for many years. Socially, he 
belongs to the American Legion of Honor and 
in political aftairs gives his support to Repub- 
lican candidates, for he has an abiding faith in 
the purity of that party's teachings. He was ap- 
pointed inspector of elections in 1889 by Secre- 
tarv Rusk, but with this exception has never held 
public office, as he much preferred to give his at- 
tention to his private afifairs. He has been in- 
terested in all movements for the progress and 
upbuilding of the village and has been especial- 
ly active in school work, and during the years 
which he has served as trustee, has inaugurated 
many reforms which have been greatly ap- 
preciated by the people of his district. Mr. Corn- 
well is a director in the Rockville Center Bank, 
a reliable institution, having at its head some of 
the shrewdest and most prominent men of this 
section. 



HON. MORTON CROMWELL, member- 
elect for the assembly from Queens 
County, is a resident of Glencove, by 
whose citizens he is held in the highest esteem. 
Mr. Cromwell was born in the city of New York, 
January 25, 1866, and is the son of Henry and 
Sarah (Bowne) Cromwell. The former, who was 
also born in the metropolis, was a hardware mer- 
chant there for over thirty years. During the 



690 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



greater part of this time he was located in Barclay 
Street and later was associated with Patterson 
Brothers, merchants in the same line. He de- 
parted this life in New York in 1884, when ripe in 
years. 

Of the four children born to Henry and Sarah 
Cromwell we make the following mention: Mau- 
rice is living in Kansas, where he is the proprie- 
tor of a fine tract of land, which he is engaged in 
farming; Edward, who is a prominent attorney 
of Queens County, makes his home in Glencove ; 
Helen C. married John R. Shannon of Philadel- 
phia; and Morton, of this history, completes the 
number. The father of this family was a Re- 
publican in politics, and, being public spirited, 
his influence was always directed toward pro- 
moting the welfare of his fellow-citizens. 

The mother of our subject departed this life 
when he was a lad of nine years. He was then 
sent to a boarding school in Philadelphia, where 
he remained for five years, being compelled to 
leave at that time on account of poor health. This 
was a great disappointment to him, for had he 
remained in that institution one year longer he 
would have graduated. After abandoning his 
studies he began clerking in the cotton broker- 
age business in New York, where he continued 
until 1895. He is a stanch Republican in poli- 
tics and that year was appointed to an import- 
ant clerkship in the assembly. In October of the 
above year was nominated by his party as a mem- 
ber of the assembly, receiving the largest major- 
ity ever given in this district. 

Mr. Cromwell is a member of Seawanaka 
Lodge No. 362, Royal Arcanum, being the 
youngest connected with his lodge at the time 
he joined. Pie is a man of great pubHc spirit and 
enterprise and it is most fitting that his fellow- 
citizens should nominate him to serve them in 
the assembly, to which important and honored 
position he will no doubt be elected. 



RICHARD M. BOWNE, who 'is probably 
one of the oldest residents of Queens 
County, is at present living in the beau- 
tiful village of Glencove. Before giving the de- 
tails of his life we wish to make some mention of 
the Bowne family in general. The first of the 
name to come to America was one Thomas 
Bowne, who was baptized at Matlock, Derby- 
shire, England, May 25, 1595. On his emigra- 
tion to the New World, in 1649 oi" thereabouts. 



he was accompanied by his son John, then twen- 
ty-two years old, and his daughter Dorothy, a 
young lady of eighteen. He first located with 
his children in Boston, but between the years 
165 1 and 1653 he moved to Flushing, L. L, 
where his death occurred June 18, 1677. 

John Bowne, the eldest son of Thomas, was 
baptized at Matlock, England, March 9, 1627. 
He was greatly persecuted in his native land on 
account of his religious opinions, being a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends, and on this ac- 
count was banished to Holland, in the middle 
of the seventeenth century. He had been pre- 
viously married to Miss Hannah Feke, daugh- 
ter of Lieut. Robert and Elizabeth Feke, and to 
them were born eight children. Mrs. Bowne was 
a very talented and well educated lady and often 
officiated as minister in the Society of Friends. 
She departed this life in London, England, De- 
cember 2, 1677. 

The second marriage of John Bowne occurred 
December 2, 1679, when Miss Hannah Bicker- 
staf? became his wife. Their union resulted in 
the birth of six children, and the wife and mother 
died April 7, 1690. The third marriage of that 
gentleman took place April 26, 1693, when he 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Cock, 
daughter of James and Sarah Cock. They be- 
came the parents of two daughters. Amy and 
Ruth. The old dwelling which John Bowne 
erected in Flushing in 1661, was standing in 1895, 
and still owned by members of the Bowne fajaily. 
In 1683 this ancestor of our subject was elected 
treasurer of Queens County, and from that time 
until his death, October 20, 1695, took a very 
active part in the affairs of his neighborhood and 
was regarded by his neighbors as a thoroughly 
wideawake and competent business man. 

Of the sixteen children born to John Bowne, 
Samuel was the sixth of the family by his first 
marriage. He was born at Flushing, L. I., Sep- 
tember 21, 1667, and upon attaining mature years 
became a minister in the Society of Friends. Au- 
gust 4, 1691, he married Hilary Becket, a native of 
the Falls of Delaware, Pa., and died at Flush- 
ing, May 30, 1745. We next record the birth of 
his son Samuel, which occurred at the above 
place, February 29, 1693. September 20, 1716, 
he married Sarah Franklin, the daughter of Hen- 
ry and Sarah (Cock) Franklin. Samuel Bowne 
was a farmer by occupation and died March 31, 
1769. He also left a son Samuel, who was born 
at Flushing, May 14, 1721. November 22, 1741, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



691 



he married Abigail Burling and from that date 
until the year of his death, February 24, 1784, 
was engaged in the mercantile business in New 
York City. 

Of the children of Samuel Bowne last men- 
tioned we have Matthew, who was born in New 
York City, September 19, 1752, and who mar- 
ried December 26, 1775, Ehzabeth Quinby. This 
gentleman was also a merchant and it is sup- 
posed carried on business at Salem, N. J., where 
he died September i, 1797. His son, Sidney 
Breese, was born at Nine Partners, N. Y., June 
19, 1788, and was married January 30, 181 1, to 
Jemima Honeywell Hunt. Sidney B. was a well- 
to-do merchant and died while living at West- 
chester, N. Y., November 5, 1865. He was the 
father of fourteen children, of whom Richard M., 
the subject proper of this sketch, was one. He 
was born in Westchester County, N. Y., March 
14, 1817, and there lived until attaining his ma- 
jority. During vacations he entered his father's 
mercantile establishment and proved of great as- 
sistance in the management of the business. 
When twenty-one, however, he left home, and, 
going to Pottsville, Pa., took a six months' 
course in the business college there. He after- 
ward started in business with a partner, but the 
venture proved a failure, as young Bowne lost 
about half of the money he had been jealously 
hoarding for several years. He then went to New- 
York City, where he found a position in one of its 
large dry goods establishments, remaining with 
one firm for a period of seven years. 

About the year 1843, Richard M. Bowne came 
to Glencove and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in company with a Mr. Frost, the firm name 
being Frost & Bowne. They were both energetic 
young men, ambitious to begin to make money, 
and it was not long before they were in command 
of a good trade. They continued together for 
many years, or until Mr. Bowne retired from 
business, after having accumulated a handsome 
competence. 

About two years after coming to Glencove Mr. 
Bowne was married, March 17, 1846, to Miss 
Mary M. Titus, a native of this place and the 
daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Kenshaw) Titus. 
Of the twelve children born of their union six 
grew to mature years. Jacob T. is superintendent 
of a training school at Springfield, Mass.; Sidney 
B. is a merchant in Glencove; Ella Frost mar- 
ried Henry Smith of Plainfield, N. J.; Richard 
Franklin, who is also one of the merchants of 



Glencove, will have his sketch given on another 
page in this volume; Lizzie W. is now the wife 
of Dr. W. H. Zabriskie of Glencove, and William 
H. is a civil engineer, residing in this village. 

Our subject has long been a Democrat in poli- 
tics, having cast his first presidential vote for 
Van Buren in 1840. Fie is a man of great public 
spirit, whose influence is only required to make 
various undertakings, both of a public and busi- 
ness character, become a grand success. He ren- 
dered his district very efficient and valued service 
for many years as a member of the school board 
and in the capacity of postmaster of Glencove, 
gained the confidence and good will of all its 
residents. Religiously, he is a member of the So- 
ciety of Friends. 



SAMUEL DeMOTT, formerly one of the 
prominent and progressive farmers of 
Queens County, is now deceased. He was 
born in Rockville Center, October 8, 1833, and 
was the son of John W. and Martha (Raynor) 
DeMott. The father was in his early life a school 
teacher, following this vocation for many years, 
after which he abandoned it to take up farming. 
He took an active part in the affairs of his com- 
munity and on being elected justice of the peace, 
served acceptably in this office for a number of 
years. Later he was chosen sheriff of Queens 
County, and during the twelve years in wdiich he 
served the people gave entire satisfaction for the 
able and honest manner in which he discharged 
his duties. He was truly self-made, both as re- 
gards his education and finances, and was a man 
well liked, having the sincere respect of all with 
whom he came in contact. 

Our subject had only the advantages of a dis- 
trict-school education, and his early life was spent 
in the mercantile business. Subsequently, how- 
ever, he engaged in farming and was following 
this honored calling at the time of his death, 
June 9, 1888. The lady to whom he was mar- 
ried Alarch 15, 1854, was Miss Drusilla F., 
daughter of Leonard and Charlotte (Brower) 
Cornell, the former of whom was a prominent 
miller in this locality, owning and controlling 
three well equipped mills, besides three hundred 
acres of excellent land, which was located near 
Rockville Center. Twelve children were born 
to our subject and his wife, four of whom are 
now deceased. Those living are Abbie E., the 
wife of Frank B. Piersall of Rockville Center; 



b()2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Arthur yi.; Charlotte Lillian, Airs. Samuel Belch- 
er; Susan C, Mrs. Charles Carman; Drusilla F., 
the wife of Edwin D. Seabury, Jr.; Martha S., 
Warren and Samuel Judson. During his life- 
time Mr. DeMott was a member of St. Mark's 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his fam- 
ily are connected. He was a Mason of high 
standing, and in politics always supported Demo- 
cratic candidates. He served four years as jus- 
tice of the peace, and for some time prior to his 
decease was actively engaged in the practice of 
law, at the same time personally superintending 
the cultivation of his home place. The DeMott 
familv is one of the oldest on the island, and the 
widow of our subject and the surviving chil- 
dren are among the most highly respected resi- 
dents of the community in which they live. 



JARVIS E. SMITH, a rising young lawyer 
of Huntington, with an office in Jamaica, 
was born in East Moriches, Suffolk County, 
January 15, 1866. His father, Egbert Smith, was 
born at the same place. The homestead has been 
in the possession of the family since 1687, when a 
patent was taken out for it by Richard Smith, the 
first of the family to settle in Long Island. From 
generation to generation the property has been 
handed down by will, until it has reached the 
father of our subject, who now owns and occu- 
pies it. Josiah, a grandson of the original Rich- 
ard Smith, did honorable service in the Revolu- 
tionary War. 

Egbert Smith, the oldest son of Josiah Smith 
of Revolutionary fame, has engaged throughout 
life in farming, and has taken a very active in- 
terest in local politics, but has never sought office 
for himself. He is a prominent member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and assists in pushing its 
work along to the largest possible results. His 
brother, Howard, and sister, Hannah, died of 
yellow fever. The mother of our subject, Jose- 
phine H. Glasier, was born in New York City, 
and has four children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters, all of whom excepting our subject are at 
home with their parents. 

When Jarvis E. Smith was thirteen years old 
he went into the village of Huntington to attend 
the school, and here he continued until 1885, 
when he graduated with high honors. He then 
began to read law with Edward R. Ackerly, of 
Huntington, with whom he remained for three 
years as a student, lacing admitted to the bar 



September 20, 1888. Continuing with Mr. Acker- 
ly until July, 1889, he then accepted an offer of a 
lucrative and honorable position with the Title 
Guarantee and Trust Company of Brooklyn, and 
had charge of their legal business until February 
I, 1895. His professional business in this part of 
the island, however, made such demands upon his 
time that he felt it best to resign his position with 
the Title Guarantee and Trust Company and de- 
vote himself to legal work. About a month before 
severing his connection with the company he 
formed a partnership with George Wallace, who 
was elected attorney to the county board of 
supervisors, and hence leaves the office business 
to his partner, Mr. Smith. 

At the age of thirteen JNIr. Smith united with 
the Presbyterian Church at Moriches, and when 
he came to Huntington he united with the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church. He is secretary of the 
Social Club of the village, and is a Republican, 
but not an aspirant for office. He was married, 
June 16, 1892, to Miss Annie D., oldest daughter 
of Edward R. Aitkin, of the firm of Thomas Ait- 
kin & Son, who conduct the largest general store 
in this village. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two chil- 
dren, Thomas Aitkin, born April 7, 1893, and 
Josepheny Glasier, conceded to be one of the 
brightest young men of the Suffolk County bar, 
and certainly he has a bright future before him. 
The house in Huntington which he occupies as a 
family residence is one of the neatest and most at- 
tractive in this village of pleasant homes. 



RICHARD W. POOLE, one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Rockville Center, has 
been associated for many years with the 
interests of this locality. He is an intelligent 
man, to whom good citizenship means more than 
personal advancement, and he is now engaged in 
the real estate business. In his many and various 
dealings, his career has been perfectly straight- 
forward and honest and marked by good judg- 
ment. 

■Mr. Poole was born in this place in 1856 to 
Richard W. and Mary (Story) Poole, also natives 
of this community, where they spent their entire 
lives. The father was a well-to-do farmer and 
stood high in the agricultural circles of his coun- 
ty. He was a man who devoted his entire time 
and attention strictly to his own affairs and never 
desired distinction of any kind. He departed 
this life in 1887. His estinialile wife, although 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



693 



advanced in years, is still living, and in the en- 
joyment of reasonably good health. 

The subject of this sketch received his pri- 
mary education in the schools taught in his dis- 
trict, later attending school in Rockville Center. 
In order that he might the more successfully en- 
ter upon a business career he took a course at one 
of the business colleges of Brooklyn and then 
set up for himself, buying and selling real es- 
tate. He is one of the men whom we are ac- 
customed to call self-made and who are well rep- 
resented in the town of Hempstead, where many 
of their number are carving out for themselves 
monuments that will otttlive the statues of mar- 
ble. 

In politics, Mr. Poole was for many years a 
Democrat, but of late has been independent in 
his views, looking rather to the ability of the 
man to hold ofifice than to the party which he 
represents. Pie is a genial, companionable man 
who takes great pride in the business of life. 



CHARLES H. MILLER, M. D., N. A. 
While Long Island owes much to the 
men who have developed its material and 
commercial resources, it is no less indebted to 
those who have made its name famous in the 
arts and sciences. Such an one is the subject of 
this article, whose reputation as a landscape 
painter has brought him national and interna- 
tional honors and who was aptly called by Bay- 
ard Taylor "the artistic discoverer of the little 
continent of Long Island." 

According to the "Claverack Centennial Rec- 
ords," published in 1867, the Miller family came 
from Nykirk, Holland, to New Netherlands, in 
1651, the family name being originally de M-ul- 
dor. Fernandus de Muldor, who came to this 
cotmtry in 1664, was the father of Cornelius 
Stephense Muldor, who removed from Albany 
to Hudson in 171-8. Next in line of descent was 
Jacobus Mulder, father of Jacob Miller. The 
son of the latter married Mary Platnor, and their 
son, Jacob, was our subject's father. The last 
named was born at Claverack, Columbia County, 
N. Y., March 14, 1803, and in early life visited the 
West Indies. In 1826 he embarked in active busi- 
ness in New York City, continuing there until 
1865, when he settled at Queens, L. I., retaining, 
however, his winter residence in town. His occu- 
pation was that of an architect and builder, and 
he also gave considerable attention to dealing in 



lumber. A life-long Jeffersonian Democrat, he 
was for some time a member of the board of 
aldermen and also school trustee of the city of 
New York. He died at his home, No. 67 West 
Forty-ninth Street, New York, January 10, 1874, 
at the age of seventy-one. 

In St. John's Church, Yonkers, N. Y., March 
25, 1829, Jacob Miller married Miss Jane Matilda 
Taylor, who was born in Yonkers, September 25, 
1806, and died at Queens, August 4, 1895. They 
were the parents of eight children, as follows: 
Jacob H., Mary E., Dorcas M., Charles H., James 
E., Jane A., Emma Z. and Sarah' Louise E., of 
whom two sons and two daughters survive. Mrs. 
Miller was a daughter of Abraham Taylor, born 
1781, died 1831, and Dorcas (Oakley) Taylor, 
born 1780, died 1838. St. John's Church, Yonk- 
ers, was built in 1693, destroyed by fire in 1791, 
rebtiilt and consecrated in 1792; the oldest docu- 
ment preserved, although scorched by fire, re- 
cords the two grandfathers of Mrs. Miller, both 
of whom were vestrymen of the church, respec- 
tively: Shedrich Taylor, born 1740, died 1808, 
and Stephen Oakley, born 1751, died 1835. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New 
York City, March 20, 1842. From early boy- 
hood he evinced decided artistic talent, which, 
being developed under the best instructors, 
brought him into prominence and won him suc- 
cess. He exhibited his first picture, "The Chal- 
lenge Accepted," in the National Academy of De- 
sign in i860. In 1863 he was given the degree 
of Doctor of Medicine by the New York Homeo- 
pathic Medical College, receiving his diploma 
from the hands of William Cullen Bryant, presi- 
dent. In 1864 he made his first voyage to Europe 
as surgeon on the "Harvest Queen." Three years 
later he again went to the continent, where for 
three years he studied in the Bavarian Royal 
Academy at Munich, also in the galleries of Lon- 
don, Paris, Berlin, Dresden and Vienna. In 1873 
he was elected a member of the Artists' Fund So- 
ciety and Associate of the National Academy of 
Design (having exhibited "A Long Island Home- 
stead," etc.) and two years later was chosen an 
academician of the National Academy. In 1876 
he exhibited "Old Mill at Springfield," "High 
Bridge from Harlem Lane," and other paintings 
at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 
where he was awarded a medal. In 1878 he re- 
ceived a gold medal from the Massachusetts As- 
sociation. The following year he was elected 
president of the Art Club of New York, filling 



694 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that position for five years, and he was elected a 
member of the Society of American Artists in 
1879. In 1882 he exhibited Long Island land- 
scapes at the Paris Salon, and the next year was 
elected president of the American committee of 
the Munich International Exposition. At the 
New Orleans Exposition of 1885 he was award- 
ed the Reed gold medal, and in the same year 
wrote the book entitled "The Philosophy of Art 
in America" (William R. Jenkins, publisher), with 
the nom de plume of Carl de Muldor. 

The first presidential ballot cast by Mr. Miller 
was for Abraham Lincoln, at the time of his sec- 
ond election, and he has since adhered to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party. He attends the 
Reformed Church at Queens. In 1891 he was 
chosen worshipful master of Puritan Lodge, F. 
& A. M. He is identified with the Century As- 
sociation and a life member of the Lotos Club 
of New York. Since 1891 he has been president 
of the Shakespeare Club, of Queens, which organ- 
ization has established a town library under the 
auspices of the University of the State of New 
York. 



JESSE W. KELSEY is a worthy representa- 
tive of one of the first families to settle on 
Long Island. He is now living in the vil- 
lage of Queens and is the manager of the estate 
of his brother, the late John H. Kelsey. October 
27, 1853, Mr. Kelsey was born at Huntington, 
Suffolk County, L. I., where also his father, Jesse 
B. Kelsey, was born. The latter went to sea 
when quite young, and after working his way up 
to the position of captain, served as such during 
the active years of his life. He is now retired and 
living at New Haven, Conn. The grandfather, 
John C. Kelsey, was for many years a farmer on 
Long Island, but after removing to the Nutmeg 
State, there passed the remainder of his life. He 
was in turn the son of Stephen Kelsey, who 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of our subject had four brothers, of 
whom Stephen was killed while engaged in bat- 
tle during the Mexican war; George and Charles 
crossed the plains to California during the gold 
excitement and the latter was killed by the In- 
dians. George continued to make his home in 
the Golden State until his death. Plenry adopt- 
ed the life of a sailor and was lost at sea when 
on one of his voyages. 

The mother of our subject, who prior to her 



marriage was Miss Rebecca Codington, was a na- 
tive of Huntington, L. I. She was the daugh- 
ter of Jesse Codington, a tanner by trade, and a 
respected resident of SufTolk County, where he 
passed his entire life. He married Clarissa Titus, 
the daughter of Captain Titus, who was with 
General Washington when stationed at New- 
burg. 

To Jesse B. and Rebecca Kelse)^ there were 
born four sons and four daughters. Of these, 
John H., who was soine ten years the senior of 
our subject, was for many years connected with 
the New York custom house. Later he engaged 
in business in Queens, in which he was very pros- 
perous. He was an enterprising and thorough- 
going man of business, whose popularity was 
based both upon his social qualities and his well- 
known integrity and business activity. His many 
friends and acquaintances were called upon to 
mourn his loss in 1884, as upon April 7th of that 
year he departed this life. Our subject was then 
made manager of his estate and is fulfilling the 
charge left to him in a most worthy and satisfac- 
tory manner. 

John H. Kelsey was married in 1869 to j\Iiss 
Mary Creed, and to them were granted four chil- 
dren. The eldest member of this household is 
Irving J., a prominent young man, who is inter- 
ested in his fathers business and assists in carry- 
ing on the store. He also holds the honored of- 
fice of postmaster of Queens, having learned how 
to manage affairs while serving as deputy under 
W. L. Woods, who is now cashier of the Jamaica 
Bank. The other children are Evelyn C, Nellie 
C. and John H. 

The subject of this history was married Octo- 
ber 15, 1893, to Miss L. Annette Halstead, of 
Flatbush, L. I. They have one child, a daugh- 
ter named Laura Halstead. 

In politics J\Ir. Kelsey is independent. He is 
courteous and agreeable to those who have busi- 
ness dealings with him and readily makes and 
retains friends, who esteem him very highly for 
the many worthy qualities which are among his 
characteristics. 



JOHN C. KENNAHAN is proprietor and 
publisher of the "Long Island Farmer," 
whose office is located at Jamaica. This 
journal, which is considered by all to be one of 
the leading papers of the county, was establislied 
in 1819. It has never missed a publication and 




JAMES GALLAGHER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



697 



in its long career has made but four changes of 
ownership. 

Mr. Kennahan has been at the head of the 
"Farmer" since October, 1891. He is a trained 
journaHst and worked at the case as a compositor 
for four )rears, after which he began his journal- 
istic career on the "New York Herald." Going 
from the "Herald" to the "Brooklyn Eagle," he 
remained a writer on the latter paper for a pe- 
riod of twenty-two years, resigning his position 
to assume the proprietorship of the "Farmer." 
This paper is designated annually by the board 
of supervisors as the official paper of the county 
and of the courts for the publication of corpora- 
tion and legal advertisements because of its wide 
circulation. It is also one of the state papers for 
the publication of legal notices, and the official 
paper for Jamaica. Mr. Kennahan owns the 
building which is occupied by his printing plant, 
located in Flerriman Avenue, opposite the county 
buildings. It is equipped with everything which 
appertains to a first-class printing office in the 
way of modern presses, etc. 



JAMES GALLAGHER, the oldest under- 
taker of Hunter's Point, is undoubtedly one 
of the most successful and influential men of 
the county. He first established himself in busi- 
ness here' in 1861 and since that time has been 
interested in whatever tended toward the devel- 
opment of the city. Mr. Gallagher is a native of 
Ireland and was born in County Tyrone. He is 
the son of Hugh Gallagher, also a native of the 
Emerald Isle, where he carried on farm pursuits 
until his decease. His wife, Catherine (McGuire) 
Gallagher, was descended from one of the hon- 
ored families of County Tyrone and was a well- 
educated lady. She became the mother of four 
sons and four daughters, of whom James is the 
only survivor. One son, Charles, came to Amer- 
ica many years ago and during the Mexican War 
served as a soldier. After peace was established 
he went West and engaged in farming until his 
decease. 

The subject of this sketch remained on his 
father's farm until eighteen years of age, in the 
meantime gaining a splendid education in the 
private schools near his home. In 1855 he em- 
barked on a sailing vessel which was eight weeks 
in making the voyage from Liverpool. On land- 
ing in the metropolis he secured a position in the 
dry goods establishment of Arnold, Constable & 
28 



Co., now one of the largest firms in New York, 
remaining with them until 1871. In the mean- 
time, in 1861, he changed his place of residence 
to Hunter's Point, still retaining his position with 
the New York firm. 

In 1 871 Mr. Gallagher was in possession of a 
sufficient sum of. money which he had saved from 
his salary to enable him to embark in business 
for himself and there being a good opening for 
an undertaker in this place he opened an estab- 
lishment in Vernon Avenue between Sixth and 
Seventh Streets, where he was located until hav- 
ing his effects destroyed by fire. His next busi- 
ness address was on the corner of Eighth Street 
and Vernon Avenue, where he is still located. 
This building was erected for his special use and 
contains both his warerooms and office. For 
many years he has made this business a study 
and is recognized as one of the most experienced 
embalmers of the city. Fle is often called upon 
to take charge of funerals held in New York, 
Brooklyn and various points on the island, and 
his hearses and coaches, which are of the best 
description, are almost constantly employed. 

The first marriage of our subject occurred in 
New York City in i860, at which time Mary 
Riley, a native of Ireland, became his wife. Their 
union resulted in the birth of four children: 
James, Hugh, Thomas and Charles. His second 
marriage occurring August 7, 1893, united him 
with Miss Catherine Hyland, a native of Dub- 
lin, Ireland, and a most estimable lady, who has 
greatly assisted her husband to attain his present 
high standing in the community. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Gallagher there have been granted six chil- 
dren, namely: Mary C, William E., Josephine, 
Catherine, Ellen and Lydia, who are at home. 

In politics our subject is a Democrat and has 
been active in the interests of his party ever since 
coming to America. He has served on the gen- 
eral committee for years and has been a delegate 
to the various congressional and senatorial con- 
ventions. He was elected assessor of Long 
Island City several years ago, and during the two 
years in which he was the incumbent of the office 
discharged his responsible duties in a most effi- 
cient and satisfactory manner. He was elected 
school trustee of the first ward, serving for one 
term. Socially he belongs to Ancient Order of 
Hibernians of Long Island City, of which he has 
been president and is now treasurer. Like most 
of the prominent men here,, he has been a fire- 
man, belonging to Live Oak Company No. 2, 



698 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and is a charter member of the Exempt Firemen's 
Society of this city. A devout Catholic, he at- 
tends St. Mary's Church regularly. He is a suc- 
cessful business man and all who employ him 
uniformly place great confidence in his ability 
and integrity. 



GEORGE MAURE. Few business men 
of Queens County have been more ac- 
tively connected with its progressive en- 
terprises or have more largely promoted the ma- 
terial welfare of many of its villages than the gen- 
tleman who forms the subject of this notice. He 
is now living in Morris Park, where for the past 
few years he has given his attention to handling 
real estate. 

Mr. Maure was born in New York City, July 
8, 1853, and is the son of George Maure, Sr., 
whose birth occurred across the waters in Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany. He was there reared and 
educated and the year prior to attaining his ma- 
jority decided to try his fortunes in the New 
"World. After coming hither he learned the lock- 
smith's trade and was thus engaged when the first 
call was made for volunteers to enter the Union 
service. He promptly offered his services, and 
on the organization of the Fifth New York Reg- 
iment he was made captain of his company. He 
saw much active service and on receiving his 
honorable discharge at the expiration of his term 
of enlistment returned to the metropolis and re- 
sumed work at his trade. He was a leading Dem- 
ocrat of the tenth ward and at one time was elect- 
ed a member of the board of education. In a 
business wav he was successful and was liberal 
in his contributions toward worthy causes. He 
died when George was a lad of thirteen years. 

Our subject, who was an only son, first attend- 
ed the schools of his native city, after which he 
was sent to a military school at Yonkers. On 
completing his education he came to Jamaica and 
began working at the carpenter's trade, which he 
had learned when a boy. He was thus employed 
for a time, but being appointed to a position in 
tlie countv clerk's office, he abandoned labors in 
this line and for seven or eight years served the 
public. Mr. Maure has also been justice of the 
peace, trying cases with great credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned for three years. 

It was while living in Jamaica that Mr. Maure 
became interested in real estate, being commis- 
sioned by a New York syndicate to purchase large 



tracts of land on Long Island. Later he became 
associated with Mr. Dunton and together they 
invested a large amount of money in real estate 
in this section and laid out the towns of Alorris 
Park, Dunton and Hollis. These places rapidly 
grew in size, beyond anything they had hoped 
to see, and are now for the most part inhabited by 
well-to-do business men of New York. 

Mr. Maure is especially interested in Morris 
Park, where he makes his home, and it was due 
almost entirely to his influence that the people 
have a nice system of water works and a well- 
equipped school. Our subject, although a very 
busy man, responded very willingly when asked 
to accept the position of president of the board 
of education, which he still holds. Among the 
numerous business enterprises in which he has 
been interested with Mr. Dunton we must not fail 
to mention the Bank of Jamaica, which he helped 
to organize. Of late years, however, he devotes 
his time almost exclusively to looking after his 
private interests. 

The lady who became the wife of our subject 
June 22, 1877, was Miss Mary Spillet. To them 
have been born six children, namely: Stella, 
George, Alinnie, Warren, Raymond and Irving. 
The family occupy a fine home on the corner of 
Spruce Street and Liberty Avenue, Morris Park, 
where they have lived for the past ten years. By 
all who know him Mr. Maure is looked upon not 
only as a sound business man, but as a citizen of 
the highest standing. 



CHARLES HUMMEL is one of the suc- 
cessful farmers of Queens County, and 
few more fully illustrate in their career 
the unbounded energy and activity of the agri- 
culturists of their section than does he. Dis- 
playing excellent ability, Mr. Hummel also pos- 
sesses a goodly degree of those personal attributes 
that spring from a kindly heart, an honest pur- 
pose and a broad liberality. His fine home is sit- 
uated about half way between Queens and Spring- 
field, on the Springfield Road, and is kept in ad- 
mirable condition by its industrious owner. 

Mr. Hummel was born in ^"alley Stream, 
Queens County, April 12, 1857, and was one of 
seven children, all of whom survive, born to 
George A. and Frances (Speigel) Hununel, both 
natives of Germany. When a young man the 
father left the land of his liirth and came to Ameri- 
ca to seek his fortune. He was first engaged as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



699 



a farm hand at Newtown, and after about seven 
yeara there he went to Valley Stream, where he 
began farming for himself. This he carried on 
with fair success until the time of his death, in 
September, 1885. He was a man well respected 
by all and as a citizen and neighbor was highly 
esteemed. 

During his youth our subject became quite well 
acquainted with all that pertained to farm life, but 
received fair educational advantages, having at- 
tended the Sisters Convent at Fosters Meadow 
for a number of years. He continued to reside 
with his parents until his twenty-fourth year, and 
on the 25th of January, 1881, he was married 
to Miss Mary A. Freilick. After this union Mr. 
Hummel and wife removed to the John William- 
son farm, near the village of Jamaica, and for five 
years tilled the soil there as a renter. He then 
purchased his present farm of forty-five acres and 
has since carried it on most successftilly. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hummel there have been born 
no children, but they give a home to two half 
nieces, Louise and Elizabeth Felton, both bright, 
interesting young girls. In politics Mr. Hummel 
is a Democrat and in religion he and his family 
are Catholics. He has held a number of local 
offices, for three years being road commissioner, 
and discharged the duties devolving upon him to 
the satisfaction of all. 



FRANKLIN J. LOTT is one of the native 
sons of Queens County, coming from an 
old and honored family, which has been 
identified with the county's welfare from an early 
day. He is at present one of the largest farmers 
in the town of Jamaica and has met with success 
from the first. 

Mr. Lott was born in the above town in March, 
1853, the son of James Harmon Lott, also an ag- 
riculturist of prominence in this locality, who was 
greatly interested in whatever tended to the de- 
velopment of his home place. His death, in 1875, 
was a great loss to the commimity. His father, 
James Lott, served as a soldier in the War of 
1812. The Lott family is one of the most num- 
erous on Long Island, and, as we have stated 
above, trace their ancestry back to the earliest 
settlement of the island. 

Mrs. Sarah E. (Eldert) Lott, mother of Frank- 
lin J., is also descended from an old and honored 
family of the island. She is the sister of Samuel 
E. Eldert, of Woodhaven, whose sketch will ap- 



pear in this volume. She became the mother of 
four sons, of whom Oliver S. makes his home in 
Rochester, N. Y, ; Charles E. is engaged in busi- 
ness in Florida, and William is living in Jamaica 
South. 

The subject of this sketch grew to mature years 
on his father's farm and after procuring a good 
education in Union Hall Academy he began farm- 
ing on his own account. He has followed this 
vocation with signal success ever since, and is 
the proprietor of one of the best cultivated tracts 
of land in the county. It comprises one hun- 
dred acres, and in order that every acre of it may 
be filled to the best advantage possible, he em- 
ploys a number of hands, who are engaged con- 
stantly at work on the place. This property is 
located just south of the village of Queens and 
is conveniently near the city market, where the 
greater portion of the farm produce is disposed of. 

Mr. Lott has been quite a factor in local poli- 
tics and the incumbent of various offices of hon- 
or and trust. At the present time he is highway 
commissioner and a memlDer of the board of edu- 
cation. Socially he is a prominent Mason and 
is identified with the Jamaica Chub Club. Mr. 
Lott was married in 1877 to Miss Mary E. De 
Bevoise, who at her death, in 1887, left a daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth D. In June, 1895, our subject 
chose for his second companion Miss Maria 
Louise Creed, of Queens County. Mr. Lott is 
a man of strong convictions, and as an earnest 
and public-spirited citizen commands the regard 
of all his friends and neighbors. 



N' ICHOLAS HALLOCK, a member of one 
of the oldest and most respected families 
of the island, is a descendant of Peter 
Hallock, who was one of the first settlers of 
Southold, L. I. Nicholas was born in the village 
of Milton, LTlster County, May 11, 1827, to the 
marriage of Edward and Anna (Sherman) Hal- 
lock, and was one of five children, only one of 
whom besides our subject, Valentine H., is now 
living. Edward Hallock was the son of James 
Hallock, who was a Quaker preacher in Ulster 
County and a man highly esteemed. James mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Townsend, a niece of Peter 
Townsend, who made the chain stretched across 
the Hudson at West Point during the Revolution. 
The father of our subject was born and reared 
in Milton, Ulster County, and there received a 
good education. Farming was his principal oc- 



700 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cupation through life and he followed this until 
his death in 1851, when about fifty-five years old. 
His son, our subject, remained with his parents, 
attending the common schools and assisting on 
the home place until he had reached mature years. 
In 1851 he united his fortune with that of Miss 
Peggy Ann Doughty, who died one year later, 
leaving one son, Lendal V. The latter, who mar- 
ried Miss Kate Patterson, of Beverly, Mass., is 
engaged in the picture-frame and moulding bus- 
iness in Brooklyn and is a pushing, progressive 
yotmg man. 

Nicholas Hallock selected his second wife in 
the person of Miss Mary E. Doughty (a sister of 
his first wife), and they were married in 1856. 
After his removal to Queens Mr. Hallock took 
charge of his father-in-law's farm, which he man- 
aged up to the time of Mr. Doughty's death, when 
he took charge of it altogether and conducted it 
most successfully until about three years ago. 
The farm was then sold and Mr. Hallock built his 
present handsome residence in Queens, where he 
is enjoying the fruits of his well-spent life. Po- 
litically a Republican, Mr. Hallock has been for 
the past three years inspector of elections, and 
he has always been an active worker for his party. 
In religion he is a believer in the Quaker doc- 
trine. 



PH. BUMSTER, M. D. This young but 
promising physician and surgeon of 
• Long Island City, although still in the 
dawn of the success which has attended his efforts 
in a professional way, has already given abund- 
ant evidence of the ability which qualifies him 
for a high place in the medical profession. Truly 
ambitious, and with an ambition whose aim is 
pure and unsullied, there seems no reason why 
his unquestioned ability should not find full scope 
in relieving the pains which a suffering world is 
heir to. 

Dr. Bumster is a native of Allentown, Mon- 
mouth County, N. J., and was born March 16, 
i860. His father, Matthew Bumster, was born 
at Waterford, Ireland, and after his marriage 
came with his family to America and settled at 
Allentown, N. J., where he followed the calling 
of a miller the remainder of his life, dying in Jan- 
uary, 1895. His wife, Plannah Broderick, was 
also born on the Isle of Erin. She died in 1890, 
having become the mother of four children, two 
sons and two daughters, of which family the sub- 



ject of this sketch is the youngest and the only 
professional member of the family. His .fore- 
fathers came from Yorkshire, England, and the 
name of Bumster is of Saxon origin. 

Dr. Bumster was educated in the public schools 
of Allentown, N. J., and after graduating from 
the high school spent two years as a teacher, 
after which he secured a position as bookkeeper 
in a New York City house. He had long had 
a desire to study medicine and he finally saw 
his way clear to pursue his researches. In 1890 
he entered the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of New York City and was graduated from 
that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1893, 
after an honorable collegiate career. That same 
year he was appointed from that institution to 
the position of house surgeon in St. John's Hos- 
pital, Long Island City, in which capacity he 
served for eighteen months. At the expiration 
of that time he decided to locate here for the 
practice of his profession, and established an of- 
fice at No. 143 Fifth Street, where he has ever 
since had his office. He conducts a general prac- 
tice and his clientele, which is among the best 
class of citizens, is continually increasing. He 
possesses all the attributes of a successful medical 
practitioner, for he not only has a thorough 
knowledge of his calling and keeps in touch with 
every advance made in medical science, but is 
sympathetic in the sick room and takes a personal 
interest in each one of his patients. 

Dr. Bumster is still visiting physician to St. 
John's Hospital and was for some time assistant 
physician at De Milt Hospital, New York. He 
is a charter member of the Long Island City 
Medical Society, the Queens County Medical So- 
ciety and is examining physician for the Pruden- 
tial Insurance Company. Religiously he is iden- 
tified with St. Marv's Catholic Church. 



HENRY PETERSON, junior member of 
the firm of Charles Peterson & Son, was 
born in Maasholm, Sleswick-Holstein, 
Germany, October 2, 1863. This was also the 
birthplace of his father, Charles Peterson, who, 
during the greater part of his life followed his 
trade of cabinetmaker and carpenter. He came 
of an old Danish family and was a soldier in that 
arniv during the war with Sleswick-Holstt in in 

1849. 

In the year 1S67 Charles Peterson camt with 
his family to America, locating in New York 




JOHN \V. PBVrRY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



703 



City, where he was engaged as a piano maker m 
the factory of Diehlman & Co. He was a fine 
mechanic, and his work never failed to give sat- 
isfaction to his employers. In 1871 he located 
in Long Island City, where he has resided ever 
since, with the exception of a short time when he 
returned to the metropolis. Mr. Peterson has 
erected many of the fine residences in Schuetzen 
Park, and continued to work at the carpenter's 
trade after coming here until embarking in the 
hardware business. He is one of the oldest resi- 
dents of the place, and as one of its substantial 
and enterprising citizens he commands the respect 
and confidence of its best people. 

Mrs. Margaret (Rieck) Peterson, was also a 
native of Sleswick and was the daughter of Fred- 
erick Rieck, whose birth also occurred there. The 
latter was a shoemaker by trade and for many 
years fulfilled the duties of sexton in a church of 
Sleswick. By her union with Charles Peterson, 
Margaret Rieck became the mother of one child. 
He was educated in the schools of New York and 
Long Island City, receiving a diploma from the 
evening high school of the former city on com- 
pleting the three years' course. He then learned 
the trade which his father followed and when the 
latter started in business at No. 847 Second Ave- 
nue was his asssistant, attending to the bookkeep- 
ing, etc. In 1885 they erected a comfortable 
residence here and later built a store adjoining, 
so that they now run two establishments, the one 
being stocked with hardware and the other with 
crockery. They are located at Nos. 538 and 540 
Broadway, and theirs is the only hardware store 
in Schuetzen Park. Father and son also take 
contracts for doing the carpenter work on public 
and private buildings and are well known in this 
capacity all over the island. 

The subject of this sketch was married in Long 
Island City in 1890 to Miss Hulda, daughter of 
George Gemunder, who is perhaps the most re- 
nowned manufacturer of violins in the world, 
and the only one who understands the Cremona 
system of making these instruments. One of 
his violins, known as the "Kaiser" or "Emper- 
or,'' valued at $10,000, took the prize when ex- 
hibited at Vienna, Paris, the Centennial at Phil- 
adelphia and the exposition at New Orleans. 

Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have a family of three 
children, Alma, Otto and Edith. Sociahy he is 
a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 228, K. of 
P., and is chancellor commander of Steinway 
Schuetzen Company No. 14, D. A. S. B. He 



also belongs to the Plattdeutscher Verein of Long 
Island City and the Frohsinn Singing Society of 
the same place. He is one of the original mem- 
bers of the Long Island City Athletic Society, in 
which organization he has held most of the of- 
fices. The family are all members in excellent 
standing of the Lutheran Church. In politics 
Mr. Peterson is a true-blue Republican. He is a 
man of strong convictions, and as an earnest and 
public-spirited citizen commands the regard of 
all his friends and neighbors. 



J 



OHN W. RETRY. There is perhaps no 
other line of business which is so rapidly 
<-J developing into vast proportions as that of 
the hardware merchant. Prominent among 
those in Long Island City is John W. Retry, who 
is proprietor of the well known hardware busi- 
ness at No. 63 Vernon Avenue. Mr. Petry is a 
native of Paterson, N. J., and a typical Eastern 
business man, frank, energetic and self-reliant. 
He was born in i860, to the marriage of John H. 
and Sarah (Tibby) Petry, both natives of Pater- 
son. The grandfather, Daniel Petry, was born in 
Paterson, and was a tanner and currier by trade. 
This he followed very successfully until i860, 
when he became interested with his two sons, 
who conducted the hardware business under the 
firm title of Petry Brothers. He died in his na- 
tive city. The great-grandfather was a French 
Canadiari? 

The father of our subject was reared in Pater- 
son and clerked in a shoe store there for' some 
time. In 1859, in partnership with his brother 
George, ex-mayor of Long Island City, he em- 
barked in the hardware business and plumbing 
in New York City and continued there until 1863, 
when he sold out to Kedian Brothers. After that 
he manufactured tinware in New York City until 
1867, when he came to Long Island City, and lo- 
cated in East Avenue and Seventh Street, where 
he began the manufacture of tinware and church 
and hotel reflectors. He soon had a large busi- 
ness and there continued the manufacture of tin- 
ware as Petry Brothers & Co. until 1871. After 
the death of the father of our subject, the busi- 
ness was continued as McCann & Petry until 
1874, when George Petry sold out to McCann, 
and in 1875 engaged in the hardware business 
under the firm name of Ketcham & Co., and thus 
continued until our subject began work there in 
1876. Then George Petry became sole proprietor 



704 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and continued as such until 1885, when he sold 
to William Brodie. 

The mother of our subject was the daughter 
of John Tibby, who was of Holland-Dutch origin. 
By her marriage to Mr. Petry she had six chil- 
dren, four of whom survive: Frank is foreman of 
the Sicilian Asphalt Paving Company of New 
York; George, a plumber with our subject; Mar- 
tha, who is at home; and John W. The latter 
was taken from Paterson to New York City in 
1861, and in 1868 came with his parents to Long 
Island City. Later he returned to Paterson and 
attended the public schools in the different 
places until fifteen years old. Returning to Long 
Island City, he was in the employ of his uncle 
for some time. He spent two years learning the 
plumber's trade and then clerked until George 
Petry was elected mayor of Long Island City, 
when he became manager of the store. After his 
uncle sold to Mr. Brodie he continued as mana- 
ger until 1894, when he embarked in business 
for himself at Long Island City under the firm 
name of John W. Petry & Co., but this connec- 
tion was dissolved March i, 1896, Mr. Petry pur- 
chasing his partner's interest. He put in a 
new stock of goods and has a flourishing business 
at No. 63 Vernon Avenue. He has furnaces and 
steam and hot water heating appliances, and is 
doing a general plumbing business. He has 
heated the Long Island City Savings Bank, the 
First Precinct police station, Astoria Astor Ho- 
tel, Scheurer's Hotel, Astoria General Hospital 
and R. U. Clark's residence, Great Neck, L. I. 

Mr. Petry was married in Long Island City 
to Miss Jennie Appleton, a native of New York 
and daughter of John Appleton, who was a man- 
ufacturer of overalls and shirts here until 1884, 
when he retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Petry have 
been born four children: John A., Raymond, 
Curtis W. and Joseph K. Mr. Petry was clerk of 
the excise board for three years, and is a member 
of the Royal Arcanum. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat and a member of Jefferson Club. 



ROBERT A. DAVISON, a prominent at- 
torney and dealer in real estate in Brook- 
lyn, is a Long Islander by birth, as well 
as Ijy inheritance, for not only was he born here, 
Init his father and grandfather were before him. 
He was born in Rockville Center, October 10, 
1843, the son of Tredwell and Phebe (De Mott) 
Davison, who passed their entire lives in this 



locality. The grandfathers of our subject on 
both sides served as soldiers in the Revolution- 
ary War, in which conflict they acquitted them- 
selves bravel}^. 

Robert A., of this history, first attended Hemp- 
stead Seminary, but after a time became a student 
in L'nion Flail Academy of Jamaica. In 1861 he 
entered the sophomore class of the New York 
Lfniversity and soon became known among the 
students as a fine Latin scholar, receiving the 
first prize upon examination in this language. He 
was graduated from the university in 1864 with 
high honors and was selected on that occasion 
to deliver the Latin salutatory. 

Having determined to follow a professional life, 
Mr. Davison next entered Columbia Law School 
and was graduated from the same two years later. 
Opening an office in New York, he began the 
practice of his profession and remained there un- 
til 1872, when he located in the city of Brook- 
lyn, where he is now in command of a large and 
paying clientage. On first coming there he 
formed a partnership with a Mr, Hagner, and for 
five years operated under the firm name of Hag- 
ner & Davison. That year, however, our sub- 
ject withdrew from the firm and has since car- 
ried on his business alone. His office, which is 
finely appointed, is located at No. 26 Court 
Street. 

In 1870 our subject was married to Miss Eme- 
line Sealy, the daughter of Robert Sealy, now de- 
ceased. Their union has resulted in the birth of 
two sons, George W. and Alfred T., and a daugh- 
ter, Mabel E. George W. was graduated from 
Wesleyan University in 1892 and is at present 
in partnership with A. N. Weller. surrogate of 
Queens County. The daughter completed her 
studies in Wellesley College in 1895, and Alfred 
T. is now in the sophomore class of Wesleyan 
Liniversity of Middletown. Conn. 

During his earlier years Mv. Davison was a 
member of St. JMark's Methodist Episcopal 
Church and served as a member of its first board 
of trustees in Rockville Center. He took a great 
interest in the work of the Sunday-school, and 
for eleven years made a most popular and ef- 
ficient superintendent. At the present time, 
however, he is connected with the New York 
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and is also 
a member of the Brooklyn Church Extension So- 
ciety, which is doing a noble work in establish- 
ing churches in the city. The cause of educa- 
tion finds in him an able supporter, and while at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



705 



Rockville Center he was elected a member of the 
board of education, which position he held con- 
tinuously until 1894. He is now one of the trus- 
tees of the Wesleyan Academy of Wilbraham, 
Mass., being elected a member of this body in 
1887. 

Politically Mr. Davison is a stanch Repub- 
lican and has taken some interest in local poli- 
tics. Had he cared to turn his attention in that 
direction he would have been a leading politician. 
On the organization of the Bank of Rockville 
Center he was chosen its president, and re-elected 
the following year, but when petitioned by the 
directors and stockholders to still continue its 
management he refused to do so, as his practice 
occupied nearly his entire time and attention. 
Mr. Davison is a member of Brooklyn Union 
League Club, Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfec- 
tion, Aurora Grata Consistory and is past master 
of Morton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., of Hemp- 
stead, which claims him as one of its most valued 
members. He stands very high in this order, 
being past district deputy of the first Masonic 
district, which includes Queens and Suffolk 
Counties. 



ISAAC W. VALENTINE. Long Island 
boasts of a large number of hotels, scattered 
throughout its entire extent, and among the 
best of these we find the Jericho Hotel, of which 
Mr. Valentine is owner and proprietor. The 
traveling public is familiar with this house, and 
commercial men as well as pleasure seekers are 
accustomed to make it their headquarters when 
passing through this part of the county. Since- 
purchased by the present manager in 1891 the 
character of the service has been improved and 
the popularity thereby increased. 

In the town of Oyster Bay the subject of this 
notice was born October 13, 1843, being a son of 
Daniel and Maria (Walden) Valentine, also na- 
tives of this town. The paternal grandfather, 
Absalom Valentine, spent his life principally 
here, being engaged in farm pursuits. Daniel, 
who was also an agriculturist, owned a farm 
near Jericho and there it was that our subject 
was born. He was the youngest of seven chil- 
dren, who are as follows: Mary E., deceased wife 
of Alfred Horton, of Hicksville; Susan, wife of 
Webley Horton, of East Norwich; John, a black- 
smith in Roslyn, Queens County ; Amanda, who 
married Daniel P. Titus, a farmer of Jericho; 



Daniel, who is a merchant in Glenwood, this 
county; Emily, wife of George Horton, of Syos- 
set, and Isaac W. 

The first sixteen years of our subject's life were 
passed on the homestead and in attendance at the 
common schools, but at that age he entered upon 
an apprenticeship to the wagonmaker's trade. 
After serving his time he followed the trade at 
different places in the county, and in 1864 opened 
a wagonmaker's shop at Mineola, where he re- 
mained a year. Receiving an offer of a position 
that promised to be more remunerative, he sold 
out and went to New York, where he was em- 
ployed for two years. His next enterprise was 
in the hotel business in company with his broth- 
er John, the two buying the Mechanic's Hotel at 
Roslyn, which he carried on for two years. 

June 6, 1867, Mr. Valentine married Miss Jen- 
nie, daughter of Emmet Wooden, and a native of 
this county. They became the parents of one 
daughter, Jennie W., the wife of Jesse Smith 
of Brooklyn. Soon after his marriage Mr. Val- 
entine closed out his hotel business and went to 
Brooklyn, where for a year he was employed on 
the Fulton Street ferry. He then returned to 
Roslyn and secured work at house painting, re- 
maining in the village until 1880, after which he 
was proprietor of the Osceola Hotel at East Nor- 
wich for five years. December 11, 1878, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Peasel, 
daughter of William R. Peasel, of Roslyn, and 
they are the parents of two children, Harry W. 
and Elsie. 

With the progressive element of the town of 
Oyster Bay, Mr. Valentine is doing all he can 
to elevate its social and moral status, and to con- 
tribute to its general welfare. Politically he has 
always been a firm believer in the advocacy and 
utility of Democratic principles. Socially he 
has been connected with Pembroke Lodge No. 
73, I. O. O. F., at Glencove. During his resi- 
dence in Roslyn, in 1880, he was elected consta- 
ble and filled that position until removing from 
the village. In 1882 he was chosen commis- 
sioner of highways of the town and served with 
efficiency in that office for four years. 



CHARLES PENCHARD, who has made 
his home in Long Island City since i860 
and now resides at No. 12 Ely Avenue, 
has witnessed much of the growth of this place, 
and through his labors as an honest, industrious 



7o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



business man has contributed his quota to the 
development of its material interests. Always 
prudent and conservative, he has established a 
reputation as a safe, reliable man, whose integ- 
rity is beyond question. The progress of this 
section of the state has been his pride through 
all the years of his residence here. He has seen 
manufactories introduced and a network of rail- 
roads, penetrating every corner of Long Island, 
while the telephone and telegraph wires could 
scarcely be numbered. To be an eye witness of 
these improvements is an honor, but a greater 
privilege is to be an active participant in the 
various changes that have taken place, and such 
has been his fortune. 

The Penchard family is of English descent. 
George, the father of our subject, brought his 
family to America in 1834 and settled in Albany, 
N. Y., where he followed his chosen calling, that 
of an architect and superintendent of construction. 
Later he removed to New York, where he con- 
tinued his work until his death, in 1884. His 
father. Dr. George Penchard, was a physician in 
England, and was a descendant, remotely, of 
French ancestry.' Our subject's mother, who bore 
the maiden name of Sarah Waters, was born in 
England and died in New York City. Of her 
three sons and two daughters, one son and one 
daughter are still living. 

Charles, who was the eldest of the family, was 
born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1829; he 
has, however, very meager recollections of his 
native land, as at the age of five he crossed the 
ocean in a sailing vessel and settled with his par- 
ents in Albany. There he was a student in the 
grammar school, gaining by dihgent study a fair 
education that fitted him for practical business 
life. When sixteen years old he went to New 
York, where he was apprenticed to learn the 
trade of a fancy wood carver, and this he followed 
until about 1875, when he engaged as a designer 
of fancy wood work. Much of his time is given 
to the construction of furniture, and indirectly 
he is engaged in its manufacture. His designs in 
wood have brought a wide recognition of his 
talents and have been universally admired. 

The marriage of Mr. Penchard, which took 
place in New York, united him with Miss Cath- 
erine Ann Combes, a native of that place and a 
member of one of the old Long Island families. 
They are the parents of six living children, name- 
ly: Charles, who is connected with the Standard 
Oil Compan}', of Baltimore, Md.; Benjamin, who 



is with his parents; James, a painter by trade 
and the possessor of excellent artistic taste ; Mrs. 
Mary Clench, of Long Island City; Mrs. Car- 
rie Fletcher, also of this place, and Evelyn, at 
home. During the administration of Mayor 
Retry, Mr. Penchard was appointed a member of 
the first civil service board of Long Island City. 
He has held a number of other local positions, but 
in the main is too engrossed with his personal 
matters to give much thought to public or politi- 
cal affairs. 



CHARLES VOLKMAR. "Every man to 
his calling" is a maxim no less forcible at 
the present time than when it was first 
uttered, and no better illustration of it can be 
found than in the subject of this record. Mr. 
Volkmar is an artist whose fame is not merely 
local, but has also brought him favorable notice 
from connoisseurs in other parts of the country. 
Wherever his works have been exhibited they 
have won merited praise by their intrinsic worth. 
He is recognized as one of the masters of his 
profession in this part of the state, his success 
being due, to some extent, to inherited talent, but 
largely to the dihgent, self-sacrificing, tireless cul- 
tivation of his artistic powers. In addition to his 
professional work he is proprietor of a pottery at 
Corona, where he resides. 

The first twenty years of the life of ]Mr. Volk- 
mar were passed in Baltimore, ^Id., where he 
was born August 21, 1841, and where his edu- 
cation was obtained. His father, Charles, who 
was a successful portrait painter, was born in 
Germany, whence the paternal grandfather, also 
named Charles, followed the occupation of an 
engraver. The latter emigrated to America and 
settled in Baltimore about 1835, where our sub- 
ject's father died in 1S93 at the age of eighty- 
three. His specialty was portrait painting, and 
many of the eminent men of the country sat to 
him for portraits. His profession proved remun- 
erative and enabled him to rear in comfort his 
family of thirteen children. 

Of this large family five attained years of ma- 
turitv, but our subject is the only one who in- 
herited the artistic talent of his father and grand- 
father. At an early age he began to study in his 
father's studio with the intention of doing land- 
scape painting. When twenty years old, in 1861, 
he was sent abroad to study and was in Europe 
for fourteen years, the most of this time being 




WILLIAM L. JARVIS, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



709 



spent in Paris. While there he made the ac- 
quaintance of tlie proprietor of a pottery and thus 
became interested in decorative pottery. During 
his long sojourn on the continent he made only 
one visit home, and was then married, December 
22, 1870, to Miss Nettie Welch, of Lawrence, 
Mass., a descendant of one of the old families of 
Maine, and granddaughter of General Moore, 
who won fame at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

After Mr. Volkmar returned permanently to 
America he settled at Tremont, New York Coun- 
ty, and from there went to Menlo Park, N. J., 
later coming to Corona, where he now makes his 
home. In the pottery business he has had a 
number of partners, but as he has worked more 
for a reputation than for financial profit the part- 
nerships have been dissolved, and he now gives 
his attention to the business personall}^. At the 
Atlanta Exposition he was awarded the gold med- 
al for the best exhibit of historical placques, and 
also received a medal at the Centennial Expo- 
sition and a silver medal at the Mechanic's Insti- 
tute in Boston. 

The two sons of Mr. Volkmar, Ray and Leon 
(the former of whom was at one time a student 
in Steven's Institute in Hoboken) inherit his ar- 
tistic taste and are of great assistance to him in 
his work. It is his hope that in future 3'ears they 
may cany on, with an ever increasing success, 
the professional labors in which he is engaged. 
Politically our svibject's father and grandfather 
were Jeffersonian Democrats, while he is inde- 
pendent in his ballot, with an inclination toward 
Republican principles. His grandfather fol- 
lowed the religion of his ancestors, who were de- 
vout Lutherans, but Mr. Volkmar himself is lib- 
eral in his views. Socially he is identified with 
the Salmagundi Art Club and the Architectural 
League of New York, and is also connected with 
the Masonic fraternity, as were his father and 
grandfather. 



WILLIAM L. JARVIS, the efficient 
train master of the Long Island Rail- 
road, has his office in Long Island 
City and his residence in Jamaica. He was born 
in the latter place May 8, 1858, and is a member 
of a family originating in England, but repre- 
sented among the pioneer settlers of Long Is- 
land. His father, William H., a native of Man- 
hasset, was a son of William Jarvis, who was born 
in Queens County and was engaged in farming 



pursuits here throughout his entire life. The for- 
mer learned the trade of a carpenter and builder 
in Jamaica, which occupation he afterward fol- 
lowed in Brooklyn until his death there at the age 
of forty-three. His wife, Clara, who was born in 
Jamaica and still resides in that village, was a 
daughter of William Wood, a watch and clock 
maker by trade and a member of an English fam- 
ily that came to Long Island at a very early per- 
iod of its settlement. 

The subject of this article and his sister, Mrs. 
Sarah E. Hurley, of Jamaica, are the only living 
children of their parents. The former spent the 
first five years of his life in Jamaica, from which 
place the family removed to Farmingdale, Suf- 
folk County, and thence three years afterward 
went to Brooklyn. His father dying when he 
was a lad of eleven years, he soon afterward re- 
turned with his widowed mother to Jamaica, 
where he has since made his home, though em- 
ployed elsewhere much of the time. In 1871, 
having completed his education in the Jamaica 
High School, he went to Brooklyn, where for 
three years he was engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness. Then, learning telegraphy, in 1876 he be- 
came telegraph operator and assistant agent at 
Jamaica for the Long Island Railroad, and con- 
tinued in that position for five years. In 1881 he 
was made train dispatcher in the Long Island 
City office, from which in 1887 he was promoted 
to be chief train dispatcher, and in September, 
1891, became train master. This is a position 
of great responsibility, and the fact that he fills 
it satisfactorily and efficiently is a proof of his 
ability. On the entire system nearly twelve hun- 
dred trains are run daily, and they are handled 
from this office. The increase of business has 
been extraordinary, as when he secured a posi- 
tion as operator there were only fourteen trains 
per day. The rapid increase of business and great 
prosperity of the road he has witnessed and as- 
sisted in securing, and his faithful service has 
won for him the commendation of the officials 
of the road. 

In Jamaica Mr. Jarvis married Miss Carrie C. 
Wood, who was born in that village. They are 
the parents of three children, William S., George 
Raymond and Ima Lyle. Socially our subject 
is past master of Jamaica Lodge No. 546, F. 
A. M., and is connected with the Royal Arcanum 
Council of Jamaica. He was a charter member of 
the Queens County Building and Loan Associa- 
tion, headquarters at Jamaica, and is still con- 



710 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nected with that thriving institution. He is iden- 
tified with the Old Time Telegraphicand Histori- 
cal Association of the United States. In religious 
belief lie holds membership in. the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, while politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 



WILLIAMSON R. SELOVER. No 
man stands higher in the regard of his 
fellow-citizens than the subject of this 
sketch, who owns and occupies a neat place just 
within the corporate limits of the village of Ja- 
maica. In his carer as a farmer he has displayed 
an excellent capacity for business, forethought 
and wise calculation, and these qualities have 
brought him into prominence among the pros- 
perous residents of the town. He has been in- 
terested in public affairs and takes an intelligent 
interest in all that concerns the community, while 
his public spirit has helped forward many plans 
devised for its advancement. 

In the town of Jamaica, about one mile east of 
his present home, our subject was born April 
20, 1838, being a son of Cornelius J. and Mar- 
garet (Ryder) Selover. His paternal grandpar- 
ents were Daniel and Cozina Selover, the former 
of whom was a farmer. Cornelius J- Selover was 
born in the town of Jamaica in 1800, and in his 
native place grew to manhood and entered upon 
farm pursuits, becoming in the course of years 
one of the most successful and prominent agri- 
culturists of the community. His activity was 
cut short by his death in 1856, when the town 
lost one of its honest, etificient and popular citi- 
zens. Of his marriage twelve children were born, 
but of that number only five survive. 

The common schools of the home neighbor- 
hood were the medium through which the sub- 
ject of this sketch laid the foundation of his edu- 
cation, and the knowledge there acquired has 
since been supplemented by self-culture and 
thoughtful reading. For his life work he chose 
the occu]3ation in which his father had met with 
so much success, but not having at first the means 
for the purchase of a place, he operated rented 
land for seventeen years. He was saving and 
economical, and with his earnings he purchased 
land now within the city limits of Brooklyn, 
where for several years he carried on farming. 
On selling out there he purchased in 1891 the 
attractive homestead where he has since resided. 
In 1872 Mr. Selover married Miss Martha J., 



daughter of Jacob V. and Mary A. Bergen, of 
Flatlands, N. Y. Thev became the parents of 
five children, of whom those living are named as 
follows: Minnie B., wife of Louis K. Bennett, 
of Brooklyn; Margaret J., who married L. J. 
Cosgrove; and Mabel, who is with her parents. 
Politically Mr. Selover is a Republican of the 
truest type and occupies a high position among 
the members of his party. His labors in behalf 
of all that will elevate the status of the people, 
either materially or morally, are ceaseless and 
have brought him the regard of his neighbors and 
acquaintances. 



ALBERT J. HORTON, one of the most 
esteemed and worthy citizens of Queens 
County, was born in Jericho, January 5, 
1 84 1. He is a son of Alfred and Mary E. (\'al- 
entine) Horton, the former of whom was born 
at Coldspring, L. I., on the i8th of September, 
1818. His father, Joseph Horton, was also a 
native of the island and for many years was a 
resident of Coldspring. At one time Alfred Hor- 
ton was a contractor and builder in the city of 
Brooklyn, wdiere he located soon after his mar- 
riage. About i860 he was elected coroner of 
that city, holding the position for two terms of 
three years each. About ten years previous to 
this he was elected constable of the eleventh 
ward. In the year 1883 he left Brooklyn and 
moved to Jericho, where he has since made his 
home. In every respect he is well preser\^ed. 

Our subject was one of five children, but is the 
onlv one now living. He received his education 
in the schools of Brooklyn. His first venture for 
himself was in the carpenter business, when 
twenty-one years old, and after following this for 
two years in Brooklyn he engaged in the milk 
business on the corner of DeKalb and Hudson 
Avenues. A year and a half later he gave this 
up and opened a cigar store in Fulton Street, 
operating the same for some time. On the 2d 
of December, 1866, he bought the Jericho Hotel, 
conducting it successfully for twenty-one years, 
and during this time he also carried on a hotel 
at Seaford for one season. In the year 1873 '^"^ 
was elected sealer of weights and measures and 
held the position for two }-ears. He also became 
commissioner of highways, a jiosition he held for 
two successive terms of three years each. I'or 
some time he was town tax collector of Oyster 
I>av, and for five years deputy collector of in- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



711 



ternal revenue for the first district, being- em- 
ployed in the towns of Oyster Bay, North Hemp- 
stead, Flushing, and part of Long Island City. 
After that he was appointed inspector of the 
foundation planking- of the Brooklyn water con- 
duits and had supervision of the construction of 
the conduits for about three years. Following 
this he was inspector of the construction of sew- 
ers of Brooklyn for one year and afterward filled 
the position of inspector of ponds and streams in 
connection with the Brooklyn water works. He 
was also appointed inspector of tracks for the 
Brooklyn Heights Railway Company, holding 
that position for six months, and since 1894 he 
has not been actively engaged in business. 

During- his residence in Brooklyn Mr. Horton 
was married to Miss Emma Bennett, of that city, 
and the daughter of A. Bennett. Two children 
were the fruits of this union, Alfred, now in 
business in New York City, and Mary D., who 
died in infancy. Mrs. Horton died in August, 
1885. In politics Mr. Horton has always been 
a loyal Democrat. Socially he is an Odd Fel- 
low, a member of Primrose Lodge No. 569, and 
he was formerly a member of Pembroke Lodge 
No. 73, Glencove. He has filled the chairs and 
is now past noble grand. He was also a member 
of Glencove Lodge No. 426, A. O. U. W., and of 
the Union League of the city of Brooklyn. Dur- 
ing his residence in that city he was one-third 
partner in the distillery on the corner of State 
and Bond Streets. Besides his property inter- 
ests he has twenty-five . lots in the village of 
Hicksville and two houses. His home is now in 
Massapequa. 



HARVEY G. SPALDING. Honorable in- 
dustry always travels the same road with 
enjoyment and duty, and progress is al- 
together impossible without it. In the life of 
Mr. Spalding energy and honesty have always 
governed every transaction, and while he has 
not become wealthy, he has by his arduous ef- 
forts srained a comfortable amount of this world's 
goods. He especially merits praise from the 
fact that, although he began without money, he 
has worked his way up to a position of influence 
and independence. His standing in the town of 
Jamaica is that of a reliable citizen and a man of 
intelligence, who lives not for himself alone, but 
is interested in the welfare of his fellowmen. 
The present home of Mr. Spalding is situated 



three miles south of Jamaica on the Rockaway 
road. He was born in Norwich, Vt., January 
20, 1824, and is one of six children, three of whom 
are now living. His father, Samuel, was a pros- 
perous farmer of Vermont, later of Connecticut. 
Twice married, his first wife, the mother of our 
subject, died in 1825. Four years later he mar- 
ried Miss Lucy Carter, of Canterbury, Conn., 
and they became the parents of four children. 
With the exception of a few years toward the end 
of his life, he continued to reside in Canterbury 
until his death at the age of ninety-six. Through- 
out his long life, even to its close, he was re- 
markable for robustness and sturdy physic|ue, 
and was scarcely sick a day in all that time. 

At the age of eighteen the subject of this no- 
tice began in life for himself, and for three years 
following served an apprenticeship to the wagon- 
maker's trade in Westminster, after which he did 
journevman work for three years there and in 
Newark, N. J. With his wife, formerly Miss Di- 
ana Fowler, whom he married in July, 1845, he 
removed to the village of Jamaica, and there for 
eleven years he made his home. During- nine 
years of that time he was employed as a journey- 
man, but two years prior to his removal he 
opened a shop for himself. In 1861 he came to 
his present home and established himself in busi- 
ness as a wagon maker, in which way he con- 
tinued until July, 1893. Since that time the 
business has been conducted by his son, Charles 
H., and he has retired from active labors. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Spalding was 
blessed with six children, but only two are now 
living. The older son, Pulaski, who is married 
and has two children, is engaged in business as 
a wagon maker, his home and place of business 
being Springfield, this county. The younger son, 
Charles H., married Miss Emma Stothoff, who 
since the death of our subject's wife in August, 
1889, has presided over the home, managing its 
household affairs and at the same time giving 
careful attention to the welfare of her three chil- 
dren, Charles Albert, Edna Amelia, and Arthur 
Wilbur. Politically our subject is a Republican. 
He is a friend of liberal education and for nine 
years served as trustee of the school in this dis- 
trict. 

Charles H., our subject's successor in business, 
was born September 12, 1862, and was educated 
in the Jamaica South district. Under the in- 
;truction of his father he learned the wagon 
laker's trade, which he has since followed with 



St 

ma 



712 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the exception of one year (1882) when he was 
employed by the Norwich Lock Manufacturing 
Company of Norwich, Conn. December 23, 
1884, he married Emma, daughter of Cornehus 
Stothoff, of Springfield, and they have since re- 
sided at the old homestead. In religious belief 
he is a member of the •Springfield Methodist 
Church and is a member of its board of trustees. 
As a Republican he is warmly interested in the 
progress of his party, but cannot be called a poli- 
tician, for he prefers to devote his attention to 
his business affairs. 



GEORGE W. TERRY, well known as one 
of the successful business men of Hemp- 
stead, was born in Center Moriches, Suf- 
folk County, June 25, 1842. His father, Strong 
Terry, was born on the same place January 3, 
1812, and died there February 27, 1890, having 
devoted his entire active life to farming pursuits. 
Of his three brothers. Nelson, who was born Sep- 
tember 19, 1807, in early Ufe engaged in busi- 
ness as a hotel keeper at Moriches and also ran a 
stage line on Long Island, of which he was one 
of the owners. His closing years were spent on 
his farm, where he died in 1887. Three sons 
survive him, namely: Henry S., a coal merchant 
in Brooklyn; George Smith, who lives in the 
West and is the confidential man of Cornelius 
Vanderbilt, Jr., son of the old Commodore and 
brother of the late William H. Vanderbilt; and 
William C, who for many years carried on a 
hotel business in Toledo, Ohio, but now lives fur- 
ther West. 

Another brother of our subject's father, Samuel 
by name, was born April 7, 1814, and was a 
farmer by occupation. At his death he left three 
sons, namely: Francis A., born February 15. 
1837, a sailor in the United States Navy in the 
Civil War, who was lost at sea; Gideon H., born 
December 2, 1839, a soldier in the late war, who 
was killed in the battle of Cedar Mountain, Au- 
gust 9, 1862; and Charles C, who was born 
March 12, 1851, and is now captain of a coasting" 
vessel. The third brother of our subject's father 
was William C, wlio for many years carried on 
mercantile pursuits; his only child, Mary Strong 
Terry, married Egbert Strong and lives in Baby- 
Ion, L. 1. ' . 

Tlie paternal grandfather of our subject, Capt. 
Samuel Terry, was born September 17, 1773, and 
in early life was captain of a sailing vessel, but 



later became a merchant and farmer at Center 
Moriches, where he died May 7, 1851. He was 
the son of William Terry, who died at Islip, L. I., 
March 25, 1824, at the age of seventy-four years; 
his wife died at the home of Capt. Samuel Terry 
February 15, 1838, aged ninety-one years. The 
Terry family was among the first to settle on the 
east end of Long Island, but the early records 
are incomplete, so that it is impossible to give a 
connected history of the ancestors. 

Our subject's mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Harriet Topping, was born in Center 
Moriches April 2, 1816, and was married to 
Strong Terry April 14, 1840; she died June i, 
1868. Her brothers were Elias, who spent his 
entire life on a farm; Sidney B., a merchant and 
market gardener; Jasper G., who also followed 
that business, and died leaving no children; Silas 
E., a farmer of Suffolk County; and Charles, who 
died young. Sidney B., a resident of West 
Hampton, was a butcher by trade; his son, 
Charles E., is general superintendent of the 
United States Express Company in New York 
City and is the "right-hand" man of ex-Senator 
Thomas C. Piatt; another son, John M., is a 
prominent railroad man in New York City. Silas 
E., who made his home in Center ^Moriches, had 
three sons, namely: Capt. Frank Topping; Ed- 
win, a merchant at Stony Brook; and Thomas, 
a seafaring man and at one time steward of Jay 
Gould's yacht. Silas Topping, our subject's 
grandfather, was born at Southampton, L. I., 
and was a farmer by occupation; he married 
Charity M., daughter of John Bishop, of ]\Iori- 
ches, and member of an old family of the island. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of four 
children. His sister. Charity M., born April 14, 
1845, is the wife of Ellsworth E. Wells, who was 
a soldier in the late war and is now an architect 
in New York; Jasper G., born July 18, 1848, was 
for some vears on the police force in New \ ork, 
where he received injuries that crippled him for 
hfe; Julia C, born October 22, 1854, is the wife 
of Edward Thomas and resides at Center I^ilori- 
ches. 

After completing his education our subject was 
for seven years engaged in the mercantile busi- ■ 
ness at Yaphank, L. I., later for five years at 
Moriches, then for a similar period in New York 
City, and in 1880 he came to Hempstead, where 
he has since carried on a boot and shoe business. 
A member of the Methodist Church, he is espe- 
cially interested in Sunday-school work and was 




l'"RANKI,IN II. CORWIN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



715 



superintendent for ten years during his residence 
in Moriclies and Amityville. Fraternally a Ma- 
son and an Odd Fellow, he has been secretary of 
both lodges and has passed all the chairs. For 
three years he was commander of the American 
Legion of Honor. August 6, 1865, he married 
Miss Eliza J. Philips, who died December 10, 
1889, leaving no children. She was a daughter 
of John M. Phihps, of Harpersfield, Ohio, and a 
direct descendant, in the seventh generation, of 
John Rogers. The second marriagre of Mr. Terry 
took place April 8, 1892, when Miss Kate West- 
lake, of Hempstead, became his wife. Political- 
ly Mr. Terry is a stanch Republican. 



FRANKLIN H. CORWIN, superintendent 
of the shipping department of the Gros- 
jean Agateware Works of Woodhaven, 
also v-ce-president of the Woodhaven Bank, one 
of the most reliable institutions of the kind in 
the county, was born in the village of Orient, in 
the extreme eastern end of Long Island, March 
16, 1852. He is the son of Capt. William G. Cor- 
win, whose birth occurred in Mattituck, July 19, 
1 819, and who devoted his active years to coast- 
ing and fishing, in which he was very successful. 
He is now spending the declining years of his 
life in a pleasant home in Orient, making occas- 
ional visits to his son in Woodhaven and his 
other sons and daughters, in whom he has par- 
donable pride for the honorable and upright 
course of their lives. 

The Corwin family trace their ancestry back 
to the earliest settlers of the eastern portion of 
the island, and their name is legion in Suffolk 
County. The grandfather of Franklin H. served 
as a soldier in the War of 1812 and his father held 
the rank of major in the Revolutionary War. 
To Capt. William G Corwin and his wife there 
were born six children, of whom William G, Jr., 
is a well-to-do business man in Southampton. 
Grace I. and Mary L. are married and reside in 
Orient. George D. and Charles L. are deceased. 
Franklin H. was not permitted to attend school 
but a short time, for when only twelve years of 
age he accompanied his father on his fishing ex- 
peditions, and as he grew to like this kind of life 
he followed it for five 3'ears. He then went to 
Brooklyn and secured a position in a grocery 
store and later was salesman in a wholesale boot 
and shoe house of New York. 

In 1 87 1, however, Mr. Corwin came to Wood- 



haven and entered the employ of the large manu- 
facturing establishment with which he has since 
been connected, and in which he has worked his 
way up to his present responsible position of 
superintendent of the shipping department. He 
is a thorough-going business man and has won 
the entire confidence of his employers. He de- 
serves great credit, for he started out in life with 
no capital other than a clear record and' a desire 
to make for himself a name and fortune, and dur- 
ing the quarter of a century in which he has been 
in Woodhaven, by carefully attending to his 
duties in the factory and by hard work he has 
attained success and is now not only one of the 
most prosperous, but one of the most popular 
citizens of Woodhaven. 

After his hours at the factory were over Mr. 
Corwin has given his attention to building up 
an insurance business, which has now grown to 
large proportions. He was one of the organizers 
of the AVoodhaven Bank in 1891, and was chosen 
its vice-president, which position he still holds. 
He is also the partner of H. M. De Ronde, who 
gives most of his attention to carrying on their 
large grocery business in this place. In addition 
he is interested in many other enterprises 
in the place and is one of its most substantial and 
influential citizens. He is a member of the Con- 
gregational Church and is liberal in his contribu- 
tions to the same and is active in the work of the 
Sunday-school, having been for fifteen years its 
superintendent. 

Mr. Corwin and Miss Almira, daughter of E. 
TJ. Jones of Woodhaven, were united in marriag-e 
in 1877. They have two sons and two daughters, 
namely: Franklin H., Jr., Chester Harrison, Jessie 
E. and Grace D. The family occttpy one of the 
most pleasant homes in the best part of Wood- 
. haven and number their friends among its best 
people. Our subject has always been interested 
in the cause of education, and as treasurer of the 
school board has exerted his influence in eainine 
for the people of this section model schools in 
every respect. 



JOHN A. SCHMALL, carriage, wagon and 
sign painter, has his place of business at 
No. 104 Jackson Avenue, Long Island 
City. He is, however, living in Brooklyn, where 
he is the owner of a comfortable home and is 

He was born 



well-to-do in this world's goods 



7i6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in that city in 1855. Plis father, John Schmah, 
a native of Holland, came to America when a 
yoim.o- man and established the first butcher shop 
in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. There he was en- 
gaged in business for a period of thirty years. Init 
later removed to Chicago and made that city his 
home until his demise. Mrs. Frances (Appleton) 
Schmall, mother of our subject, was of German 
birth. She became the mother of thirteen chil- 
dren, and died in Long Island City. 

John A., the subject of this sketch, was 
reared in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and edu- 
cated in the public schools. He spent his va- 
cations in assisting his father in the meat mar- 
ket and when his school days were over re- 
mained with him until seventeen or eighteen 
years of age, when he apprenticed himself to a 
painter, as he was desirous of learning carriage 
and sign painting. He remained with Pete 
Birch of Brooklyn for three and a half years, 
when he started in business for himself in Green- 
point. After remaining there for a time, in June, 
1875, we find him plying his trade at Hunter's 
Point, where he has continued ever since. He 
occupied the same building for nearly twenty 
years, but the fire of 1893 compelled him to find 
new quarters and he is now doing business at 
No. 104 Jackson Avenue, between Sixth and 
Seventh Streets. The building, which is two 
stories in height, has two entrances and is fitted 
up with all the appliances for prosecuting the 
carriage and sign painting business in the best 
possible manner. He also manufactures ban- 
ners and transparencies. In his line he is an ex- 
pert and often receives large orders from Brook- 
lyn and New York, also from almost every town 
or village of any size on the island. He is the 
oldest painter in Long Island City and as such 
possesses the confidence of its citizens. 

Mr. Schmall was married in Brooklyn in 1877 
to Miss Harriet Wareham, who was born in New 
York City. They occupy a comfortable home 
at No. 612 Larmor Street, Brooklyn, and many 
of their friends are to be found among its best 
citizens. 

Mr. Schmall is very prominent in politics and 
ever since casting his first vote has been a stanch 
supporter of Republican principles. In 1895 'i^' 
was the candidate of his party for the assemlMy 
from the Fourteenth District. This locality is 
strongly Democratic, and claims a majority of 
three thousand voters, (^ur subject was, how- 
ever, defeated l)y two thousand votes, which re- 



duced the majority to one thousand. He is a 
member of the Exempt Firemen's Association 
of this city and many years ago was assistant 
foreman of Live Oak Company, No. 2. 



ROBERT SAPPELT. This worthy and pro- 
gressive farmer is one of the best types 
of the German-American element, whose 
constancy to the business in hand, and whose 
thrift have added so greatly to the value of our 
agricultural regions. Fie was born in Prussia, 
Germany, March 20, 1838, to the marriage of 
Herman and Frances (Heuman) Sappelt, both 
natives of the Old Country. Herman Sappelt 
was born July 13, 1805, and early in life became 
an agriculturist. Afterwards he abandoned this 
pursuit and embarked as a dealer in yarns when 
spinning by hand was at its height. After ma- 
chinery had been invented that made spinning by 
hand unprofitable, he engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness in Frankenstein, Germany, and continued 
this successfullv until the year 1849, when he de- 
cided to seek his fortune in the New World. 

On his arrival here he spent a year in Williams- 
burg, and afterwards moved to what was then 
known as New Brooklyn, and became the over- 
seer for the firm of Sackman, Radde & Dorman, 
real estate men, who were laying out lots in that 
portion of the island. After about four years 
with this firm Mr. Sappelt engaged in contract- 
ing for himself, following this for the next two 
years, and laid out some of the principal streets 
of that section of the city. Later he moved to 
Hvdepark and for fourteen years followed farm- 
ing, when he purchased the tract of land now 
owned bv our subject, and there passed the clos- 
ing scenes of his life, his death occurring Novem- 
ber 25, 1885, when in his eighty-first year. His 
widow is still living, at the advanced age of 
eighty-three }-ears, and finds a comfortable and 
pleasant home with her son Robert. Her great- 
grandfather reached the age of ninety-eight 
vears, and her great-grandmother lived to be 
ninety-six. 

Our subject was the youngest of three children 
born to his parents, the others being Ernestine, 
?ilrs. Flenry Schmitt. and Pauline, Mrs. George 
W. \\'eil, both of whom are living at the present 
time. Robert remained untler the parental roof 
until grown and received part of his education 
in Germany and part in his adopted country, 
beinsr but eleven vears old when ho came here. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



717 



As he was the only son he worked with his father 
up to the time of the latter's death and then took 
charge of the home farm at Foster's Meadow, 
which he has since conducted most successfully- 
In 1875 hs patented a seed fertilizer sower which 
he uses on his farm. 

Mr. Sappelt has never married. In politics he 
is a Republican and in religion he is a Catholic. 
For thirteen years he was overseer of highways 
and for the past five years has been school col- 
lector in this district. 



GEORGE ROECKEL is one of the native 
sons of Queens County, and within its 
limits has passed his entire life. He is 
an influential citizen of Fosters Meadow, where 
he is the proprietor of a general mercantile es- 
tablishment. Born in the above place, April 25, 
1861, he is the son of Joseph Roeckel, a native of 
Bavaria, Germany. The latter was born in Feb- 
ruary, 1828, and was in his seventeenth year when 
he embarked on a vessel bound for the shores of 
the New World. 

Joseph Roeckel was well educated in his na- 
tive tongue and after coming to America soon 
found employment as clerk in a store in New 
York Cit}'. He was thus engaged for some time, 
when, being possessed of a snug little sum of 
money, he established a grocery on the corner 
of Thirtieth Street and Eighth Avenue. In this 
undertaking he was very prosperous and in 1858 
opened a store at Fosters Meadow; two years 
later he made this place his home. Fle continued 
to give his attention to the management of the 
store until 1887, when he sold out to his son, our 
subject. He is the owner of much valuable prop- 
erty in this vicinity, and in looking after this and 
in transacting the duties of postmaster, to which 
position he was appointed by President Hayes, 
has about all that he can do. 

The lady whom Joseph Roeckel married was 
Margaret Johnston, a native of Belfast, Ireland. 
She departed this life when George was quite 
young and the father was then married to her 
sister, Sarah Johnston. The former union re- 
sulted in the birth of four children, those besides 
our subject being Nellie, now the wife of Irving 
Boyce, of Jamaica; Sarah, at home, and Clara, 
Mrs. James F. Hendrickson, of Springfield, L. I. 

The subject of this sketch first attended the 
public schools of his native town, after which he 
took a thorough course in the private school at 



Jamaica. After his school days were over he 
worked on a farm which liis father owned until 
1882, when he went into the store and gave his 
undivided attention to mastering every detail of 
the business. In 1887 he purchased the stock of 
goods and has since conducted affairs in a very 
able manner. In addition to this he now deals 
in fertilizers and farm produce, handling more 
of the former than any other person in the state 
of New York. Mr. Roeckel deserves the suc- 
cess which he has attained, having exercised pru- 
dence and tact in all his transactions. He is a 
great lover of horses and is the owner of some 
very fine animals, which he exhibits at the fairs 
held in this and Suffolk Counties. At one time 
he was vice-president of the Long Island Racing 
Society. 

In 1882 our subject was married to Miss Em- 
ma, daughter of Henry A. Van Allen, one of the 
wealthy and influential residents of Jamaica. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Roeckel there have been born two 
daughters, Edna and Cora. Although never 
seeking or desiring to hold office, Mr. Roeckel 
is greatly interested in public affairs and during 
elections never fails to cast a vote in support of 
candidates of the Republican ticket. 



ISAAC CORNELL REMSEN, who resides 
about two miles southwest of Jamaica, L. I., 
is a member of one of the old and representa- 
tive families of the island. On the 3d of April, 
1854, he was born in Flatlands, Kings County, 
of which section his father, Richard Remsen, Jr., 
was also a native. The great-grandfather, also 
Richard Remsen, was likewise a native of Flat- 
lands. The former was one of three sons born 
to Esq. John Remsen, and as the home place 
was a large one when the sons grew to manhood, 
the farm was divided and the sons erected resi- 
dences thereon. On the farm that fell to his lot, 
Richard ' Remsen, Jr., has resided since and is 
now seventy-four years old. One of his sons, 
Garrett K. S. Remsen, now manages the home 
farm. 

Our subject's grandfather, Esq. John Remsen, 
was also a native of Flatlands and a man promi- 
nently identified with every enterprise of moment. 
Richard Remsen, Jr., married Miss Cornelia A. 
Kowenhoven and six of their nine children now 
survive. Of these Isaac Cornell Remsen was 
sixth in order of birth. His early life was spent 
in active duties on the farm and he secured a fair 



7l8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



education in the common schools and a good 
business education in Brown's Business College, 
Brooklyn. On the 13th of December, 1882, Mr. 
Remsen married Miss Georgianna J. Ditmis, 
daughter of George O. Ditmis of Queens. (See 
sketch.) 

After one year's residence in Flatlands our 
subject removed to his present place, which was 
once the home farm of M. G. Johnson, an uncle 
of Mr. Remsen's wife. On this tract of land Mr. 
Remsen has tilled the soil most successfully since. 
His marriage resulted in the birth of three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living at the present time. 
George O. Ditmis was born August 7, 1886, and 
died March 16, 1888; Richard was born June 
22, 1889; and Martin Johnson, January 4, 1892. 
The two latter children are unusually bright, 
manly-looking little boys and are a credit to 
their parents. Politically Mr. Remsen is a Re- 
publican. He is a member and director of the 
Queens County Agricultural Society and is in- 
terested in all that pertains to the welfare of his 
county. Religiously he is a member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church of Jamaica. 



WILLIAM H. ALLEN, constable for 
the town of Flushing, formerly chief of 
police of Rockaway Beach and depitty 
sheriff of Queens County, is one of the enter- 
prising young merchants of Flushing, where he 
has been owner and proprietor of a men's furnish- 
ing establishment since 1885. He is a member 
of one of the old families of New Jersey, where 
his great-grandfather, Jonathan Allen, was born, 
the latter, however, afterward settling in New 
York City, where he was engaged in the mercan- 
tile business in the Seventh ward. The grand- 
father, James A., a native of New Jersey, also re- 
moved to New York, where he was employed as 
a mechanic; during the War of 1812 he entered 
the service, furnishing his own outfit and remain- 
ing in the army until peace was declared. He 
chose as his wife Miss Mary Ruck, a member of 
an old Holland-Dutch family that originally set- 
tled on Manhattan Island. 

The father of our subject. Judge Robert W. 
Allen, was l^orn in New York City in 1822, and 
was reared in that city, where he gained his edu- 
cation. l'"or a time he was in the mercantile 
business in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, later went 
back to New York, then returned to Williams- 
burg, afterward si)cnt three and one-half years 



in Bellmore, Queens County, and in 1881 settled 
in Flushing, where he opened a general dry 
goods store in the building adjoining that now 
occupied by his son. For one term, while living 
in Williamsburg, he served as justice of the 
peace. As a Democrat he has long taken an 
active part in politics. He was delegate to the 
national convention that nominated James Bu- 
chanan for President, on which occasion he dis- 
played his loyalty to that party leader by voting 
seventeen times for him. In i860 he was an 
alternate delegate to the convention at Charles- 
ton. Socially he has been a Mason for forty- 
five years and is now a member of Flyatt Lodge 
No. 205, F. & A. M. 

Our subject's mother, Adelia W., was born in 
Williamsburg in 1829, being a daughter of Judge 
William Hughes, a native of New York and for 
years a real estate dealer in Brooklyn, where he 
served as justice and associate justice of Kings 
County; he was of English parentage, his father 
having come from that country. Mrs. Adelia 
W. Allen died in 1890, leaving two children, ]\Irs. 
Ada M. Sammis, of Brooklyn, and William H., 
who was born in Brooklyn in 1865. The latter 
was educated in the public schools and Wright's 
College, Brooklyn, and in 1881 came to Flush- 
ing, where he has since resided. For a time he 
was employed as a clerk in New York City, but 
since 1885 has been in business for himself. In 
addition to carrying on his store, he is interested 
in the Flushing Bank. He was married in this 
village to Miss Phoebe L., daughter of the late 
John A. Young, who was formerly engaged in 
the mercantile business here. They have two 
children, Ada Y. and Myra L. 

For three years Mr. Allen was deputy to Sher- 
iff Goldner and for a similar period served under 
Sheriff Norton. During two years of the last 
term he was captain or chief of police of Rocka- 
way Beach and head deputy sheriff, having 
charge of all the departments. He rendered 
active service during the quarantine on Fire Isl- 
and at the time of the cholera epidemic; was in 
charge at the demonstration at Glencove, on the 
celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of 
the settlement of the village, when he brought to 
justice seventeen pickpockets; and was at the 
jMineola Fair, where he had a clash with the 
Pinkerton men. With three others he raided 
the prize fighters at Woodside at two o'clock in 
the morning and in spite of the presence of a 
crowd of toughs, succeeded in handcuffing the 




F. D. KOUWENHOVEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



721 



principals and stopping the fight. At Rockaway 
Beach he stopped a prize fight at two o'clock 
one morning, just as it was being started. He 
was a very efficient and successful officer, and 
enforced the law to the letter. In the spring of 
1895 he was elected constable on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, which office he now holds. An 
active worker in the ranks of the Democratic 
party, he has been a delegate to general and 
county conventions, and has always manifested 
the most enthusiastic interest in everything per- 
taining to politics. 

Socially Mr. Allen is connected with Cornu- 
copia Lodge No. 653, F. & A. M. He assisted 
in the organization of the Order of Foresters, 
and was the first sub chief of the lodge, also 
served as its chief ranger. At different times he 
has been president and foreman of the Mutual 
Engine Company No. i. A charter member of 
the Flushing Boat Club, he was a member of the 
first board of trustees of that organization. He 
is connected with Council No. 6 of the Order of 
American Firemen. His success is especially 
commendable when the fact is considered that he 
is scarcely yet in the prime of life. Undoubtedly 
the future years will bring him an ever increasing 
success, both in business and in public affairs. 



FRANK .D. KOUWENHOVEN. Few citi- 
zens of Long Island City, especially that 
portion of the place included within the 
suburb of Steinway, are better known and none 
are more highly esteemed than the subject of 
this biographical notice, who has spent his entire 
life in the locality where he now resides. He is 
a representative of one of the oldest famihes 
around Bowery Ba3^ a family whose members 
have been noted for patriotic allegiance to our 
Government and the spirit of enterprise dis- 
played in business affairs. 

The first of the name to seek a home in Amer- 
ica was Wolfert Gerritsen van Couwenhoven, a 
native of Amersfort, province of Utrecht, the 
Netherlands, who crossed the Atlantic in 1630, 
and, with a number of others, sought a home in 
Rensselaerville, near the city of Albany, N. Y. 
After a few years, however, he removed to Long 
Island and, with others, bought Flatlands, Kings 
County, the date of purchase being June 16, 1636. 
By different branches of the family the name is 
now spelled Couwenhoven, Kouwenhoven and 
Conaver. From Wolfert the line of descent is 
29 



traced through Gerrit, Nicasus, John, William, 
AVilliam, Jr., Gerrit, Luke and George to the sub- 
ject of this notice. 

Tlie grandfather of our subject, Luke Kouwen- 
hoven, was born in Flatlands June 3, 1766, and 
was a son of Gerrit, whose birth occurred at the 
same place. The former married Ann, daughter 
of George and Sarah (Luyster) Wyckoff and 
granddaughter of Daniel Luyster, of whose farm 
at Bowery Bay Grandfather Kouwenhoven be- 
came the possessor, remaining upon it until his 
death, October 22, 1853. His wife passed away 
at the age of ninety-six years and seven months. 
Our subject's father, George, was born Decem- 
ber II, 1792, and was reared on the family home- 
stead. In 1818 he purchased from Mr. Luyster 
one hundred and twenty acres comprising the 
farm now owned by his son, Luke, and upon 
that place he remained until his death, November 
21, 1874, at the age of eighty-one years eleven 
months and ten days. He was buried in Cypress 
Hill Cemetery. In religious belief he was con- 
nected with the Dutch Reformed Church, in 
which he held official position. During the War 
of 1812 he served in the American Army, being 
stationed at Ft. Green in Brooklyn. 

The mother of our subject, Helena Duryee, 
was born in Dutch Kills January 15, 1799, and 
the house where she was born is still standing, 
one of the oldest buildings in this locality. Her 
father, Francis Duryee, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and occupied the old homestead until his 
death, which occurred December 15, 1835, at the 
age of seventy-four. Mrs. Helena Kouwenhoven 
died March 19, 1893, aged ninety-four years and 
two months. Of her children two sons and two 
daughters are still living, namely: Sarah Ann 
and Eve Agnes, who reside at the old homestead ; 
Francis Duryee, of this sketch; and Luke, who 
still occupies the old home. 

Born August 19, 1826, our subject was in 
youth given such advantages as the schools of 
Newtown afforded, and to the information there 
obtained he supplemented the knowledge ac- 
quired not from text books, but in the school of 
practical experience and through habits of close 
observation. At the time of his marriage, in 
1857, he built the house which he has since oc- 
cupied. The old home farm is still owned by the 
family, with the exception of about twenty acres, 
which was sold by his father to Mr. Steinway. 

The wife of Mr. Kouwenhoven bore the maiden 
name of Harriet FIvatt and was born in New- 



722 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



town, where her father, John B., was a farmer. 
Of their union four children were born who at- 
tained years of maturity, namely: Sarah L., 
whose husband is a Presbyterian clergyman in 
Indianapolis, Ind.: Helena D., wife of Edward C. 
Hulst, of Newtown; Agnes E., and Fannie G., 
who have received excellent educational advan- 
tages in Brooklyn and Poughkeepsie. While de- 
voted to American institutions, Mr. Kouwen- 
hoven maintains an interest in the country from 
which his forefathers emigrated, and is identified 
with the Holland Society. He aided in the erec- 
tion of the Dutch Reformed Church in Steinway, 
and serves the congregation as an elder. Polit- 
ically he advocates Republican principles. 



PATRICK J. ROULETT. This brave and 
faithful sergeant of the Long Island City 
police has passed to that bourne whence no 
traveler returns, but while living he did much to 
improve the social atmosphere of the city in 
which he made his home and to remove from it 
the criminal classes and the low and vicious, 
while discharging the duties of his position. He 
was born in County Sligo, Ireland, March 15, 
1849, to John and Bridget (White) Roulett, also 
natives of the Isle of Erin, the former of whom 
lived and died in the land that gave him birth. 
In 1867 his widow came to America, joining her 
children here, and in Long Island City, at the 
home of the subject of this sketch, she died in 
1892. She bore her husband four sons and one 
daughter, of whom one son and one daughter 
are living, the latter a resident of Ireland, and 
the former, Thomas, a resident of Long Island 
City. 

Patrick J. Roulett continued to live in Ireland 
until he was fifteen years of age, when he deter- 
mined to seek his fortune in America and came 
at once to Long Island City,, which continued 
his place of residence up to the time of his death. 
He learned the stone cutter's trade with Sullivan, 
Rafter & Murphy, after which he worked for 
them and for other stone firms of this city until 
he received his appointment to the police force 
in June, 1879. He held the position of patrol- 
man up to 1882, then became acting sergeant, 
and in 1885 was promoted to the rank of ser- 
geant, which he continued to hold, the most of 
his work lieing in the second precinct, although 
he has also been an active ofScer of the first pre- 
cinct. One of tlie lines of dutv he very much 



enjoyed was detective work, and some of the 
best service in that direction was done by him. 
He was shrewd, far-seeing and active, and was 
one of the best officers the city ever had. Dur- 
ing the sixteen years that he was connected with 
the police department of Long Island City, he 
was faithful in the discharge of every duty. 

The morning of the day that Mr. Roulett died 
he was apparently as well as ever, walked down 
to the station house from Davis Street, but short- 
ly after reaching that place became faint. A 
physician and priest were called by his friends, 
his wife was summoned and soon afterAvard he 
was taken in an ambulance to his home, where 
he died shortly before one o'clock on the 6th of 
October, 1895. Thus closed a useful life. Dur- 
ing the days of the old volunteer fire department 
he was a member of Live Oak Truck No. 2 for 
six years and belonged to the Exempt Firemen's 
Association of Long Island City. Socially he 
was a member of John J. Mitchell Lodge. A. O. 
U. W. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, his 
remains being accompanied by a police escort. 

September 19, 1869, in Long Island City, 'Sir. 
Roulett married Miss Catherine Hayes, a na- 
tive of County Limerick, Ireland, but reared in 
Long Island City, and to their union five chil- 
dren were born: John P., a clerk in Babbitt's 
Soap Works, of New York; ^lary. Gertrude, 
Thomas and William. Mrs. Roulett is a daugh- 
ter of Patrick and Mar\r (Ryan) Hayes, who 
were born in Ireland, where the father tilled the 
soil until his removal to the New World in 1855. 
He settled in New York City but in 1865 came 
to Long Island City and engaged in the dair}' 
business, which calling he followed until his 
death in 1881. His wife died in 1870, having 
borne him four children: Catherine; Mrs. 
Bridget Ryan of Long Island City; John, also of 
this place ; and Thomas, who was for many years 
in the milk business in Long Island City, and 
died in 1883. The family are attendants of St. 
Marv's Catholic Church. 



HON. DARLING B. WHITNEY. :^I. D. 
Through the course of his long and hon- 
orable life, which has covered the greater 
part of the present century, the subject of this 
sketch has followed the course of a strictly hon- 
est and upright man — one who, knowing his 
dutv to his fellowman, has striven in every way 
to discharge every obligation that, as a citizen. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



723 



rested upon hin: in his intercourse with others. 
October 13, 1851, was the day upon which he 
came to East Norwich, and from that time to 
this his name has been intimately associated with 
every progressive measure and every enterprise 
for the benefit of the people. For over forty years 
he carried on a general medical practice, but the 
infirmities of age finally obliged him to retire 
from the active labors of former years. 

In the neighboring county of Suffolk, in the 
town of Huntington, the subject of this record 
was born September 14, 1810, being a son of 
John and Clarissa (Brush) Whitney. His father 
grew to manhood on the old homestead now 
owned by Scudder Whitney and in time he be- 
came a prominent farmer, his home for years 
being in the vicinity of Woodbury. When but 
a boy our subject left home and began the study 
of medicine under Dr. Morris M. Rogers, of 
Jericho, with whom he remained for four years, 
and then took a three years' course in the Medical 
College of New York, graduating from that in- 
stitution on the completion of the course. 

Locating in Newtown in 1832, the young doc- 
tor spent a year there, and then settled in Coni- 
mack, in the eastern part of the town of Hunt- 
ington, where he carried on a general practice 
until 1 85 1, the date of his removal to East Nor- 
wich. As a physician he has been skillful, well 
informed and assiduous in his care of patients, 
and met with remarkable success in his practice. 
December 3, 1833, he married Harriet N., daugh- 
ter of Philetus and Abigail (Goddard) Vail, of 
Dix Hills, where she was born March 22, 1817. 
She died of heart disease July 3, 1855, and was 
buried in the Fountain Hill Cemetery at Wood- 
bury. Several children were born of their union. 
Stanton M., the eldest, enlisted in the Civil War, 
participated in numerous engagements and the 
march to the sea, and died soon after his return 
home. Edwin R., now a farmer, took part in the 
Rebellion as a member of Harris' Cavalry, and 
participated in sixty-nine engagements. George 
E., twin of Edwin R., was also a Union soldier, 
being a member of a regiment of sharpshooters; 
he died at Oyster Bay in January, 1896. Sealey 
B., the youngest son, has been totally blind for 
twenty years. Harriet A. was born in 1844 and 
died, unmarried, in 1869. Sarah L., who died in 
1886, was the wife of Edwin Griffin, son of Ed- 
win and Flannah A. Griffin. 

The second marriage of Dr. Whitney took 
place February 23, i860, and united him with 



Letitia J. Franklin, who was born in Philadel- 
phia, December 20, 1838, being a daughter of 
Townsend and Elizabeth (McCalla) Franklin. 
Of this union there were born two children, 
twins, both of whom died in infancy. Politically 
the Doctor has always been a Democrat, and 
when younger he took an active part in public 
affairs. For nine years he was coroner of Suf- 
folk County, and for some time served as super- 
intendent of the common schools of Huntington. 
While occupying the former position he held the 
inquest upon the bodies of the ill-fated passen- 
gers of the steamer "Lexington," which burned 
on Long Island Sound January 13, 1840, at which 
time only four escaped of the one hundred and 
forty-five passengers on board. In 1845 -Dr. 
Whitney was elected to the legislature and took 
a prominent part in the deliberations of the as- 
sembly, serving as chairman of the medical com- 
mittee and in other positions of trust. He still 
holds membership in the Medical Society of 
Queens County and is interested in everything 
pertaining to the profession. 



GEORGE HERBERT DICKEY, D.D. S., 
of Flushing, was born in New York 
City September 10, 1859. He is a mem- 
ber of a family long and honorably associated 
with the history of New Hampshire, and identi- 
fied with the progress of our country. His pa- 
ternal great-grandfather took part in the Revo- 
lutionary War and the succeeding generations 
have been equally valiant and patriotic, proving 
the possession of the noblest qualities of citizen- 
ship by their energy and courageous spirit, both 
in times of peace and war. 

Thomas Dickey, father of our subject, was 
born in South Acworth, Sullivan County, N. H., 
and grew to manhood upon the farm owned and 
operated by his father, Thomas, Sr. In his 
early manhood he went to New York, where for 
a time he was proprietor of a warehouse, later 
became salesman, and at present is employed as 
a commercial traveler, which business he has 
successfully carried on for years. He resides at 
Ocean Grove, N. J., and is quite robust, not- 
withstanding advancing years. Politically he 
upholds Republican principles. His wife, Mar- 
garet (Perrine) Dickey, was born in Cranbury, 
Middlesex County, N. J., and is a descendant of 
French ancestry. 

There were two children in the parental fam- 



724 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ily, but George is the only one who attained ma- 
ture years. His boyhood years were spent prin- 
cipally in New Jersey. He began his education 
in the public schools of New York and later took 
a business course in the College of the City of 
New York. In 1879 he entered the New York 
Dental College and graduated two years later 
with honorable mention and the degree of D. D. 
S. Opening an office in Bedford Avenue, 
Brooklyn, he remained there until 1891, when he 
opened an office at No. 158 Madison Avenue, 
Flushing, where he has since conducted a gen- 
eral practice in dentistry. In New Jersey he 
married Miss Elizabeth Stonaker, and they have 
one child, Ethel May. Politically he is a firm 
Republican, always voting the party ticket. He 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he holds the positions of steward and sec- 
retary of the Epworth League. 



GEORGE A. STILLWAGGON, a retired 
citizen of Flushing, was born in New 
York City October 28, 1824, and is a 
descendant of Holland-Dutch ancestors, who for- 
merly spelled the family name Stellwagen. His 
father, David, who was born in New Jersey Aug- 
ust 4, 1783, was for many years a carpenter and 
builder in New York City, where he died at the 
family residence in Stone Street, December 15, 
1825. His marriage, which occurred February 
14, 181 1, united him with Miss Rachel Acker, 
who was born in Tarrytown, N. Y., September 
18, 1785, and died at No. 129 Union Street, Flush- 
ing, January 11, 1891, aged one hundred and five 
years, four months and twenty days. Her pa- 
ternal ancestors, who came from Holland, orig- 
ally spelled the family name Ecker, but it was 
afterward changed to the present form. The 
first of the name to settle in America was Abra- 
ham Acker, who lived on the Phillipsburg Patent 
in 1742. 

The mother of Mrs. Stillwaggon was Cather- 
ine, daughter of William and Eleanor (Cox) Van 
Wart, and a relative of Abraham Van Wart, one 
of the men who captured Major Andre. Cath- 
erine Van Wart became the wife of Abraham 
Acker, concerning whose personal history there 
is little on record. In her early life Mrs. Still- 
waggon attended services at the South Baptist 
Church in Nassau Street, New York. Frequent- 
ly during the latter years of her long life she en- 
tertained her relatives and friends bv narrating 



incidents connected with the early history of 
New York and the customs of the people who 
lived a hundred 3'ears ago. 

The parental family consisted of six children, of 
whom three attained maturity, those besides our 
subject being Mrs. Catherine A. Willets of Flush- 
ing, who is now (1896) eighty-three years of age, 
and Miss Cornelia M. Stillwaggon, who was 
born October 20, 1817, and died March 13, 1893. 
Our subject was reared in Stone Street, New 
York, and attended school in Beaver and Franklin 
Streets. In 1838 the family came to Flushing, 
where he continued his studies. In 1840 he secured 
a clerkship in a grocery here, and in 1843 bought 
the store owned by George B. Roe, situated in 
Washington Street, between Main and Union. 
Selling out in 1846, he engaged in the nursery 
business two miles out on Broadway, where he 
set out trees and started a nursery. After four 
years he disposed of the business and engaged 
in carpentering with David Smith, having 
learned the trade while in New York. His resi- 
dence was formerly the old Methodist Episcopal 
lecture room in Washington Street, which was 
moved to No. 50 Monroe Street. Mr. Stillwag- 
gon remodeled the place and has made it his 
home for thirty-one years. 

For twenty years our subject was foreman of 
Engine Company No. i, the first companv or- 
ganized here. Later he held a similar position 
with the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company. 
In his more active years he was connected with 
the Sons of Temperance. Politically, upon na- 
tional elections, he supports Republican candi- 
dates, but in local matters he votes for the best 
man. For two terms of two years each he was a 
member of the board of trustees of the village. 
AA^ith many of the early enterprises of Flushing 
he was prominently associated. He was one of 
the committee that raised the first liberty pole 
here, and Mrs. Brewster and other ladies fur- 
nishing the flag, then raised it on a pole one 
hundred and eighty-five feet in height. Over 
the memories of the past his mind lingers with 
pleasure, and while the present age is unsur- 
passed for the comforts it affords, it is doubtful 
if it can afiford him the pleasure he derived from 
the simple customs, genial hospitality and earnest 
labors of those by-gone days. 

May I, 1863, in Flushing, occurred the mar- 
riage of I\Ir. Stillwaggon to ]\Iiss A^irginia L. 
Pinkham, daughter of John L. and granddaugh- 
ter of Obcd and Abigail Pinkham. all natives of 




REV. JOSEPH HAUBER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



727 



Flushing. Her father and grandfather were sea- 
faring men and owned a sloop. In religious be- 
lief they were Hicksite Quakers, which is also her 
faith. The family originally resided in Orange 
County, this state. Her father, who was a car- 
penter, married Ann Eliza Farrington, a native 
of Newtown, and daughter of Richard and Mar- 
garet (Weeks) Earrington, an old family there; 
Mr. Pinkham died at the age of sixty-six and his 
wife when sixty-one. Of their nine children seven 
attained maturity and six are living, Mrs. Still- 
waggon being second in order of birth. She 
was reared and educated in Flushing and has 
made this her lifelong home. Six children were 
born of her marriage with Mr. Stillwaggon, but 
only three are living, Minnie Eliza, Frederick 
Augustus and David Acker, all residents of 
Flushing. 



REV. JOSEPH HAUBER, pastor of St. 
Boniface Church at Foster's Meadow, was 
born November 5, 1842, in Vorarlberg, at 
the western extremity of the Tyrol, Austria. In 
youth he was the recipient of excellent educa- 
tional advantages, attending for a time the Jesuit 
Fathers' College in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, and 
later continuing his studies in the American Sem- 
inary at Louvain, Belgium, where he was or- 
dained June 15, 1867. On the 21st of the follow- 
ing October he came to America and took tem- 
porary charge of St. Boniface Church, Brooklyn, 
where he remained for some time. 

January 21, 1868, Father Hauber took his pres- 
ent charge of St. Boniface Church, Foster's 
Meadow, where he has since remained, a period 
of little less than thirty years. To this parish 
he has devoted the best years of his life and for 
it he has toiled unweariedly and with the utmost 
self-sacrifice. Anything that will promote the 
welfare of his people receives his hearty support. 
His parish is a large one, covering a wide area 
and containing over eight hundred commtmi- 
cants, composed of all classes and all national- 
ities. He has worked incessantly for his congre- 
gation, and under his ministry he has accom- 
plished the building of the new church, which was 
erected in 1869 and enlarged in 1889. The par- 
sonage was built in 1872 under his personal su- 
pervision. 

In 1886 the parochial school of St. Boniface 
was erected, and this has since been conducted 
by the Sisters of St. Dominic, four of whom are 



employed in connection with the school. In- 
struction is given to one hundred and eighty 
children, the institution being supported by the 
parish. The ministry of Father Hauber covers 
so long a period that but few of his original par- 
ishioners survive. He has witnessed many 
changes, has secured many improvements and 
has largely increased the church micmbership. In 
addition to his other work he deserves the credit 
for the purchase and laying out of the beautiful 
cemetery of four acres that adjoins the church 



FREDERIC W. LEAVITT, senior member 
of the firm of Leavitt & Lawlor, proprie- 
tors of the Exotic Gardens at Flushing, 
was born in this place July 21, 1854, and is the 
youngest of six children comprising the family 
of Rufus W. Leavitt, of whom further mention 
is made in the sketch of G. Howland Leavitt, 
elsewhere presented. He was reared here, re- 
ceiving his education in private schools and the 
Flushing Institute; also in the Riverdale Board- 
ing School at Great Barrington, Mass. About 
1874 he went to New York City, where he took 
a position with Colgate & Co., remaining with 
them about two years, and later engaging in busi- 
ness for himself. 

In 1880 our subject bought out the florist's 
business owned by John Cadmus and formed a 
partnership with M. H. Lawlor, under the firm 
name of Leavitt & Lawlor, which connection has 
continued to the present time. The place, which 
is known as the Flushing Exotic Gardens, has 
been enlarged and remodeled under his super- 
vision, and contains many rare specimens of 
palms, all the varieties of ferns and roses, to- 
gether with all other popular plants. A specialty 
is made of cut flower decorations, in which line 
a wide reputation has been established. The 
nine greenhouses and buildings occupied by the 
firm have been built under the management of 
Mr. Leavitt, and reflect credit upon his judgment 
and ability. 

August 31, 1882, at the old Garretson-Blood- 
good homestead in Flushing, Rev. Dr. Smith 
performed the ceremony which united in mar- 
riage F. W. Leavitt and Miss Jennie E., youngest 
child of Garret and Eliza A. (Bloodgood) Gar- 
retson. Mrs. Leavitt was born and reared here, 
receiving an excellent education in private 
schools, together with the various accomplish- 
ments that render her popular in social circles. 



728 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Three children comprise the family, Frederic Gar- 
retson, Emily French and Charles Garretson. 
The family residence is at the corner of Brewster 
and State Streets. In religious belief Mr. Leavitt 
is a Congregationalist, while his wife is a mem- 
ber of St. George's Episcopal Church. He is 
identified with the Flushing Boat Club and 
served for two years with the Empire Engine 
Company No. i. In political views he is a pro- 
nounced Republican. 



CAPT. EDWARD HILL, who is connect- 
ed with the Boyer Freight Line as Cap- 
tain of the "L. Boyer," plying between 
Flushing and New York City, was born August 
28, 1857, in New York, where his early child- 
hood years were passed. In 1870 he came to 
Long Island, settling with his parents in Flush- 
ing, where his education was completed in the 
institute. He is a representative of the third 
generation that has resided in America, whither 
his grandfather came from England, remaining 
here until death. His father, Harry, was born 
in England, and soon after his marriage to Jane 
Morgan, a native of London, came to the United 
States and settled in New York, where he was 
engaged in the theatrical business. After a num- 
ber of years he fixed his home in the town of 
Newtown, where he had a beautiful place and en- 
tertained lavishly. Bad investments, however, 
eventually caused his business failure and entailed 
a loss of property. ITe is now living retired in 
Corona. 

Under his father, who was largely interested 
in yachts, our subject early gained a thorough 
knowledge of boating, and one of his first posi- 
tions was that of wheelman under Capt. Lester 
Austin, who, with Harry Hill, had started a 
steamboat route in 1880, under the firm name 
of Hill, Austin & Phillips. After three years 
Mr. Hill bought out the interest of Captain Phil- 
lips and then our subject became captain, remain- 
ing in that capacity until the failure of the com- 
pany in 1887. Later he was pilot on the "Tom 
Morgan," a Staten Island excursion boat, run by 
Captain Hoyt. In 1890 he returned to Flushing 
as captain of the "L. Boyer," which position he 
has since filled. 

One of the greatest enjoyments of Captain Hill 
in former years was that of yachting. He owned 
a yacht and spent a great part of his time in 
cruising in neighboring waters. In 1874 he ran 



the "Queens County Penant" with the boat "J. 
W. Covert," and at different times took part in 
other local races. In 1878 he made a trip abroad, 
visiting points of interest in the Old World. He 
was married in Flushing to Miss Mary Connell, 
who was born in Little Neck, where her father, 
John Connell, engaged in farming. They are the 
parents of three children, Jennie, Madge and Ed- 
ward. Captain Hill is a member of the Order of 
Foresters, the American Brotherhood of Pilots 
of New York City, Order of American Firemen 
and served his time in Empire Hose Company 
No. I. In national politics he favors Republican 
principles, though the demands of his business 
have prevented him from actively identifying him- 
self with political affairs. In all his experience 
as captain he has never had an accident, a fact 
which speaks well for his painstaking care. 



M' 



ICHAEL F. RYAN, who has resided in 
Flushing since August of 1870, was born 
in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1842, 
his parents being Frank and Johanna (Murphy) 
Ryan, both deceased. The family consisted of four 
sons, two of whom are living, both in the United 
States. Michael was reared on his father's farm 
and received his education in the public schools 
of Ireland. At the age of fifteen he was ap- 
prenticed to the carpenter's trade in his native 
village of Ballynue, and after completing his ap- 
prenticeship worked in different cities. 

Taking passage on the steamer "Helvetia." in 
1863, Mr. Ryan came to the United States and 
soon aftenvard began to work at his trade in 
Brooklyn; In 1868 he went west to Milwaukee, 
Wis., where he remained for two years, working 
at his trade. Thence he went back to New York, 
and in August, 1870, came to Flushing, where he 
followed his chosen occupation. In 1874 he re- 
turned to his native land, where he remained a 
year, renewing his associations with the scenes 
of his youth. On again coming to Flushing, he 
Isegan work as a contractor and builder, in which 
manner he has since been engaged. Among his 
important contracts were those for the erection 
of St. Michael's Catholic School, the convent at 
Bayside, the Douglaston depot and many resi- 
dences in Flushing, Corona and Newtown. He 
has built a number of houses for himself, several 
of which he has sold; he also rebuilt and still owns 
a store in Main Street. 

In Milwaukee, Wis.. Mr. Ryan married Mar) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



729 



Riordan, a native of Ireland, who died in Flush- 
ing in June, 1888. Of their five children two are 
living, Josephine and William. Frank died when 
he vvas a young man of eighteen. The second 
wife of Mr. Ryan is also deceased. In religious 
beUef he is identified with St. Michael's Catholic 
Church, while in national politics he identifies 
himself with the Republican party. 



PROF. HANS SCHULER, B. D., Ph. D., 
has devoted the greater part of his. life to 
a good purpose, and private education in 
New York has no more earnest advocate and co- 
operator than he. No one more thoroughly un- 
derstands and appreciates its needs and interests, 
and perhaps no one is better qualified, through 
long experience and loving labor in its behalf, to 
bring it to that high state of perfection which 
its present rapid advancement assures.* Person- 
ally he is an intelligent and cultured gentleman 
and his agreeable manners and geniality have 
won him many friends. He was born in Berlin, 
Germany, in 1855, a son of Prof. John Schuler, 
also a native of that city, born in 1821. The lat- 
. ter graduated from a seminary in his native city, 
later had charge of a boys' school there and was 
principal of a teachers' training school in Silesia, 
Prussia, which position he was filling at the time 
of his death, which occurred at the age of fifty- 
three years. He married Augusta Kropatscheck, 
a native of Germany, whose father was a profes- 
sor. She died in 1863 at the age of thirty-six 
years. The children born to them were five in 
number, four of whom reached mature years. 
Prof. Hans Schuler is the only member of the 
family in America. His two brothers, Martin 
and Paul, are merchants in Germany, while his 
sister, Agnes, now the wife of Rev. Mr. Linden- 
bein, was formerly a successful teacher. The 
paternal grandfather, Heinrich Schuler, was born 
in Berlin and became quite a celebrated artist. 

The childhood days of the subject of this sketch 
were spent in his native city and he was there 
educated in the Royal Gymnasium. Later he 
attended the Nisky Silesia Pedagogium, from 
which institution he was graduated in 1874. He 
then entered the theological seminary of Gnaden- 
feld, graduating from the same in 1878 as B. D., 
but instead of entering upon ministerial duties 
volunteered in the German army, in which he 
served as a private for one year and was then 
commissioned lieutenant of reserve. Upon leav- 



ing the army he turned his attention to teaching 
and for four years was a private tutor in the 
vicinity of Berlin, and at the same time was a 
student -of philosophy in the University of Ber- 
lin. In 1884 he decided to seek his fortune in 
America and upon his arrival here located at 
College Point, where he fitted two boys for col- 
lege, after which he became a private tutor in 
New York City. 

In 1888 Professor Schuler founded the Young 
Ladies' Seminary at Flushing and for a time 
was located in Locust Street, but his school grew 
so rapidly that he finally moved to his present 
location. No. 242 Sanford Avenue, where he has 
an average of ninety-five pupils. He has six 
assistants, and the school hours are from nine 
until one o'clock. Instruction is given in the an- 
cient and modern languages and the classics, and 
special attention is given to those who wish to 
enter higher institutions of learning. He often 
has private classes in New York City, and at 
the present tifne is teaching the sons of John 
E. Schermerhorn. He also has charge of several 
classes in German. 

Professor Schuler was married at College 
Point in 1888 to Miss Lena Von Auw, of Brook- 
lyn, daughter of Ivan Von Auw, a native of 
Rhenish Prussia, a baronet by right of birth, who 
came to America when a young man. His broth- 
er, Walter, served in the Prussian army, and after 
coming to the United States joined the Union 
army during the Civil War, attained the rank 
of lieutenant and was wounded in the battle of 
the Wilderness. The Von Auws trace their an- 
cestry back to the year 1200. Ivan Von Auw is 
a dealer in blank books in New York City, where 
he makes his home. His wife was Amelia Mer- 
kens, a native of Rhenish Prussia, but her child- 
hood and early womanhood were spent at Col- 
lege Point. Professor Schuler and his wife have 
two children, Hans Eric Von Auw and Elsa 
Margaret. He supports the principles of the 
Republican party, but has never been radical in 
his views. In 1893 the degree of Ph. D. was 
conferred upon him by Lombard University of 
Galesburg, 111. 



EUGENE E. CARPENTER, who is en- 
gaged as contractor and builder at Port 
Washington, was born at Searington, a 
town of North Hempstead, February 27, 1851, 
and his parents were James S. and Ann E. (Pear- 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sail) Carpenter. The father, who was also a 
builder, moved to Manhasset when Eugene was 
a lad of some twelve years and there the latter 
lived until his marriage. 

When sixteen years of age our subject began 
work with his father, under whose able instruc- 
tion he learned his trade. September lo, 1872, 
he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Fearon, a 
native of New York, and the daughter of Edward 
J. and Sarah J. (Van Horn) Fearon. Her par- 
ents are still living, making their home in Brook- 
lyn, in which city Mrs. Carpenter was educated. 
While still an apprentice Eugene E. assisted his 
father in building the house which he moved into 
soon after his marriage, and it was while at work 
on this dwelling that he met and became ac- 
quainted with his future wife. Their union has 
been blessed by the birth of three children, named 
respectively, Eugene E., Jr., William and Elsie. 
The elder son is also following the carpenter's 
trade, which he learned with his father; he was 
married December 11, 1895, to Miss Carrie 
Crooker, a most estimable young lady of Port 
Washington. William, born August 4, 1875, 
is assisting his father in his business; February 
2, 1896, he was married to Miss Eva L., daughter 
of Henry T. and Emma Smith. 

In politics our subject is a strong supporter of 
Republican principles and doctrines and in 1872 
cast his first Presidential vote for Grant. He 
was elected trustee of the Jones poor fund, but 
refused to serve in this capacity. He is a charter 
member of Protection Engine Company No. i, 
of which he is foreman. Socially he is an active 
worker in Worth Lodge No. 210, F. and A. M., 
which meets in the German Masonic Temple in 
New York City. 



WILLIAM EDGAR COLDER. It- has 
been said that the calling of the physi- 
cian is one of the most important to 
which a man can devote his attention, but to the 
majority of minds the calling of the druggist is 
no less important. Indeed, it would be difficult 
to name a branch of business that is more indis- 
pensably important tlian that devoted to the in- 
vestigation and study of drugs and the prepara- 
tion of medicines. No more is there any line of 
business demanding more ability, care and scien- 
tific knowledge. One of the leading druggists 
of Freeport is William Edgar Colder, who was 
born in this village in 1856 to William T. and 



Caroline (Raynor) Colder, both of whom were 
native Long Islanders. The early life of the 
former was spent in learning the harnessmaker's 
trade, which calling he followed until Ft. Sumter 
was fired upon, when his patriotic spirit led him 
to enlist in the Fourth New York Heavy Ar- 
tillery. While in the service of his country he 
was stricken down with disease and died at Chain 
Bridge, Va. His widow, who is a member of the 
prominent old Raynor family of Long Island, 
still survives him, but her health is much im- 
paired. 

Our subject received his educational training 
in the Freeport public schools, and when still in 
his teens he took up the. life of a boatman, which 
he followed for two seasons, expecting to enlist 
in the navy. He had a strong inclination for such 
a vocation, received, he believes, from one of 
his teachers who was in the naval service during 
the rebellion. Finally, however, he decided to 
take up the study of pharmacy and in order to 
obtain a practical knowledge of the business and 
fit himself for this most important calling he be- 
came a clerk in a drug store. After acquiring a 
thorough insight into the business he established 
a store of his own, which has since received his- 
attention and which has proved highly successful 
financially. His place of business is neat and in- 
viting, well equipped with a complete and choice 
line of drugs, toilet articles, in fact, everything 
necessary to a well-kept drug establishment, and 
in the compounding of prescriptions Mr. Golder 
has no superior, for he is very careful and ac- 
curate. His first knowledge of the business was 
acquired under Dr. G. H. Hammond and subse- 
sequently he became a partner of the Doctor's, 
this connection lasting about a year. He con- 
tinued in this business until failing health caused 
him to sell out in 1890, but two years later he 
opened his present drug store at Milburn, this 
being a branch of the Freeport store, which he 
again controls, and is conducting the two stores 
successfully. Mr. Golder is a graduate of the 
National Institute of Pharmacy of Chicago, is 
also registered by the New York State Board of 
Pharmacy and is a member of the New York 
State Pharmaceutical Association. He is well 
posted in his profession, and makes a point of 
keeping up \\ith the times in all the progress 
made therein, and his reputation as an honorable 
man of business is well known. 

The maiTiage of Mr. Golder with Miss Clara 
A. Bedell, of Greenwich Point, was celebrated 




PROF. FERDINAND O. DULCKEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



733 



in 1878. She is a daugliter of John W. Bedell 
and has borne her husband four children: Mil- 
lard W., Earle V., Russell V. and Hazel C. Mr. 
and Mrs. Colder are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Colder has been 
a trustee for thirteen years and has twice served 
as superintendent of the Sabbath-school. So- 
cially he is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. Although formerly a Demo- 
crat in his political views, he now affiliates with 
the Prohibition party, and looks anxiously to 
the early stamping out of all the evils attendant 
upon intemperance. As a citizen he is all that 
could be desired, for he is active, enterprising, 
public-spirited and his infltience is ever on the 
side of justice and right. He and his family move 
in the best social circles of the place and have a 
very comfortable and hospitable home. Mr. Col- 
der is a director of the Freeport Bank, of which 
when it was organized he was elected cashier, 
but declined, preferring to follow his trade as a 
pharmacist. He is now serving his third term 
as treasurer of the village. 



PROF. FERDINAND O. DULCKEN. 
There is probably no citizen of Long Is- 
land City who has achieved in music a 
success more remarkable than that which has 
brought a national reputation to the subject of 
this sketch. Inheriting a talent for the art, he has 
cultivated this to the fullest extent and, both as 
a piano soloist and as a composer of music, de- 
serves the high position he holds in the estima- 
tion of the people. He has been musical director 
for the concert tours of some of the greatest musi- 
cal artists of the day, which fact alone is suffi- 
cient to prove his abihty. 

Both from his paternal and his maternal an- 
cestors. Professor Dulcken inherits a love for 
music. His father's grandmother, who was born 
in France, was a gifted pianist, and her fondness 
for the art was also cherished by her husband. 
During the German Revolution they were 
•obliged to ilee from their home and, disguised as 
peasants, went to Munich, Bavaria, where he 
founded a pianoforte factory under the patron- 
age of the Prince of Bavaria. The latter became 
a warm friend of this talented couple, in whose 
welfare he showed a deep interest. Recognizing 
the superior ability of Mrs. Dulcken, he gave 
into her charge the musical training of his daugh- 
ters, one of whom afterward became the wife of 



Nicholas, Czar of Russia; another became the 
wife of William, King of Prussia, and the third 
became Queen of Saxony. A correspondence 
was maintained by the three with Mrs. Dulcken 
until her death, when, in accordance with her 
will, the letters were returned to the writers. The 
Dulcken family originated in Holland, and its 
members have been prominent in the various 
countries whither they have gone. 

From his mother, too, Professor Dulcken in- 
herits no small degree of his musical ability. 
She was born in Hamburg, Germany, and early 
in life displayed the talent for music which was 
a family characteristic. Her education was thor- 
ough, and she became so proficient in the profes- 
sion that she was chosen pianist to Queen Vic- 
toria, which honored position she filled until her 
death. Her brother, Ferdinand David, was also 
a noted musician, his specialty being the violin. 
The only one of her children who inherited her 
artistic tastes was Ferdinand Quentin, our sub- 
ject. A portion of his childhood years were 
passed in London, England, where he was born, 
but from there he went to Leipsic, Germany, in 
order that he might have the advantages of a 
musical training. He became a pupil of Mendels- 
sohn and also studied under Moscheles, under 
whose supervision his technique was perfected 
and his knowledge of music broadened. 

In 1876 Professor Dulcken came to America 
and has since starred the country with a number 
of- the most famous artists of the world, including 
Essipofif, many great singers, and Ole Bull 
among violinists. He has his headquarters 
in Steinway Hall, New York, where he has given 
instruction to some who are now famous in the 
musical world. His abihty as musical director, 
accompanist and piano soloist is universally rec- 
ognized, and his services are in constant demand. 
His compositions include both vocal and instru- 
mental numbers, some of which are widely known 
and admired. He has given many charity con- 
certs and has for years been conspicuously be- 
fore the musical public, not only in New York, 
but elsewhere, having gained many triumphs in 
large assemblies and critical gatherings. Some 
vears ago he spent several seasons at 
Warsaw, where he was professor in a con- 
servatory, but the bigotry and oppression of 
Russian nobility became unbearable, and he 
sought a more congenial abode. 

For a number of years Professor Dulcken has 
made his home in Astoria, Long Island City. 



734 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



January 24, 1884, at Bowery Bay, he married 
Miss Mary C. Totten, datighter of Jacob S. and 
Eliza (Rapelye) Totten. Her maternal grand- 
parents, Isaac and Margaret (Polhemus) Rapelye, 
were old settlers at Bowery Bay, and the for- 
mer was a descendant of French Huguenot an- 
cestors, the later of Holland-Dutch forefathers. 
The Rapelyes were about the first settlers on 
Long Island, and the first white child born here 
was Sarah Rapelye. The Tottens, who were of 
English descent, were early settlers of Ravens- 
wood, Long Island City. Jacob S. Totten, who 
was the youngest son of his parents, died at an 
early age, but his wife survived him many years, 
d)'ing at Bowery Bay when eighty-one years old. 
She was a woman of kind heart and many noble 
attributes of character, and among her relatives 
numbered some of the prominent people of the 
East. Her children are Gertrude R., of Long Is- 
land City; Mary C. ; Abraham R., who resides in 
Woodside, L. I.; and William N., of New York 
City. 

Mrs. Dulcken was educated in Astoria and the 
New York Normal School, and for years engaged 
in teaching, being principal of the Bowery Bay 
school and assistant principal of the Long Island 
City schools. Her talents are versatile and in- 
clude a large poetic faculty. A number of her 
poems have been set to music by her hus- 
band and they are now widely known in 
musical circles. Their home at No. 406 
Second Avenue is a musical center, where 
dehght to gather many whose names are known 
beyond the limits of this city. A visitor to the 
pleasant home notices, among other souvenirs, 
the photographs and autographs of some of the 
leaders in the musical world, also the autographs 
of Wilkie Collins and Longfellow, and a collec- 
tion of articles, useful and ornamental, that have 
been presented to the Professor by his pupils in 
different places. 



Je)HN K. GITTENS, well known as the first 
to introduce the use and sale of cork soles 
in America, was born in Lancashire, Eng- 
land, October 9, 1808. He was given a good op- 
portunity for obtaining an education in his boy- 
hood days and it was the intention of his parents 
to make of him a professional man. During his 
younger days, however, his health was not good 
and it was not deemed l)est to force him to give 
his attention cntireh' to study. 



When a lad of thirteen years our subject went 
to sea, and during the two years in which he was 
on the water visited many of the most important 
ports of the Old World. His father, William 
Gittens, was a manufacturer of wigs, but after 
his return home from his extended sea voyage 
John did not adopt that business, but learned the 
shoemaker's trade and became master of this oc- 
cupation in all its various branches. Thinking 
he could better his financial condition in the 
New World, he set sail for America in 1841, land- 
ing on American shores with but little means, 
but with a strong determination to make for him- 
self a name and fortune. 

On first coming to this country our subject 
settled in Williamsburg, now included in the city 
of Brooklyn, and began the manufacture of shoes 
in a small way. This was at a time when the 
shoemaker took the raw material and, after put- 
ting it through various processes, made the shoe 
or boot complete. Now, however, at least eight 
workmen are employed in preparing the different 
parts of a shoe, which greatly reduces the ex- 
pense. When ]\Ir. Gittens first began business 
in this country he put an inner sole of cork in 
all the articles of footwear which he made and 
this rapidly grew in favor and popularity until 
now many people do not think they are prepared 
for passing the winter months without cork soles 
on their shoes and boots. Several years after 
coming hither ^Ir. Gittens invented a machine for 
splitting the cork as thin as an ordinary sheet of 
wrapping paper. This was the means of revolu- 
tionizing the use of cork to a great extent, for it 
had hitherto been supposed that when it was re- 
duced to this thickness it would not be durable. 
It was shown, however, by this method that it 
could be cut very thin and yet be as tough as a 
piece of rubber. On the outbreak of the late 
war our subject manufactured a hat for the use of 
army officers, which was made entirely of cork, 
having the advantage over all others of being 
light and at the same time proof against water. 
Before proceeding to manufacture them in quan- 
tities he went to Washington and gained an audi- 
ence with General Scott, in order that he might 
get a recommendation from him. and an expres- 
sion as to their value for the use of the officers. 
The General, after looking at it thoroughly, was 
satisfied in his own mind that it would not stand 
hard usage. Being called away for the moment 
he laid the hat down in a chair and on his return 
sat down on it. as if bv accident, and then in ■ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



735 



quired where the hat was, and said that he would 
like to see it again. When informed that he was 
sitting on it he jumped up as it greatly surprised 
and said he was sure he had ruined the article in 
question. Mr. Gittens, however, took the hat, 
gave it a shake and presented it to the General 
with not a break in it. The General affected sur- 
prise, for it was no doubt a scheme of his to sit 
down on the hat and so prove that it would not 
stand hardship. He promptly gave our subject 
a letter of unconditional indorsement, but as it 
was thought that the war would only last a short 
time he did not think it would pay to begin their 
manufacture. He had the satisfaction, however, 
of convincing General Scott that he was right 
about the wearing qualities of the hat. During 
the early part of the war Mr. Gittens had an office 
in Washington in charge of his son, J. K., for 
the display of his hats, and also manufactured 
shoes for General Scott. 

Mr. Gittens had not been located in Williams- 
burg very long before his business grew to great 
proportions and goods were shipped from his 
shop all over the world. As soon as the patents 
which he had taken out on his invention of us- 
ing cork had expired, a great competition arose 
among the different manufacturers, but our sub- 
ject refused to compete with them, abiding by 
his motto, "Good- goods and good prices," and 
while he has accumulated a handsome fortune 
by his honest methods of doing business, he 
might have been far richer had he been willing 
to palm off cheap goods on the public, as did 
others who were engaged in the shoe business. 
He was very progressive and gave a great deal 
of attention to making his store attractive, and 
therefore bears the distinction of being the first 
merchant in Brooklyn to Hght his show window, 
using camphine. 

Our subject was a warm friend of Horace 
Greeley and often consulted with that noted per- 
sonage on matters of importance. He was like- 
wise a personal friend of A. T. Stewart and was 
acquainted with many of the wealthy residents 
of New York and Brooklyn. When Mr. Stewart 
" began booming Garden City, Mr. Gittens went 
there to live. Soon after, however, he removed 
his factory to Hempstead and has made his home 
here for the past eighteen years. He continued 
the active management of his business until Jan- 
uary I, 1895, when he resigned in favor of his 
son William, who is now the proprietor of the 
business which has been made famous through- 



out the United States, and the product of their 
factory is well known in other countries as well. 
On each pleasant day Mr. Gittens may be seen 
going to the office, where he spends a few hours. 
He has been a member of the Episcopal Church 
all his life and while living in Brooklyn^ was ves- 
tryman and warden. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Jane 
Potter occurred in 1831. After a married life of 
over forty years Mrs. Gittens departed this life. 
To them' were granted ten children, of whom 
five are now living, four sons and one daughter: 
John K., Jr., makes his home in_ Philadelphia; 
Charles F. is a resident of Hempstead; George W. 
is engaged in business in Paterson, N. J.; William 
is carrying on the business which his father es- 
tablished, and Martha B. is also living in Hemp- 
stead. The present wife of our subject is Carrie 
(Hinsdale) Gittens, a native of Vermont and a 
cousin of ex-Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, John W. Foster, of Ohio. January 8, 
1896, Mr. Gittens met with an accident, falling 
down a stairway in his house and fracturing his 
right hip. Even at his advanced age he has re- 
covered so that he now frequently is seen walking 
on the street. 



JOSEPH H. BOGART, M. D., who is one of 
Queens County's most skillful and success- 
ful physicians, was born in this county No- 
vember II, 1846. The first member of this family 
in America was Tunis Bogart, who came from 
Holland in 1652. From him have descended in 
regular order the following: Gysbert Bogart, 
Tunis Bogart, Isaac Bogart, Sr., Isaac Bogart, Jr., 
Daniel Bogart, Sr., and Daniel Bogart, the father 
of our subject. The latter was born in the old 
home of his father and grandfather and secured 
a good practical education in the schools of Ros- 
lyn, his native village. When sixteen years old 
lie entered Flushing Institute, where he remained 
from 1862 to 1865, and then attended Amherst 
College, from which he was graduated with the 

class of '69. 

At an early age our subject displayed a de- 
cided taste for the study of medicine, and in 1872 
entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
where for two years he was a private pupil of 
Dr. Alex B. Mott, of New York City. Previous 
to this, in 1872, he began practicing in Roslyn, 
and in 1880 was appointed attendant physician 
of Queens County Lunatic Asylum, a position 



736 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he held for some time. In the arduous duties of 
his profession he does not lose sight of his duties 
as a citizen and takes much interest in all afTairs 
of moment, particularly educational matters. For 
a number of years he was president of the board 
of education and has held other positions. He 
is interested in the Queens County Medical So- 
ciety, of which in 1887 he was president. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican and is president of the 
district committee. For ten or more years he 
was a trustee of the Bryant Library Association. 
Socially he is a Mason, a member of Morton 
Lodge No. 63, and is also a member of the Hol- 
land Society of New York. 

The Doctor was married in February, 1884, 
to Miss Ethelena T. Albertson, daughter of 
Thomas W. and Harriet Albertson, and the fruits 
of their union are two children, Jennie and Ethel- 
ena. Dr. Bogart has an extensive general prac- 
tice and has been medical examiner for a number 
of different insurance companies. He is progres- 
sive and intelligent and keeps thoroughly apace 
with the times. Though not a member the Doc- 
tor is a regular attendant at the Presbyterian 
Church. 



WILLIAM L. HUNT, deceased, was for 
many years a resident of the town of 
Hempstead and made a success of ag- 
ricultural pursuits. He was enterprising and 
progressive in his ideas and kept in touch with 
new discoveries and well accredited modern plans . 
of work. A native of New York, his birth oc- 
curred in Westchester County in 1815. His father, 
Lott, and grandfather, Stepanus Hunt, were also 
natives of that county, where they were well-to- 
do farmers and where they spent their entire 
lives. 

The subject of this sketch was well educated, 
attending the schools of his district until some 
time in his teens, when he became useful in as- 
sisting his father manage his estate. He was 
trained to a thorough knowledge of farming, and 
when launching out in life for himself followed it 
in his native county until fifty years of age, when 
he came to Long Island and became the pro- 
prietor of a nice farm, on which he resided until 
his decease, October 5, 1890. 

Mr. Hunt was married October 7, 1844, to 
Miss Ehzaljeth Powell, daughter of Cornelius 
Powell, a native of Long Island, which was also 
tlie birthplace of Mrs. Fluiit. Ten children were 



the result of this union, only three of whom now 
survive. The eldest of the household, Joseph G., 
was a brilliant young man and a prominent mer- 
chant of BellmOre at the time of his death in No- 
vember, 1895. Those who now survive are Rich- 
ard L., a farmer of Jerusalem; Christopher, who is 
in a grocery at Bellmore, and Moses, a farmer, 
residing in Bellmore. Mrs. Hunt is still living, 
and although seventy-one years of age is in the 
enjoyment of excellent health. The members of 
the family in this county are worthy and public- 
spirited and a great addition to its social and busi- 
ness element. In religious and benevolent enter- 
prises they are always doing what they can to 
relieve the poor and needy and thus exemplify 
the precepts of Christianity. Religiously, they 
are Ouakers. 



PHILIP LEBKUECHER, who is engaged 
in the ice and wood business, and also does 
considerable work in general transfer and 
trucking, was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 
28, 1838, being a son of Adam and Barbara Leb- 
kuecher. His father, who was a farmer in Ba- 
varia, brought his family to America in 1851 and 
settled in Brooklyn, where he was employed in 
a sugar house. In 1855 he came to College 
Point and became an employe' of the Enterprise 
Works. He died here in 1885, and his wife had 
passed away the preceding year. They were the 
parents of five children, of whom four are liv- 
ing, Philip being next to the oldest of the family. 
At the time of his father's emigration to the 
United States our subject accompanied him, 
making the voyage in a sailing vessel, forty-three 
days from Havre to New York City. At once 
after reaching Brooklyn he began to work in a 
glass factory, later worked in a soap factory and 
then became an employe in a rubber shop. May 
15- i855) he came to College Point with Mr. Pop- 
penhusen.and has since made this village his home. 
After remaining in the shop for eight years, in 
1863 he started a bakery in Second Avenue and 
Fourth Street, forming a partnership with a 
brother-in-law, C. Fight, as Lebkuecher & Fight. 
Eight years later he bought out his partner's in- 
terest and continued alone until he sold out, about 
1874. He then built in Sixteenth Street and 
Fourth Avenue, and started in the wood and ice 
business, which he has since conducted, besides 
doing general contracting and trucking. He runs 
one wagon, and delivery is limited to the people 




WILLIAM I. COCKE. M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



739 



of College Point. He has an engine and boiler of 
twenty horse-power and manufactures kindling 
wood by steam power. 

In this village Mr. Lebkuecher married Miss 
Barbara Grauss, a native of Bavaria, who ac- 
companied her parents to America at the age of 
eight years. They are the parents of five sons, 
namely: Philip, Jr., a printer of New York, but 
residing here; John, who is with his father; An- 
drew, a silk weaver at College Point; Christ, who 
is similarly engaged here, and Peter, who is em- 
ployed as a printer in New York, but makes his 
home here. 

For four successive years Mr. Lebkuecher has 
held the office of street commissioner. His mem- 
bership is in St. Fidelis' Catholic Church, and 
he is an active worker on the board of trustees. 
For eight years he was president of the Trackelia 
Singing Society, also has held office in the Steube 
Kosse, and is a charter member of the Fidelis 
Society. Politically he is a Democrat and has 
served on the general committee. For thirty- 
five years he has been actively connected with the 
fire department, and was a charter member of 
Union Hose Company No. i ; he has been fore- 
man ten years, second assistant chief four years 
and first assistant chief six years. The Volunteer 
Firemen's Association also numbers him among 
its members. He has the distinction of being the 
oldest member of the fire department who is in 
active service. All projects for the benefit of 
the people commend themselves to his favorable 
notice, and his co-operation may be relied upon 
in matters relating to the public good. 



WILLIAM I. COCKE, M. D. The fam- 
ily of which this well-known physician 
and surgeon of Port Washington is 
a member has been represented in America since 
a very early period in its settlement and has num- 
bered, in the various branches, some men of 
prominence in their day. Col. Lemuel Cocke, 
the great-grandfather of the Doctor, was a resi- 
dent of Virginia and in 1780 held the position of, 
high sheriff in Surry County, where he died 
in 1799. Our subject has a book of receipts for- 
merly belonging to him, and containing account 
of the -receipt and disposal of property entrusted 
to him as well as property upon which he had is- 
sued executions. 

One of the sons of Lemuel Cocke was William 
Irby, the Doctor's great-uncle, who was in the 



midst of his medical studies at the time the War 
of 1812 broke out. Laying aside his books, 
ho enlisted in the army and went to the front, re- 
maining until the close of the war, when he re- 
turned and completed his medical education. He 
then opened an office at Portsmouth, Va., where 
he achieved success in his chosen profession. 
Among our subject's valued souvenirs is a watch, 
carried by his great-uncle, and in it are pieces of 
cloth cut from wedding apparel that have been 
handed down with the watch. 

Richard Cocke, the Doctor's grandfather, was 
born in Surry County, Va., in 1785, and migrated 
to Alabama in 1832, dying there March 28^ 1835. 
His son, William I., was born in Virginia De- 
cember 29, 1829, grew to manhood in Marengo 
County, Ala., received a fine education at Jef- 
ferson College, Philadelphia, and graduated in 
medicine in 1853. Four years later he went to 
Texas, where January 19, 1859, ^e married Mary, 
daughter of Ezra Cleveland, who springs from 
the old Cleveland stock of Connecticut. 
Throughout the entire Civil War our subject's 
father served as assistant surgeon in Walker's 
Texas Division, and at the close of the conflict 
he engaged in practice in Austin County, remain- 
ing there until his death in 1873. One of his sons. 
Richard, is brigadier-general on the staff of 
Governor Culbertson of Texas. 

Born in Austin County, Tex., April 28, 1862, 
the subject of this record was eleven years of age 
at tiie time of his father's death. When sixteen 
he secured a position as an axeman in the sur- 
veying department of the Gulf, Colorado & San- 
ta Fe Railroad. The second year he was pro- 
moted to the position of rodman, and the third 
year became transit or first instrument for the 
Texas Western Railroad, which was Fred Grant's 
road and was never finished. His next position 
was in a wholesale grocery, owned by William 
D. Cleveland, at Houston, Tex., in 1882, wiiere 
he remained for four years and later was engaged 
in the fuel business for him.self in the same city. 
From childhood our subject displayed a predi- 
lection for the medical profession, and was ac- 
customed to experiment on cats and other do- 
mestic animals, probably more to his edification 
than theirs. His father's death throwing him 
upon his own resources and obliging him to pro- 
vide for the younger members of the family, he 
had to postpone his studies, but he never aban- 
doned the hope of becoming a physician. When 
the children were grown and the way was open 



740 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for him he went to Bellevue ^ledical College in 
New York, entering in 1888 and graduating in 
1 89 1. During the summer of 189 1 he had a po- 
sition with the board of health in New York, and 
in the fall of the same year he came to Port 
Washington, where he has since conducted a 
general practice. September 19, 1888, in New 
York, he married Miss Isabel Burton, daughter 
of William and Caroline (Maurice) Burton. Pie 
is a member of the Queens County Medical So- 
ciety and socially is a Chapter Mason, having 
taken his degrees in Houston. In national poli- 
tics lie is a Democrat, but has never sought pub- 
lic office, his attention having been given wholly 
to his professional duties. 



JOHN W. CRAWFORD. The flourishing 
village of Flushing has among her citizens 
many excellent and progressive business 
men, among whom is John W. Crawford, manu- 
facturer of gummed paper. He also does steam 
power label gumming and is general finisher to 
the lithographic and printing trades. This is the 
largest and most successful concern of the kind 
in the United States, and its trade extends not 
only throughout this country but to other parts 
of the globe as well. Mr. Crawford has been un- 
usually successful in all enterprises he has un- 
dertaken, and aside from the above mentioned 
industry has been deeply interested in real estate 
and building operations. He owns much valu- 
able property in Flushing, and as a business man 
and citizen enjoys the confidence of all having 
dealings with him. 

A native of the Emerald Isle, Mr. Crawford 
was born in Limerick, to the marriage of Henry 
and Isabelle (Morrow) Crawford, both natives of 
that country. The father was in the government 
employ, in the Irish constabulary, but left that 
country to come to America to seek home and 
fortune. Flere both he and his wife passed awav. 
John W. Crawford, the youngest of seven chil- 
dren, of whom four sons are now living, was 
reared and educated in Limerick, and in 1872, 
when seventeen years old, came to America. He 
first engaged with Flarper Brothers in the press 
room, l)ut six months later left them and was in 
the dry-goods business one year. Following that 
he was employed in label cutting and gumming 
with W'illiam Shepherd, who was the first en- 
gaged in this line in New York Citv. Five years 
later he assumed the management of the business 



and after conducting it for five years bought out 
Mr. Shepherd. This was in 1886 and soon after- 
ward he moved the business to No. 59 Beekman 
Street. This enterprise was the first of the kind 
in New York City. 

Mr. Crawford has original improvements and 
appliances possessed b}' no other firm, and he 
is the only one with gumming machinery. His 
real estate interests in Flushing are quite exten- 
sive. He has built over twenty houses in dififer- 
ents parts of the place and owns property in 
North Parsons Avenue, State Street and San- 
ford Avenue. For a number of years he resided 
in Brooklyn and while there built about ten resi- 
dences. His commodious residence is at No. 
34 North Parsons Avenue. His marriage united 
him with Miss Annie Fames, a native of England. 
In 1895 he was elected a member of the board 
of village trustees to fill a vacancy, and in the 
fall of the same year was elected trustee of the 
village for two years. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican and an active worker for his party. He was 
one of the originators of the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association, and is now a director in the 
same. For some time he has been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is 
a trustee, and is on the finance committee of the 
same. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason and 
belongs to Cornucopia Lodge No. 563. He is 
president of the Epworth League, and is serving 
his seventh consecutive term in that office. 



COLES WORT^IAN WHITE. For many 
years this gentleman occupied a conspicu- 
ous position among the business men of 
Flushing, and his death, which occurred in ]^Iay, 
1885, was mourned as a loss to the entire com- 
munity. Mr. ^^'hite was born in the town of Oys- 
ter Bay and traced his ancestry to one Edward 
White, a native of England, who emigrated to 
America in 1660 and settled in Oyster Bay, be- 
coming a large land-owner in that town. Mary 
White left a plat of land upon which was estab- 
lished the \Miite cemetery, in whicli many of her 
descendants lie buried. 

The grandfather of our subject, Joseph, was a 
son of Simon White, and took part in tlie Revolu- 
tionary War. during the progress of which he 
was captured by British troops and confined in 
a prison ship in Wallabout. V<y his marriage to 
.-\nn Alsop, he became the father of a son. .\\- 
sop White, our subject's father, who in turn mar- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



741 



ried Rhoda, daughter of Col. Coles Wortman, 
who gained his title through service in the Na- 
tional Guard of New York. 

The eldest of six children, our subject grew to 
manhood on Long Island, and for some time 
was a merchant in Brooklyn, but in 1854, a few 
years after his marriage, he came to Flushing 
and founded the insurance business that has been 
in successful operation ever since. Here he con- 
tinued to reside until his death at the age of sixty 
years. Politically he was an active Democrat, and 
for seven terms, a period of twenty-one suc- 
cessive years, he served as assessor of the town 
of Flushing. He was a man of strong character, 
great energy and recognized ability, and in busi- 
ness circles held the esteem of all with whom he 
Iiad transactions. . 

In Oyster Bay, May 21, 1851, Mr. White mar- 
ried Miss Fannie Syler, who was born in New 
York City, being a daughter of Jacob and Annie 
(Valentine) Syler, natives respectively of Frank- 
fort-on-the-Main, Germany, and Westchester 
County, N. Y. Her father, who acquired a splen- 
did education in Germany and gained a knowl- 
edge of various languages, came to America and 
engaged in business in New York City for years, 
but finally retired to Oyster Bay, and thence re- 
moved to New Brunswick, N. J., where he died. 
In religious beUef he was a Lutheran. His wife, 
who was a daughter of Frederick Valentine, a 
native and farmer of Westchester County, died 
at seventy-five years, having had four children, 
of whom three are living. Mrs. White, who is 
the youngest of the number, attended a ladies' 
seminary in Berkshire County, Mass., where she 
obtained an excellent education. She is a woman 
of force of character, broad knowledge and in- 
tellectual acumen. After the death of her hus- 
band she took up the business, assisted by her 
younger son, and is the only lady in the county 
who holds a commission from the state head- 
quarters to act as agent for the Royal. In fact, she 
is one of the very few women throughout the 
United States who are able and competent to 
carry on a business of this kind, and her success 
proves that she possesses more than ordinary tal- 
ents. The office of White & Son is situated at 
No. 58 Broadway, corner of Prince Street, and is 
probably the oldest office of the kind in the coun- 
tv, having been established in 1854. Insurance 
is placed in reliable companies, such as the West- 
chester, Royal and Glens Falls. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. White was 



blessed by the birth of three children. The eld- 
est, W. Frank, was educated in Flushing, and at 
the age of seventeen became a partner with his 
father in the business, with which he was active- 
ly identified until his death, on Christmas Day of 
1894. He was a member of Pacific Lodge No. 
85, I. O. O. F., and was for one term assistant 
chief and for two years was foreman of Empire 
Hose Company No. i. Coles Wortinan, the sec- 
ond son, is connected with the firm of White & 
Son, and socially belongs to the orders of Red 
Men and American Firemen, and he is also a 
member of Empire Hose Company No. i, of 
which he was foreman for two years. The only 
daughter. Miss Fannie, resides with her mother. 
Mr. White was one of the organizers of the fire 
department of Flushing and at one time was as- 
sistant chief. 



M^ 



ATTHEW H. GREGORY, who has re- 
sided in Great Neck since 1882, was born 
in Devonshire, England, June 2, 1834, to 
Simon and Mary (Annaford) Gregory. At the 
age of twelve years he accompanied his parents 
to America and settled with them in New Lon- 
don, Conn., where for several years he attended 
the common schools, thus gaining a good edu- 
cation. For some time prior to the age of twen- 
ty-one, he worked with his father, who was a 
tanner and currier by trade. Later he came to 
Long Island, and settling at Sag Harbor was en- 
gaged at his trade with A. C. Buckley for five 
years. 

While residing in Sag Harbor, Mr. Gregory 
married Miss Mary J. Talmage, daughter of Na- 
than and Phoebe (Hildreth) Talmage, of that 
place. For a few years he engaged in the paper 
stock business for himself, and at the same time 
began to save vessels from the beach and bay and 
dismantle them. In addition, he put in a stock of 
groceries, and for eighteen years he carried on 
these three separate enterprises with success at 
Sag Harbor. On leaving there he moved to 
Redbank, N. J., where he opened a grocery. He 
also established a similar enterprise at Sea- 
bright, placing a son in charge of each, while he 
gave his attention to the dismantling of vessels 
and the saving of their cargoes. 

After having spent more than four years in 
Redbank, Mr. Gregory in 1882 came to Great 
Neck and began to buy condemned vessels, 
which he brought to this village to be dismantled 



742 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and broken up. About 1888 he purchased the 
place where he now resides. He is one of the 
well-known men of Great Neck and is respected 
for his industry and persevering habits. As a 
stanch Republican, he takes pride in the fact 
that he voted for J. C. Fremont, the first candi- 
date of that party. At various times he has 
served as a delegate to conventions. With his 
family he attends the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which his son, Charles H., is a trus- 
tee. Of his nine children, one son, John H., is 
engaged in the same line of business at Perth- 
Amboy and carries on submarine diving. Two 
sons, Charles H. and Herbert, are partners with 
their father. Mamie married George Schenck of 
Great Neck, and they have three children. The 
others are George, William, Louis, Ada and Lil- 
lian. 



GEORGE F. SPAETH, proprietor of one 
of the finest drug stores in Schuetzen 
Park, was born in New York City, May 
30, 1867. He is the son of John Spaeth, who, 
until he retired from active life, was a piano mak- 
er and music teacher. The father, who is now liv- 
ing in New York City, is eighty-four years of 
age. Prior to the outbreak of the late war his 
business called him some distance from home, 
and while en route his train was wrecked and the 
accident resulted in his losing an arm. 

John Spaeth was born in Bavaria, Germany. 
There he was given a fine classical and musical 
education, being able to speak fluently four lan- 
guages and play upon nine different instruments. 
He also became noted as a composer. He was 
a prominent member of the Protestant Lutheran 
Church and aided in the organization of the First 
Lutheran Church in New York's annexed district. 
His wife, formerly Anna Roth, was also born in 
Germany. They were not married, however, un- 
til after coming to America. To them have been 
granted four children, three of whom are now 
living; those besides our subject, who was the 
eldest, are: Otto C, also a pharmacist, located 
in Long Island City, and Annie, now the wife of 
John Frazer, of New York. 

The subject of this sketch was graduated from 
Grammar School No. 61, in New York, with the 
class of '82. Pie then became a student of New- 
York College, which was located in Twenty- 
third Street, and a year later, when deciding to 
study pharmacy, left scliool and began clerking 



in different stores until he had acquired a good 
understanding of the business. In 1887 he en- 
tered the New York College of Pharmacy, from 
which he was graduated in 1889 with the degree 
of Ph. G. Mr. Spaeth then came to Long Island 
City and began clerking in the establishment of 
Ralph Paul, of Steimvay. Mr. Paul wishing to 
dispose of his business, a few months later our 
subject purchased the stock and continued to do 
a thriving business at that stand alone for about 
eighteen months, when he took his brother in as 
partner, they operating together under the style 
of Spaeth Brothers for some time. Subsequently 
our subject opened a drug store in Flushing 
Avenue and later engaged in the same business 
in Hunter's Point, his establishment being lo- 
cated on the corner of Fifth Street and Jackson 
Avenue, and was familiarly known to the resi- 
dents of that village as the Fifth Street Phar- 
macy. The next venture of the brothers was in 
opening a drug store at No. 385 Jackson Avenue, 
Dutch Kills, which they operated in connection 
with the other three stores for a period of two 
years. At the expiration of that time they dis- 
posed of their Flushing Avenue house and dis- 
solved partnership, our subject taking the Dutch 
Kills store, also the one located in Schuetzen 
Park. Later, in 1895, he sold out the business 
at Dutch Kills and has since given his undivided 
attention to his business at this place. He has 
had the building raised and made improvements 
so that now it is one of the best business houses 
in the city. Mr. Spaeth thoroughly understands 
his profession, which fact the people of the park 
realize, for he has a very large and paying trade. 
He has his store stocked with every known med- 
icine and makes a specialty of prescription trade. 
He also compounds many liniments and syrups of 
various kinds and manufactures tinctures from 
drugs by means of percolation. 

The marriage of Mr. Spaeth and ^liss Maude 
E. Lawrence occurred in Long Island City in 
1890. This lady was born at Hunter's Point and 
was the daughter of Charles W. Lawrence, a rep- 
resentative of an old and honored family of this 
county. To them has been granted a daughter, 
Maude B. Our subject has always been actively 
interested in the welfare of his community and 
is ready at all times to do what he can to further 
its improvement. He was secretary of the Citi- 
zens' Municipal League, which overthrew Glea- 
son's administration, and after accomplishing this 
result they disbanded. In politics he is a strong 




EDWARD H. IvAUKER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



745 



Democrat. He was appointed commissioner on 
the board of education by Mayor Sanford in 1895 
and was elected president of the board when en- 
tering upon his duties. He served some time with 
Protection Engine Company No. 2 and is now a 
member of the Exempt Firemen's Association. 
He is a Knight of the Golden Eagle and is past 
officer of Steinway Castle. Mr. Spaeth is like- 
wise a member of the Alumni Association of the 
New York College of Pharmacy. He was a 
prime mover in the organization of the large 
Democratic Club in the fourth ward, which was 
perfected in December, 1895. Of this he is a 
member of the by-laws and constitutional com- 
mittee, also serves on the house committee, whose 
duty it is to procure suitable quarters for the 
club. 



EDWARD H. LAUFER, a prosperous flor- 
ist of Queens, was born in Springfield 
May 13, 1857, and is the only survivor of 
the two children of Michael and Rosetta Laufer. 
His father, who was a native of Germany, emi- 
grated to America at an early age and settled 
upon a farm at Foster's Meadow, remaining in 
that neighborhood until his death, which occurred 
in 1880. Our subject grew to manhood upon a 
farm and for a short time attended the district 
schools. At the age of seventeen he began to 
work for John Taylor, one of the leading horti- 
culturists of his day, and there, during his ap- 
prenticeship of three and one-half years, he stud- 
ied the art of plant culture. It had been the orig- 
inal plan that he should serve a term of five years 
to the trade, but he applied himself to the work 
so assiduously and continued engaged in it so 
faithfully that in much less time he had fitted 
himself to undertake the business. 

Being called home on account of his father's 
continued ill health, Mr. Laufer took charge of 
the place and superintended its management. 
At the death of his father one year later, the 
estate passed to him and has since been his prop- 
erty. The way was thus open for him to begin the 
business of a florist, which he did without delay. 
From year to year, by continued application, he 
lias advanced himself, until finally he was able 
to build the five greenhouses which he now util- 
izes for business purposes. 

In 1881 Mr. Laufer was married to Miss Catli- 
erine Keuneth of Astoria, but whose birth oc- 
curred in Germany. She came here with her 
30 



parents in 1859, when three years old. The mar- 
riage of our subject and his wife has been blessed 
by three children, Henry Edward Laufer, Charlie 
A. Laufer and John Henry Laufer. As every citi- 
zen should, our subject takes deep interest in po- 
litical affairs and is a Republican. In religion 
he and his wife are members of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church and he is a contributor to its en- 
terprises. He takes an interest in everything 
pertaining to floral work and is a member of the 
Florists' Association in Thirty-fourth Street, New 
York City. 



THOMAS H. THORNTON is the proprie- 
tor of a store at No. 50 Main Street, Flush- 
ing, where he carries a full line of wall 
paper, paints and oils. As a painter and decora- 
tor he has few superiors, and he has had the con- 
tract for some of the finest work of that kind ever 
done in Flushing, Whitestone, Bayside, Corona, 
College Point and Little Neck. In addition to 
this he has had a number of contracts in New 
York, where he has two brothers who learned 
the trade under him, engaged in business in 
Sixth Avenue, near Fifty-ninth Street. 

The grandfather of our subject, Peter Thorn- 
ton, was a shoemaker and tax collector in Eng-- 
land, and was accidentally killed by falling in a 
coal pit. The father, Peter, Jr., was born in Pres- 
ton, Lancashire, England, where he learned the 
trades of painter and plumber. In 1855 he 
brought his family to America and worked at his 
trades in New York City until 1857, when he 
settled in Corona. At the same time he started in 
the painting business in Broadway, Flushing, but 
later removed to Jackson Avenue, Long Island 
City, where he remained until he was accidentally 
killed by falling from a swinging scaffold. He 
was then fifty years old. 

The mother of our subject. Belle Capps, was 
born in England, and was a member of a family 
whose name was originally Carps, of the house 
of Holstein. Her father, Robert Capps, who was 
in the Queen's Life Guard, was a large, well-pro- 
portioned man, six feet two inches in height. His 
death was the result .of an accident; while he was 
leaning against a balustrade it gave way and he 
fell over and was killed. He had an only son, 
for some years steward to an English lord, but 
v,'ho was killed by falling off a load of hay. Mrs. 
Belle Thornton resides in New York. Of her 



746 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nine children six are living: Thomas H,. the 
eldest, being the only one in Flushing. 

Born in Preston, England, in June, 1849, our 
subject was a child of si.x years when the family 
came to America, and he remembers the six 
weeks' voyage in the sailing vessel, "North 
America," commanded by Captain Clark. His 
education was limited to a short attendance at 
the schools of Corona. At the age of ten he be- 
gan to learn his trade under the instruction of his 
father, and of evenings attended Cooper's Insti- 
tute, where he graduated. In 1870 he was mar- 
ried in Flushing to Miss Emma Mucklow, daugh- 
ter of William and Elizabeth (Griffin) Mucklow, 
her father being a native of England; she was 
born in Flushing and died here, leaving a daugh- 
ter, Eliza. 

On coming to Flushing Mr. Thornton began 
in business in Washington Street. In 1865 he 
responded to a draft for service in the Union 
Army, but was not called out, owing to the close 
of the Rebellion. In 1889 he removed his store 
to 50 Main Street, where he carries a full line 
of wall paper and paints. He is interested in the 
United States Building and Loan Association, of 
which he is appraiser. His second marriage, 
which took place in Flushing, united him with 
Elizabeth Townsend, who was born in Williams- 
burg, Brooklyn, being a daughter of Richard and 
Mary J. (Fowler) Townsend, members of old 
Flushing families. Mrs. Thornton was reared 
and educated in Flushing and Jamaica, and by 
her marriage is the mother of three children, 
Mabel, Robert and Edna F. Socially Mr. Thorn- 
ton was at one time identified with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a char- 
ter member of the Order of Foresters, but is not 
at present connected with either of these organi- 
zations. He is, however, a member of the Mac- 
cabees. For years he has been deacon and treas- 
urer of the Baptist Church, and a teacher in the 
Sunday-school, and his wife is also interested in 
the work of this denomination. Politically he is 
a jironounced Republican. 



WILLIAM H. HULTS. Among the 
many contractors and builders of 
Queens County Mr. Plults holds a 
prominent place, as he has followed this particu- 
lar line of business for many years and is well 
and favorably known lo the residents of Port 
Washington, whore he makes his home. He was 



born at Bayside, this county, December 23, 1842, 
and is the son of George and Jane Ann (Smith) 
Hults. The former was also a native of this por- 
tion of the island, passing the greater part of his 
life at Port Washington and Manhasset, where 
he was engaged in the iish and oyster business, 
marketing these products in New York. His 
death occurred when William H. was a lad of six 
years. 

After the death of her husband i\Irs. Jane Ann 
Hults removed with her family of five children 
to Greenpoint, where our subject began working 
when only ten years of age. He worked in the 
employ of others by the month until reaching his 
eighteenth year, when he went on an oyster boat 
in the sound a few months. We next hear of 
him as clerk at Greenpoint, but he resigned his 
position in a few months and began serving as 
an apprentice in the ship-building trade, working 
for the man who had the contract for furnishing 
the woodwork on the ""Monitor," ""Catskill"" and 
""Montauk." Being quick to learn the use of 
tools he assisted in constructing these boats, but 
soon found that he was physically unable to make 
a business of ship-carpentering, and on abandon- 
ing it took up house-carpentering, which is not 
such heavy work. He aided in building the \'an- 
derbilt mansion in Fifth Avenue, besides num- 
erous other large residences in both New York 
and Brooklyn. 

Mr. Huhs was married June 21, 1864, to Aliss 
Willetta Van Tassel, of New York, where she 
was reared and educated. She was born, how- 
ever, at Unionville, Westchester County, and was 
the daughter of Clark and Margaret (Angevine) 
Van Tassel. The young couple continued to 
make their home in the city for three years after 
their marriage, when they removed to Manhasset 
and two years later came to Port Washington, 
settling here in 1870. Being an expert at his 
trade, Mr. Hults has been given the contract for 
building many of the public and private struc- 
tures here, among them being' Liberty Hall and 
the Baptist Church. He also erected the pa- 
vilion at Sands' Point and rebuilt the hotel there, 
making an addition to the edifice one hundred 
feet in length. At North River, Warren County, 
he has erected a summer residence w hich is beau- 
tifully located in the Adirondack region. 

In 1893 ^^i'- Hults went to Arkansas City with 
the expectation of locating there, but being dis- 
satisfied with the country and climate, returned 
to the island. His union with Miss \'an Tassel 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



747 



has resulted in the birth of four children: Wil- 
liam E., whose birth occurred in New York City 
November 2. 1866, married Catherine Whaley, of 
Port Washington, and they have a daughter, 
Virgie Estelle, who was born here January 9, 
1888; Florence Estelle, who was bom in 1870, 
is a highly accomplished young lady and is a 
graduate of the training school for nurses. Jen- 
nie P., who was born in this place in 1875, is a 
member of the executive committee of the Wom- 
an's Club, and the Port Washington Cyclers' 
Club; Louis A. -was born September 2, 1878, and 
is at present learning the business in which his 
father is engaged. 

Politically Mr. Hults is a Republican, having 
voted that ticket since 1864. Socially he is an 
Odd Fellow of excellent standing, belonging to 
Seawanhaka Lodge No. 670. His wife is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



DANIEL H. SIMONSON. The town of 
Jamaica is well known for its pleasant 
homes and hospitable people, and in his 
home and character Mr. Simonson fully sustains 
the reputation of the town. He resides upon a 
farm one mile south of the village of Springland, 
to which place he came in 1859, and where he 
hopes to spend his remaining days. The farm 
was formerly the property of Abraham Higbie, a 
soldier in the War of 181 2, who began the im- 
provements that have since been continued by the 
present owner. His father, Daniel, was also born 
and reared in this locality. 

In Queens (then called Brushville) the subject 
of these lines was born October 18, 1822, and he 
is now the sole survivor of the four children of 
John and Hannah (Skidmore) Simonson. His 
father was born December 14, 1794, in Spring- 
field, where he spent his boyhood days, but later 
removed to Jamaica and there remained about 
twenty years, employed as a boss carpenter. 
Thence he went up the Hudson to Coldspring, 
Putnam Comity, where he remained about fif- 
teen years, carr3nng on a lumber business. His 
next place of residence was Raritan, N. J., where 
he opened a general mercantile store and a lum- 
ber and coal yard. ' After several years he re- 
moved to Brooklyn, where he died four years 
later. Twice married, his first wife was our sub- 
ject's mother. His second union was to Miss 
Susannah R. Areson, who bore him seven chil- 
dren, the only survivors being Susan J. and Enos. 



Grandfather Aury Simonson was a native of 
Springfield and through his entire life carried 
on farm pursuits. 

Our subject's mother dying when he was six 
years of age, he found a home with an uncle 
and aunt, under whose training he grew to man- 
hood, meantime attending the common schools 
and Union Hall Academy in Jamaica. Learning 
carpentering under his father, he followed this 
trade for a year in Brooklyn, from which place 
he went to Fosters Meadow and bought mill 
property. About six years later he sold this to 
the Brooklyn water works at a large advance on 
the original cost. Then going to Hempstead, he 
bought a farm, which, however, he sold two years 
afterward. His next venture was the opening of 
a grocery and feed store in the village of Hemp- 
stead, which he conducted for a short time. Later, 
with two other men, he built the steam and wind 
grist mill in Hempstead, but soon sold his interest 
in the enterprise. He then bought the property 
where he has since resided. 

March 20, 1849, Mr. Simonson was united in 
marriage with Miss Hannah E. Higbie, daugh- 
ter of Abraham Higbie, the former owner of this 
farm, where his daughter was born. Mr. and 
Mrs. Simonson were the parents of four children, 
but one alone survives, Joseph D., a widower, 
who, with his child, Susie H., lives with Mr. Sim- 
onson. Another granddaughter, Hannah E., also 
resides with him. In his pohtical affiliations our 
subject is a Democrat, but has never cared for 
official honors, preferring the cjuiet of domestic 
life. Mr. and Mrs. Simonson hold membership 
in the Presbyterian Church, to the support of 
which they contribute regularly. Socially our 
subject is connected with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. He takes a keen interest in 
the welfare of the town and is always willing to 
aid in plans devised for its improvement. 



JOHN REILLY, who has been a resident of 
College Point since 1861, was born in Coun- 
ty Longford, Ireland, and at the age of six 
years, in 1834, was brought to America by his 
father, Thomas Reilly, who settled in New York 
and there followed the trade of wood turner or 
wheelwright. For a time he was employed in a 
large soap factory in Brooklyn, after which he 
entered the employ of Michael Morris, the hard- 
ware merchant at No. 93 Catherine Street. While 
working for that gentleman he manufactured the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



748 

first iron safes ever made in America, and for a 
number of years he made a specialty of that Hne 
of work. Later he was employed by Levi Chap- 
man, a manufacturer in New York City, and 
then made washing machines of his own manu- 
facture in Forty-fi^rst Street, New York. He 
lived in retirement for some years before his 
death, which occurred in New York City at the 
age of eighty years. His wife, Frances (Hoxey) 
Reilly, was born in Ireland and died in New York 
at the' age of forty-five. Of their four children 
Tohn was the eldest, the others being Margaret, 
who died in New York; Elizabeth, whose home 
is in that city, and Thomas, a musician, who died 

there. 

The education of our subject was obtained m 
one of the public schools of New York. At the 
age of fifteen he started out to earn his own way 
in the world and followed various occupations 
until 185 1, when he began to learn the machin- 
ist's trade in the Empire Works, New York 
City, continuing there for several years. Later 
he was employed on Blackwell's Island for three 
years, after which in 1861 he went back to the 
Empire Works. His next work was under George 
W. Beardsley, a manufacturer of electrical ma- 
chinery and guns, his shop being on Second Ave- 
nue and Third Street. After remaining in the 
employ of that gentleman about twelve years he 
opened a small shop in Eleventh Street, College 
Point, and when the business assumed such pro- 
portions as to demand enlarged quarters, he 
built in 1890 his present place in Ninth Street, 
near Second Avenue. His foundry, which is well 
built, covers a half block and is one hundred 
feet in depth. He is a moulder and machinist, 
repairs all kinds of machinery and does a general 
jobbing business, also steam fitting in all its 
branches. One of the specialties is the manufac- 
ture of comb machinery, including dressing 
combs sawing machines, fine comb sawing ma- 
chines, filing and bearding machines and comb 
cutting machines. All kinds of saws are fur- 
nished for comb manufacturers, and in this line 
ho fills many orders. Employment is given to a 
force of assistants, so that repairing may be done 
promptly, as well as skillfully and economically. 
He also makes starting machinery for starting 
horses at races. The plant is run by steam, with 
an engine of ten horse-power. 

In New York Mr. Reilly married Miss Jane 
Ryan, a native of Ireland. They have two chil- 
dren, namely: Elmore T., who is in the steam 



heating business here, and Margaret J., who is at 
home. For six years Mr. Reilly was trustee of 
the village, and for a similar period he has been 
a member of the county central committee of the 
Democratic party; he has also served on the 
executive committee and has represented his par- 
ty as a delegate to conventions. He served in 
Hose Company No. i, of which he was foreman. 
In religious belief he is connected with St. Fi- 
delis' Catholic Church. 



GEORGE J. GOLSNER. Among the 
residents of College Point who have 
eained success through industrv and per- 
severance mention may be made of the subject 
of this record, an experienced and successful flor- 
ist of this place. He is a member of the firm of 
G. Golsner's Sons, proprietors and owners of 
twenty-one greenhouses, well equipped and with 
facilities for a large wholesale and retail trade. 
They have three different places here, one being 
in Third Avenue, between First and Second 
Streets; another in Twelfth Street, between 
Third and Fourth Avenues, and the third in Sev- 
enteenth Street and Third Avenue. Skilled as- 
sistants design bouquets, baskets, wreaths and 
emblems to order, and the beauty of these de- 
signs has brought an enviable reputation to the 

firm. 

The founder of this firm, Gabriel Golsner, was 
born in Augsburg, Germany, where he learned 
the trade which he afterward commenced in Col- 
lege Point in 1865. In 1888 his sons assumed 
control and have since had charge of the business. 
He passed away at the age of fifty-nine, and his 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Reck, 
and was a native of Germany, also died at that 
age. Their five children are named Catharine; 
Anna, wife of Edward Frey, of this place; John 
and George, who are in partnership, and \'eroni- 
ca, wife of J. Schmidt, living in Germany. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New 
York City, March 26, 1863, and was a child of 
two years when brought to College Point in the 
spring of 1865. ^\^^en only seven years old he 
began to assist his father in the business, and 
throughout his boyhood years it was his cu.^tom 
to arise at four o'clock in the morning and gath- 
er flowers, thus assisting in the work. His 
knowledge of the business, l^eginning so early 
in life, and continuing through all these years, 
is both thorough and practical, and he is fully 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



751 



posted in regard to every detail. By his mar- 
riage to Emma Dischlie lie liad six children, of 
whom four are living, George J., Frank, Emma 
and Freddie W. Socially he is connected with 
the Royal Arcanum, and politically is independ- 
ent, not adhering to any party. His family are 
members of the Lutheran Church, and while he 
is not identified with this organization, he has 
served as a member of the board of trustees since 
the first of li 



FRANCIS EDWARD ANDREWS, an 
electrician of Flushing, with office at No. 
20 Main Street, was born in Waterloo, 
Canada, June 11, 1869, and is a son of Joseph 
and Annie E. (Humphreys) Andrews, natives re- 
spectively of New York City and Canada. His pa- 
ternal ancestors were prominent in the South, 
where his great-grandfather was a large cotton 
planter. The grandfathe^r, Hiram Andrews, born 
in New York City, was for some years president 
of the Bank of Mobile and was fortunate in pass- 
ing through the perils of Black Friday with his 
credit unimpaired. 

Joseph Andrews, who formerly was a commer- 
cial traveler, is now engaged in the insurance 
and brokerage business in Brooklyn. He mar- 
ried Miss Annie E. Humphreys, whose father, a 
native of Dublin, Ireland, emigrated to Canada 
and engaged in business there. They are the 
parents of four children, of whom Francis E. is 
the only son and eldest child. One of his uncles, 
John Andrews, was killed during the Civil War. 

Reared in Boston, .Mass., the subject of this 
record was educated in the public and high 
schools. In 1880 he entered school in Brooklyn, 
wl;ere he remained a short time. In 1884 he be- 
gan the study of electricity under Professor Mey- 
ers in Dey Street, and later engaged in making 
electrical apparatus. After four years with his 
first instructor, he spent two years as inspector 
of the Long Island hues of the telephone com- 
pany, and then began for himself as an electrician. 
In 1890 he removed from Brooklyn to Valley 
Stream, Queens County, and in April of 1892 
removed from there to Flushing, being the first 
practical electrician to open an office here. He 
introduced the Welsbach lights here, and still 
represents that company. He has had the contract 
for much of the most important work here, and 
is considered an expert in all kinds of electrical 
work. At this writing he is electrician for the 



village. In Brooklyn Mr. Andrews married Miss 
Mary E. McCormick, daughter of Thomas Mc- 
Cormick, a resident of Brooklyn, where she was 
born. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews con- 
sists of five children, Thomas E., Frances E., 
Ruth E., Robert E. and Mary E. The res- 
idence is situated at No. 46 Locust Street. 

Socially Mr. Andrews is connected with the 
Royal Arcanum and is sachem of the Shinnecock 
Tribe of Red Men, also secretary of the Court of 
Foresters at Flushing. Fie is a member of Em- 
pire Hose Company No. i. In religious views 
he is connected with St. George's Episcopal 
Church, to which he is a liberal contributor. Po- 
litically a Democrat, at this writing he holds the 
position of president of the Fourth District Dem- 
ocratic Club. 



FRANK P. SEAMAN, who is engaged in 
the mercantile business at Mineola, was 
born in the town of Huntington, Suffolk 
County, at a place called Half Flollow, the date 
of his birth being 1852. His father, Gideon Sea- 
man, a native of the same town as himself, was 
born in 1816 and is now deceased. At different 
times he followed milling, farming and merchan- 
dising. For a number of years he was tax col- 
lector of the town and took an active part in 
public affairs in his younger years. 

By his first marriage Gideon Seaman had two 
children, William H. and Ruth, both deceased. 
His second union was to Sarah Muncey, by 
whom he had eight children. Of these four are 
living, namely: Thomas, of Deer Park; Frank 
P., Sarah, and Henry, who is clerking in his 
brother's store in Mineola. Our subject's grand- 
father, David Seaman, was a descendant of Capt. 
John Seaman, who was born in England, and, 
emigrating to this country, became the founder 
of the family on Long Island. 

Until eleven years of age our subject attended 
the district schools, but he then entered Public 
School No. 3, l^rooklyn, where he carried on his 
studies for four years. AVhen fifteen years old he 
entered the store of J. B. Hendrickson and two 
years later, when the business changed hands, he 
remained with the new owner, continuing there 
until nineteen. He then entered the store of 
Luke Fleet, of Mineola, remaining in that con- 
nection until 1888, when he established his pres- 
ent business. In his place he carries a full line 
of merchandise, and through accommodating 



752 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



manners and integrity of character has built up 
a good trade. In addition to his business, he is 
interested in the Columbia Building and Loan 
Association. Politically he is a Democrat. 

Mr. Seaman was one of the charter members 
of the Mineola Hook and Ladder Company No. 
I, of which in 1894 he was chosen president, con- 
tinuing in that position for two years. Socially 
he is connected with the Roslyn Lodge of Odd 
Fellows. In religious matters he is identified 
with the Presbyterian Church of Hempstead and 
is assistant superintendent of the Mineola Union 
Sunday-school, with which he has been actively 
associated for twenty-five years. His wife is a 
member of St. George's Episcopal Church of 
Hempstead. This estimable lady, with whom he 
was united in 1879, and who shares with him the 
good will of the community, was Anna V. Allen, 
daughter of George and Margery (Doxey) Allen. 
Their family consists of six children, namely: 
John A., Willis M., Marjorie, Edwin M., Harrison 
and Imogene. 



LOUIS C. GAISER, JR., who with his father 
has charge of the Gaiser Hotel at College 
Point, is a native of the city of Brooklyn, 
but has spent his life principally in the village 
where he now resides. He is a son of Louis C. 
and Regina (Kreidler) Gaiser, natives respectively 
of Goeppingen, Wurtemberg, and Baden, Ger- 
many, the latter of whom died in this place. The 
father, who was reared to manhood in the coun- 
try of his birth, emigrated to the United States 
in early maturity and settled in Brooklyn, where 
he secured a position as bookkeeper and col- 
lector for the Kings County brewery. Later, 
having gained a thorough knowledge of the 
brewing business, he opened a brewery in Brook- 
lyn, the enterprise being conducted for six years 
imder the firm name of Gaiser & Steinhausen. 
In 1873 he came to College Point and embarked 
in the hotel business, which he has since carried 
on successfully with the assistance of his son. our 
subject. For one term he held the office of 
school trustee, and at various times occupied oth- 
er positions of trust. 

Of the family of six children the subject of this 
sketch is fourth in respect to age. He was reared 
to manhood in College Point, to which place he 
came with his father in 1873. Natural inclina- 
tions and education fitted him for a business life, 
wliich he entered ujion al an early age, in 1885 



engaging with his father in the management of 
Gaiser's Hall, a large place situated on the corner 
of Tliirteenth Street and Third Avenue. In con- 
nection with the hall there are a summer garden 
and a large dancing hall. Until recently our sub- 
ject held the position of collector for the Con- 
gress Brewing Company, of Brooklyn. He is 
connected with the Adelphi Social Club and the 
Order of Foresters, while politically he is inde- 
pendent in his opinions and ballot. 



REV. ROCKWOOD :\IacOUESTEN, Ph. 
D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of 
Glencove, was born in Plymouth, N. H., 
September 29, 1839, and is a son of Greenough 
and Myra (Chase) MacOuesten. The family orig- 
inated in Scotland, whence they removed to Ire- 
land, and some generations later made settle-' 
ment in New Hampshire, where four generations 
have since resided. Reared on a farm, Green- 
ough MacOuesten became a clerk in early man- 
hood and afterward embarked in the mercantile 
business. When his son Rockwood was two 
rears old he removed to Sanbornton (now Tilton), 
N. H., and three years afterward settled at Fish- 
erville (now known as Pennacook), N. H., a 
suburb of the city of Concord. After some eight 
years in Fisherville he removed to Concord, and 
there remained until his death in 1891. 

The education of our subject was mainly ob- 
tained in Concord, and at the age of seventeen 
he graduated from the high school there, being 
a member of the first class that ever graduated 
from that school. While carrying on his studies 
he earned his own support by filling the position 
of clerk of the superintendent of the Concord 
Railroad. The first money he ever earned was 
bv pegging shoes in Fisherville, and he was so 
skillful in the use of shoemaker's tools that he 
was able, when very young, to make a pair of 
coarse shoes. After graduating from the high 
school he worked as a telegraph operator for the 
Concord Railroad Company and remained in that 
capacity about two years. His Sunday-school 
teacher, who was assistant railroad superintend- 
ent, suggested that he go to college and pre- 
pare for the ministry, offering to pay his way 
through college. That advice being in accord 
with the voung man's inclinations, he was about 
to accept the olTer, when his kind friend lost his 
property; but, though thrown upon his own re- 
sources, he did not grow discouraged. One time. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



753 



while in the railroad service, he came nearly los- 
ing his life ; he was sent ont on a hand car to 
pay ofif some section men, when a freight train 
passed, loaded with lumber reaching ont over the 
side-track. The hand-car was struck by the lum- 
ber, but fortunately a fatal catastrophe was 
averted. 

In the fall of 1859 Dr. MacQuesten entered Co- 
lumbia College, New York City, and graduated 
in 1863 among the honor men with the degree of 
A. B. For one summer he was tutor in the fam- 
ily of Lewis Livingston, of Rhinebeck, on the 
Hudson. In the fall of 1863 he entered Union 
Theological Seminary, New York, and was there 
for three 3'ears, being assistant librarian the third 
year. He graduated in the spring of 1866 and at 
the same time received the degree of A. M. from 
Columbia College. During his second year in 
the seminary he commenced to preach, and in 
the summer of 1865 he supplied the pulpit of the 
Congregational Church at Salmon Falls, N. H., 
for three months. In April, 1866, he was li- 
censed by the then Old School Presbytery of 
Nassau and later in the same month was ordained 
by the third presbytery of New York (new 
school). 

May 18, 1866, at Henniker. N. H., Rev. Dr. 
MacQuesten married Miss Emma Willard San- 
born, a daughter of Dr. Nathan and Seus (Lan- 
caster) Sanborn. Of the five children born to 
them only two are now living. June i, 1866, the 
Doctor started for Minnesota, under commission 
from the board of home missions, and after sup- 
plying the pulpit at Red Wing for three months, 
he took bis first pastorate at Le Sueur, ninety 
miles southwest of St. Paul, on the Minnesota 
River. At that time Le Sueur was on the fron- 
tier, and the outbreak on the part of the Sioux 
had only recently occurred, so that the position 
was one of great responsibility. At that time 
he was a member of the Dakota presbytery, in 
which were the well known missionaries. Rev. 
Stephen R. Riggs, D. D., and Rev. Thomas S. 
Williamson, M. D. In 1893 our subject wrote a 
biography of the latter gentleman, which was 
published by the American Tract Society of New 
York. While in that position, his parish includ- 
ed territory about twenty-five miles square, and 
he preached three or four times each Sunday. 

In 1872 Dr. MacQuesten accepted a call to the 
First Presbyterian Church of Winona, Minn., 
from which place in 1878 he went to Waterloo, 
Iowa. In May, 1880, he removed to Minneapo- 



lis. Minn., to take charge of the preparatory de- 
partment of McAllister College, under supervi- 
sion of the synod of Minnesota. He held that 
position for one and one-half years, then preached 
at Grand Forks, Dak., for six months, after which 
lie returned to Minneapolis and became pastor 
of the Fifth Presbyterian Church. In 1885, hav- 
ing resigned his pastorate in Minneapolis, he 
went to Fall River, Mass., under commission 
from the home missions board, where he was 
installed as pastor of the Westminster Presby- 
terian Church, remaining until 1888. January i, 
1889, he accepted the pastorate of the Presby- 
terian Church at Glencove, where he has since 
remained. In 1893 he received from the Uni- 
versity of the City of New York the degree of 
Doctor of Philosophy, having taken the pre- 
scribed university course. 

Politically our subject's father was a Whig and 
a firm Abolitionist, while he himself has been 
independent in his views, voting for what seemed 
to him the best men and the best measures, but 
generally with the Republican party. While in 
college, and also while acting as tutor, he wrote 
a number of poems, which were published and 
extensively copied. Among these was the "Vil- 
lage Clock," written in 1864, and suggested by 
Longfellow's famous poem, "The Old Clock on 
the Stair." This was published in a Congrega- 
tional paper in Boston and afterward appeared in 
"Household Readings." It has been so univer- 
sally admired that we take pleasure in inserting it 
herewith : 

On the gentle lawn from the village street, 
Stands the old church where the villagers meet. 
Up through its aisles young men have passed, 
Young men grown gray for the grave at last; 
While the Bride's sweet call from the pulpit expressed 
Has been echoed far up on its spiry crest, 

Repent — believe ! 

Believe — repent! 

From the preacher, discharging his solemn trust, 
From the saddening service, returning to dust 
The village honor, the village pride; 
From the modest choir, from blushing bride; 
From worshiping people with humble heart, 
Has come that call from its every part. 

Repent — believe! 

Believe — repent! 

In joy its voice is low and light; 

In turbulent trials and sorrow's night. 

The "still small voice" continues its call — 

Along the aisles, along the hall. 

Till the clock, far up in the tower above, 

Gives back the words and call of love, 

Repent — believe! 

Believe — repent! 



754 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Like urging spirits, the voiceless liands — 
By marking ttie hours — life's passing sands — 
Above the villager's trouble and toil, 
Above his trials and life's turmoil, 
Send forth, as far as their rays can reach. 
The same kind call, and seem to teach 

Repent — believe! 

Believe — repent! 

Firmly its hands are pointing on, 

And soon they'll mark the last sand gone. 

The church will crumble, its tower fall; 

The preacher and clock will cease their call; 

Yet e'en where wreck and ruin lie. 

They still shall call, as the years go by — 

Repent — believe! 

Believe — repent! 

Into the spirit-world shall go 

The voice of the village clock below. 

The voice of the preacher, the voice of the tower. 

The voice which bore the Spirit's power; 

And there before the "great white throne," 

Shall meet each soul with God alone. 

Repent — believe ! 

Believe — repent ! 

Not as to village it uttered its call. 

It now pronounces sentence on all; 

To the sinner who turned from the Bride away 

It denies a single forgiving ray; 

But leads him apart to eternal death 

Of Hope and Heart and Heaven bereft. 

Condemned — lost ! 

Lost — condemned ! 

Not as to village it uttered its call, 

It now pronounces sentence on all; 

To the Christian clothed in the Bride's array 

It gives the joy of eternal day, 

And, leading along the "golden streets," 

Guides him onward to blissful seats — 

Redeemed — saved ! 

Saved — redeemed ! 



HERMAN M'EYER, proprietor of a grocery 
at College Point, and one of the enter- 
prising young business men of this vil- 
lage, was born here July 3, 1865, and as his birth 
occurred ten minutes before midnight, he came 
nearly being a 4th of July boy. He is the young- 
est of four children, of whom the eldest, John, 
is deceased; Henry, the second born, resides in 
Maryland, and Mrs. Lizzie Kraemer, the only 
daughter, lives in College Point. 

The father of our subject, Henry Meyer, was 
born in Germany, whence he emigrated to Ameri- 
ca and became one of the first settlers of College 
Point, establishing his home here in 1848. Dur- 
ing the early days of the history of the village 
he took a prominent part in local affairs and 
was ever ready to assist in enterprises beneficial 
to the place. Especially was he active in plac- 
ing the town under good fire protection, and he 
took a warm interest and prominent part in or- 
ganizing and e(|uipping the fire department. Es- 



tablishing a grocery business here, he carried on 
a large trade until advanced years rendered his 
relinquishment of active labors a necessity. His 
death occurred when he was seventy-three years 
of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Gretchen Welbrock, died at sixty-four years. 

In this village, where he was born and reared, 
our subject gained a practical education in the 
public schools, and the knowledge thus acquired 
has been supplemented by observation and read- 
ing. At an early age he began to assist his fath- 
er in the grocery business, of which he soon 
gained a thorough knowledge, so that he was 
well fitted to engage in business for himself. He 
gives close attention to the details of his work 
and has secured a good trade, which he retains 
by reason of the reliability of his transactions and 
geniality of his manners. He takes an interest 
in local affairs and in religion inclines to the 
Lutheran faith, whtch was the belief of his fore- 
fathers. 



ROBERT MARVIN, a farmer living un the 
Marvin road, town of Flushing, was born 
November 14, 1849, in the old family 
dwelling that was burned down in 1863. The 
family of which he is a member originated in 
England, whence Robert Marvin emigrated to 
Long Island and settled in the town of Hemp- 
stead. John, a son of Robert, was born August 
24, 1733, and his son, Jacob, was born October 
iSj 1755- The children of Jacob were Valentine 
H. P., Robert, Jane, Mary and Harry P., father 
of our subject. The last-named was born Octo- 
ber 22, 1799, and remained with his parents un- 
til he attained mature years, after which he be- 
gan to work for himself. His first employment 
was sawing logs by the day in an old-fashioned 
saw-pit. Later he hired to a ]\Ir. Dodge, of 
Lakeville, a farmer, from whom he received $100 
per year. Plis next position was that of packer 
in a crockery store in Pearl Street, New York 
City, after which he bought a horse and cart and 
followed carting for the stores in the city. In 
later years he ptirchased the farm where his sons 
now live and here he spent the remainder of his 
life. 

By his marriage to Pellatiah ^^■illiams, Harry 
P. Marvin had six children, namely: Valentine. 
Henry and Clarence, deceased: Robert, of this 
sketch: Mary A., and Richard W. The subject 
of this record has spent his entire life upon the 




JAMES L. NEW, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



757 



old homestead, with the exception of seven 
months in New York. During three months of 
that time he was a student in Paine's Business 
College, on the corner of Canal and the Bowery. 
At the expiration of that time he was chosen as- 
sistant teacher in Mr. Paine's school in Thirty- 
third Street and Broadway, where his experience 
of four months as instructor was worth years of 
study to him and did much to form and expand 
his mind. His father's death caused him to re- 
sign his position and return home to assume the 
management of the place. 

This was in 1873. For one year Mr. Marvin 
and his brother cultivated the place, and when 
the final settlement of the estate was made he 
erected his present handsome residence on his 
portion of the property. Since then he has made 
an improvement in the shape of an L, designed 
for kitchen, pantry, bathroom and additional bed- 
rooms. After the estate was settled, he began 
farming in partnership with his brother, Richard, 
and for several years the firm of Marvin Broth- 
ers continued together, but finally severed their 
connection, and have since operated their farming 
industries alone. 

Early in the year 1874 Mr. Marvin married 
Miss Mellie, daughter of John Hendrickson, of 
Creedmoor. Mrs. Marvin was born February 
21, 1852, and is the mother of six children, name- 
ly: George Buell, born Sunday, October 25, 
1874; Mary Anna, Friday, July 28, 1876; Es- 
ther Williams, Sunday, January 19, 1879; Grace 
Elizabeth, Sunday, March 4, 1883; Harry Peters, 
Tuesday, November 16, 1886, and Fannie Smith, 
Sunday, March 31, 1889. Politically Mr. Marvin 
is independent. A Methodist in religion, he is 
acting as steward of the church, and received a 
certificate to attend the annual conference at 
Hartford, Conn., April 3, 1896, held for the pur- 
pose of choosing lay delegates to the general con- 
ference. He is a friend of education and for 
twenty years has been connected with the school 
board. 



JAMES L. NEW, M. D. Although young in 
years. Dr. New has obtained a more than 
local reputation, which fact may be, in a 
measure, attributed to his love for his profession. 
To him the arduous duties of his calling are a 
"labor of love." Whatever the social or financial 
condition of his patient who seeks his service, 
no effort is spared in the treatment of his case, 



for he believes it is the highest duty of the physi- 
cian to cure the ills to which mankind is heir, if 
it lies within his power to do so. He devotes 
himself to his work with conscientious zeal, and 
gives little regard to the rewards or emoluments 
that are to follow. He believes in a progressive 
system of medicine, and notes with eager interest 
every forward step taken by his profession. 

Dr. New was born in Long Island City De- 
cember 29, 1870, and is a son of James N. New, 
who was born in Newtown, L. I. His grandfath- 
er, James L. New, was a native of England, born 
in Willshire, and there grew to manhood. He 
married in his native country and came to this 
land on his wedding tour, locating at Greenpoint, 
L. I., and running a stage line from that point 
to Fulton Ferry, L. I., until 1853. Then selling 
out to the Brooklyn City Railroad Company he 
was engaged in various undertakings until 1857, 
when he went to California by way of the 
Isthmus and was engaged in prospecting and 
mining until 1876. From there he went to Mon- 
tana, where he is now a prominent ranchman. 
While residing in California he was captain of 
an independent company during the time of the 
vigilant committee. He is now seventy-seven 
vears old and in the enjoyment of fair health. 

James N. New became familiar with the gro- 
cery business while but a lad and has continued 
in this ever since. He left Newtown and went to 
Greenpoint when a young man, and was first in 
the employ of old John Smith. In 1855 he 
bought the business and has carried it on ever 
since, in partnership with his brother, Alfred L. 
New (see sketch). He married Miss Eliza M. 
Gibson, a native of Wards Island and daughter 
of Alexander Gibson (better known as "Sandy" 
Gibson), an old fisherman on Wards Island, who 
was of Scotch descent and took part in the War 
of 1812. 

To Mr. and Mrs. New were born six children, 
four now living. Our subject, the eldest of these 
children, attended the public schools of Green- 
point and those of Brooklyn, graduating from 
the high school of the latter place in 1886. He 
then entered Ft. Edward Institute at Ft. Edward, 
N. Y., and graduated from that institution in 
1887. For some time after this he was associated 
with his father in business, but in 1889 he entered 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Co- 
lumbia and graduated from the same with the 
degree of M. D. in June, 1892. In July, 1891, he 
took a trip to Montana, extending over a period 



758 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of six weeks. By competitive examination he 
was appointed assistant physician at Charity Hos- 
pital on Blackwells Island for one year and later 
was for seven months assistant at New York 
Lying-in Hospital. 

The following year Dr. New spent in a visit 
to Montana, partly for business and partly for 
pleasure, and practiced while there. Returning in 
November, 1894, he located in Tioga County, 
Pa., and was employed by the Fallbrook Coal 
Company until 1895, when he resigned and lo- 
cated in Hunter's Point, Long Island City, where 
he has since been actively engaged in general 
practice. He had the best of advantages while 
studying his profession and was assistant physi- 
cian in the outdoor department of Bellevue Hos- 
pital, New York Cjty. In religious belief he is a 
member of Grace Methodist Church, in which he 
is steward. Politically he is a Republican. He is 
a member of Montana State Medical Association 
and is examining physician of John Hancock 
Mutual Life Insurance Company and Hartford 
Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn. 



WILLIAM PLYER. Since he took 
charge of, or rather succeeded to his 
father's business, Mr. Plyer-has been 
one of the successful business men of Hemp- 
stead. He was born in this village July 21, 1857, 
and is a son of Charles Plyer, who was born in 
Hertfordshire, England, in 1831, and when a 
young man of twenty years of age came to Amer- 
ica. 

On making his home in the New World, Mr. 
Plyer located at Fordham, in Westchester Coun- 
ty, where he entered a sash and Ijlind factory and 
became thoroughly acquainted with the business 
in all its details. In 1854 he came to Hempstead 
and eml^arked in business for himself, manufac- 
turing sash of all kinds, also blinds of every de- 
scription. He continued to be thus engaged un- 
til his decease, in 1884, when his son, our sulj- 
ject, succeeded to the business. The latter had 
been taken into. partnership with his father in 
1881 and was therefore thoroug-hly competent to 
assume the management of the factory. Mr. Ply- 
er met with success after coming to America and 
k^fl his laniily conifortabl}' provided for. 

The mother of our subject was Mary Ackerly, 
a representative of one of the old families of the 
island. .She reared a family of three sons, of 
Avhdiii William, of this skelcli, was the eldest. 



The others are Charles and George. The edu- 
cation of our subject was completed in the high 
school of Hempstead, after which he became as- 
sociated with his father in business. The pros- 
perity which has come to him is not the result of 
accident or luck, but rather as the result of in.- 
domitable perseverance and sound judgment. In 
political belief he is independent. In 1889 he was 
elected village trustee, serving two years, and was 
re-elected to this position in 1895 and 1896 for 
two years longer. He is treasurer of the build- 
ing and loan association of this place and is at 
present serving as a member of the volunteer 
fire department, of which he was the secretary 
for several years. He is very fond of sailing and 
is the owner of a beautiful yacht, which is one 
of the best boats in the Hempstead Bay Yacht 
Club, of which Mr. Plyer is a prominent mem- 
ber. Socially he is an Odd Fellow of excellent 
standing, belonging to Hempstead Lodge No. 
141. He is likewise connected with the Mutual 
Benefit Association, of which he was at one time 
president and director for many years. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Ange- 
lece Smith occurred January 19, 1881. This lady 
was the daughter of Raynor Smith, of Freeport, 
and the granddaughter of the noted Raynor Rock 
Smith, who saved part of the crew of the wrecked 
vessel, "City of Mexico." ^Ir. and ^Irs. Plyer 
have a daughter, Addie. 



M' 



ONROE PACKARD, chief engineer of 
the India Rubber Comb Company at 
College Point, was born in Providence. 
R. I., February 20, 1849. The family of which 
he is a member originated in England and has 
been represented in this country since the time of 
the "jMayflower," Samuel Packard, the first of the 
name to come hither, having settled in Windham, 
Conn. The grandfather, INIark Packard, a na- 
tive of New Hampshire, and a machinist by trade, 
removed to Pennsylvania, where he married Mary 
M'ilHamson. 

The father of our subject, Monroe Packard, 
Sr., was born in Ashton, Pa., learned the ma- 
chinisfs trade in Bridesburg, and later settled in 
Providence, R. I., where he was fir.st with Thurs- 
ton & Gardner, and afterward served as foreman 
for the Corliss Engine Company many years. 
He died in that city in i860, aged forty-five. His 
wife, Amelia T.. was Ijorn in Providence and 
was a daughter of Capt. Daniel and Mar\- (Ar- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



759 



nold) Svveetland, natives of Pawtucket and New- 
port respectively. Her father, after liaving fol- 
lowed the machinist's trade for a time, later be- 
came captain of a vessel engaged in the coasting 
trade and was lost at sea in a shipwreck. His 
father-in-law, Caleb Arnold, was a merchant of 
Newport. Mrs. Amelia T. Packard is a Baptist 
in religious belief. She makes her home with her 
only surviving child, our subject, her other son, 
Charles A., having died in Rhode Island at the 
age of twenty-one. 

In the public and private schools of Providence 
and in Schofiield's Commercial College, the sub- 
ject of this sketch received his education. He 
was apprenticed to the moulder's trade in the 
foundry of the Corliss Engine Company, re- 
maining there for ten years. Later he was em- 
ployed in the machinist's department, and while 
thus engaged took up engineering, running the 
engine for three years. In 1880 he came to Col- 
lege Point as the assistant engineer of the India 
Rubber Comb Company, which he held for six 
years, until the death of his father-in-law, when 
he was made chief engineer. Under his supervi- 
sion are five Corliss engines of eight hundred 
horse-power, these being the largest in the town 
of Flushing. 

Mr. Packard married Miss Mary A. Sander- 
son, who was born in Providence, and is promi- 
nent in society here and in the work of the Dutch 
Reformed Church. She is one of two living chil- 
dren, having a brother, Henry J., who is a watch- 
maker and jeweler by trade. By her marriage 
she has a son, John, and a daughter, Mabel. 
Her father, John Sanderson, was born in Pen- 
rith, Cumberlandshire, England, became a ma- 
chinist, and after emigrating to America in 1851, 
settled in Providence, where he was employed as 
engineer in the erecting department of the Cor- 
liss Engine Company. In 1857 he came to Col- 
lege Point to erect the first Corliss engine here, 
and upon its completion was employed as chief 
engineer until his death, November 19, 1892. 
While residing in England he was chorister of an 
Episcopal Church. For some years he was a trus- 
tee of the College Point Savings Bank. 

Thomas Sanderson, the paternal grandfather 
of Mrs. Packard, was born in Cumberland and 
was an engine builder, which occupation he fol- 
lowed for a year in Brooklyn. After that, how- 
ever, he returned to England, where he died 
.March 20, 1868, aged eighty years. His wife, 
. Marv Alcock, died at the as'e of seventv-one. 



lohn Sanderson married, in 1850, Miss Elizabeth 
Nicholson, daughter of Thomas Nicholson, a con- 
tractor and builder, who died at the age of si.xty- 
nine. Benjamin, father of Thomas Nicholson, 
was a mason and builder, and Ann Fleming, the 
mother, died at the age of fifty-seven. Mr. and 
Mrs. Packard occupy the old Sanderson home- 
stead at No. 191 Third Avenue, on Flushing 
Bay, a substantial residence which was erected 
by Mr. Sanderson in i860. 



PATRICK F. SHARKEY, general super- 
intendent of the two varnish factories of 
Pratt & Lambert, which are located in 
Long Island City, has held this responsible po- 
sition for the past three years, although he has 
been connected with the business in various other 
capacities for a much longer period. 

Mr. Sharkey was born in this city, at No. 46 
Fifth Street, where he still resides, October 28, 
1864. His father, Henry Sharkey, was one of 
the old residents of the city and for the greater 
part of his life was a millwright. His history is 
given at greater length in the biography of H. 
W. Sharkey, on another page. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest but 
one of a family of seven children, four of whom 
are now living. ' He was reared in this city and 
completed his education in the old Sixth Street 
school house when a lad of fifteen years. At that 
age he went to work in the James McGinnis var-. 
nish works, and after four years spent there was 
given a position with Pratt & Lambert, who were 
engaged in the same business. Our subject's 
brother, Samuel, was foreman of the factory, and 
Patrick was instructed by him in the mysteries of 
making varnish, in due time becoming a practical 
workman. 

In 1891 Samuel Sharkey was sent to Chicago 
to assume charge of the varnish works there and 
our subject was then promoted to be foreman, 
holding this responsible position until Mr. Pratt, 
who was then acting as superintendent, retired, 
when he became general superintendent of the 
business. Besides the two factories in Long 
Island City and the one in Chicago, which we 
have already mentioned, the company own one in 
Montreal. Those over which Mr. Sharkey has 
control are the main plants and for the most part 
furnish goods to the other works. They manu- 
facture a very fine grade of varnish and do the 



760 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



largest business of any similar company on the 
island. 

Socially Mr. Sharkey belongs to John J- Mitch- 
ell Lodge No. 338, A. O. U. W. He is a very 
fine oarsman and a prominent member of the 
Ravenswood Boat Club. He 1"^= a member of 
the crew which took part in races held at Har- 
lem, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia and 
points on the Hudson, and in almost every case 
the Ravenswood Club was victorious. This club 
had the champion four-oared gig of the world 
and when it was used our subject was the bow 
oarsman. He also holds membership with the 
Ravenswood Bowling Club, of which he is the 
captain. 



THOMAS THURSTON, the enterprising 
blacksmith at Great Neck, was born at 
Glencove, L. I., December 31, 1845, to 
Nicholas and Sarah A. (Miller) Thurston. His 
father, who was born at Glencove, there learned 
and carried on the trade of a shoemaker, also 
for a time was proprietor of a shoe store. 
Thomas received his education in the public 
school and at the age of fifteen years began to 
learn his trade at Locust A^alley. AVhile still an 
apprentice, in September, 1864, he enlisted in 
Company C, Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, 
and took an active part in service in the Shenan- 
doah Valley and at Bermuda Hundred, also in 
front of Petersburg. At the close of the war, he 
was honorably discharged in July, 1865, after 
having for a few months been on provost duty in 
Virginia. Throughout the entire period of his 
service he was never wounded nor captured. 

Returning to Locust Valley, Mr. Thurston 
completed his apprenticeship and then went to 
Port Washington, where he worked as a jour- 
neyman for two months. Opening a store of his 
own, he carried it on industriously for ten years. 
While there he married, June 25, 1868, Miss 
Mary Crookel, of that place, and they became 
the parents of two children, the wife and mother 
dying November 10, 1886. The son, Fred W., 
who learned the trade of blacksmith under his 
father, is now in business with him; he married 
Miss Mabel Scott, of Great Neck. Sarah E., the 
daughter, married James Playden and they have 
four children. 

After a residence of ten years in Port Washing- 
ton, Mr. Thurston, on account of his father's 
death, went to Glencove and carried on the lousi- 



ness for a few months, then went back to Port 
Washington. Afterward he worked at his trade 
in Stamford, Conn., for two and one-half years, 
going from there to Port Washington. After a 
short time spent in Brooklyn, in 1881 he came to 
Great Neck and started his present business. His 
second marriage, which occurred January 30, 
1889, united him with Miss Josephine Lennox, 
who was born in Rochelle. Westchester County, 
N. Y. In 1868 he voted for General Grant and 
has since sustained Republican principles. Since 
the organization of the Republican Club of Great 
Neck, he has been its only president. Frequently 
he has represented his party in conventions, but 
has never sought office for himself. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
superintendent of the Union Sunday-school in 
the village of Great Neck. Socially he is con- 
nected with Adam Goss Post No. 330, G. A. R., 
in New York. Always interested in school af- 
fairs, he has served with credit as a member of 
the board of education. 



JOFIN BOLL, a prominent resident of Ja- 
maica, is carrying on a good business as 
florist. He was born in the canton of Frey- 
burg, Switzerland, in September. 1837. and was 
the son of John Boll, a wine manufacturer and 
nurseryman of his native land. Our subject, 
after acquiring his education, assisted his father 
in this business until about twenty years of age, 
when he left home, and, going to France, spent 
several years in that country. He then traveled 
extensively through Italy and Germany, and in 
1861 determined to see something of the New 
World, of which he had heard such glowing ac- 
counts. 

Landing on the shores of America. ^Ir. Boll 
began to seek employment, and was given the po- 
sition of private gardener for a New York banker 
who made his home in Newtown. After remain- 
ing in his employ for a period of seven years he 
went to Rhinebeck. on the Hudson, where he was 
given charge of the grounds surrounding the fine 
residence of Congressman ^filler. 

His father dying soon after the Civil War, our. 
subject returned to Switzerland, as his ser\'ices 
were needed in settling up the estate. As soon 
as this was accomplished lie took passage for 
America and very soon thereafter purchased the 
ten-acre tract of land in the village of Jamaica, 
where his fine sardens and greenhouses are lo- 




DAVID T. AVENIUS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



-63 



cated. He has been successful from the very first 
and is now one of the best-known gardeners and 
florists in the county. He has, however, met with 
two serious losses when his greenhouses were 
burned to the ground, the last time in 1894. He 
was not discouraged in the least, but set to work 
to repair the damage, each time enlarging his 
hot houses and placing therein many conven- 
iences which he did not have before. 

The marriage of John Boll and Miss Eliza- 
beth J., daughter of John Sellmenn, occurred in 
Jamaica in 1876. The Sellmenns are among the 
oldest families of this section and are highly re- 
spected and prominent people. Our subject uses 
his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic 
party, and is devoted to the welfare of the gen- 
eral public. At one time he was foreman of the 
Jamaica fire department. He is a member of the 
Odd Fellows fraternity and by the members of 
Jamaica Lodge No. 247 is highly regarded. He 
is genial and pleasant in manners, useful and ac- 
tive as a citizen and expects to round out his life 
on his beautiful place, which is located on the 
eastern border of the village of Jamaica. 



DAVID T. AVENIUS, superintendent of 
the Lutheran Cemetery, near Middle Vil- 
lage, was born in Bavaria, Germany, No- 
vember 4, 1842, and is one of a family of eight 
children, of whom two sons and two daughters 
are now living. His parents were Jacob H. and 
Maria (Moock) Avenius, the former of whom 
was born in Bavaria in 1804, emigrated to the 
United States, and in 1852 settled in East Wil- 
liamsburg (Metropolitan), where he died one year 
later. By trade he was a brick and stone mason, 
which occupation he followed until death. 

The education of our subject was begun in tlie 
schools of Germany and continued in the United 
States, whither he came with his father at the 
age of ten years. Four years later he was bound 
out to the trade of ropemaking, and at the expira- 
tion of his term of apprenticeship, when he was 
nineteen years old, he enlisted August 13, 1862, 
in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth 
New York Infantry. From Brooklyn, where he 
enlisted, he marched with his company to the 
southern battle fields, where he participated in 
every engagement at which his regiment was 
present, among the most important being the 
battle of Cold Harbor, the assault on Petersburg, 
the battles of Chaffin's Farm and Fair Oaks, fall 
of Petersburg and evacuation of Richmond. At 



the expiration of the war he was mustered out of 
the service, July 30, 1865, at Richmond, Va., and 
returned home with a record as a gallant soldier 
boy, of which his relatives and friends might well 
be proud. 

Soon after his return from the war Mr. Avenius 
began to work at rope making, at which he was 
employed until 1872, and during the two follow- 
ing years he held the position of constable. In 
the meantime he took a position as foreman of 
the Lutheran Cemetery and in 1888 was made 
its superintendent, which position he has since 
filled with efficiency. In 1867 he married Miss 
Catherine Lehman, and they became the parents 
of seven children, four of whom are living. 
Jacob, who is married and has two sons, is book- 
keeper and assistant to his father; Elizabeth 
married John R. Gude, by whom she has one 
child, a daughter ; David is foreman of the Luth- 
eran Cemetery, and Henry is connected with the 
Williamsburg Gas Company. The sons are 
graduates of Wright's Business College of 
Brooklyn, and are well-educated, intelligent 
young men. 

While not an active partisan, Mr. Avenius has 
always been a stanch Republican since the time 
when he shouldered his gun and marched forth 
in defense of the Union. Socially he is con- 
nected with the Royal Arcanum, Knights of 
Honor and Schiller Lodge No. 304, F. & A. M. 
For many years he was a member of S. F. Dupont 
Post No. 187, G. A. R., but in 1885, when the 
Robert J. Marks Post No. 560, G. A. R., was 
organized at Newtown, he took a transfer and 
became one of the active workers of the new or- 
ganization, in which he has filled the various 
offices, including that of commander. Among 
the citizens of the county he is not only well 
known, but highly honored for the probity of his 
life and the nobility of his character. In him the 
poor have a friend and the distressed a sympa- 
thizing helper. As a citizen he is interested in 
all measures for the benefit of the people and the 
advancement of the interests of the community. 



ABRAM C. HAGEMAN, inspector of tow- 
ermen for the Long Island Railroad, and 
one of the rising young business men of 
Flushing, was born in North Branch, Somerset 
County, N. J., January 27, 1866. He is a mem- 
ber of a family long identified with the history 
of Long Island. The fiirst of the name to come 
to America was Adrian Hageman, who crossed 



764 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Atlantic in 1650, and eight years later settled 
in Flatbush, Kings County. The traits of in- 
dustry and honor which characterized this en- 
terprising Hollander have been inherited by his 
descendants through succeeding generations. 

Our subject's grandfather, James Hageman, 
was born in Somerset County, N. J., November 
9, 1780, and died January 23, 1854. His son, 
Richard F., our subject's father, was born in the 
same county September 6, 1817, learned the har- 
nessmaker's trade in North Branch, where he has 
been engaged in business since 1851. In re- 
ligion he is identified with the Dutch Reformed 
Church. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Ellen Cortelyou, was born in Peapack, N. J., 
December 17, 1823, and died August 29, 1882: 
her father, Abram, was born in New Jersey and 
engaged in farm pursuits until his death in Som- 
erville, that state. 

The parental famih- consisted of five daughters 
and three sons, of whom our subject is the young- 
est and the only surviving son. He was reared in 
North Branch until sixteen and is a graduate of 
the Somerville grammar school. At the age of 
sixteen he secured a clerkship in a store in Eliza- 
beth, where he remained three months. Later he 
was employed in a store in North Branch until 
1883, after which he entered a school of teleg- 
raphy in New York, remaining until his gradua- 
tion in 1885. In August of that year he entered 
the employ of the Long Island Railroad as agent 
and operator at Water Mills. Afterward he was 
transferred to Bedford Station, Brooklyn, later 
became agent at Hicksville, then was transferred 
to Bay Shore, and finally was made station master 
at Patchogue. In August, 1891, he became chief 
clerk in the office of the superintendent of express 
at Long Island City. December 6, of the same 
year, he was appointed inspector of towermen 
for the Long Island Railroad, in which responsi- 
ble position he has rendered efficient service. Un- 
der him are about four hundred men, including 
not only the towermen, but also the flagmen. 
Every day he inspects the entire road, with its 
seventy towers. Careful in the selection of men, 
and kind in his intercourse with them, he has 
their respect as well as the confidence of the su- 
perior officials. 

In August, 1891. Mr. Hageman came to Flush- 
ing, where he resides at No. 26 L'nion Street. His 
marriage, in I'ridgehampton, October 16, 1881), 
united him with Miss Grace R. Sayre, daughter 
of Horatio G. Sayre, both natives of that place, 



where the latter still carries on farm pursuits. 
Her grandfather, Capt. Uriah Sayre, was a sea 
captain and whaler and died at Bridgehampton. 
The first member of the Sayre family in America 
came hither from Bedfordshire, England, in 
1640, settling in Southampton, L. I., where he 
was a pioneer. The mother of 'Sirs. Hageman 
was Jerusha Pierson, daughter of Gordon Pier- 
son, and a descendant of Welsh ancestors, who 
early settled in Suffolk County. One of two 
children, Mrs. Hageman was reared in Bridge- 
hampton and received a good education in pri- 
vate schools. She founded the first societies of 
King's Daughters at Bridgehampton and Pat- 
chogue and was president of the latter organiza- 
tion. After coming to Flushing, she formed the 
first society here and was its first president. 

An active worker in the Dutch Reformed 
Church, Mr. Hageman is now president of the 
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 
He assisted in organizing the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association here and was a member of the 
first board of directors: he is still serving in the 
capacity of director. Socially he is connected 
with Flushing Council No. 997, Royal Arcanum, 
and Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M., at 
Flushing. 



EDWARD O'KEEFE, a very successful 
business man of Long Island City, is un- 
doubtedly one of the most influential resi- 
dents of the county. For many years past he 
has been prospered in his stock dealing interests, 
and besides this gives considerable attention to 
"booming" the beautiful little village of Sunny- 
side, one of the suburbs of Long Island City. He 
is progressive and enterprising in his ideas, and. 
keeping in touch with the modern method of 
building, has erected a dozen or more pretty cot- 
tages at Sunnyside. 

jNIr. O'Keefe was born in New York City, his 
father being James O'Keefe, a general contrac- 
tor. About 1870 the latter located in Long Is- 
land Citv and began dealing in stock, which busi- 
ness he carried on with signal success until his 
decease, since which time our subject has been 
interested in it. The mother of our sui/jcct, for- 
merly Rosanna Carlin. is also deceased. Of the 
four children she reared, only two are now liv- 
ing, the brother of our subject being James 
O'Keefe, also a resident of this cit_\'. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



765 



York City, first attending a select and later the 
grammar school in Fifty-first Street. When the 
family moved to this city he also came here and 
as soon as old enongh assisted his father in rais- 
ing stock. This industry he learned in all its 
details and even before the death of his father 
managed the business on a very paying basis. He 
owns eight lots at Sunnyside on which he has 
erected all the needful buildings for his stock, 
and can accommodate one hundred and fifty head 
at one time. He buys the cattle and feeds them 
until ready for shipment and in this industry 
works on a very extensive scale, usually making- 
shipments of two hundred head at a time. 

Besides the property above mentioned Mr. 
O'Keefe is interested in several residences in 
Sunnyside which he has erected to accommodate 
those who cannot afford to pay a large sum of 
money for a home. In this venture he has also 
met with success and is regarded very justly as 
one of the substantial men of the community. He 
is independent in politics, using his influence and 
ballot in support of the best candidate, regardless 
of party lines. 



PETER A. VAN BERGEN, a resident of 
Flushing from 1849 until his- death in 1881. 
was born in Coxsackie, Greene County, N. 
Y., in 1812, and was a descendant of Dutch an- 
cestry. The first of the name to locate in Amer- 
ica was Martin G. Van Bergen, who in 1630 re- 
ceived a grant of land in Greene County from 
George II. From that time to this the members 
of the family have been prominently identified 
with the history of the Empire State, and the 
great-grandfather of our subject was a colonel 
in the French and Indian wars, while othere of 
the name have gained prominence in civic 
or military affairs. Our subject's parents, Judge 
Anthony and Clarine (Peck) Van Bergen, the lat- 
ter of whom was born in Lyme, Conn., of Eng- 
lish descent, resided upon the old patent, the for- 
mer being engaged as an attorney and farmer. 

In early manhood the subject of this sketch en- 
tered Yale College, from which he was graduated 
with the degrees of A. B. and LL.B. He be- 
gan the practice of law in Kingston, N. Y., later 
had an office in New York City, where he con- 
tinued until his retirement. He gave his atten- 
tion principally to civil practice, preferring this 
to criminal cases. Politicaly he was a pro- 
nounced Republican and in religion was identified 



with St. George's Church. In Flushing, June 20, 
1849, hfi married Miss Lucy A. Smart, who was 
the oldest of eight children, of whom seven at- 
tained maturity and three are living, those be- 
sides lierself being Fred R., of Flushing, and 
William, of Jamaica. 

The father of Mrs. Van Bergen, William Smart, 
was born in Warwick, England, a son of Thomas 
C. Smart. Coming to America, he settled in 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., later was a farmer in New 
Flartford, A'. Y. Farming was his life work, and 
in it he was successful. He purchased a large 
tract of land in the village of Flushing, where he 
died in 1871, aged seventy-three. In religion he 
adhered to the Quaker faith, which his ancestors 
in England had adopted in the time of George 
Fox. After his death a portion of his property, 
included in Hitchcock Park and Flushing Park, 
was sold for residence purposes. 

The mother of Mrs. Van Bergen was Elizabeth, 
daughter of Anthony Franklin, natives of Flush- 
ing and New York City. Mr. Franklin, who was 
a merchant, married Lydia Lawrence, daughter 
of Joseph Lawrence, who at one time owned all 
of the village of Bayside and was an extensive 
farmer. Anthony Franklin made his home in 
Flushing, but continued to engage in business in 
New York City until his retirement. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Smart died in 1868, at an advanced age. 
Her husband was one of the originators of the 
Flushing Railroad and at one time was its presi- 
dent. Mrs. Van Bergen was reared in Flushing 
and attended Kimber's Ladies" Boarding School, 
where she gained an excellent education. She 
is a well-informed, entertaining and companion- 
able lady, a devoted member of St. George's 
Episcopal Church, and an active worker in dif- 
ferent societies in this village. With her resides 
her only child, Mrs. Elizabeth Franklin Owen, 
and they have made their home in Sanford Ave- 
nue since they sold the old homestead in 1895. 



GEORGE KISSAM MEYNEN, M. D. To 
attain distinction in one of the profes- 
sions is the lofty ambition of many a man 
who is struggling through the early portion of 
his career, but it is looked forward to as the prize 
to be gained toward the end of the race, and 
when then gained it may well be accounted 
worth the struggle. Occasionally, however, we 
find an instance where a man still young has at- 
tained to this high position, and certainly the sue- 



766 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cess of such an one is worthy of emulation and 
praise. Such has been the fortunate experience 
of Dr. Meynen, whose practice is extensive, not 
being limited to Jamaica, the place of his resi- 
dence, but extending throughout the surround- 
ing country. 

The Meynen family is of German origin. The 
Doctor's father, John Frederick, was born in 
Bremen in 1824 and when sixteen years old came 
to America, possessing an abundance of hope 
and determination, but without any capital. After 
having spent some time in New Orleans, he came 
north to New York City, where he engaged in 
the dry goods business and later became inter- 
ested in the flour exchange business. In 1859 
he married Miss Madeline Louise Kissam, daugh- 
ter of Dr. Philip Piatt Kissam, who was born in 
1808, graduated from the medical department of 
Yale College, and for a time carried on an ac- 
tive practice, but afterward abandoned the 
profession for business pursuits. November 26, 

1832, Dr. Kissam was united in marriage with 
Madeline L., daughter of Dr. Richard Sharpe 
Kissam, of New York City. The latter was the 
sixth generation from John Kissam (known as 
John Ocasson or Ockeson), who settled at Flush- 
ing, L. I., in July, 1644, and purchased a farm on 
Great Neck February 4, 1678, under the name 
of John Okeson. Whether these different spell- 
ings of the name were intentional or an error, is 
not now known, but whatever the name may have 
been originally, for more than two hundred years 
it has been spelled Kissam. The records show 
that John Kissam, before mentioned, was mar- 
ried July 10, 1667, to Susannah, daughter of Wil- 
liam Thorne, of Jamaica, L. I. For generations 
the family has been one of the most prominent in 
New York. A history of the family has been 
published, but it is not altogether reliable and we 
quote but little from it. 

Dr. Philip Piatt Kissam, grandfather of our 
subject, after giving up the practice of medicine 
in Buffalo, N. Y., embarked in the mercantile 
business in New York City, but later became a 
prominent stock broker in Wall Street. Pie died 
in Jamaica June 12, 1891. The mother of our 
subject was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in November, 

1833, '^"^1 fl'^^1 'I' Jamaica in October, 1889. A 
sincere Christian, she held membership in the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, and was faithful in 
attendance at its services. 

The life of John Frederick IMeynen was large- 
ly devoted to commercial pursuits in New 



York City. He was a shrewd financier, pos- 
sessing large discrimination and sound judgment. 
Through his excellent judgment and his indus- 
try he was enabled to surround his family with 
every comfort and to leave them comfortably 
provided for when death came to him, in March, 
1883. His political convictions made him a 
Democrat, yet he could not be called a politician 
in the usual sense of the word, as his intelligence 
and extensive reading had made him a man of 
breadth and he was cordially willing that ever}'' 
man should hold to his own opinions. While he 
never held membership in any religious organi- 
zation, he was an attendant at Grace Episcopal 
Church and contributed to its support. 

In the family of John Frederick and ^l. Louise 
(Kissam) Meynen there were five children, but 
two, Frederick Kissam and ^Madeline Kissam, 
died in childhood. The others were George Kis- 
sam, Philip Kissam, and Louise, who is deceased. 
Philip K., who was born August 6, 1862, was 
educated in Jamaica and Flushing. January 28, 
1892, he married Miss Helen G. Barker, daugh- 
ter of Judge Frederick Barker, of St. John, New 
Brunswick, and a niece of the late Dr. Charles 
FI. Barker, of Jamaica. 

Louise, the Doctor's only sister who attained 
womanhood, was born January 10, 1864. She 
was highly educated and accomplished, and was 
one of the most charming and attractive young 
ladies of Jamaica, a favorite with every one. It 
was a crushing blow to the family and a deep be- 
reavement to her large circle of friends, when she 
passed away, in May, 1893. 

The subject of this sketch was born February 
3, 1861. He was educated in the schools of Ja- 
maica and in Flushing Institute. In 1882 he en- 
tered the New York Medical College, from which 
he graduated in 1885. For ^ Y^^ thereafter he 
was on the stafT of the Kings County Hospital, 
and for a time was assistant at the Sanford Hall 
Insane Asylum, in Flushing. In the fall of 18S6 
he opened an office in Jamaica, and since then 
has become one of the leading physicians of the 
village. He is medical examiner for the Royal 
Arcanum, to which he belongs. Socially he is 
a director in the Jamaica Club, and in his relig- 
ious connections is serving as vestryman in Grace 
Episcopal Church. In November, 1894, he mar- 
ried IMiss Elizabeth E. Ackert, daughter of a 
prominent attorney of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and 
Ihev occupy a pleasant residence in Clinton Ave- 
nue. 




FRANCIS E. BRENNAN, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



769 



FRANCIS E. BRENNAN, M. D., one of the 
prominent physicians and skilled surgeons 
of Long Island City, was formerly con- 
nected with the Metropolitan Hospital of New 
York. He is a native of Long Island, and was 
born at Greenport, January 28, 1873. When a 
lad of nine years he was sent to New York City 
that he might complete his education. He first 
attended grammar school No. 49 in East Thirty- 
seventh Street, and on being graduated there- 
from, in 1890 was admitted to the College of the 
City of New York. After carrying on his studies 
in this institution for a year, he decided that he 
would follow a professional life and in the fall of 
1891 entered the New York Homeopathic Med- 
ical College, where he pursued the entire course, 
graduating May 3, 1894, with the degree of Doc- 
tor of Medicine. As a result of the competitive 
examination held May 5, he received the appoint- 
ment as junior assistant to one of the physicians 
of the Metropolitan Hospital, entering upon the 
duties of the position May 10 of that year. After 
a period of six months he was promoted to sen- 
ior assistant and, again at the expiration of six 
months was made house physician. 

While in charge of the hospital Dr. Brennan 
broke the record for operations, for during that 
time he had two hundred and thirteen patients 
operated upon, every one of whom (with one ex- 
ception), when last he heard, was reported cured 
or improving. The greatest number of operations 
performed by any one surgeon up to that time 
had been one hundred and twenty. On retiring 
from the hospital December i, 1895, the Doctor 
was awarded a diploma in recognition of the ex- 
cellent work he had done while in charge of the 
institution. He then began practice in Long- 
Island City, opening an office at No. 76 East 
Avenue, Hunter's Point. He is the only 
homeopathic physician in this portion of the 
city, and as such is in command of a large and 
lucrative practice. By natural gifts and training 
he is admirably adapted for a successful profes- 
sional career. His studies did not cease with 
his graduation, but he continues to keep himself 
well informed upon the latest discoveries in this 
science. As a surgeon he is meeting with the 
greatest success. Among the operations which 
he has performed is included every manner of 
surgical procedure, and these are followed by a 
success comparing not unfavorably with the lead- 
ing surgeons of the state. 

Although the Doctor was connected for some 
31 



time with the Metropolitan Hospital in New 
York, he has made his home in Long Island City 
since 18S3. He is a member of the Alumni 
Medical Society, and has contributed many arti- 
cles of interest and great value to this body. At 
this writing he is medical commissioner to the 
board of health of Long Island City. 

The parents of Dr. Brennan were Paul and 
Mary (Magee) Brennan, natives of Ireland, who 
are now living in Long Island City. For a more 
extended account of his parental history, we refer 
the reader to the sketch of his brother, P. C. 
Brennan, which appears on another page in this 
volume. 



JOHN JOCKERS. One of the most delight- 
ful summer homes for city visitors that is 
to be found on Long Island occupies a 
charming location in Thirteenth Street, near 
First Avenue, College Point. The Grand View 
Hotel, as it is appropriately called, is the largest 
place of the kind in the village and contains airy, 
commodious rooms, with bath and all modern 
conveniences. A summer garden is connected 
with the hotel, and in the park are lawn tennis, 
croquet and play grounds. Especial attention is 
paid to the table service, which is all that can be 
desired even by the most fastidious. 

Born in Baden, Germany, in 1836, Mr. Jock- 
ers is one of six children, of whom four are liv- 
ing, though he and his brother, Michael, of Col- 
lege Point, are the only ones in America. His 
parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Jockers, were born 
in Baden, where the latter died at the age of 
eighty-three; the father, who was a farmer by 
occupation, took part in the wars of the early 
part of this century, and died near Strasburg at 
the age of seventy-six. The childhood years of 
our subject were spent in Baden, where he was 
employed as a gardener and florist between the 
ages of fourteen and seventeen. In 1853 he took 
passage at Havre on the sailing vessel "Sciota," 
which landed in New York after a voyage of 
fift>tL.Ve days. Thence he came to College 
Point, and for a time worked with his brother, 
who was stiperintendent of the Poppenhusen res- 
idence and grounds. After two months he be- 
came superintendent of the residence and 
g-rounds of Mr. Schleicher, where he laid out the 
grounds and improved them with the assistance 
of a number of workmen. Of recent years this 
place has been sold off in town lots. In 1891 he 



770 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



started the Grand View Hotel, of which he has 
since been proprietor. 

In College Point Mr. Jockers married Miss 
Magdalena Ilch, sister of George Ilch, of whom 
mention is elsewhere made. She was born in 
Germany, but has spent her lite principally on 
Long Island, and by her marriage has three 
sons, namely: Henry, who is a silk weaver in 
this village; Herman, who is engaged in the 
meat business here ; and Albert, who is with his 
parents. For years Mr, Jockers has been secre- 
tary of the Sangerlust, and has also been con- 
nected with other organizations. In politics he 
is a Democrat. 



SALONZO SMITH, the well known and 
successful merchant of Hempstead, was 
• • born in Huntington, Suffolk County, 
July 19, 1851, and is a member of a family that 
has been identified with the history of Long Isl- 
and from a very early period in its settlement. 
His father, George W., who followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer throughout his entire life, was 
a son of Oliver Smith, a native of Melville, Suf- 
folk County. The mother, Catherine Soper, was 
born in the town of Huntington and died about 
1870. Three children comprised her family, 
•namely: S. Alonzo; J. F., who is a farmer and 
resides at Huntington; and Sarah E., wife of 
J. A. Brown, of Riverhead. 

The early years of our subject were passed on 
the home farm, where, assisting in the duties in- 
cident to agricultural work, he gained those hab- 
its of industry and perseverance that were inval- 
uable to him in after years. His education, 
which was obtained in the public schools of Hunt- 
ington, was sufficiently thorough to enable him, 
at the age of nineteen, to successfully engage in 
teaching. He taught school in Melville and Is- 
lip, Suffolk County, and at Stony Point, Rock- 
land County, and later was for a time employed 
on a farm in Smithtown, Suffolk County. 

In 1880 Mr. Smith came to Hempstead, where 
he embarked in the mercantile business, "' d in 



touch with the progress of events and is well 
posted upon the issues of the age. Politically 
a Republican, he has been a leader of his party 
in this locality. For three years, 1891-93, he 
served as president of the village board. He is 
the present secretary of the board of excise com- 
missioners and has made a noble fight for good 
government. 

Any measure conducive to the prosperity of 
the village has the active co-operation and sup- 
port of Mr. Smith, who has always had the great- 
est faith in the future of this thriving place. He 
is president of the Hempstead Building and Loan 
Association, an organization that has done much 
to enhance the prosperity of the village. The 
Merchants' Protective Association, a local so- 
ciety, in the organization of which he took a 
prominent part, chose him as president, in which 
capacity he rendered efficient service. For many 
years he has been a trustee of the Presbyterian 
Church. In 1877 he married Miss Sarah Mc- 
Cauley, of Stony Point, N. Y., an estimable lady 
who shares with him the friendship of the peo- 
ple of this place. . • 



this he has since engaged, also handling coal, 
fertilizers and farm implements. As a merchant 
he has used judgment in the purchase of stock, 
buying it in large quantities so that he has been 
able to dispose of it at low prices, thus ensuring 
a good trade and satisfaction to purchasers. Be- 
lieving it the duty of a citizen to maintain an in- 
terest in public afl'airs, Mr. Smith has kejit in 



PETER A. LEINIiXGER, president of the 
board of assessors of Long Island City, 
who is also extensively interested in the 
real estate business, was born in New York City, 
January 2, i860. Though a native of this coun- 
trv, he is of direct German descent. His parents, 
Adam J. and Ehzabeth (Bittinger) Leininger, 
were born in Bavaria, Germany. The former, 
who emigrated to the United States in early man- 
hood, was a stone cutter by trade, but spent 
much of his time as interpreter for the govern- 
ment in different parts of the West. During the 
Civil War he enlisted in the Thirty-third New 
Jersey Infantry, and later was with the Sixty- 
seventh Regiment of New York Infantry, serving 
until the close of the Rebellion, after which he 
went on the plains and learned the Indian lan- 
guage. He had received a splendid education in 
Germany, and being a man of deep thought and 
habits of close observation, he gained a broad 
knowledge of the world. He could speak readi- 
ly five different languages; nor was his knowl- 
edge limited to the classics, but in the wide 
realms of thought, scientific, historical and mis- 
cellaneous, he was a scholar. His closing years 
were spent in New York and were years of physi- 
cal suffering, as a result of the hardships of camp 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



771 



life and forced marches during the war. In the 
faith of the CathoHc Church, he passed away in 
1882, aged sixty-five. His widow still makes her 
home in Long Island City, where she has re- 
sided since his death. 

In the family of Adam J. Leininger there were 
three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons 
and one daughter are living. The boys, who 
were carpenters and builders by trade, were as 
follows: Jacob, who was accidentally killed by 
falling from the roof of a house; Henr}^, a con- 
tractor of Long Island City; and Peter A. The 
last-named was educated in New York, where 
he attended the Fifty-first Street and the Fifty- 
ninth Street schools. When only twelve years 
of age he was a student in a classical school 
there. His schooling, however, was limited, for 
when quite young he began to make his own way 
in the world. For one year he was employed in 
Devoe's oil yard at Greenport, after which he be- 
came connected with an uncle in the Empire 
Laundry. Two years were thus spent, and he 
then took a position as machinist with P. J. Jen- 
nings, in Forty-first Street, near Third Avenue, 
continuing there for two and one-half years. This 
occupation not proving remunerative, he left it 
and began to work for a lithographer, with whom 
he remained six months. His next work was in 
the piano factory of Steinway & Sons, where he 
began at the bottom and learned every depart- 
ment thoroughly, spending about six years in 
that place. Later he was with Wesley, Nickel & 
Gross, piano action manufacturers. 

Forming a partnership with his brother, Mr. 
Leininger began as a contractor and builder in 
New York, but the work did not develop as rapid- 
ly as he had hoped, so he took an interest in the 
carpet store of Berman Brothers, of New York 
City. In 1883 he came to Long Island City, 
where after a short time he began in the build- 
ing business, which he has since continued. His 
real estate interests are extensive and important. 
He purchased a seven-acre tract of land, and 
built up Hoyt and Debevoise Avenues and Law- 
rence Street. The larger part of the houses 
which he has erected have been sold at a fair 
profit. While his building has been principally 
in this city, he also built a brick double flat in 
South Brooklyn, which he afterward sold. In 
addition to the purchase of land, he is also an ap- 
praiser of property. 

In New York City Mr. Leininger married Miss 
Kate Smith, who was born there. They have 



one child, Elsie. Mr. Leininger is a well known 
Republican and has been elected to various 
offices. In 1893 he was assessor and for three 
years has been president of the board. He is 
also president of the Graham Avenue board of 
condemnation commissioners appointed by the 
court. The Long Island City Building and 
Loan Association, which he assisted in organiz- 
ing, still numbers him as a member. He was 
assistant foreman and acting foreman of Mo- 
hawk Hose Company No. i, and at one time was 
president of the Veteran Firemen's Association, 
to which he still belong-s. 



WILLIAM DeMOTT, a representative 
of an old family of this county, is num- 
bered among its well-to-do agricultur- 
ists, and he has followed farming throughout 
life. In 1823 his birth occurred in the town of 
Hempstead, where he is still residing, his parents 
being Charles and Sarah (Snedeker) DeMott, 
also natives of the island, where they were con- 
tent to pass their entire lives. 

After launching out in life for himself Charles 
DeMott engaged in the milling business, but 
after several years thus employed sold out his 
plant in order that he might give his undivided 
attention to cultivating the soil, which he found- 
to be a very pleasant and profitable occupation. 
He was a popular man, esteemed for his integ- 
rity and nobleness of purpose, and ranked high 
among the citizens of the county. He served 
acceptably for several terms as assessor and su- 
pervisor of his town and at the same time con- 
ducted his own affairs in a thoroughly business- 
like manner. His decease occurred December 
22, 1858. Mrs. Sarah DeMott, his estimable 
wife, came of one of the old and well-to-do fam- 
ilies of the island, and departed this life October 
7, 1850. Of the five children in the parental 
famil}r William was the fourth. 

The education of our subject was acquired in 
the schools of his district and although his op- 
portunities were meager he made the most of 
them and became well informed in the branches 
taught. His vacations were passed in helping in 
the farm work and in this manner he gained a 
good knowledge of this industry, so that when 
he became the proprietor of an estate of his own, 
he was capable of managing it in a profitable 
manner. Mr. DeMott's farm includes forty 
acres, improved with substantial buildings, and 



772 



•PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is in fact one of the neatest and best cultivated 
places in this portion of Queens County. 

The marriage ceremony which united Mr. De- 
Mott with Miss Ann Eliza Smith was performed 
June 29, 1845. This lady was the daughter of 
Benjamin and Phebe Smith, old and highly es- 
teemed citizens of Freeport. Her marriage with 
our subject resulted in the birth of eight children, 
two of whom are deceased. Those living are as 
follows: Julia, the widow of Charles A. Hew- 
lett; Benjamin F., a resident of Wantagh, L. I.; 
Sarah S., Mrs. WiUiam M. Bedell, of Hempstead; 
Cornelia, who married Henry Davison, a resi- 
dent of the town of Hempstead; Charles W., 
who makes his home in Brooklyn; and Mildred 
A. Mrs. DeMott departed this life in 1893. 

In religious affairs the subject of this sketch 
is an Episcopalian and belongs to St. George's 
Church, of Flempstead. He has never aspired 
to hold office, but during elections casts a straight 
Democratic ticket. 



EDWARD H. WEBER. There is in the 
business world only one kind of man who 
can successfully combat the many trials 
of life, and that is the man of superior intelligence 
and force of character, one who possesses en- 
ergy, industry, intelligence and perseverance. To 
this class belongs Edward H. Weber, who has 
been established in the real estate and fire insur- 
ance business at Winfield Junction since 1866. 
Among the companies which he represents are 
the Royal Insurance, Niagara Fire, German 
American, Lancashire and Continental Insur- 
ance, all first-class standard companies. In ad- 
dition to his other enterprises, he has for many 
years been a notary public. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New 
York City February 5, 1841, and is a son of 
Christian and Rosina (Suter) Weber, of whose 
thirteen children six are now living. The father, 
who was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Ger- 
many, emigi-ated to America when about sixteen 
years old and settled in New York, securing 
work at cabinet making, at which he had served 
an apprenticeship prior to leaving his native 
land. Later he drifted into piano making, which 
he followed about thirty years and then retired 
from l)usiness. He was an accomijlished, tal- 
ented musician and served as organist in .'^t. 
Mark's Lutheran Church for thirty years. His 
death occiUTcd in \\'ooster, ( )hio, in 1871), lie liav- 



ing gone to that citv to visit his sons, who were 
in the piano business there. While in that place 
he was thrown from a buggy, receiving injuries 
which terminated fatally. 

Our subject's maternal grandfather, John Su- 
ter, was a native of Berne, Switzerland, and was 
the first Swiss watchmaker to establish himself 
in New York City, where for years he carried on 
a lucrative business. Our subject grew to man- 
hood beneath the parental roof and acquired his 
education in the common schools. At an early 
age he secured a clerkship in a Wall Street bank- 
ing house, where he remained for ten years. In 
1866 he came to Winfield Junction and estab- 
lished himself in the real estate and insur- 
ance business, which he has since continued. 
In 1880 he was appointed notary public under 
Governor Cleveland and has held the office con- 
tinuously since. For three years he was a trus- 
tee of Public School District No. i, of Newtown, 
and when District No. 11 (the Winfield district) 
was organized, he was chosen as one of the first 
trustees, continuing to fill the position for ten 
years. At present he is trustee of the Newtown 
fire department, in which capacity he has served 
for two terms. 

The family of which Mr. Weber is a member 
has always been known for its patriotic spirit. 
He was one of three brothers who served through 
the Rebellion, winning recognition as valiant 
soldiers. In 1863, at New York City, he enlist- 
ed under Colonel Rome in Company G, Thirty- 
seventh New York Infantry, and accompanied 
his regiment in its various marches. As would 
l:ie expected of an old soldier, he associates him- 
self with Grand Army affairs, his membership 
being in the Robert J. Alarks Post No. 560. of 
which he is commander. 

In 1863 Mr. Weber was united in marriage 
with Miss Amelia Herbeck, of New York City. 
Twelve children were born of their union, but 
six of the number are deceased. Those surviv- 
ing are Charles, who is connected wdth the Edi- 
son Electric Works at Schenectady ; William and 
George, who are married, but have no children; 
Louise, who is married and the mother of three 
children: Louis and Amelia. Our subject was a 
charter member of the Lutheran Church in the 
village of Winfield and for many years served as 
one of its trustees. As a Republican, he has 
taken an active part in politics and has been 
nominated for various offices, including those of 
town clerk and county superintendent of the 




HENRY C. SMITH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



775 



poor, but the town being" overwhelmingly Dem- 
ocratic, he was defeated. In 1876 he was ap- 
pointed United States inspector of elections and 
served one term. The same year, 1876, he as- 
sisted in the organization of the Savings Bank 
of Newtown and was secretary while it existed. 
He ranks high in business circles, and is regard- 
ed by all who know him as an honoral^le, up- 
right man. 



HENRY C. SMITH. The village of Seacliff 
is particularly fortunate in her business 
men, who are among her most pros- 
perous, energetic and enterprising citizens. A 
successful pharmacist, real estate and insurance 
agent is H. C. Smith, who is a native of Bedford, 
Westchester County, born April i, 1840, a son 
of Noah and Grace (Miller) Smith. The father 
was a general merchant and kept a drug depart- 
ment in his store, -and in this our subject con- 
ceived his first idea of studying pharmacy. He 
received his primar}^ education in the small vil- 
lage of Bedford, and when about seventeen years 
old entered Claverack Institute in Columbia 
County, N.Y., from which he was graduated when 
twenty years old. Following this he began 
clerking for his father and continued with him 
for a few 3'ears, after which he and a friend 
bought a mill at Glencove, but he was only con- 
nected with this one year. 

Selling his interest in the mill, our subject 
returned to Westchester County, and embarked 
in the drug business at Katonah. Previous to 
this, during the year he had resided in Glencove, 
he became acquainted with and married Miss 
. Almira T. .SnifTen, a native of Pleasantville, West- 
chester County, and the daughter of Lyman and 
Hulda (Totman) Sniffen. Mr. Smith continued 
in the drug business at Katonah for a number 
of years, after which he sold out and moved 
to Stoningfton, Conn., where the law required a 
pharmacist to be licensed. He took the ex- 
amination, was licensed, but in 1885 came to 
Seaclifl:', where he was obliged to take an exam- 
ination before the State Board of Pharmacy of 
New York. He passed this rigid examination 
very creditably and was the first druggist in 
Seaclifif. 

Mr. Smith's marriage resulted in the birth of 
one son, William G., whose birth occurred at 
Katonah, N. Y., September 5, 1870. This son 
received the principal part of his education in 



Seaclifl, but subsequently took a course in phar- 
macy at the National Institute of Pharmacy. He 
was married September 20, 1893, to Miss Mamie 
Estelle Fisher of Seaclifi', and is now a partner 
with his father. In politics our subject is a Re- 
pubhcan and cast his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln in 1864, although he had 
evinced an interest in politics from the time he 
was a small boy. He was president of the vil- 
lage of Seaclift' in 1890 and he has served as 
treasurer of the village for three years. For a 
number of years he has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



DANIEL TILLEY, whose name is familiar 
to the residents of the town of North 
Hempstead as that of a general mer- 
chant at Manhasset, is a native of the county 
where he still resides, and was born at iiatine- 
cock, town of Oyster Bay, June 5, 1838, being 
a son of Oliver and Mehitable (Schenck) Tilley, 
also natives of Long Island. His father, who 
was a weaver by trade and an industrious, perse- 
vering man, was a lifelong resident of Oyster 
Bay Town, his last days being spent at Locust 
Valley. 

The youngest of six children, the subject of 
this record was fifteen years of age when his 
father died and, as his mother had died previous- 
ly, he was early thrown upon his own resources. 
He obtained a fair common school education in 
his boyhood and when not attending school as- 
sisted in cultivating a farm. At the age of seven- 
teen, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the 
carriage-maker's trade at Locust Valley, and on 
the expiration of his term of service, began active 
work at his chosen occupation, which he followed 
for fourteen years, carrying on a shop for himself 
at Manhasset. It was in 1858 that he settled in 
this village, and some ten years later he entered 
upon general merchandising, which he has since 
followed with success. During the long period 
of his residence here, he has won the respect and 
confidence of the people by his honest, upright 
dealings with all, as well as by his genial, com- 
panionable nature. 

In Manhasset, in December, 1867, Mr. Til- 
ley was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. 
Place, daughter of William and Hannah (Lewis) 
Place, of this village. They are the parents of 
an only daughter, Minnie, an accomplished 
young lady who graduated from the Friends' 



776 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Academy at Locust Valley. While not a poli- 
tician, as that word is usually understood, our 
subject is always firm in his allegiance to Demo- 
cratic principles and measures. He is a member 
of an old family of Long Island and one of the 
oldest in America, his grandfather, George Til- 
ley, having been a descendant of one of three 
brothers who crossed the Atlantic in the "May- 
flower.'' 



nEORGE PETRY, deceased. A close ob- 
r server, in studying the historj^ of the ad- 
^^ — -'' vancement and development of Long Is- 
land City, will find golden threads running 
through the web and woof of events of past years. 
These are indicative of the lives of those men 
whose public spirit and energy have made her 
first among the cities, and give her a conspicuous 
place among the commercial marts of the world. 
A true representative of such men is found in 
one whose career inspires this brief notice, 
George Petry, ex-mayor of Long Island City. 
He was a native of Paterson, N. J-, and the son 
of Daniel Petry. (See sketch of John W. Petry.) 
The district schools of his native place furnished 
our subject with a fair education, but for the 
most part he is self-educated and self-made. 

During his youth Mr. Petry learned the tin- 
smith business and after reaching mature years 
embarked in the manufacture of hardware, also 
opening a hardware store at the corner of Ver- 
non Avenue and Fourth Street. Later he sold 
his store to a Mr. Brodie, but continued manu- 
facturing until his death, which occurred Decem- 
ber 15, 1890. He was a member of Island City 
Lodge, F. & A. M., and religiously was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For a num- 
ber of years before and up to the time of his death 
he was trustee in the Long Island City Savings 
Bank. 

Mr. Petry was first married to Miss Martha 
Worden, a native of Paterson, N. J., who died in 
Long Island City in 1884. Two children were 
the fruits of this union, Emma G. and Minnie I., 
the latter of whom is now Mrs. Lephart, of Long- 
Island City. In the year 1885 Mr. Petry mar- 
ried Mrs. Agnes A. (Gill) Wilson, who was born 
in the city of New York and who was the daugh- 
ter of William Gill, also a native of that city. Her 
grandfather, John Gill, was a native of England, 
but came to this country and was engaged in the 
manufacture nf liardwarc, in which line he was 



unusually successful. His death occurred in 
New York City when eighty-four years old. His 
son, William Gill, was connected with him in 
business for many years but later opened a groc- 
ery which he carried on with fair success for 
some time. He is now retired and makes his 
home in the Empire City. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Helen Flemmirig Young, was 
born in Scotland and was the only one of the 
family who came to America. She died in New 
York. Of the five children born to this worthy 
couple, three are now living, viz.: Harry D. 
Gill, who is professor in the New York Veteri- 
nary College; Wallace M. Gill, who is professor 
and secretary in the New York Veterinary Col- 
lege, New York City, and Mrs. Petry. 

The latter was reared in New York City, re- 
ceiving her education in its public schools, and 
was there married to John D. W'ilson. The lat- 
ter was born in Canada and was shipping clerk 
and manager for a large manufacturing estab- 
lishment for ten years prior to his death, which 
occurred when he was but t^\■enty-seven years 
old. One son, John D. Wilson, was born to 
them. By her union with Mr. Petry, she became 
the mother of one son, George. After the death 
of her husband Mrs. Petry sold out the business 
and started anew under the title of A. A. Petry 
& Co., in the same line of business at Seventh 
Street and Jackson Avenue. This she carried on 
until 189s, when she again sold out. She has 
recently built three fine residences in Mott Ave- 
nue, and is the owner of considerable property 
elsewhere in the citv. 



HERMAN ILCH, of the firm of George 
Ilch & Sons, College Point, is one of the 
well known business men of this village, 
where he was born November 19, 1859. He is 
a son of George and Elizabeth (Stark) Ilch, na- 
tives of Germany, the latter of whom came from 
her native land at the age of only ten years, 
while the former emigrated to America when 
twenty-three years of age, spending two years in 
Brooklyn and working in a bakery at $5 per 
week. From that city he came to College Point 
and began in the bakery business, he and his wife 
first delivering the bread in a clothes basket, 
x^fter a time prosperity came to them, as it al- 
most invariably does come to the patient, indus- 
trious toiler. The wife and mother, after years 
of faithful co-operation in her husband's wcnrk. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



777 



passed away January 28, 1888, aged fifty-four 
years and two days. The father, who observed 
the sixty-eighth anniversary of his birth April i, 
1896, still Hves in this locality. For further infor- 
mation regarding his life, the reader is referred to 
his sketch, which appears on another page of this 
volume. 

Of the family of ten children, five are living, 
namely: Herman, of this sketch; Lizzie, who 
married Wilham Kraemer, of College Point; 
Alfred, who is in partnership with his father and 
brother; Fredericka, wife of John Barth, of this 
place, and Emma, wife of John Muell. Our 
subject received a fair education in youth, attend- 
ing an academy held in the building where he 
now resides and carries on business. Three 
years ago, in 1893, he bought this place for 
$6,000 and made the improvements necessary for 
transforming it into a residence, spending $5,000 
in this way. His first work was done in his fath- 
er's bakery and it was expected that he would 
continue, but the occupation did not prove con- 
srenial. His father had some wood business 
among other things he was doing, and our sub- 
ject taking hold of that has from it built up his 
present large business. Under his skillful man- 
agement he has established a good trade, this 
season witnessing the unloading here for him of 
eighteen boat loads of coal alone, and he handles 
thousands of tons per year. 

The yards of the company are located in 
Tenth Street, between Sixth and Seventh Ave- 
nues, where they carry on an extensive business 
in coal and wood. Their large facilities enable 
them to execute commissions with exceptional 
promptness and to furnish, for the lowest mar- 
ket rates, all kinds of coal, charcoal, hard and 
soft wood for kindling and for use in open fire- 
places. The yards are sufficiently capacious to 
accommodate a very large stock, covering an 
area of twenty-five thousand square feet. Steam 
power is used for hoisting and unloading coal 
and sawing wood, so that it can be furnished, 
cut to any desired dimensions, without delay. 
Employment is given to a number of men and 
four or five teams are used for delivery purposes. 

February .4, 1896, Mr. Ilch married Miss Wil- 
helmina Dono, of College Point, an attractive 
yoUng lady and an expert bookkeeper, fitted to 
be her husband's helpmate in all his enterprises. 
Socially our subject is connected with the Im- 
proved Order of Red Men. While his father is 
still the senior member and head of the firm, he 



has practically retired from the business, thus 
throwing upon the son the responsibility of its 
management. For this, however, he is abun- 
dantly fitted, as it has been principally through 
his efforts that it has been brought to the present 
high standing. 



CHARLES H. SCHWARZ. The firm of 
Schwarz & Son is one of the best known 
in Long Island City, having, through 
excellent judgment on the part of its members, 
gained a wide reputation for reliability of deal- 
ing's and superior quality of products. Their man- 
ufactory is two stories in height and 25x105 feet 
in dimensions. On the first floor are located the 
wood, repairing and smith shops, while the sec- 
ond contains the trimming and painting depart- 
ments. Tlie work is the finest of its kind and 
includes every style of vehicle — tandem carts, vic- 
torias, phaetons, barouches, coupes, etc. 

As the name indicates, the Schwarz family is 
of German origin. Our subject's father, Fred- 
erick William, was born in Westphalia and was 
an officer in the German army, being connected 
with the infantry for twenty-two years. Much of 
the time he was in the government service and 
was detailed to the court department. His death 
occurred when he was seventy-seven years of age. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Hausmann, was, like himself, a native of West- 
phalia, and a member of the Lutheran Church. 
Of their five children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters came to America, but the youngest of the 
family, Charles H., is now the sole survivor. He 
was born in Minden, Westphaha, January 27, 
1834, and was educated in his native place. At 
the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to learn 
the trades of harness-maker, cab-maker and dec- 
orator, at which he was engaged for four years. 

In 1852 Mr. Schwarz took passage at Bremen, 
on the schooner "Kunindo," which reached New 
York after a voyage of twenty-one days. Arriv- 
ing at his destination, he at once secured employ- 
ment in the trimming department of a carriage 
shop, where he remained until i860, the year of 
his removal to Astoria. Here he started in busi- 
ness on Broadway and Boulevard with his father- 
in-law, Thomas Taylor, the firm name being Tay- 
lor & Schwarz. In 1889 he sold out and started 
in business alone, since which time he has built 
the block he now occupies. During the busy 
season he gives employment to as many as fifteen 



778 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



or twenty hands, and man}' of his fine vehicles 
are sold in New York as well as in Long Island 
City. 

The family residence is situated near the car- 
riage factory and was built by Mr. Schwarz. He 
was married in Astoria in i860, his wife being 
Miss Helen Taylor, a native of London, England, 
who died January 5, 1895. Seven children were 
born unto them, namely: Mary Charlotte, wife 
of Samuel Grant, of Astoria; Frederick, who has 
been in partnership with his father since 1890; 
Ann Louise; Charles Henry, a carpenter in Long 
Island City; Ernest P. W., who is a carriage- 
maker by trade: Florence, and Ethel. Politically 
Mr. Schwarz is affiliated with the Democratic 
party and uniformly votes for its candidates. He 
was one of the originators of the Long Island 
Cit}^ Building and Loan Association, aided in 
compiling its by-laws, was at one time its vice- 
president, and is still connected with it as a di- 
rector. 



JOHN WOOD. December 12, 1895, marked 
the close of this gentleman's life, at which 
time he was over eighty-three years old. 
He was an honored resident of Oyster Bay and 
was numbered among its oldest settlers. He had 
practically retired from the active business of life, 
having been very successful in his enterprises, 
and was therefore very justly ranked among the 
substantial citizens of the community. He started 
in business for himself in Oyster Bay over fifty 
years ago as a shoemaker, and with the excep- 
tion of three years when he was engaged in farm- 
ing, gave his undivided attention to this business. 
It was not long before he established a large 
trade which he followed very successfullv. 

Mr. Wood, who was born in Sweet Hollow, 
now Melville, Suffolk County, June 9, 1812, was 
a son of Jarvis and Rhoda Wood of New York. 
In 1829 he became a resident of Oyster Bay, and 
the same year was apprenticed to learn the shoe- 
maker's trade under George Remsen at the Cliffs, 
near this village, and after mastering- his trade he 
opened a shop in Oyster Bay, where, as stated 
above, he followed his trade for half a century. 

The lady to whom Mr. Wood was married 
February 20, 1840, was Miss Mary Esther Den- 
nis, a native of Old Fields, Suffolk County, the 
ceremony lieing performed Ijy Rev. Marmatluke 
Earle. Of their union was born a son, Jarvis A. 
Wood, whose liirlji i)ccurre<l in (Jvster ]>av, l'"eh- 



ruary 12, 1854: he is now a resident of Philadel- 
phia, Pa. Mrs. Wood departed this life in Feb- 
ruary, 1868, and May 2. of the following year our 
subject chose as his second wife Miss Jemima, 
sister of Daniel C. Silleck. Mr. Wood regularly 
attended services at the Baptist Church, of which 
he was elected deacon in 1856 and held this office 
up to the time of his death. 



JOHN J. SHEEHAN. The vehicles of the 
present day and those of "auld lang syne'' 
differ ver)- materially in many respects, and 
a comparison of them is immeasurably in favor 
of those of modern make. One of the most skill- 
ful and painstaking wagon and carriage makers 
is John J. Sheehan, who in connection with this 
business also carries on blacksmithing and keeps 
an excellent line of agricultural implements, at 
Dutch Kills, Long Island City. Mr. Sheehan 
was born in the city of New York in 1859, ^ son 
of Tim and Bridget (Shields) Sheehan, the for- 
mer of whom was a shoe merchant in New York 
City for some time, but from 1870 until his death, 
which occurred when he was about fift)^ years of 
age, he followed the same business in Dutch 
Kills, where his widow still lives. 

John J. Sheehan was the third of six children, 
five of whom are living, and was educated in the 
city of New York and in the second ward public 
schools of Long Island City. When quite young, 
however, he was put to work at farming and two 
years later began learning the tinsmith's business, 
which he soon mastered. He then worked suc- 
cessivel_v for Messrs. Crispin, McKee and Beggs, 
after which he entered the employ of the East 
River Gas Light Company, and had charge of the 
lamp department of Long Island City. In 1879 
he started in business for himself as a tinner, but 
finally undertook roofing, and this later merged 
into the hardware and crockery business. Sub- 
sequentl}^ he kept a general line of house furnish- 
ing goods and wagons and carriages. In addi- 
tion to this business he has traded in horses to a 
considerable extent and has conducted a success- 
ful livery and coach business. In the fall of 1895 
he sold his hardware business, in order to devote 
more time to his other interests, and is doing 
well in the wagon and carriage business and with 
his sale and exchange stable in Long Island City, 
where he has become known as an excellent judge 
of horseflesh. Fle has also dealt to some extent 
in real estate, having handled some valuabl > prop- 




PHILIP M. WOOD, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



781 



erty, and has erected five buildings in Jackson 
Avenue. 

Mr. Sheehan was married in Winfield, L. I., to 
Miss Rachel Schrier, by whom he has five chil- 
dren: Josephine, Maud, Katie, Lottie and Net- 
tie. Johnny and Lillie are deceased. Mr. Shee- 
han has been the contractor for the supplies for 
the city for the past six years. He is a member 
of the Order of Red Men, St. Patrick's Alliance, 
was a member of the Exempt Firemen's Associa- 
tion for eight years, and is a member of the Vol- 
unteer Firemen's Association. Fie is connected 
with St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and politically 
has alwavs been a Democrat. 



P 



HILIP M. WOOD, M. D., is one of the 
younger members of the medical frater- 
nity of Jamaica, where he has been en- 
gaged in practice for a number of years. Upon 
his chosen work he brings to bear much research 
and private study, in addition to the excellent 
training he has had under the best of teachers. 
Commanding an increasing practice, which has 
come to him as the result of acknowledged skill, 
he has the well deserved confidence and esteem 
of the people among whom he resides. 

Born in this village, February 24, 1856, Dr. 
Wood is the only son of Dr. William D. Wood, 
who was born in Lincolnshire, England, August 
20, 1821, and graduated from a medical college 
in his native land, emigrating thence to America 
in 1849. He settled at Cohoes, Albany County, 
N. Y., and later took a course in the medical col- 
lege at Castleton, Vt. While residing in Cohoes 
he married Mary Ann, daughter of Edward Wil- 
son, one of the prominent citizens of Albany 
County. 

In 185 1 Dr. W. D. Wood came to Jamaica, 
where he at once took his place among the 
prominent physicians of the village. For a long 
time he carried on a large and remunerative prac- 
tice, but advancing years (he being now nearly 
seventy-five) have caused him to turn his practice 
largely over to his son. Aside from professional 
duties, he was for many years actively identified 
with many important interests and enterprises in 
the village. For two terms he served as school 
commissioner of Queens County. In religious 
belief he is identified with the Grace Episcopal 
Church, in which he is vestryman. He has a 
brother, Philip, who resides in New York City 
and is engaged in the practice of medicine there. 



The subject of this notice is one of three chil- 
dren, the others being Mrs. H. W. Smith and 
Mrs. D. J. Rider. The Doctor was educated 
in the schools of Jamaica and New York. Early 
displaying an inclination toward the medical pro- 
fession, he entered the Bellevue A'ledical College 
and remained there until graduating in 1876, 
after which he commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession in Jamaica. From 1878 until 1883 he 
was physician in charge of the Queens County 
Asylum, located at Mineola, but resigned in the 
latter year that he might devote his attention 
more closely to his growing practice. 

Not only is Dr. Wood one of the most skillful 
physicians of the county, but he is known also 
as one of the leading men in pubHc afifairs. Since 
the organization of the Bank of Jamaica, he 
has served as one of the directors. He is chair- 
man of the board of sewer commissioners of 
Jamaica, of which Col. Aaron Degrauw, J. Tyler 
Watts and Professor Vienot are members. In 
associations connected with his profession he is 
ever intei-ested, and is a member of the Queens 
County Medical Society. Socially he is a Mason 
and in religion a member of the Reformed 
Church. In 1889 he married Miss Minnie, 
daughter of the late John J. Betz of Queens, L. I. 
They have one child, Edgar P., a boy of two and 
one-half years. 



N' ICOLAUS DOSCHER, dealer in grocer- 
ies, coal and wood, at Whitestone, was 
born in Hanover, Germany, January 5, 
1843, being a son of Claus and Elizabeth (Dosch- 
er) Doscher. Reared on the home farm in Han- 
over, he received a good education in the Ger- 
man schools, and at the age of seventeen came 
to the United States, where he secured a position 
as clerk in a New York grocery store. By read- 
ing the "New York Herald" and paying close 
attention to those who conversed in English, he 
soon picked up a good knowledge of the lan- 
guage. After spending three years in New York 
City, he went to Astoria, L. I., where he clerked 
for three and one-half years, and from there came 
to Whitestone. 

November 15, 1866, Mr. Doscher bought his 
present business, g'oing in debt for a part of the 
amount, iDut he has succeeded not only in paying 
off the indebtedness, but also in building up a 
large trade and saving a considerable part of his 
income. In this village he married Miss Annie 



782 



PORTR.\IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



E. Hippie, and they have six children, Albert J., 
Frederic W., George H., Elsie Sadie, Bessie Vio- 
la and Florence May. In 1876 our subject voted 
for Samuel J. Tilden for president, but since that 
time he has always supported Republican candi- 
dates. For twelve years he served as inspector of 
elections, and for one term was a member of the 
board of village trustees. Elected a member of 
the Republican central committee, he served for 
four years and was then re-elected, in 1895, for 
another term of four years. 

In his native Hanover Mr. Doscher attended 
the Dutch Reformed Church, in which faith he 
was reared by his parents. He is, however, lib- 
eral in his views and is always willing to aid, so 
far as possible, any charitable project, no matter 
what denomination may be at the head of the en- 
terprise. Socially he is connected with the United 
Brothers Lodge No. 356, F. & A. M., of New 
York City. He has taken a warm interest in local 
affairs and has frequently served as delegate to 
town, county and assembly conventions. 



CHRISTIAN SCHWICKER, a prominent 
business man of Morris Park, is making 
a success as a lumber merchant, in which 
branch of trade he has been engaged for some 
time. He was born in Waldeck, Prussia, May 7, 
1852, and is the son of Frederick Schwicker, who 
was a farmer on a small scale in his native land. 
The latter came to America with his family in 
1872 and located in Clarenceville, Queens Coun- 
ty, where he still makes his home. There are 
four sons in the family, of whom Frederick is a 
well-to-do farmer of Queens County; Charles is 
engaged in business in Brooklyn, 'and Lewis is 
the proprietor of a meat market in Clarenceville. 
The subject of this sketch was educated In 
the model schools of his native land, and as soon 
as old enough began to assist his father in the 
cultivation of his farm. On making his home in 
America he found employment in a grocery store 
in East New York. After working for others for 
two years he embarked in business in this line 
for himself, having two groceries, one located in 
East New York and one in Clarencev'ille. Later 
he became interested in the coal business, and 
about this time laid the foundation for his present 
large enterprise. When the "boom" struck Mor- 
ris Park he had added the sale of lumber to his 
business, and soon became the leading merchant 
in this line in the county. Those wishing to 



build invariably gave him their order, knowing 
that he could be relied upon to supply the best 
materials at the lowest possible prices. Mr. 
Schwicker thus accumulated a handsome fortune 
and is very justly classed among the substantial 
and well-to-do residents of the county. Being 
economical and industrious, he made the most of 
his opportunities and has been remarkably suc- 
cessful in all the enterprises in which he has been 
engaged. He has a beautiful home in the park 
and is the owner of much valuable property in 
this vicinity. 

In 1874 Mr. Schwicker was married to x\Iiss 
Fredricka Fieseler, also a native of Prussia, who 
was brought to the New World by her parents 
when young. Their union was blessed by the 
birth of ten children, seven now living, of whom 
Nettie is the wife of Gottlieb Hees, who is en- 
eased in business in Brooklvn. The other mein- 
bers of the family are named respectively: Fred- 
ricka, Kate, Louis, Christina, Frederick and Al- 
bert. Both our subject and his estimable wife 
are members in excellent standing of the German 
Reformed Church in East New York. In politics 
Mr. Schwicker is a stanch Republican, but is too 
busy with his own affairs to hold office, although 
he would without doubt prove a most efficient 
public servant. He is a Mason of high standing, 
holding membership with Lodge No. 765, of 
East New York. 



ALBERT VAN NOSTRAND. Through- 
out the town of Flushing there is no fam- 
ily that stands higher in the estimation of 
the people than that which is represented by the 
subject of this sketch, a well known and progres- 
sive farmer living near Little Neck. Agriculture 
has been his life occupation, and of it he is mak- 
ing a success. The farm which he cultivates and 
on which he resides was also his birthplace, he 
having been born here March 10, 1857. ^Mention 
of his relatives will be found elsewhere in this 
volume, in the biographies of his brothers, D. L., 
C. A. and William. 

The boyhood years of our subject were some- 
what uneventfully passed in the ordinary pas- 
times of childhood. He was educated in the 
common and high schools of Flushing, in that 
manner laying the foundation of the broader 
knowledge he acquired in the world of experience 
and practical business affairs. He remained at 
liome, assisting in the management of the farm. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



783 



which, at the death of his father, February 6, 
1894, passed into his hands. February 18, 1891, 
he was united in marriage with Phoebe E. Wool- 
ley, daughter of Hobart Woolley, a farmer of 
Lakeville, where she was born. 

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Van Nostrand 
erected his present residence on the old place 
near the house occupied by his parents. In his 
family there are four children, namely: Hobart 
S., Maria L., Albert and Grace W. His aged 
mother still resides on the homestead which he 
operates. She is an exceptionally bright old lady 
and retains her faculties, both mental and physi- 
cal, to a remarkable degree. Among the people 
whom she has known throughout her entire life 
she is respected for her kindly, amiable disposi- 
tion, and for her nobility of character. 

Upon his place Mr. Van Nostrand engages in 
general farming and market gardening, in which 
he has met with success. In politics a Democrat, 
he is informed regarding local and national is- 
sues and takes an interest in party elections. For 
eight years he was a member of the school board. 
Both he and his wife are identified with the Re- 
formed Church of Manhasset, in which for three 
years he has been a deacon. 



FRED A. WRIGHT, M. D., an able physi- 
cian and surgeon of Glencove, received a 
fine general and medical education and is 
a student of his profession. He has acquired an 
enviable reputation as a man of ability in this line, 
and his practice, which is large and lucrative, is 
constantly increasing. The Doctor is a native 
of this village and was born April 12, 1847, t° 
Joshua T. and Susan (Luyster) Wright. After 
attending the public' schools of Glencove until a 
lad of sixteen years, he entered the literary de- 
partment of the College of the City of New York, 
from which in 1868 he was graduated with honors. 
He then pursued the medical course in the Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical College, and in 1871 had 
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
cine. He immediatehr entered upon his profes- 
sional career at Glencove, which has since been 
his field of work. 

Dr. Wright and Miss Alice Simpson were unit- 
ed in marriage May 3, 1871. This lady was born 
and reared in Brooklyn, obtaining a splendid edu- 
cation in the schools of that city. Their union 
has resulted in the birth of two children. Bertha 
S. and Elsie. 



Politicallv the Doctor is a firm Republican and 
is at present chairman of the town committee and 
a member of the county committee. For many 
years he served as health officer of the town of 
Oyster Bay. He has filled all the chairs in the 
blue lodge, and has been king in the chapter. 
He is likewise a member of the Royal Arcanum, 
being organizer of the order in Glencove, where 
it now has a strong lodge. The Doctor has held 
nearly all the offices in this body. He holds mem- 
bership with the Queens County Medical So- 
ciety and has contributed many articles of value, 
which have been read before this organization. 
The Doctor and his wife have many friends in 
this locality and are very popular in social circles. 



ELLWOOD VALENTINE is descended 
from a member of the body of Friends, or 
Quakers, as they are commonly called, his 
father as well as himself having been born in 
that societ}', in Long Island, where the name of 
Friend, or Quaker, is synonomous with honesty 
and uprightness. The father, John T. Valentine, 
was in every way worthy to be enrolled in the 
membership of that pious band of Christian peo- 
ple. He was born in Glencove, L. I., as was also 
his father, and it may thus be seen that they were 
among the oldest settlers there. John T. Valen- 
tine man-ied Miss Elizabeth Mudge and his after 
life was spent in tilling the soil on the home place 
near Glencove. There our subject was initiated 
into the duties of farm life and there he grew to 
sturdy manhood. His birth occurred on the home 
place, August 29, 1852, and he is now in the prime 
of life, being in his forty-fourth year. 

During his youth young Valentine attended the 
pubhc schools and for one year was in Swarth- 
more College, near Philadelphia, Pa. After that 
he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits 
and this has continued to be his principal occupa- 
tion up to the present time. In his political views 
Mr. Valentine is a stanch Republican and an ar- 
dent supporter of his party. He voted for Dix 
for governor and his first presidential vote was 
cast for R. B. Hayes in 1876. He has served as 
a delegate to various conventions and has always 
been a worker for his party. In 1893 he was the 
Republican candidate for overseer of the poor 
of the town of Oyster Bay, but was defeated, as 
the Democrats were greatly in the majority. Pre- 
vious to that he had served as inspector of cattle, 
having been appointed to that position by Jerry 



784 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Rusk, and serving from October, 1889, to De- 
cember, 1 89 1. 

In the year 1894 ^Ir. A-'alentine was elected re- 
ceiver of taxes for the town of Oyster Bay, and 
was re-elected in 1895, h^ being the only Repub- 
lican ever re-elected to that office in Oyster Bay. 
He is a member of Hempstead Harbor Yacht 
Club, of which he is one of the governing board, 
and is also a member of Paumanok Social Club, 
being treasurer of the same since its organization; 
he is also treasurer of the Glencove Athletic Club, 
and has held the same office in the Glencove Re- 
publican Club since old enough to vote. Our 
subject was also treasurer of the society formed to 
celebrate the two hundred and twenty-fifth anni- 
versary of the settlement of Glencove, the same 
being held in 1893. At one time he was a mem- 
ber of the fire company and was its treasurer for 
some time. The confidence that the people have 
in Mr. Valentine's uprightness and honesty has 
been manifested in the numerous positions of 
trust that he has been called upon to fill. He has 
an enviable name all over the county and is a 
most popular citizen and official. 



which they have few superiors. They have had 
contracts with many of the influential men of 
Long Island and in every instance their work has 
been satisfactorily done. 

In 1895 Mr. Andrews was appointed general 
superintendent of the grounds of the Queens 
County Agricultural Society, which office he still 
retains. L'nder his supervision the race track 
has been prepared for use and many other im- 
provements have been made on the grounds. 
Since 1888 he has been tax collector of school 
district No. 10. For two years he was foreman 
of Mineola Hook and Ladder Company Xo. i, 
of which he was a charter member and to which 
he still belongs. Politically he is independent, 
using his right of suffrage in favor of the best 
man. He is a member of Protection Lodge No. 
151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn, and Encampment No. 
121 at jMineola, in which he now holds the office 
of high priest. May 8, 1881, when twenty years 
of age, he married Jennie E., daughter of Silas 
and Parmelia Shaw, of Mineola. To them have 
been born three children, of whom the eldest, Car- 
rie, died in infancy; Silas, the second-born, was 
named for his Grandfather Shaw; Arthur is the 
youngest of the family. 



JOSEPH H. ANDREWS, of the firm of An- 
drev/s Brothers, contractors in road work 
and grading at Mineola, was born in Bir- 
mingham, England, in 1861, and at the age of 
three years was brought to this country by his 
parents, William and Jane M. (Smith) Andrews. 
A few weeks after the family reached the United 
States the mother died, leaving two children, 
Joseph H. and Henry W., comprising the present 
firm of Andrews Brothers. At the time of emi- 
grating to America the mother's father, William 
Smith, had also removed here, and settled in New 
York state, where he was variously employed in 
different places. 

Reared in the home of his grandfather, our 
subject received his education in the common 
schools, where he was fitted for the practical du- 
ties of life. His grandfather being aged and in- 
firm, the management of his business gradually 
fell upon the young and energetic grandson, who 
thus early gained an insight into business mat- 
ters. In 1889, associated with his brother, he 
formed the present partnership and began in bus- 
iness at Mineola, where he has resided for twenty 
years or more. Their work has been largely in 
the line of grading streets and macadamizing 
roads, of which thoy have made a specialty and in 



SAMUEL COLTOX is a man who stands 
high in agricultural circles and holds ad- 
vanced ideas on farming. In many re- 
spects he is a model agriculturist. He has been 
remarkably successful as a gardener and is now 
the owner of a splendid farm near Hollis. in the 
town of Jamaica. Mr. Colton was born Decem- 
ber 31, 1853. in the western part of England, 
where his father, William G. O. Colton. was a 
well-to-do merchant. The latter was a finely edu- 
cated gentleman, having completed his studies 
at Oxford when a young man. His father. Rev. 
Mr. Webber, was a minister in the Church of 
England, but his brilliant future was cut short 
when in the prime of life by his death, which oc- 
curred just prior to the birth of our subject's 
father. William was therefore taken into the 
home of his maternal grandfather Colton. and 
his name was bestowed upon him while he was 
verv voung, instead of his father's name, \\ ebber. 
When a young man of eighteen years our sub- 
ject determined to come to America in order that 
he might better his financial condition. On ar- 
riving here he worked for a time for his step- 
uncle, T. T. Husson. of Hollis, but seven years 





WILLIAM NASON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



787 



thereafter was made superintendent of the exten- 
sive farm of Col. A. A. Degrauw, of Jamaica. 
During the years in wliich he liad charge of this 
place he saved the greater portion of his earn- 
ings, and when ready to become the owner of 
property, purchased a small tract of land at Hol- 
lis, for which he paid $3,150. Land in this lo- 
cality rapidly increased in value, and a few years 
later Mr. Colton disposed of his farm for $9,000, 
thus making a handsome sum of money by the 
venture. He then purchased the tract on which 
he now lives, which is located at the edge of the 
corporate limits of Hollis and which contains for- 
ty-three acres. He is considered one of the best 
farmers in the county and has become prominent 
in agricultural circles throughout the island. 

Our subject takes an activ&.part in local poli- 
tics and is a strong advocate of Republican prin- 
ciples. Although never aspiring to political hon- 
ors, he has held various positions of minor im- 
portance. In educational work in this locality 
he has been particularly interested, and for many 
years has been a member of the school board, 
serving in various capacities. During the days 
of the Grange movement he did what he could 
to interest the people in its behalf, and his influ- 
ence has always been felt on the side of right 
no matter in what line of work. Mr. Colton was 
president of a local life insurance company which 
was organized in this vicinity, but which is not 
in existence at the present time. In religious 
affairs he is an attendant of the Methodist Church 
and is especially interested in the work of the 
Sunday-school, having been secretary of the Sun- 
day-school Union. 

The marriage of Mr. Colton and Miss Joseph- 
ine T. Husson occurred March 31, 1879. The 
latter was the daughter of T. T. Husson, his step- 
uncle, for whom he worked when he first came to 
America. To them have been born two children, 
Josephine Husson, a miss of sixteen years, and 
Maud Degrauw. 



WILLIAAI NASON. Though not a 
resident of Queens County, Mr. Nason 
has for years been interested in its 
welfare and numbers among its residents a host 
of warm personal acquaintances. In view of these 
facts, it is fitting that there should be some men- 
tion of his life history in this volume. The story 
of his business career is instructive, as it teaches 
the young men of the present generation that the 



road to success is along the path of duty, and that 
industry, combined with honesty and judgment, 
bring their possessor a fair measure of prosperity. 
During his long business experience, he has ever 
been prompt, courteous and considerate, and has 
never been known to intentionally wrong any 
one. Beginning in life without other capital than 
sound judgment, indomitable energy, correct 
business principles and unquestioned integrity, he 
built up a large trade by persevering industry, 
enterprise and judicious management. 

In October, 1857, Mr. Nason began in the 
undertaking business at Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 
and three years later he came to his present 
location, on the corner of Franklin and India 
Streets. He was born near Portland, Me., Sep- 
tember 5, 1825, and is a son of Robert Nason, 
a soldier in the War of 1812, who died when Wil- 
liam was an infant. The mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Catherine McDonald, died in 
Maine in 1875, aged eighty-two. She was a 
daughter of Petiah McDonald, a native of Scot- 
land, who emigrated to America and enlisted in 
the Revolutionary War. 

The parental family consisted of eight children, 
of whom four are living, one sister being eighty- 
two. William, who is the youngest of the fam- 
ily, spent his boyhood years in Holhs, Me., but 
at the age of ten years began to work on a farm, 
which he continued through the summers, while 
in winter he attended school. At the age of 
fourteen he went to Portland, making the trip on 
foot and alone. There he worked at anything 
that would provide him with an honest liveli- 
hood, and when nineteen began to learn the 
ship joiner's trade. After his marriage he spent a 
year in Bath, whence, in June, 1850, he went to 
New York City, and soon secured employment in 
the ship yards. In 1854 he came to Greenpoint, 
Brooklyn, where he worked as a ship joiner, 
but after three years he opened an undertaking 
shop, continuing the two occupations for a time. 
During the war he was superintendent of work 
on government vessels at the dry docks in Tenth 
Street. In i860 he was sexton of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and for many years has held 
a similar position in the Dutch Reformed Church. 
To aid in his business he keeps thre.e hearses 
and a general line of coaches, and very fre- 
quently he is called to attend funerals in York 
state and on other parts of the island. As a 
funeral director he is courteous, efficient and 
painstaking, while his ability as an embalmer 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



788 

(which branch of undertaking he was one of the 
first to take up) is everywhere recognized. 

In Portland,' Me., Mr. Nason married Miss 
EHzabeth B. Hall, who was born there and died 
in Brooklyn in 1875- Their six children are 
named as follows: Emma; Alice K., a school, 
teacher; George H., coroner for the Second 
District of Kings County, also ex-member of the 
New York assembly, to which he was elected at 
the age of twenty-eight; Ella L., wife of Dr. Val- 
entine of Richmond Hill, L. I.; William, de- 
ceased; Ida, a bookkeeper, who resides with her 
father. The second wife of Mr. Nason, whom he 
married in Brooklyn, was Mrs. Elizabeth Hamil- 
ton, and they have one child, Harriett H. 

Socially Mr. Nason is connected with the 
Greenpoint Masonic Lodge, Alta Chapter, R. A. 
M., and St. Elmo Commandery, K. T., at Brook- 
lyn. He is also identified with Mt. Ararat Lodge, 
the oldest lodge of Odd Fellows in Greenpoint, 
and is a member of the Legion of Honor. In 
the Reformed Church he is officiating as senior 
elder. He aided in the organization of the Sev- 
enteenth Ward Bank of Brooklyn, in which he 
is largely interested. From the organization of 
the Kings County Undertakers' Association he 
has been identified with it, and has taken a warm 
interest in its welfare. He is a Republican in 
politics, and was unanimously nominated one of 
the electors to the presidential election of i8q6. 



on his three-years' service in the army, but the 
war between France and Prussia broke out soon 
after and the King of Hanover was dethroned, 
the kingdom then becoming a part of Prussia. 
This liberated Air. Fed after six months' service, 
and ere the Prussian army was reorganized he 
went to England, where three weeks later he 
shipped for New York City on the steamer "Mar- 
tha." Arriving here February 11, 1867, he se- 
cured employment as a farm hand at Flushing, 
and was thus employed for one year, when he 
came to his present place. In 1868 he married 
Mrs. Catherine Engelskirger, formerly a Miss 
Acker, and three children have been given them: 
Henry, who is married and has one child ; Will- 
iam, also married, and George D. By her former 
marriage Mrs. Feil became the mother of ten 
children, four of whom are living at the present 
time: Louise, who is the wife of William Ham- 
mann, and has one child; M'aggie, who is the 
widow of Henry Hanna, and has two children, 
and Joseph and John. Both of the sons are 
married, but have no children. In his political 
views Mr. Feil is a stanch Democrat and an ar- 
dent supporter of his party. In religion he is a 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church. 



HENRY FEIL. In all ages of the world 
industry, perseverance and energy, where 
industriously applied, have achieved re- 
sults which could only have been gained by hav- 
ing one end in view, and by improving every op- 
portunity of ultimately attaining that object. 
Our subject has shown what can be accomplished 
when the spirit of determination is exercised in 
connection with the every-day affairs of life. He 
has devoted his life to farming, and now has a 
comfortable home and a fine tract of land in the 
town of Jamaica, Queens County. Like many of 
the prosperous men of this section, Mr. Feil is a 
native of Germany, born in Hanover, December 
7, 1843, '^"'^1 'S the son of Henry and Metta 
(Wormke) Feil, also natives of Hanover. 

The father, who was born in the year 1819, 
made farming his principal occupation in life. 
His death occurred in 1864 in the old country 
In his native country our subject received his 
education. When twenty-one years old he entereil 



JOHN BRICK, who is meeting with success 
as contractor and builder in College Point, 
was born in Flushing in 1858. His father, 
Edward Brick, was born on shipboard in the Eng- 
lish Channel while his parents were en route from 
Ireland to England. They settled in Alanchester, 
and there and in Liverpool he was reared to man- 
hood, learning the trades of mason and bricklayer. 
In early manhood he came to America, and after 
a short sojourn in New York went to Flushing, 
where he began contract work. At the outbreak 
of the rebellion, when the first call was made 
for troops to defend the Union, he enlisted in an 
engineers' corps and after a time became first ser- 
geant, sei-ving until the close of the war. During 
the period of his connection with the army his 
family lived in Washington. D. C. On retiring 
at the close of the conflict, he joined his wife in 
Washing-ton and began work as a contractor and 
builder there, remaining until 187 1. Coming 
thence to College Point, he continued contract- 
ing and building, much of his work lying in 
Flushing, although he had a number of outside 
jobs. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



789 



Catherine Carroll, was born in Ireland and died 
in Colleg-e Point, September 9, 1895. 

The parental family consisted of twelve chil- 
dren, of whom nine are living, John being the 
eldest. He was reared in Flushing, and Wash- 
ington, D. C, where he received an excellent edu- 
cation. For a time he also attended the high 
school at College Point. In early boyhood he 
learned the bricklayer's trade, and afterward 
studied carpentering in Flushing. About 1886 
he began to take contracts for frames, sash and 
blinds, being thus engaged in Flushing for a few 
years. About 1890 he began contracting and 
buildins: in Collesre Point, where he built a resi- 
dence for himself and has since made his home. 
Estimates furnished on plans are given with an 
accuracy and conciseness that is satisfactory to 
other parties, and his work is constantly increas- 
ing, the profits growing in proportion. Political- 
ly he is a Democrat. He is well known in the 
best circles of the town and is now president of 
the Adelphi Social Club. 



CHARLES M. CHAMBERLAIN, super- 
intendent of Mt. Olivet Cemetery, has by 
hard labor, guided by true genius, made 
this last resting place of the dead a beautiful and 
attractive spot. At the age of fifteen years he 
was left in charge of the cemetery by the death of 
his father, who previously held the position, thus 
throwing upon our subject the necessity of sup- 
porting himself and the other members of the 
family. Though so young, he ever manifested 
the deepest desire to keep the grounds in first- 
class order. He brings to his work an original, 
thoughtful, well-trained mind, and long experi- 
ence has developed his natural taste, so that the 
results are in every way worthy of what might be 
expected in "God's acre." 

A native of Waterford, Me., born November 
18, 1841, our subject is the son of John and 
Phoebe R. (Haskins) Chamberlain, being the 
ninth in order of birth among twelve children, of 
whom four are living. His father was born in 
Waterford in 1792 and was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. In 1855 he came to Maspeth to take charge 
of Mt. Olivet Cemetery, and in less than a year 
his body was laid to rest. He was a man of firm, 
decided character, kindly and warm-hearted, and 
a veteran in the War of 181 2. His father was a 
Revolutionary veteran and a man of patriotic spir- 
it. Our subject's mother is still living, and is 



now in her ninety-fourth year. Notwithstanding 
her great age, she is bright and active and in 
possession of all her faculties. She makes her 
home with her son, our subject. 

In 1866 Charles M. Chamberlain married Miss 
Anna M. Burroughs, daughter of Joseph Bur- 
roughs, an old resident of Newtown. Of their 
five children only two are living, Charles William ' 
and Joseph B., both of whom are married. 

Interested in his own affairs, Mr. Chamberlain 
has never desired to mingle in politics or with 
politicians, but he has made a study of the great 
questions of the age and has given his support, 
unfalteringly, to the platform of the Republican 
party. In his religious belief he is a Seventh 
Day Adventist. He and his wife are well known 
by the people of Maspeth and have the regard and 
esteem of those with whom they associate. 



BENJAMIN J. PINE, manufacturer of and 
dealer in fertilizers at East Williston, was 
born September 29, 1833, in the house now 
owned by C. C. Parsons. In an old Bible which 
he has in his possession appears the family record, 
which shows that James Pine, born December 14, 
1 73 1, was a son of James Pine and the father of 
Jacob Pine, our subject's grandfather, who was 
born April 8, 1765. The great-grandfather, James 
Pine, was an extensive land owner and farmer, 
and had in his possession so many slaves that it 
became a neighborhood axiom, in expressing a 
large number, to say that they were "as thick as 
Pine's niggers." He was killed in an encounter 
with a British soldier during the Revolution. The 
first representative of the family in America was 
Resolve Pine, a native of Holland, who owned 
patents for all the land now included in Harlem 
flats, lying between the rivers. 

The father of our subject, James Pine, was 
born in 1800 in the house in which our subject 
was also born and he died at the family home- 
stead February 15, 1848. He was a farmer by 
occupation, a Democrat in politics and took an 
active part in public matters, but always refused 
official positions. He was a zealous member of 
the Presbyterian Church. His seven children 
still survive and reside in Queens County, New 
York, and Brooklyn. Our subject was reared 
on the home place and attended the common 
schools and the academy at Hempstead. At the 
age of twenty he entered the clothing store of 
Stillwell & Whiting, corner of Fulton and Orange 



790 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Streets, Brooklyn, where he remained one and 
one-half years. Then returning to the home- 
stead, he took charge of it until i860. 

After his marriage, in 1859, to Miss Emma 
Stillwell, daughter of Samuel Stillwell, of Brook- 
lyn, our subject bought a portion of the home- 
stead and erected a residence in the village of 
Hempstead, where for a number of years he en- 
gaged in teaming and contract work, keepnig 
three teams in use. In 1875 he sold his place 
and moved to Federalsburg, Md., where he 
bought a farm and peach orchard and engaged 
in truck farming until 1880. His stay in Mary- 
land covered a period of four years. He arrived 
in that state February 22, 1876, and returned to 
Queens County on the same day in 1880. 
~ While residing in Maryland, Mr. Pine's atten- 
tion was called to the use of commercial fertiliz- 
ers, which were in general requisition there. Up- 
on his return to Queens County he settled at 
Westbury, broke up a piece of wild land and pre- 
pared some commercial fertilizer for his own 
place, also supplied his neighbors, disposing of 
eighty tons the first year. The next year he de- 
termined to make a business of its manufacture 
and this he did, disposing of three hundred tons. 
He has continued thus engaged since 1880 and 
has met with success in the enterprise. 

In 1882 Mr. Pine settled in the new village of 
East Williston and built a factory here. In 1886 
he erected his comfortable residence. His trade 
has gradually increased and he now markets about 
six hundred tons annually. In 1889 he erected 
another house in the village, which he rents. Po- 
litically he advocates Democratic principles, but 
is liberal in his views. Religiously he is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He be- 
longs to Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., 
at Flempstead, in which he has held all the chairs 
and is' now past grand. He and his wife have 
two children living and have lost two by death. 
Their daughter, Mary E., is the wife of Sidney 
Pratt, of Westbury ; the son, James, takes charge 
of the manufacturing business. 



WILLIAM SMITH, alderman from the 
third ward of Long Island City, was 
l)orn in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N. Y., 
in 1846. He is the son of John Smith, a native 
of Queens County, and a member of one of the 
old families of Long Island, who, learning the 
trade of a wheelwright, for a time had a shop in 



Hempstead, but later was for three years em- 
ployed by a railroad contractor of New York, 
and thence went to East Rockaway, Queens 
County, where he was proprietor of a shop until 
his death in 1889, at the age of eighty-four. Tlie 
family has been noted for its longevity, and one 
of his uncles, Nathaniel, attained the great age of 
one hundred and two. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Jane Louise Swift and was born in 
Brooklyn. Her father, who was also a native of 
that city, was a member of an old Kings County 
family and a descendant of Enghsh ancestry. She 
died in 1893, aged seventy-four years. Her three 
sons and three daughters all reached years of ma- 
turity and all but one daughter are still living. 
One of the sons, Steven L., was a member of a 
New York regiment during the Civil War and 
is now living in New Jersey. 

The childhood years of William Smith were 
principally spent in East Rockaway, where he 
was educated in the public schools. In 1861 he 
went to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where he learned 
the carpenter's trade, and at this he was employed 
for eighteen months there. He then took up the 
trade of stair building, which he afterward fol- 
lowed in connection with that of carpenter. In 
1865 he came to Long Island City, where he 
found employment at his trade for three years. 
In 1868 he took up contracts for stair building, 
and the ten years thus spent were profitable and 
busy years. Since that time he has been a con- 
tractor and has his shop at No. 116 Academy 
Street. In addition to having contracts for many 
residences, he built the Third Methodist Episco- 
pal Church of Dutch Kills, Vocel's Hall and many 
other public buildings. During the busy season 
he employs as many as thirty-five men. 

In this city Mr. Smith was united in marriage 
with Miss IMargaret McFayden, who was born 
in New York. They are the parents of four liv- 
ing children: Mamie, Nelson Raymond. Bella and 
Laura. The family residence is conveniently sit- 
uated at No. 70 Henry Street. Politically a Re- 
publican, JMr. Smith is a member of the Lincoln 
Club and has represented his party at various 
conventions, having been chairman of the gen- 
. eral committee one term. In 1889 he was elected 
supervisor on the Republican ticket by a majority 
of one thousand, and had the distinction of hav- 
ing been the first Republican ever elected to that 
position in Long Island City. In 1895 he was 
elecCed to represent the third \var<l on the board 




RKV. C. 1). F. STEINFrilRER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



793 



of aldermen, receiving a plurality of one hun- 
dred and thirty-five, and took his seat in January, 
1896. Socially he is connected with Advance 
Lodge No. 63s, F. & A. M., at Astoria. 



REV. CHARLES D. F. STEINFUHRER. 
It may be recorded as a noteworthy fact 
that, while this gentleman has been a cler- 
gyman for twenty-nine years, his present pastor- 
ate is the only one he has ever had. Immediatel}- 
after the completion of his theological course, he 
was called to take charge of the German Second 
Reformed Church of Astoria, Long Island City, 
and here he has since remained. The passing 
years have witnessed many changes in the con- 
gregation, which has increased from forty-five to 
nearly three hundred. Few of the original mem- 
bers now remain, some having sought other 
homes, while not a few have entered into eternal 
rest. The house of worship, too, has been re- 
modeled and enlarged, and every department of 
the church work bears evidence of the pastor's 
painstaking, efficient oversight. 

Referring to the history of the family, we find 
that our subject's father, Christopher Daniel 
George, was born in Stargard, Mecklenburg- Stre- 
litz, which was also the native place of grandfath- 
er Johan Jiirgen. The former was the first of 
the family to seek a home in America; accom- 
panied by his wife and five children he set sail 
on the "Elbe" July 15, 1854, and after a stormy 
voyage arrived in New York City October 4 of 
that year. The father, who had been employed as 
a draper in Germany, followed various occupa- 
tions after coming to this country, being en- 
gaged in the Schenectady Locomotive Works 
until 1866, after which he was an assistant to 
liis son, a pharmacist. He died in 1884, at the 
age of seventy-five, having been born in 1809. 
In his native land he manifested the deepest inter- 
est in the welfare of the people and was a sym- 
pathizer in the revolutionary movement of 1848. 
It was largely on account of his republican views 
that he decided to seek a home in the land of 
freedom, and he never regretted the change, 
though to the last he manifested a patriotic af- 
fection for the land of his nativity. 

The mother of our subject, Avho bore the maid- 
en name of Ernestine Henning, was born in 
Mecklenburg in 1817 and died in 1871. Her 
father, Frederick, was an agriculturist, and her 
mother, Caroline, was a daughter of Ernest En- 
32 



g'elke, a forester in the dukedom. Our subject 
is one of five children, there being three sons 
and two daughters, of whom he is the eldest and 
the only survivor. His brother, Ernest, a well- 
known druggist of Schenectady, died in 1883; 
the other brother. Dr. Gustav, graduated from 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
York, and became a prominent physician of that 
city, where he died in 1890. 

Rev. Charles Daniel Frederick Steinfiihrer 
was born in Stargard, grand duchy of Mecklen- 
burg-Strelitz, January 12, 1841. At the age of 
thirteen he accompanied his parents to America 
and settled with them in Schenectady, where he 
gained a good English education in the Union 
school. In the fall of i860 he entered Union 
College, where he took a full collegiate course, 
receiving the degree of A. B. This .college was 
then in the height of its prosperity under the 
direction of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, and among the 
members of the faculty were Dr. Taylor Lewis, 
Prof. D. L. Hickok, Prof. J. Foster and Pro- 
fessor Jackson, men distinguished for their learn- 
ing. 

In June, 1864, our subject graduated with high 
honors in a class of sixty-four members, among 
whom were Dr. David Van Horn, now president 
of the Reformed Church Theological Seminary 
at Dayton, Ohio; Dr. Daniel Stimson of New 
York City, and Dr. E. W. Paige, an attorney of 
New York, at one time deputy attorney general 
of this state, and who is also a property holder 
in Long Island City. In the fall of 1864 our 
subject entered the Theological Seminary of the 
Reformed Church at New Brunswick, N. J., 
where he spent three years of preparation for 
the ministry, graduating in 1867 and receiving 
the same year the degree of A. M. from Union 
College. 

Coming to Astoria in May, 1867, Mr. Stein- 
fiihrer was chosen pastor of the German Second 
Reformed Church. At that time the congrega- 
tion were building a house of worship on the site 
of the present edifice, and until its completion 
the people occupied the basement of the First 
Reformed Church in Remsen Avenue. The Ger- 
man Second Reformed Church of Astoria and the 
German Reformed Church of Newtown were then 
under one charge, and he was pastor of both until 
1873, when they were made separate charges, and 
since that time he has been pastor of the Astoria 
Church only. The first church building was oc- 
cupied for the first time June 23, 1867, and on the 



794 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



following Sunday he was ordained and installed 
as pastor, this ceremony having been deferred 
in order that it might be solemnized in the new 
building. Seven years ago the church was en- 
larged by an addition of thirty-two feet and re- 
modeled to its present style. In 1892 the twenty- 
fifth anniversary of the pastor's installation was 
celebrated, and nearly all the Protestant churches 
of Astoria joined in commemorating the event. 
In November, 1868, a parochial school was es- 
tablished in connection with the church and this 
has been continued successfully to the present 

time. 

In 1868 Mr. Steinfiihrer was united in marriage 
with Miss Louise Dorrman Knecht of Schenec- 
tady, an estimable lady, who has been his effi- 
cient helpmate in all his undertakings, especially 
in Sunday-school work and in connection with 
the church music. She was chosen a member of 
the board of lady managers for Astoria Hospital 
and aided in the fair held in the spring of 1895, 
in which all the Protestant denominations co- 
operated for the benefit of the hospital. Her 
efficiency in this position is proved by the fact 
that the booth of the German Second Reformed 
Church succeeded in obtaining the largest re- 
ceipts of any. The high regard in which Mr. 
Steinfiihrer is held on account of his hearty sym- 
pathy in respect to this noble work of philan- 
thropy was shown on the occasion of the laying 
of the corner stone of the new Astoria Hospital, 
November 30, 1895, when the board of managers 
unanimously chose him to deliver the dedicatory 
address, notwithstanding his urgent protests. 

During the years of Mr. Steinfiihrer's residence 
in Long Island City, many changes have taken 
place, both in municipal affairs and in the relig- 
ious bodies. With the exception of the Church 
of the Redeemer, of which Dr. Cooper is the 
rector, all the churches, Protestant and Cath- 
olic, have changed pastors several times. Dr. 
Cooper, the only other clergyman who has been 
longer in the city, preceded him here about six 
months, having been made rector of his church 
in December, 1866. No clergyman of his de- 
nomination in the North Classis of Long Island 
has been the pastor of one church so long as Mr. 
Steinfiilirer. During his pastorate the most 
friendly relations have existed between him and 
the other clergymen of the city. This friendly 
spirit is shown by the fact that at the time of the 
celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his 
installation every Protestant clergyman but one, 



in the upper part of the city, joined in celebrating 
the event. From the founding of the Astoria 
Hospital he has been interested in and intimately 
associated with its progress. For years he was 
secretary of the Board of German Missions of 
New York City, retaining that position until the 
society was transferred into the hands of others. 
At different times he has been president of the 
Classis, in which he is the oldest pastor. He 
was made a member of the Phi Beta Kappa 
Society by the faculty of Union College and is 
a member of the Alumni of LTnion College and 
the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick. 
As a minister he has been faithful, efficient and 
energetic. Finding the church weak numerical- 
ly, he at once entered zealously upon the work, 
and with love for the cause has toiled on, until 
to-day the church is one of the strongest of the 
locality, with a good house of worship, the whole 
church working together in harmony and peace. 
Possessed of more than ordinary pulpit talent 
and with special gifts as a pastor, he has brought 
to his work rare earnestness and Christian con- 
secration. In his church and out of it, he has 
shown himself a friend of humanity, deeply in- 
terested in the welfare of all, and full of sym- 
pathv for those who are in sorrow and distress. 
He has thus endeared himself to many friends 
and has won the confidence of all, without re- 
spect to their differences of opinions on doc- 
trinal points. 



W 



■ILLIAM A. SMITH, M D. It is not 
altogether a knowledge of herbs and 
trums that brings success to the 
physician. In order to attain true success he 
must possess the spirit of patient research into 
the intricacies of the human form, and a kindly 
sympathy which will give his patients confidence 
in his humanity as well as his skill. The career 
of Dr. Smith, of Springfield, town of Jamaica, has 
been creditable to him, both as a physician and as 
a gentleman. Thorugh his recognized ability he 
has built up an extensive practice, extending be- 
yond the limits of the village in which he resides. 
A man of fine intellectual attainments, with broad 
and liberal views, he has fortified his mind with a 
store of useful knowledge, not only in connection 
with his profession, but along lines of general 
thought and culture. 

A native of St. James, Suffolk County, born 
August 14, 1854, Dr. Smith was one of two chil- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



795 



dren born to Edmund W. and Catherine J. 
(Hubbs) Smith, the other being Charles E., a sea 
captain residing in St. James. His father was a 
member of a family very wealthy at one time, but 
who, during the California gold excitement, lost 
their property, throwing him upon his own re- 
sources. He apprenticed himself to the trade of 
a house and shipbuilder, which he followed in 
after life, earning for himself a competence 
through his diligent efforts. At an advanced 
age he retired to spend his remaining years in 
the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors. He 
passed away in 1894 at the age of seventy-seven, 
having been born in 1817. His father, Jonas 
Smith, was at one time a wealthy land owner, 
owning some twelve hundred acres, as well as a 
number of slaves. 

From the public schools the subject of this no- 
tice went to the University of the City of New 
York, where he prosecuted his studies. When 
little more than eighteen years old he became pro- 
fessor in the Clinton Academy, East Hampton, 
where he taught one year. The following year 
he taught in the village of Setauket, Suffolk 
County, and then was principal of the Stony 
Brook school one term. The confinement inci- 
dent to professional work proved detrimental to 
his health, and for two and one-half years he did 
not engage in any active work, several months 
of this time being spent in an ocean voyage to 
Washington, D. C, Alexandria, Lewiston, Del, 
Wareham, Mass., and other cities. With health 
somewhat recovered, he accepted a position as 
principal of the Farmingdale school, but during 
the two years he was there the family suffered 
from illness, in which way he met Dr. Preston, of 
Amityville. Through the encouragement of that 
gentleman he decided to study medicine, and 
with Dr. Radcliff, a graduate of Harvard College, 
he began reading at Smithtovvn Branch. Six 
months were thus spent and he tlien entered the 
medical department of the University of the City 
of New York, from which he was graduated in 
1882. He attended clinics of Bellevue, New 
York and St. Luke's hospitals and the Eye and 
Ear Infirmary, thus gaining a thorough experi- 
mental knowledge of the profession. 

At the close of his college studies. Dr. Smith 
began to look around for a suitable location and 
selected Springfield, where he has since conduct- 
ed a general practice. In 1892 he married Miss 
Florence Stevens, of this village, and something- 
over a year later built his present handsome resi- 



dence, where, with his wife and son, William W., 
he has a happy home. A little daughter born of 
this union died in infancy, and the son is the only 
surviving child. Politically the Doctor is a stanch 
Republican. He and his wife are drawing around 
them the best social influences, such as are cal- 
culated to upbuild the moral elements of the com- 
munity, and their high moral principles and cour- 
tesy have given them an enviable position in the 
estimation of the people. 



ALFRED H. BEERS. Among the citizens 
of Jamaica no one is more justly entitled 
to an honorable place in its history than 
Mr. Beers, a gentleman who has been usefully 
and worthily identified with the prosperity of the 
village in every progressive movement, but es- 
pecially in the promotion of its mercantile inter- 
ests. Coming to this place in 1877, he embarked 
in the grocery business in partnership with Sam- 
uel H. Cornell, and has since built up a lucrative 
trade among the people of this locality. 

Referring to the family history of our subject, 
he is a son of Zeras Beers, a native of Newtown, 
Conn., and a cloth dresser by trade, though for 
fifteen years he taught school and the latter part 
of his life was spent on a farm in the town of 
Huntington, Suffolk County, N. Y. There he 
died in 1878, aged eighty-eight. He was a man of 
consistent Christian character and a member of 
the Methodist Church. By his first marriage he 
had one son, George S., now the wealthy propri- 
etor of a hotel in St. Louis, Mo. His second mar- 
riage was to Mrs. Amelia (Hendrickson) Miller, 
daughter of Joshua Hendrickson, of Queens 
County. She died in 1882, after having become 
the mother of four children. 

Of her sons John Z. is a coal operator in 
Brooklyn; William H., who in early life was a 
Methodist minister, enlisted in Company E, One 
Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York Infan- 
try, and served for three years, being sergeant of 
his company. After the war he was for several 
years keeper of the government lighthouse at 
Charleston Harbor, and is now connected with 
the public library at Huntington, where he and 
his family reside. Our subject was born in the 
town of Huntington, L. I., in 1847, S-^d grew to 
manhood years on the home farm, receiving his 
primary education in the public schools, and later 
taking a business course in Eastman's Commer- 
cial Colles:e. 



796 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The first position lield by Mr. Beers was that 
of clerk for a freighting hne on the North River. 
For six years he was bookkeeper for a large firm 
in Jersey City, and in 1877 came to Jamaica, 
where, as before stated, he has since established 
a large trade and a reliable reputation as a busi- 
ness man. In 1872 he married Miss Ozemma F., 
daughter of John Smith, of Suffolk County. They 
occupy a commodious residence on Clinton 
Place, on the hill. Three children came to bless 
their union, but one died in infancy. The others 
are Eugene F., a graduate of the New York Den- 
tal Colfege, and Bessie A., a bright child of eight 

Years. 

Since 1889 Mr. Beers has held the position of 
village treasurer, and is numbered among the 
most popular of the village officials. He aided in 
founding the Jamaica Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation, of which he is now a director. Socially 
he takes a warm interest in the Odd Fellows 
Lodge, to which he belongs. In religious con- 
victions he is a Methodist and belongs to the 
church of that denomination in Jamaica. A Re- 
publican in his political views, he has the greatest 
faith in the future prosperity of the country un- 
der the execution of the laws as enacted by 
party. 



his 



FRANCIS P. HAMLET, D. D. S. In every 
line of activity Hempstead has had its rep- 
resentatives. There is no village in the 
county that, in proportion to its population, has 
a larger number of talented, successful men than 
it has, and among this class may be mentioned 
the name of Dr. Hamlet, a rising young dentist 
of the place. While he is known as a skilled 
and capable dentist, yet in outside towns he is 
perhaps better known through his musical talent 
and compositions, some of which rank among the 
best yet produced in this country. 

In the village where he still resides. Dr. Hamlet 
was born August 31, 1863, being a son of John 
and Catherine (Livingston) Hamlet, natives of 
England. His father, whose birth occurred No- 
vember 12, 1825, came to America in early man- 
hood and for forty-one years has made his home 
in Hempstead, where for a longtime he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. In the work of St. 
George's Church he is deeply interested, and for 
ten years he was leader of the choir, also for 
twelve years served as sui^erintcndcnt of the Sun- 
dav-school. He is a man of marked ability, hon- 



orable character and generous disposition, and 
has many friends among the people of Hemp- 
stead. 

The family of which Dr. Hamlet is a member 
consists of six brothers and one sister. The eld- 
est, Samuel, was born in England and graduated 
from Meadville fPa.) College; he became a law- 
'Ver, but soon abandoned that profession for the 
ministry, and is now pastor of the LTnitarian 
Church at Wolfboro, N. H. John R. is engaged 
in business in New York. AVinifred is the wife 
of G. P. Leggett. Charles S. and Edward have 
a printing and engraving establishment at No. 
82 Nassau Street. New York. William H. ^L. a 
graduate of the New York College of Dentistry, 
has an office in Jamaica. 

After having attended school for some years 
at Hempstead and Flushing, our subject entered 
the Baltimore College of Dentistry, from which 
he graduated in 1884. He has been constantly 
engaged in active practice since that time. In 
boyhood his musical genius displayed itself, and 
being developed carefully, has brought him a rep- 
utation as a skilled composer and musician. 
Among his compositions, the one which has at- 
tracted greatest attention is the comic opera, 
"Seven Times One," which had a most remarka- 
ble nm and received favorable notice, not only 
from local papers, but also from the press of New 
York City. Many of his other compositions have 
received favorable notice. He has been organist 
of St. Luke's Church, Brooklyn, and also the 
church at Oyster Bay and one in New York, but 
of late years his gi'owing professional duties have 
kept him closely confined to his office. 

October 3, 1888, Dr. Hamlet was united in mar- 
riage with Edith Hutcheson, of Brooklyn. Two 
children, Milton and Anna H., bless their un- 
ion. Dr. Hamlet, in his social connections, is 
identified with the Royal Arcanum and the Legion 
of Flonor. He is a member of St. George's 
Church, in which he has held the position of ves- 
tryman. 



F' 



'RED \V. TOLLMAN. \Miile a resident of 
Far Rockaway for a comparatively short 
period only, JNIr. Toleman has a large ac- 
quaintance tliroughout Queens County and has 
already estal:)lished an enviable reputation as a 
reliable business man among the people of this 
place, where he is proprietor of the boot and 
shoe store in Central Avenue, in the Jennings 




DAVID D. M, MASTER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



799 



Building. He is starting out in this business 
with every prospect of success, equipped with a 
thorough knowledge of the trade gained by a 
clerkship of ten years in the store of A. A. Wicks 
at Bay Shore, and there is every ground for be- 
lieving that future years will bring him an ever- 
increasing success. 

The father of our subject, Andrew Toleman, 
was born in England, where he grew to manhood 
and married Miss Emily Gale, their union being 
blessed by two children, of whom Fred W. is 
the older; the only daughter is the wife of Oscar 
Gevrodete, of Patchogue. Our subject was born 
in Bridgeport, England, September 4, 1869, and 
was a child of one year when his parents came 
to America and settled at Bluepoint, Suffolk 
County, N. Y., which place has since been the 
family home. In boyhood he worked on the 
farm and the bay, but in 1883 went to Patchogue, 
where he was employed in the stationery and mu- 
sic store of George Ackerly for two and one-half 
years. 

In 1885 Mr. Toleman accepted a position with 
the firm of Wicks & Smith, dealers in dry goods 
and groceries at Bay Shore, and being capable 
and trustworthy, was soon given the management 
of the establishment. To him was entrusted the 
buying of dry goods, boots and shoes, and he 
had entire charge of the stock during the last 
five years of his residence in Bay Shore. The 
value of his services was recognized and his 
resignation was accepted with regret when in 
1895 he decided to enter business for himself. 
May I, of that year, he opened his present estab- 
lishment, where, in addition to boots and shoes, 
he keeps in stock a full line of hats and men's 
furnishing goods. By his marriage to Mabel 
Gordon, lie has a son, Harold F., born in 1893. 
Socially he belongs to the Royal Arcanum. Fle 
was formerly connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, but there being no church of that 
denomination at Far Rockaway, he has identi- 
fied himself with the Presbyterians and is an ac- 
tive worker in that society. 



DAVID D. M. MASTER of Flushing is 
president of the Flushing Electric Light 
and Power Company, also a dealer in 
real estate and the representative of many leading 
insurance companies, including the Imperial; 
Liverpool, London and Globe of England; the 
German- American of New York; Continental; 



AgricuUural; Northwestern of Milwaukee; 
Dutchess County Mutual of Poughkeepsie, be- 
sides others. Starting in life as he did with little 
capital, he has by force of character and deter- 
mination risen to an enviable position among his 
fellowmen. Fle deservedly ranks as one of the 
best citizens of the community, one who, by his 
strict sense of probity and his unwearied energy, 
has won his present position for himself. 

The English home where our subject was born 
February 19, 1829, was situated fourteen miles 
north of London, and was known as Cheshunt, 
one of the ancient suburbs of the metropolis — a 
place where the illustrious Oliver Cromwell had 
his country home and where stood the manor 
house of Cardinal Wolsey. The family were en- 
gaged in business in Greenwich, Waltham-Ab- 
bey, Ponders End and Epping, suburbs of Lon- 
don, and John, our subject's father, and Wil- 
liam, his grandfather, were merchants during 
their business lives. Our subject was the fourth 
among the seven children of John and Mary 
(Field) Master, and of that family two sons and 
one daughter are living, David being the only 
one who settled in America. The mother died 
young and the father married for his second wife 
Miss Mary Ann Champneys, who was a good 
mother to her step-children and reared them 
carefully and devotedly for positions of honor 
in the world. 

At the age of fourteen our subject was appren- 
ticed to the cooper's trade in Epping, and, after 
completing his apprenticeship, he worked at that 
occupation in London. In 1858 he crossed the 
Atlantic on the steamer "City of Washington," 
which reached New York City August 18, after 
a voyage of fourteen days. On leaving Eng- 
land, it had been his intention to proceed to the 
gold mines of California, but on the voyage he 
became acquainted with Samuel Carpenter of 
Flushing, who induced him to abandon his haz- 
ardous project. The two have since remained in- 
timate friends, and every year on the anniver- 
sary of that summer day of 1858 when the ship 
cast anchor in New York they visit the seaside 
together. 

For six months Mr. Master followed his trade 
in Brooklyn, but gave it up to engage in the 
clothing business, and later added merchant tail- 
oring. He built the store at No. 53 Main Street, 
Flushing, which he still owns. At first his prog- 
ress was slow, and there were many obstacles 
in the path to success, but he persevered and 



8oo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



finally attained prosperity. After twenty-five 
years he retired from business, expecting not 
again to resume trade, but he was a man of too 
much energy to close the active labors of life, 
and after a year, in 1885, he began in the real 
estate business, which he has since continued. 
He built the store at No. 69 Main Street, which 
ht still owns and occupies. 

All movements for the welfare of the com- 
inunitv receive the hearty endorsement of Mr. 
JMaster. Pie was one of several who started the 
I^'lu-shing & College Point Street Railroad and- 
was its president for two years, when he resigned. 
Pie also aided in the organization of the Flushing 
Electric Light and Power Company, a success- 
ful concern with a capital stock of $30,000, of 
which he is the president. Politically he is a 
Republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the 
partv of his choice. He is an elder in the Re- 
formed Church of America and aided generously 
in the erection of the present house of worship 
in Flushing. For a time he was one of the vil- 
lage trustees, but resigned to give his attention 
to other matters. Fraternally he is connected 
with Cornucopia Lodge No. 653, F. & A. M., 
and Pentalpha Chapter, R. A. M. 

In London in 1851 Mr. Master married Miss 
Naomi Larter, who was born there and died 
in Flushing. Of their seven children five are 
living, namely: David, Jr., a druggist of Brook- 
lyn; Clara, Mrs. Charles A. Mapes of Harlem, 
N. Y. ; Mrs. Naomi Levick of England ; Samuel 
who is a real estate and insurance broker of New 
York City; and William, who is engaged in the 
jewelry business in Brooklyn. The present wife 
of Mr. Master was Miss Kate M. Sands, daughter 
of Capt. Treadwell Sands, an old resident of 
Flushing. Three sons and one daughter blessed 
this union: J. Edvvard, who carries on a whole- 
sale and retail jewelry business in Flushing, with 
office in New York City; Lewis C, who is inter- 
ested in business with his father; Dr. Clarence 
]\I., a graduate of the New York College of Den- 
tal Surgery and a practicing dentist at Flushing; 
and Ennna. who is deceased. 



PATRICK DALY is a very successful busi- 
ness man of Long Island City and one of 
the most influential residents of Queens 
County. He is junior member of the firm of 
Hagan & Daly, proprietors of the Queens Coun- 
ty Boiler Works, which is well known throughout 



this portion of the state. He is secretary of the 
board of police commissioners and since his resi- 
dence here has been greatly interested in what- 
ever tended toward the development of his com- 
munity. 

Mr. Daly was born in Ireland, in County Lei- 
trim, which was also the birthplace of his father, 
Francis Daly. The latter followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer, being the proprietor of a goodly 
tract of land in Ireland, on which he and his wife, 
Mrs. Ann fMcGushin) Daly, still reside. Of the 
seven sons and two daughters born to them, sev- 
en are now living and of this household our sub- 
ject is the only one to make his home in Ameri- 
ca. He was born March 13, 1847, ^'^d is the 
oldest child of his parents now living. 

Patrick attended the common schools of his 
native isle until a lad of seventeen years, and a 
year later determined to come to America. He 
remained in New York for a time in the employ 
of the Long Island Express Company. \Yhen 
those who were at the head of this business closed 
out, Mr. Daly established a livery and boarding 
stable in Twenty-fourth Street, and for thirteen 
years was the proprietor of a thriving business. 
He came to Long Island City in 1877, at which 
time he built a residence at No. 117 Seventh 
Street, near which he opened a grocery, contin- 
uing this business together with his livery stable 
until 1 88 1. That year Mr. Daly became associ- 
ated with J\Ir. Hagan in the manufacture of boil- 
ers. In May, 1893, he disposed of his grocery 
and now devotes the greater part of his time and 
attention to his other business. The firm receives 
orders fi'om various parts of the world, often mak- 
ing large shipments to South America and Ger- 
many. Their shops occupy one hundred and sev- 
enty-five feet in Seventh Street, and extend in the 
rear to Sixth Street. The firm give constant em- 
ployment to from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred and fifty men and are operating on a 
most successful basis. 

The man-iage of Mr. Daly and ]\Iiss Kate Can- 
non occurred in New York, January 2, 1867. 
Mrs. Daly is also of Irish birth and by her union 
with our subject has become the mother of two 
children, Frank, now a clerk in his father's office, 
and Anna, the wife of James J. Conway, of Long 
Island City. Mr. and J\Irs. Daly occupy a pleas- 
ant residence at No. 20 Pearson Street. Hunter's 
Point, in addition to which they also own nuicli 
other valuable real estate in the city. 

Our subject is interested in the Long Island 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



80 1 



City Building and Loan Association. In 1887 lie 
became a member of the police commission, and 
during the two and one-half years which he served 
at this time he "pulled" the pool rooms. This 
was very much against the mayor's wishes and 
Mr. Daly then resigned. In 1893, however, he 
was appointed a member of the police commission 
by Mayor Sanford and is the present secretary of 
the board. In religious matters he is a devout 
Catholic and a member of St. Mary's Church. 
Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, belong- 
ing to the Jefferson Democratic Club. He served 
as a member of the general committee, also on 
the county, congressional and senatorial com- 
mittees. Socially he is associated with the order 
of Foresters and is very popular in the various 
organizations to which he belongs. 



C 



APT. RICHARD VAN WICKLEN. The 
title of "Captain," by which this gentle- 
man is familiarly known, was gained 
through his service in the coasting trade, an in- 
dustry which he followed successfully for many 
years. His experiences as a seafaring man were 
many and varied, and he endured all the hard- 
ships and faced the perils which attend "life on 
the ocean wave." Since 1886 he has not been 
actively engaged in the trade, but has lived in 
comparative retirement at his home in Port 
Washington. 

Near Jamaica, L. I., October 24, 1834, the sub- 
ject of this record was born to Garrett and Ann 
Elizabeth (McKee) Van Wicklen, natives of Long 
Island. The Van Wicklen family is one of the 
oldest on the island and was first represented in 
America by three brothers, who emigrated from 
Holland in the seventeenth century, and settled, 
one near Flatbusli, another at Jamaica and the 
third at Oyster Bay. The Captain is a descend- 
ant of the Jamaica settler. Since the time of the 
original settlement the family has been honorably 
and intimately associated with the growth of this 
section and the development of its material re- 
sources. 

The father of our subject was born in 1808 and 
followed the occupation of a farmer, in addition 
to which he was interested in the coast trade. 
He attained an advanced age, dying when past 
seventy-nine. By his marriage to Miss McKee 
he had seven children, of whom five are still liv- 
ing. Richard, who was the eldest of the family, 
Spent his youthful years on the ferm and until 



seventeen he attended the district schools a few 
months of each year. On starting out for him- 
self, he secured a clerkship in a store near Port 
Washington, his father having previously moved 
to Sand's Point, where he was engaged in farming. 
Tliree years were spent as a clerk, after which he 
bought a one-third interest in a vessel, and three 
months later, his pai'tner and captain selling out 
to another party, he succeeded to the captaincy. 
Until 1886 he carried on the coast trade along 
the shores of Long Island and the eastern states. 
In this village in 1854 Captain Van Wicklen 
married Miss Maria Robbins, of the town of Oys- 
ter Bay, an estimable woman who has been his 
helpmate in every enterprise and has worked by 
his side in all his undertakings. Reared in the 
faith of the Democratic party, he has since sup- 
ported its principles in the national campaigns, 
but is liberal in his views. At one time he was 
candidate for the position of overseer of the poor, 
but was defeated at the election. In his fraternal 
relations he is a member of Pembrook Lodge No. 
73, I. O. O. F. . 



DALMAR L. STARKS. The following is 
a brief sketch of the life of Mr. Starks, 
whose present substantial position has 
been reached entirely through his own persever- 
ance and whose success shows what can be ac- 
complished by determination and intelligence. 
He is the owner and proprietor of the hardware 
establishment in Far Rockaway, where he car- 
ries a complete and varied assortment of house 
furnishing goods and hardware, ranging in size 
from a tack to an anchor, and valued at nearly 
$30,000. The business is the largest of the kind 
in the locality and has been brought to its pres- 
ent large proportions through the honest meth- 
ods and indefatigable endeavor of the proprietor. 
The parents of our subject were Elijah and 
Lucinda (Wheeler) Starks, the former of whom, a 
shoe manufacturer for many years, died at the 
age of sixty-one, while the latter is still living at 
the old home in Spencertown, Columbia County, 
N. Y. In the family there were three children, 
namely: William, now deceased; Dalmar L., and 
Clara, who is with her mother. Our subject was 
born in Spencertown, January 27, 1861, and was 
reared on a farm, attending the district schools 
and the academy near his home. At the age of 
fourteen he started out for himself and was first 
employed in a butcher shop at Chatham, after 



802 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which he worked for one year on the farm. In 
1877 he went to New York City and for two years 
was employed by a butcher, afterward drove a 
wagon on a milk route for one year and one for 
the Vienna bakery about the same length of time. 
The two following years were spent as clerk in 
Purssell's great establishinent. 

During that time, realizing the need and im- 
portance of a better education, he attended night 
school two winters. Early in life he had neg- 
lected his opportunities, not appreciating the 
value of knowledge, but experience had taught 
him this lesson, and he now gave close attention 
to study, gaining as a result more actual knowl- 
edge during this short time than he had secured 
in all the schools of his boyhood. In 1881 he 
came to Far Rockaway, having in his possession 
$95. With a partner who furnished a portion of 
the stock, he opened a small fruit and cigar store 
where the Hinkel building now stands. The first 
year the trade was small and the profits corres- 
pondingly low, but he was able to come out even, 
having paid $125 rent. He persevered and bought 
out his cousin, who was his partner, later adding 
to the trade oysters served in all styles, shapes and 
sizes. He was the pioneer cigar and tobacco 
merchant here and had all the trade in that line, 
which increased as the place grew. 

Year by year prosperity rewarded Mr. Starks' 
efforts. Good judgment characterized his in- 
vestments and the money earned was made to 
double itself in his hands. He bought a piece of 
ground in Central Avenue, for which he paid 
$650. At the time it was regarded by many as 
a large price, but here he demonstrated his sound 
judgment, as subsequent events proved. Bor- 
rowing $1,200, he erected a building, the first 
store of any proportions in Central Avenue, and 
he still owns the property, which has enhanced 
in value many times over. It was not long until 
he paid ofT the $1,200 used for building, and made 
judicious investments besides. Then he cast 
about for a substantial business, and bought the 
store he now owns from Thomas Henderson, 
who had built up a large trade. To the enterprise 
he lirought a practical knowledge of business and 
an indefatigable determination, so that he in- 
creased the trade and placed himself in rank 
among the shrewd business men of the village. 

When twenty-one years of age Mr. Starks mar- 
ried Miss Mary Pettit, of Inwood, L. I., and they 
became the parents of five children: Clara, one 
that died in infancy without name, Charles, Mary 



Eveline and Arthur. The children are being 
given excellent advantages, both literary . and 
musical, and are being prepared for positions of 
honor and usefulness in the world. Politically 
Mr. Starks is a Democrat. Socially he is one of 
the charter members of Olympia Lodgre. F. & A. 
M., of which he has been treasurer since its or- 
ganization, a member of Corinthian Chapter, R. 
A. M., and Ivanhoe Commandery. His wife is 
a member of the Episcopal Church, which the 
family attend, and to which he contributes. He 
takes great interest in the local fire department 
and has been a member of the Protective Hook 
and Ladder Company since its organization, hav- 
ing- held in it all the offtces from private to fore- 



JUDGE ALFRED W. BOKEE. The study 
of the careers of those who have been the 
architects of their own fortunes in the va- 
rious departments of business furnishes lessons 
of inestimable value to youths just entering their 
chosen occupations and encourages them to 
greater efiforts for success in life. The gentleman 
whose name introduces this sketch and who is a 
member of a business firm of New York City, 
has been successful in the best sense of the word, 
for he has not only accumulated a competency, 
but has also gained that which is better, the es- 
teem of his large circle of acquaintances and the 
regard of everyone with whom he has business 
or social relations. 

Judge Bokee was born in Brooklyn, ;\Iarch 8. 
1859, "^nd was the only child of David A. and 
Jennie (Knight) Bokee. His elementary educa- 
tion was acquired in the public schools of Brook- 
lyn, but the necessity of gaining a livelihood 
obliged him to discontinue his studies at an early 
age. When fourteen years old he secured a po- 
sition as office boy with the stationer}- firm of 
Martin Roberts, and as he was diligent, obedient, 
honest and attentive to every duty, he was grad- 
ually promoted, rising from one position to anoth- 
er until he became a partner in the firm. In 1882 
the name of the concern was changed to Roberts 
& Bokee, which is its present title. Their office 
is located at No. 126 Front Street, New York, 
where they have a large printing, lithographing 
and stationery establishment. 

In 1S84 our subject was united in marriage with 
Miss Ella L., daughter of Jacob S. Bergen, a 
sketch of whom appears in this work. Of the two 




A. V. vS. LOTT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



805 



sons born to this union only one survives, Alfred 
B., a bright boy of ten years. After three years 
■of wedded life Mrs. Bokee was taken by death, 
July 22, 1887, leaving to mourn her loss not only 
her immediate family but also a large number of 
warm personal friends. In 1890 our subject was 
■elected on the Republican ticket to fill the office 
of justice of the peace, and it is worthy of note 
that he was the only Republican elected on the 
ticket that year. For a time he also served as 
a member of the board of health and the Queens 
Fire Company. At present he is connected with 
the New Yoidc Stock and Petroleum Exchange. 
In all works of advancement and progress he is 
found in the front rank, doing all in his power to 
promote the general welfare. His career has been 
marked by rare energy, stability of character and 
systematic business habits, and in his labors he 
has been directed by shrewd judgment, close cal- 
culation and a resohite will that overcame all ob- 
stacles in the pathway to success. 



A 



BR AH AM V. S. LOTT, who resides two 
miles south of Flushing in the town of 
Newtown and is engaged in agriculttiral 
pursuits, is a member of one of the old and highly 
respected families of the island; but not alone 
on this account is he held in high esteem, for by 
perseverance and much bard work on his part 
he has made for himself an honorable name and 
has accumulated a substantial portion of this 
world's goods. A native of this county, he was 
born at Woodhaven September 5, 1829, and is a 
son of Stephen I. and Cornelia (Rapalje) Lott. 
The family of which he is a member consisted 
•of four children, of whom besides himself two 
survive, namely: Gertrude R., wife of James 
A-' an Siclen, and Stephen S. 

The father of our subject was born near Wood- 
haven in 1799 and grew to manhood in his na- 
tive place. When he was about fourteen years 
-of age he was orphaned by the death of his father, 
Johannes S. Lott, from whom he inherited the 
valuable estate forming the principal part of the 
present village of Woodhaven. In 1834 he dis- 
posed of his interests in and about this place and 
removed to the town of Newtown, purchasing 
the farm now owned and occupied by Abraham 
V. S. Here he continued to reside the greater 
part of the time until his death, which occurred 
In Jamaica South February 14, 1871. 

After completing his education in the Union 



I-Iall Academy of Jamaica, our subject gave his 
attention to farming and assisted his father in the 
cultivation of the home place until the death of 
the latter. September 13, 1864, he married Miss 
Cornelia DeEevoise, an estimable lady residing 
at Dutch Kills. Shortly after his marriage he 
and his brother, John Henry, rented the home- 
stead, their father removing to Jamaica South. 
A little more than a year later the senior Mr. 
Lott died and our subject then assumed the en- 
tire control of the place, operating it for himself 
until the settlement of the estate. The home 
place (now called Viamede) became the property 
of A. V. S. Lott and here he has since resided. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lott are the parents of seven 
children, one of whom is deceased. Those who 
survive are Stephen I., who acquired his educa- 
tion at- Fairchild's Institute: Gertrude V. S., a 
graduate of Flushing high school; Joanna D. B. 
v., who also completed her studies in that insti- 
tution; Cornelia R., who attended Flushing high 
school and Barnard College; Sarah E. and Ellen 
S., students in the school at Flushing. In public 
affairs Mr. Lott has always taken a commenda- 
ble interest, and for five terms held the position 
of road overseer. He is a Democrat on national 
issues, but in local politics is independent, voting 
for the best men. He and his family attend the 
Dutch Reformed Church of Newtown. 



CORNELIUS V. SEAMAN is one of the 
men — of whom the number is not few — ■ 
who have worked their way from poverty 
to independence, from want to competence. Now 
a resident of Port Washington, he is known as 
one of the honest, industrious business men of 
this village, and as a ptiblic-spirited citizen, inter- 
ested in progressive measures. He was born in 
the town of North Hempstead, Queens County, 
July 24, 1838, and is a son of Daniel P. and 
Phoebe (Pearsall) Seaman. 

The first of the family to locate in North 
Hempstead was our subject's great-grandfather, 
a shoemaker, who owned land in what is now 
called Old Westbury. Grandfather David Sea- 
man, also a shoemaker, made his home in Ros- 
lyn, where he died at an advanced age. The 
father, Daniel P., who was a mason and plasterer, 
lived during much of his life in the town of North 
Hempstead, where he died at the age of seventy 
years. Of his eight children, five are still living. 
In ante-bellum days he was a Democrat, but in 



8o6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i860 he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln and 
ever afterward maintained Republican principles. 
His birthplace was at Old Westbury, and the 
date of his birth April i, 1815. Though a de- 
scendant of Quaker ancestors, he was not himself 
identified with any church. He died in Manhas- 
set in June, 1886, and his body was interred in 
Van Zandt's Churchyard at Little Neck. 

Between the years of three and ten our sub- 
ject lived in Port Washington, where he attend- 
ed the subscription schools. From here he ac- 
companied the other members of the family to 
Manhasset, where he spent two years. At the 
age of twelve he commenced work at the ma- 
son's trade, remaining thus engaged for one year, 
and receiving fifty cents a day for his services. 
Next he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which 
he served for eleven months. April ii', 1853, 
when he was not quite fifteen, he began to work 
for William Place, of Manhasset, where he en- 
tered into articles of apprenticeship for six years, 
making his own contract. During that entire 
period he lost only three and one-half days, and 
they were upon the Fourth of July and Christ- 
mas. The first year he was paid $2.50 a month, 
and the amount was increased $5 per year every 
year afterward. On the expiration of his ap- 
prenticeship, he secured a position with Henry 
Mackey, at Port Washington, and was paid $14, 
which was the best wages given anyone in the 
vicinity at that time. 

October 26, 1859, Mr. Seaman married Miss 
Nancy Jane, daughter of David and Maria (Car- 
man) Stivson, and a native of the town of North 
Hempstead. He remained with Mr. Mackey un- 
til the spring of i860, after which he followed the 
bay for a few months. He then moved to Man- 
hasset, rented a shop and carried on his trade for 
more than a year. Going to Freeport, town of 
Hempstead, he became proprietor of a shop 
there. It was while thus engaged that he was 
drafted into the army and being in poor health, 
unfit for service, he hired a substitute. On his 
return to Port Washington he worked for Mr. 
Mackey for a time, then opened a shop of his 
own and has during much of the time since fol- 
lowed his trade of blacksmith and horse-shoer. 
For a short time he followed the bay and hauled 
oysters to Jamaica, also engaged in the grocery 
business for a few months, but the results not 
being satisfactory, he returned to his trade. 
March 4, 1866, he l)ought two lots and two years 
afterward built on them. Later he bought an- 



other lot, on which he built. His present home 
was bought about 1886, and is a neat and com- 
fortable abode. He and his wife have no chil- 
dren, but adopted a child, Grace, who since the 
age of eleven has made her home with them; she 
was born in Port Washington and is a daughter 
of William and Margaret Ann Carman. 

Since casting his first Presidential ballot for 
Abraham Lincoln in i860, Mr. Seaman has ever 
been a stanch Republican. For three years he 
served as constable, but on the occasion of his 
fourth election refused to again accept the posi- 
tion. He was a candidate for overseer of the 
poor for the town of North Hempstead and 
though the town is largely Democratic, he lacked 
only nine votes of winning the election. With 
his wife he holds membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he has served as 
steward and was Sunday-school teacher for two 
years. His wife, who has been a teacher in the 
Sunday-school for fourteen years, is also a prom- 
inent member of the Ladies' Sewing Circle and at 
one time served as vice-president of the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union, being an active 
worker in all religious and philanthropic enter- 
prises. 

Mr. Seaman was a charter member of the At- 
lantic Hook and Ladder Company of Port Wash- 
ington, in which he is now serving the second 
time. He was treasurer of the building commit- 
tee and raised most of the money for building the 
fine hall now used by the company. Socially 
he is connected with Pembroke Lodge No. 73, 
I. O. O. F., at Glencove, and is a member of 
Warren Encampment at the corner of Second 
Street and the Bowery, New York City. At one 
time he was an active member of the Sons of 
Temperance, and his wife was also associated 
with the organization. 



ADAM C. STEVENS, who is engaged in 
farming and the dairy business on the Wil- 
liam P. \\"illet's estate, town of North 
Hempstead, was born in Orange County. N. \ ., 
September 15, 1855, being a son of John and Lu- 
cinda Stevens. His paternal grandfather. Da- 
vid, was a son of Jonathan Stevens, one of si.x 
brothers who came from Connecticut and set- 
tled in the town of Chester, Orange County, on 
the farm now owned by John .Stevens. The 
country was then a wilderness, in almost the 
primeval condition of nature, and it was his task 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



807 



to assist in placing it under cultivation and ren- 
dering it more valuable. In business and relig- 
ious affairs his descendants were so prominent 
that the locality where they lived was always de- 
nominated the "Stevens neighborhood." 

The father of our subject was born November 
14, 1822, and still resides on the family estate. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and is prominent in religious matters. 
His first wife, our subject's mother, was Mrs. 
Lucinda (Seely) Jaques, widow of Francis Jaques, 
and they became the parents of five children. 
The three now living are Adam C. ; Charles, who 
resides in Orange County; and Mary, who is 
with her brother. Mrs. Lucinda Stevens passed 
away in July, 1890, and in November, 1893, our 
subject's father was again married, his wife being 
Mrs. Margaret Reynolds, of New York City. 

Commencing his education in the public 
schools, our subject later attended the academy 
at Yonkers, from which he graduated. At the 
age of twenty he began to teach in Orange Coun- 
ty, remaining thus engaged for eighteen months, 
after which he took charge of the home farm un- 
til 1892. He then removed to Queens County 
and rented the place he now occupies. His at- 
tention is given to the dairy business and retail 
milk trade, his route extending to Roslyn, Min- 
eola and Hempstead. Usually he has on hand 
sixty or seventy cows, and each year makes ship- 
ment to Long Island City and Great Neck. Po- 
litically he is a Republican. 

September 3, 1879, J^^. Stevens married Lydia, 
daughter of John and Laura (Parsels) Bush, and 
a native of Orange County. They are the par- 
ents of an only daughter. Flora. The family are 
members of and influential workers in the Pres- 
byterian Church of Roslyn, in which Mr. Stevens 
has taken an active part. Prior to coming to 
this county, he had served as superintendent of 
the Sunday-school and in other positions of re- 
sponsibility, at his former place of residence. 



REV. WILLIAM SCHOENFELD, pastor 
of the Trinity German Lutheran Church 
at Schuetzen Park, is a finely educated 
gentleman and deserves especial credit for the 
faithful manner in which he has labored with the 
congregation at this place. Tlie Lutheran 
Church wields a mighty influence for good in 
the community, and Mr. Schoenfeld is devoting 



his best efforts to advancing his Master's cause 
by zealous work in His vineyard. 

Our subject is a native of the great state of 
Illinois, having been born at Niles, Cook Coun- 
ty, May II, 1869. His father was John A. 
Schoenfeld, a native of Saxony, where his parents, 
who were farmers, were the owners of consider- 
able property. John Schoenfeld was reared to 
man's estate in his native land, coming to Amer- 
ica prior to his marriage and locating in Cook 
County, where he was engaged in farming until 
the year 1870. He then moved into the World's 
Fair City, making his home there until his death, 
which occurred seven years later, when he was 
aged fifty-four. He was reared in the faith of 
the Lutheran Church, to which he firmly ad- 
hered all his life. In politics he became a 
straightforward, uncompromising Repubhcan, 
although never considered a seeker after office. 

The lady who becaine the mother of our sub- 
ject was in her maidenhood Miss Dorothea 
Brandt, a native of Hanover, Germany, and the 
daughter of William Brandt, a farmer of consider- 
able means in the Fatherland. He crossed the At- 
lantic with. his family in 1852 and after landing on 
the shores of the New World continued his west- 
ward way until he reached Elkgrove, Cook 
County, 111., where he invested his means in a 
good farm. He continued to reside there until 
late in 1876, when he removed to Fillmore 
County, Minn., where he took up a tract of raw 
prairie land which he improved and resided upon 
until his decease, when advanced in years. His 
wife was Catherine (Boesche) Brandt. The family 
were all members of the Lutheran Church. 

Mrs. Dorothea Schoenfeld was in her fifth year 
at the time her parents came to America. She 
remained the loving companion and helpmate of 
her husband until his decease and is now an in- 
mate of our subject's household. She became 
the mother of three children: Emma, now Mrs. 
Louis Ploss, a resident of Chicago; William, of 
this history; and Robert, also living in the Gar- 
den City; he is buyer in the trimming depart- 
ment for Marshall Field & Co. 

The subject of this sketch was an infant when 
his parents moved to Chicago. As soon as old 
enough he was sent to the parochial schools and 
also received private instruction in the Latin lan- 
guage. In 1882 he entered the Concordia Col- 
lege at Fort Wayne, Ind., from which institution 
he was graduated in 1887. In the fall of the 
same year he became a student in Concordia 



8o8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Seminary at St. Louis, Mo., and three years there- 
after, having taken the full course, was gradu- 
ated. August 24, 1890, he was ordained in 
Schuetzen Park Hall, whither he had come to be- 
gin his labors. A church had been established 
here in February, 1890, by Rev. F. Koenig, of 
New York, with a membership of ten. Our sub- 
ject was called to take charge of this congrega- 
tion by the Mission Board of the Eastern Dis- 
trict of the Missouri Synod and on taking up his 
residence on Long Island was ordained as we 
have stated above. The first Sunday he held 
services in the basement of the church and the 
third Sunday the building was completed and 
dedicated. The congregation now own and oc- 
cupy a large frame edifice in Eighth Avenue, 
which was erected for them. The building is 
80x50 feet in dimensions and the membership has 
grown to include fifty-seven families, represent- 
ing six hundred souls. The Lutheran Church 
have a Ladies' and Young People's Society, also 
a society for young men, and in December, 1894, 
established a mission at Whitestone, L. I., which 
is now presided over by Rev. F. Kroencke. Later, 
in the fall of 1895, another mission was started 
at Woodside, of which Mr. Schoenfeld, with the 
assistance of Mr. Kroencke, has charge. 

In the fall of the above year our subject also 
took an active part in establishing an English 
Lutheran mission in West Forty-second Street, 
New York City, which is now in a very flourish- 
ing condition. Our subject was secretary of the 
New York local conference for over two years 
and has always taken a very active part in estab- 
lishing new churches in this locality. Trinity 
Church is one of the most influential congrega- 
tions in Long Island City and its numerous mem- 
bers are doing everything in their power to win 
souls for Christ. 

The day after the dedication of the new church 
building Mr. Schoenfeld started the parochial 
school, which he taught himself until Christmas, 
when he called the first teacher, J. Wambsganss, 
who remained his assistant until the work grew 
to such proportions that it became necessary to 
have another man who could give his entire time 
to the work, and A. Beyer, now of Albany, was 
called on this occasion. 

The Lutheran Church of this city is very for- 
tunate in having for one of its members a very 
wealthy and benevolent gentleman in the person 
of Jacob Miller, through whose liberality the 
members have been enabled to erect and pay for 



their present comfortable building. It was erect- 
ed at a cost of $16,000, of which Mr. Miller paid 
$10,000. He is at the present time residing in 
Brooklyn, although he is very much interested 
in the work and progress of Trinity Church and 
attends ser\'ices here whenever possible. 

Since he began preaching Mr. Schoenfeld has 
received three calls from Mt. Calvary Church, of 
Buffalo, and has also been petitioned to take 
charge of the English Lutheran Church, of Mil- 
waukee, Wis. Fie speaks both the German and 
English languages and is presiding with great 
success over his congregation. The Sunday- 
school, which was organized many years ago, 
now numbers three hundred scholars and is one 
of the best in the city. 



EDWARD BRICK, who is a contractor and 
builder in College Point, was born in Bris- 
tol, England, to Edward and Elizabeth 
(Sullivan) Brick, the former of whom was for 
some time in the British army and later was a 
pensioner of the government. Educated in the 
schools of London, the subject of this record left 
school to learn the mason and plasterer's trade, 
which he followed for a time in his native country. 
In 1854 he came to America on a sailing vessel, 
and after working at his trade in New York City 
for a short time, in the fall of the same year he 
removed to Flushing, where he was employed 
by Henry Bartow. In 1856 he began as a con- 
tractor in College Point, and has since resided 
here, though business duties frequently call him 
to other places. He assisted in the erection of the 
National Capitol and the Treasury Building in 
Washington, D. C, returning to College Point 
in 1870, and resuming work here. Among the 
contracts he has had are those for the erection 
of the residences of James A. !MacDonald, Rob- 
ert Parsons, W. H. Fitzpatrick, T. F. Tuohy. 
Messrs. Coxe and Osgood, the postoffice build- 
ing and a number of business blocks. ^^ hile his 
principal contracts have been in College Point, 
he has also had important contracts in Flushing 
and other parts of the county. 

In Flushing ?^Ir. Brick married ^liss Catherine 
Carroll, a native of Ireland, who died in College 
Point in September, 1805. Their nine children 
are named as follows: John, who is a carpenter: 
Mary; Lizzie: William, a mason by occupation, 
at this writing with his father; Katie; Edward, 
Jr., a carpenter by trade; Ella, Agnes and Fannie. 




JOHN HRPBURN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



8ii 



The family residence, wliich was built b.y Mr. 
Brick, stands in Fifteenth Street near Sixth Ave- 
nue. In religious views our subject is connected 
with St. Fidelis' Catholic Church. Politically he 
is a Democrat and has represented his party in 
numerous local conventions, also serving on the 
grand and petit jury at different times. 



JOHN HEPBURN. As a citizen and sub- 
stantial business man no one stands higher 
in his community than Mr. Hepburn. Since 
he came to Flushing in 1870, he has been closely 
identified with the business interests of the vil- 
lage and has also been a prominent factor in the 
development of its material resources, giving 
liberally of time, means and thought to secure the 
welfare of the people and promote every line of 
activity. His place of business is located at No. 
103 Main Street, where he keeps in stock a full 
assortment of medicines and druggists' sundries. 
In addition to the local trade he does considera- 
ble jobbing business, and employs six assistants 
to aid him in clerical work and in the sales. 

The success which has come to Mr. Hepburn 
is largely due to qualities of thrift, honesty and 
industry, inherited from a long line of Scotch 
ancestors, who were of the Covenanter faith. 
His father, William C, was born in Dumbarton, 
Scotland, where he grew to manhood . on the 
home farm and learned the ti-ade of a landscape 
gardener. With the hope of securing more prof- 
itable employment, he came to America and set- 
tled in Pelham, near New Rochelle, Westchester 
County, N. Y., where he had charge of the Pel- 
ham Priory estate. He continued in that posi- 
tion until advancing years rendered it necessary 
for him to give up active work, since which time 
he has lived retired in Flushing. He is now 
(i8g6) seventy-five years old, but is hale and 
hearty for one of his age. In religious belief he 
adheres to the faith of his forefathers and wor- 
ships with the Presbyterians. His wife, Mar- 
garet, was born in Inverary, Argyleshire, Scot- 
land, and died in New Jersey. She was a daugh- 
ter of John Macdonald, a mechanical engineer 
and member of a family noted for skill in me- 
chanics. 

The parental family consisted of ten children, 
and all but one of these are still living. John, 
who is the eldest, was born in Cantire, Scotland, 
June 8, 1849, ^nd spent his early childhood prin- 
cipally in Argyleshire. In 1856, accompanying- 



other members of the family, he took passage on 
the sailing vessel "J^^a," which anchored in the 
harbor of New York after a voyage of nearly 
seven weeks. The family home was established 
in Westchester County, and his studies were con- 
ducted in the high school of New Rochelle. 
P'rom an early age it was his desire to become 
a pharmacist, and he availed himself of the first 
favorable opening that presented itself, entering 
the wholesale and retail pharmacy of Eimer & 
Amend, on the corner of Eighteenth Street and 
Third Avenue, New York. Later he entered the 
employ of S. G. Welling of New Rochelle, and 
when that gentleman opened a branch store in 
Flushing in 1870, Mr. Hepburn came here to 
take charge of it. Two years later, with W. T. 
James as a partner, he purchased the business, 
the two continuing the connection until 1890, 
since which time our subject has been the sole 
proprietor. 

In this village occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Hepburn and Miss Emma J., daughter of Sam- 
uel and Sarah (Hopcraft) Carpenter, the former 
a native of England, but for many years a promi- 
nent business man of Flushing. Their three chil- 
dren are Claudine E., Alex M. and Kittie E. 
(twins). As the candidate on the Citizens' ticket, 
Mr. Hepburn was elected a member of the board 
of village trustees in the fall of 1894 and on the 
first day of the following year he took his seat 
for a term of two 3^ears. At this writing he 
serves as member of the police committee, and 
cliairman of the committees on printing, assess- 
ments, and wells and pumps. 

All enterprises which have for their object the 
good of the town or county always find in Mr. 
Hepburn an advocate and friend, ready to give 
them substantial aid. Among those who worked 
for the success of the Electric Street Railroad, he 
took a prominent part, and served as director un- 
til the road was completed and in running order, 
when he disposed of his interest in the concern. 
Aiding also in the organization of the Flushing 
Electric Light & Power Company, he is still con- 
nected with that enterprise as a director. Fra- 
ternally he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and 
Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M. For 
twenty years he has been a deacon in the Re- 
formed Church and has rendered especially valu- 
able services while on the building committee. 

For ten years Mr. Hepburn was connected 
with the Seventeenth Separate Company, Na- 
tional Guard of New York, of which he was com- 



8l2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



missioned second lieutenant by Governor Rob- 
inson and first lieutenant by Governor Cornell. 
As an official member of the company, he was 
active in all its affairs and took a leading part 
in securing the erection of their fine armory. At 
this writing he is treasurer of the ex-Members' 
Association of the Seventeenth Separate Com- 
pany. He was a prominent factor in the organi- 
zation of the Business Men's Association, and is 
now its vice-president. When at leisure, he finds 
pleasure in sports and takes part in the plans 
and workings of the Flushing Boat Club ; also the 
Mercury Wheel Club of Flushing and the Flush- 
ing Fishing Club, whose clubhouse is on the 
South Side. The Y. M. C. A. has from the first 
had in him a firm friend, who in the capacity of 
trustee has rendered efficient service. By elec- 
tion he is a member of the New York College of 
Pharmacy, and since 1873 has been identified 
with the American Pharmacists' Association. In 
national affairs he always supports Republican 
candidates, and during the Hayes campaign he 
was treasurer of the Republican Club and an ac- 
tive worker for the success of the party's chosen 
candidate. 



WILLIAM M. VALENTINE is de- 
scended from good old Quaker stock 
and is a substantial and reliable citizen, 
one whose life has not been one of idleness. He 
was born in the first house built in Glencove, 
L. I., April 7, 1840, to John T. and Elizabeth 
(Mudge) Valentine, and his boyhood days were 
spent in the healthful occupations of the farm, 
and in attending the district schools which were 
conducted in the vicinity of his home. He re- 
mained with and assisted his father until he was 
twenty-five years of age, when he formed a part- 
nership in the grocery business with a Mr. Hege- 
man, but the calling proved distasteful to him 
and he sold his interest and embarked in lumber- 
ing, his partner in this enterprise being Mr. Luys- 
ter. After continuing in this business a number 
of years, in connection with his father-in-law, 
Capt. Charles Post, he rented the Glencove Mills 
and carried on an extensive business for many 
years; they finally sold out, however. 

Mr. Valentine is possessed of more than ordi- 
nary inventive genius and in addition to pursuing 
his daily occupations gave much of his attention 
to various inventions and has received patents 
on three. The first was a dust pan which could 



be used without stooping and for which he re- 
ceived a medal from the American Institute. On 
this he has received a royalty from the Central 
Stamping Company, since 1888. 

Mr. Valentine has always been greatly inter- 
ested in horticulture and on his beautiful home 
place of twenty-two acres he annually raises a 
large amount of fruit. In 1872 he built his fine 
home on the sound, which he called Cedar Knoll, 
and to the beautifying of this place much of his 
leisure time is given. Mr. \"alentine is quite an 
expert wood carver, which he does for pleasure 
and not for gain. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Emily T. Post, a daughter of Capt. Charles and 
Maria A. (Townsend) Post, and to their marriage 
two children have been given. Charles P. was 
educated in the Polytechnic Institute of Brook- 
lyn, after having graduated from the Friends' 
Academy; he is teller in the Glencove Bank. He 
was married to Miss Annie Laurie, November 
12, 1895, and she and her sister own the old 
homestead of Elias Hicks, where she was born. 
The other child of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine is 
Helen T., who was born in December, 1881. ^Ir. 
Valentine is a birth-right member of the Society 
of Friends, and politically has always.been a Re- 
publican, although he has never been an official 
aspirant. He served as general superintendent 
of Queens County Agricultural Society five years. 
In 1892 he was elected a member of the school 
board, was made treasurer of the same in 1894 
and in 1895 president. 

Capt. Charles Post, father-in-law of Mr. A'al- 
entine, was born at Westbury, L. I., May 30, 
1 81 8, his parents being James and Phoebe (Wil- 
lis) Post, the former of whom was also born on 
Long Island and was a tiller of the soil by occu- 
pation. He was educated in private schools un- 
der the tutelage of the Society of Friends, to 
which his ancestors belonged, and continued in 
farm labor until he was twenty-one years old, 
when he and Elias Lewis each borrowed Si, 000 
with which they built a store on the old Post 
homestead and embarked in general merchandis- 
ing. A postoffice was soon established, of which 
Mr. Post was made postmaster soon after the in- 
auguration of Martin A'an Buren. and the old 
building in which he first did business is still 
standing and used for business purposes. 

After continuing thus in business for a tew 
years Mr. Post sold out to his partner, and after 
his marriage, when ho was about twenty-four or 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



813 



twenty-five, he removed to Paterson, N. J., where 
he estabhshed himself in the grocery business 
with his brother-in-law. He remained there but 
a short time, however, owing to the ill health of 
his wife. Soon after he became captain of a 
sailing vessel and made weekly trips from North 
Roslyn to New York, carrying produce, but a 
few years later he embarked in the grain and feed 
business in New York City, and thither moved 
his family. Five years later he returned to Ros- 
lyn and became part owner of a steamboat, and 
in 1861 became captain of a vessel, which plied 
between that place and New York, and stopped 
at all the points of any importance along the 
coast. In 1862 he began transporting troops to 
the South for the government, but a few months 
later his business called him home, and for some 
fourteen years thereafter he was in the steam- 
boat business. In the meantime he had moved 
to Glencove and since his retirement from steam- 
boating he has been practically retired from the 
active duties of life. He and his wife became the 
parents of one child, who is the wife of Mr. Val- 
entine. 

Captain Post was originally a Democrat in his 
political views and cast his first Presidential vote 
for Martin Van Buren in 1840. Although he 
has never sought office he has been highway 
commissioner of the town of North Hempstead 
about six years. He is also a birth-right member 
of the Society of Friends. He has always been 
a public-spirited man and was one of the found- 
ers of the Glencove Bank and is a director and 
chairman of the executive committee. Mrs, Post 
was an exceptionally intelligent and amiable 
woman and after a happy married life died in De- 
cember, 1892. 



NICHOLAS CONZET, JR., postmaster at 
College Point, has spent his entire life in 
this place, where he was born November 
16, 1861. He is the son of Nicholas Conzet, Sr., 
a native of Germany, who came to America in 
1854, and at once settled at College Point. At 
that time there were very few houses here and 
the population was small; he has been a witness 
of the many improvements in the village, and 
has himself been an important factor in its 
growth. By his marriage to Catharine Jung, 
eight children were born, of whom five are living, 
namely: Lena, Nicholas, of this sketch; Catha- 



rine, who lives in Paterson, N. J.; Matthew and 
Elizabeth, who reside in College Point. 

The first employment of our subject was in a 
rubber factory, but the company failed and he 
was obliged to seek work elsewhere. For four 
years he was employed by the Enterprise Com- 
pany, and during that time gained a good idea 
of the business, which he left to accept a position 
in a rubber factory in Hoboken. Later he gave 
up that position to accept the office of deputy 
cattle inspector, serving ten months, or until the 
appropriation was exhausted. His next position 
was in the silk ribbon factory, where he remained 
two years and learned the trade. Entering the 
railroad business, he became the first motorman 
on the electric road at College Point, continuing 
in that capacity one year and two months. 

One year was then spent in the ribbon works, 
after which, March i, 1894, Mr. Conzet was ap- 
pointed postmaster by President Cleveland. He 
is an enterprising, affable and accom.modating 
official, and is popular, not only with members 
of his own party — the Democratic — but also with 
those of other opinions. Socially he is connected 
with the Order of Foresters. His father's family 
are identified with the Catholic Church. He is 
a genial, companionable young man. and has a 
host of warm friends among his acquaintances 
in this part of the county. 



JOHN BECKER, a highly esteemed citizen 
of College Point, was born in Obernkirchen, 
Prussia, Germany, February 23, 1843, ^^^ 
is a member of an old Prussian family. His 
grandfather, John Becker, was engaged in farm 
pursuits in Obernkirchen throughout his entire 
active life. The father, Jacob, did not, however, 
choose a similar line of work, but learned the 
trade of a carpenter and builder, which calling 
he followed until his death. In the spring of 

1854, having resolved to seek a home in the New 
World, he took passage on a sailer at Havre, 
which anchored in the harbor of New York twen- 
ty-eight days later. For one year he followed 
the carpenter's trade in Brooklyn, but June 5, 

1855, established his home in College Pomt, which 
remained his place of residence as long as he 
lived. Being prospered in carpentry, he deter- 
mined to begin contracting and accordingly in 
1866 began that line of work, in which he met 
with success. His death occurred in July, 1879, 
when he was almost seventy years old. In relig- 



8i4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ious faith he was a Catholic. His wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Margaret Thil, was born in 
Prussia and died in College Point at the age of 

eighty. 

Of the parental family five children attained 
maturity, and four are now living, namely: 
Frank, a resident of College Point; Jacob and 
John, who comprise the firm of Becker Brothers; 
and Nicholas, a police officer in New York City. 
Our subject spent the first eleven years of his life 
in Germany, and after coming to this country 
was a student in the public schools of Brooklyn. 
At the age of fourteen he began to work in the 
Enterprise rubber factory, being employed in 
the soft rubber department. About 1867 he re- 
signed his position in order to work at the car- 
penter's trade, forming a partnership with his 
father and brother Jacob as Becker & Sons. On 
the death of the father the title was changed to 
Becker Brothers. Tlie firm had the contract for 
St. Fidelis' Catholic Church, the finest building 
in College Point: also the contracts for the con- 
vent and parochial school, Funke's factory and 
residence, and a great many private houses. 

In High Street, on a convenient location, Mr. 
Becker erected a residence for his family, and 
attached to it he has a greenhouse. He was united 
in marriage, at College Point, with Miss Mary 
Rheinhardt, who was born in Brooklyn. They 
are the parents of nine children, all of whom are 
at home, and named as follows: Caroline; John, 
Jr., and Nicholas, who are carpenters in the em- 
ploy of their father; George, a silk weaver; An- 
nie, Dena, Lizzie, Rosa and Joseph. The Dem- 
ocratic party has in Mr. Becker a firm friend and 
ally, and he frequently attends local conventions. 
For one year he held the office of marshal, but 
refused to accept it for a longer time. He belongs 
to St. Fidelis' Catholic Church and Society and 
the Steube Kosse. For twenty-nine years he was 
a member of the Union Engine Company (now 
Union Hose Company No. i). and was its fore- 
man for some vears. 



C 



.'\RI^ LANKOW, one of the progressive 
citizens of Astoria, has been successfully 
engaged in the manufacture of cigars 
since 1873. He was born in 1836 in Mecklem- 
burg, Germany, which was the birthplace of his 
parents, Henry and Louisa (Sasz) Lankow. They 
were both zealous members of the Lutheran 
Church and arc now deceased. 



The parental family included fourteen children, 
of whom six are now living, three of this num- 
ber making their home in the L^nited States. Carl, 
of this history, was reared on the farm which his 
father owned, and, as was the custom in his na- 
tive land, attended school until a lad of fourteen 
years. Thus early in life he began to make his 
own way and was apprenticed to a cigarmaker 
in Schwerin. After serving three years he was 
pronotmced an expert workman and continued 
to be thus engaged in that place until he attained 
his majority. Two years later, however, he went 
to Hamburg, where he worked at his trade for 
several years. 

July 31, 1863, young Lankow determined to 
try his fortunes in America and accordingly en- 
gaged passage on the sailing vessel "Bertha," 
which was landed in due time in New York. Mr. 
Lankow could not immediately find work at his 
trade, and as he was about out of money, he was 
variously employed for one year. After that he 
worked at his trade for others until 1873, when 
he embarked in business for himself in Astoria. 
With the exception of one year he 'has since 
been located at No. 91 Fulton Street, where he 
purchased a three-story building, 25x100 feet in 
dimensions. As his business did not occupy his 
entire time and attention he opened a boarding 
house in the upper portion of the building, and 
this is now managed by his son, Paul, who also 
runs a retail cigar store. Our subject attends 
to the factory and is doing a large wholesale and 
retail business. He manufactures the "Sports," 
a five-cent cigar, and the "Schuetzen," sold for ten 
cents. He is the owner of four residences built 
in a row in IMark Place and is one of the promi- 
nent business men of the city. In all his dealings 
he has been honest and upright and has thus 
earned and gained the respect and esteem of his 
neighbors and friends. 

The marriage of Carl Lankow and Miss !Mary 
Freiershausen occurred in New York City in 
1 865. She was born in Hanover, and was the daugh- 
ter of John and granddaughter of John Freiers- 
hausen, farmers by occupation, who came of an 
old and respected German family. The mother of 
A'Irs. Lankow was before her marriage known as 
Dora Steinfort. The family are Lutherans in 
religion. 

To our subject and his excellent wife were born 
eight children, of whom only four are now liv- 
ing. Ernest F. holds a position with the Birk- 
beck Company of New York City, and resides in 




D. L. VAN NOSTRAND. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



817 



Greenpoint; Charles makes his home in Astoria; 
Paul runs the boarding house and cigar store 
we have referred to above, and Delaware is still 
at home with his parents. 

Mr. Lankow is ver)' much interested in the 
welfare of his community and for two years was 
a member of the board of excise. He is a stanch 
Republican in politics, and besides being general 
committeeman has been a delegate to state con- 
ventions. He is a true Christian gentleman and 
for some time was an official member of the Ger- 
man Second Reformed Church of Long Island 
City. 



DAVID L. VAN NOSTRAND, one of the 
leading citizens of Little Neck, is a man 
who combines energy and industry with 
excellent judgment, which traits have brought 
ereat success to his efforts and labors. He is the 
proprietor of a coal yard in this place and also 
deals extensively in fertilizers and agricultural 
implements, besides owning a prosperous feed 
store. He is in much demand throughout the 
community as an auctioneer, and as a business 
man he ranks among the foremost. 

August 30, 1851, Mr. Van Nostrand was born 
in this place, his parents being Albert and Har- 
riet (Williams) Van Nostrand. The parental fam- 
ily included seven children, of whom one is de- 
ceased. In 1819 the father was also born at Lit- 
tle Neck, and on attaining years of maturity he 
adopted the vocation of a farmer, in which he was 
very successful. In business affairs he was well 
known and the influence of his noble life will long 
be remembered by those with whom he came in 
contact. He was very popular in the commun- 
ity and for some fifteen years held the office of 
town trustee. A worthy member of the Re- 
formed Church of Manhasset, he was for many 
years deacon and elder of his congregation, hold- 
ing the latter office at the time of his demise, 
which occurred in 1894. 

The subject of this sketch attended the public 
schools from the age of six to seventeen years, 
when he began his career as clerk in a grocery 
at Mineola. During the three years of his stay 
there he learned the rudiments of success in busi- 
ness, which in after years were of great value to 
him. At the end of the three years he returned 
to Little Neck and for one year was employed as 
clerk in one of the grocery stores of this place. 
He then embarked in business in this line for him- 
33 ' ' 



self and for two years stood at the head of 
successful grocers in this place. After dis- 
posing of his stock of goods he opened 
a coal yard, which proved successful from the 
first, and about one year ago he opened a branch 
yard, his interests in this line having increased to 
such extensive proportions that this move was 
necessary. By honesty and fair dealing he has 
gained a splendid patronage and is numbered 
among the wealthy residents of Little Neck. His 
feed store has also netted him a good income and 
about ten years ago he became agent for fertil- 
izers. 

In the year 1880 Mr. Van Nostrand was elect- 
ed to the office of justice of the peace on the 
Democratic ticket and so well and faithfully did 
he discharge the duties of this position that he 
was retained in this capacity for nine years. In 
1889 he was the nominee of his party for super- 
visor and his popularity was such that he was 
elected by a handsome majority. He is now serv- 
ing his fifth successive term in that office, and his 
second term as president of the board. 

The utmost confidence is reposed in Mr. Van 
Nostrand's ability and honesty as a business man, 
and on the death of Albert Benz, he was made ex- 
ecutor of his valuable estate. He is also assignee 
of the livery business of G. B. Mickle. Socially 
he is a member of Cornucopia Lodge, F. & A. 
M., of Flushing, and takes great pleasure in the 
meetings of the Niantic Club of that place, with 
which he is also connected. In religious affairs 
he is a devoted member of the Reformed Church. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1883 was Miss Mary E., daughter of Luke Fleet 
of Mineola. To them has been born a daughter, 
Viola, who is now eleven years of age. Few men 
in this community are better known or more 
highly respected than Mr. Van Nostrand. 



FRANK WILEY, superintendent and direc- 
tor of the Norton Can Company, of White- 
stone, was born in Macomb, III, August 
23> 1859. being a son of Thomas and Mary 
(Treudley) Wiley. His boyhood days were spent 
in his native place, and after the death of his 
father, a machinist, which occurred when he was 
twelve years of age, he was obliged to make his 
own way in the world. Coming East with his 
mother, he spent more than a year in this part 
of the country, and upon his return to Macomb 
he began to learn the tinsmith's trade, at which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he served an apprenticeship of three years. On 
conchiding his term of service, he continued to 
work in the same shop for eighteen months, 
after which he went to Chicago and took a posi- 
tion with Norton Brothers, manufacturers of cans. 

The efficiency of the young workman was soon 
recognized, and from the bench Mr. Wiley was 
promoted to be foreman. In 1890 he came to 
Whitestone and has since been superintendent of 
the works here, managing his responsible duties 
in a manner highly satisfactory to the members 
of the company. He is also a stockholder and 
director of the company. While in Chicago he 
was united in marriage, December 28, 1882, with 
Miss Katie E. Potter, of Sandwich, III, daughter 
of Theron and Sarah (Bacon) Potter. Mrs. Wiley 
was born in Sandwich, and there attended the 
pviblic schools, receiving a good education and 
making that village her home until the time of 
her marriage. 

The first presidential ballot cast by our subject 
was in support of James A. Garfield, in 1880, and 
from that time to this he has been a loyal, en- 
thusiastic Republican, always firm in his allegi- 
ance to party principles. At different times he 
has represented his party as delegate to local con- 
ventions, but is not a politician in the ordinary 
usage of that word, preferring to give his time 
and energies to his business matters. Fraternally 
he is connected with Anchor Lodge No. 729, F. 
& A. M., at College Point, in which he is a lead- 
ing worker. 



HON. RICHARD C. McCORMaCK, M. C, 
known and honored as one of the promi- 
nent men of Long Island, has a fame that 
is not merely local, but national as well. His 
talents, ripened by travel and study, his political 
experience, his well tried patriotism and his faith- 
ful service while occupying the many important 
trusts committed to his care, prove him to be a 
man eminently worthy of his present distin- 
guished position. 

The life which this article sketches began in 
New York City May 23, 1832. There, under the 
careful training of his parents, Richard C. and 
Sarah M. McCormick, and of the best instructors 
in private institutions of learning, the boy grew 
to manhood, fitted by natural gifts and educa- 
tion to sustain his part in the battle of life. He 
first came to Queens County in 1850 as a visitor 
in his father's summer cottage at Woodhaven, 



and a feAv years afterward he established his home 
in Jamaica, where he now resides. In 1854-55 he 
traveled extensively in Europe, spending some 
weeks in the camps of the allied forces before 
Sebastopol, from which place he wrote letters 
that were published. in the New York papers and 
subsequently in book form. 

Upon returning to the United States, Mr. ^Ic- 
Cormick entered business in New York with 
his father. Having a taste for journalism, in i860 
he became a member of the staff of the "New 
York Evening Post," and as its special corre- 
spondent during the first and second years of the 
Civil War, he was stationed at Washington and 
with the Army of the Potomac. In 1862, in a 
Republican convention presided over by ex- 
Governor John A. King, he was nominated to 
represent the Long Island District in Congress. 
His competitor for the nomination was George 
William Curtis, who, with Horace Greeley and 
other prominent men, supported him in the cam- 
paign. He ran considerably ahead of his ticket 
in the district, which then included Queens, Suf- 
folk and Richmond Counties. In 1863 he Avas 
appointed secretarv of Arizona by President Lin- 
coln, and in that territory it is a saying to this 
day that Richard C. McCormick was the best 
governor they ever had, for to this position he 
was appointed by President Johnson in 1866, at 
the request of William H. Seward and others. He 
was active in the development and defense of 
the southwestern frontier. In 1869 he was elected 
to represent the territory in Congress and was 
twice re-elected, the last time without opposi- 
tion. During his service of six years his record 
was so praiseworthy that James G. Blaine, who 
was Speaker of the House for the same period, 
states in his "'Twenty Years in Congress" that 
"In Congress Richard C. McCormicK became 
distinguished for the zeal and ability with which 
he guarded the interests of his constituents." 
While in Congress he was appointed L'nitcd 
States centennial commissioner by President 
Grant, and for several years spent much of his 
time in Philadelphia, where he rendered import- 
ant service in connection with the Centennial 
Exhibition. 

President Hayes, in 1877, tendered Mr. Mc- 
Cormick the appointment of minister to Brazil, 
but this honor he declined. In the same year he 
was appointed assistant secretary of the L'^nited 
States treasury, at the request of the secretary, 
Hon. John Sherman. Upon his resignation a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



5i9 



year later the ''Washington Post," a Democratic 
journal, paid him this tribute: "The retirement of 
Hon. R. C. McCormick from the assistant secre- 
taryship of the treasury, while it deprives the pub- 
lic of as efficient an officer as ever filled any po- 
sition, is a matter of peculiar personal regret to 
ourselves and to the entire guild of journalism. 
We choose to speak of Mr. McCormick as a gen- 
tleman, and, independently of political considera- 
tions, to say of him that there is no position in the 
gift of the administration which he is not quali- 
fied to honor. He is a conspicuous exception 
to the rule of men whom a little brief author- 
ity puffs up. He is the same unobtrusive, af- 
fable gentleman in office and out of it; and he 
was as entirely non-partisan in the administra- 
tion of treasury affairs as he was devoted to his 
party when secretary of its national committee." 

Two weeks after resigning the assistant secre- 
taryship of the treasury, Mr. McCormick was ap- 
pointed commissioner general to the Universal 
Exposition in Paris by the President and con- 
firmed on the same day by the Senate. So ju- 
dicious was he in the management of the financial 
part of the work that he returned to the govern- 
ment an unexpended balance of $10,000, from 
the Congressional appropriation. His service 
continued until the close of the exposition, and 
received the commendation of the United States 
government and he was decorated by the French 
Republic. 

In recognition of his efficient services in Paris, 
Mr. McCormick was offered the Mexican mis- 
sion, but declined the post. In 1881 he returned 
to the family homestead at Jamaica, where he 
has since resided. Taking a lively interest in 
local affairs, he served as president of the board 
of education from 1884 until 1889, and later be- 
came the first president of the board of managers 
of the State Normal School. In 1886 he was 
nominated for Congress against Hon. Perry Bel- 
mont, whose majority of 4,000 in 1884 he re- 
duced to less than one thousand, including Rich- 
mond County, and to less than two hundred in 
the present Congressional district of Queens and 
Suffolk Counties. This was regarded by both 
parties as a remarkable run, reflecting much 
credit upon Mr. McCormick. It was, bowever, 
surpassed by the election in the fall of 1894, when 
he was chosen to Congress by a majority of six 
thousand, a record never before gained by any 
Republican candidate in the district. This over- 
whelming majority proves, better than words 



could do, Mr. McCormick's popularity with the 
people and the esteem in which he is held by 
all, irrespective of political affiliations. This pop- 
ularity has not been a mere ephemeral growth, 
but has steadily increased throughout the long 
period of his public service. 

In 1865 Mr. McCormick married Margaret, 
daughter of Isaac L. Hunt, Esq., of Rahway, N. 
J. She died at Prescott, Ariz., in 1867. In 1873, 
at Washington, D. C, he married Elizabeth, 
youngest daughter of Hon. Allen G. Thurman, 
United States Senator from Ohio. 

As a citizen Mr. McCormick has proved him- 
self public-spirited and patriotic, ardent in his 
support of our free institutions and generous in 
the aid which he has given to all enterprises hav- 
ing, for their object the moral and material wel- 
fare of the community, state and nation. While 
engrossed by public duties, he has retained a 
fondness for social enjoyments, to which he 
brings a genial disposition and an unusually var- 
ied information gained by reading, travel and 
a wide acquaintance. The lineaments of his char- 
acter are marked and clear. Nature endowed him 
with an acute understanding, lively sensibility, 
executive energy and thoughtful judgment. 
Nothing in bis life is artificial or pretentious, and 
his influence in Congress and as the incumbent 
of other official positions has not been the result 
of "luck" or "chance," but rather through the 
exercise of inherent qualities of mind and heart. 
His personal character is above reproach, and is 
notable alike for public virtue and private integ- 
rity. 



ALOIS LAUX, a well-to-do and respected 
citizen of Astoria, is manager of Sohmer 
& Co.'s piano factory, which is located in 
Long Island City. He has been a resident of 
this section for the past twenty-five years and has 
followed his present occupation during the great- 
er part of that time. 

Mr. Laux was born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, 
in 1849. His father, Henry Laux, was also a 
native of that place and there followed the occu- 
pation of cab maker until 1862, when he emigrated 
to America with his family. On landing in New- 
York City he readily obtained employment at his 
trade and continued to make his home in the 
metropolis until he was ready to retire. He then 
came to Astoria and lived with our subject until 
his decease. His wife was Barbara Breinig, also 



820 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a native of the Fatherland. They became the 
parents of seven sons and one daughter, whom 
they reared to occupy good and useful positions 
in life. 

Alois, of this sketch, was educated in the model 
schools of his native land, and for a few weeks 
after coming to America he attended school in 
New York City in order that he might the more 
readily speak the English language. When ready 
to start out in life for himself he was apprenticed 
to a jeweler to learn the trade, and on mastering 
the business was given a position with Smith & 
Hedges, prominent jewelers of the city, with 
whom he remained for a period of eighteen years. 
In 1887, however, he resigned in order that he 
might become the manager of the piano factory 
of Sohmer & Co. He has made the manufacture 
of pianos a study since entering the employ of 
the present company and is now one of the most 
experienced in this line in the east. He is doubly 
interested in the business, since his only sister 
became the wife of Mr. Sohmer. 

About the year 1870 Mr. Laux took up his 
residence in Long Island City. Genial manners 
and strict integrity of purpose are traits of char- 
acter which have made A^r. Laux very popular 
in the community. His judgment is excellent 
and he possesses a large amount of mechanical 
genius, which has aided him greatly in attaining 
his present high standing in the community. 

Mr. Laux and Miss Sophia Leonard were mar- 
ried in Astoria in 1887. The latter, who was born 
in New York City, was the daughter of F. W. 
Leonard, a respected resident of the metropolis. 
Mr. and Mrs. Laux have a son and daughter, 
Hugo and Tillie. Our subject takes great pleas- 
ure in meeting with the Astoria Mannerchor, 
of which he is a member. He was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Frohsinn and for many years was 
president of this society. In national affairs he 
is an ardent Republican, but during local elec- 
tions votes for the man regardless of party lines. 



HENRY A. VAN ALLEN came to Jamaica 
at the age of sixteen years and has since 
become an influential citizen of this village, 
bearing a worthy part in the battle of life as a 
private individual and serving with ability in po- 
sitions of trust and responsibilit}'. He is one of 
the number before whom discouragements flee 
and who surmount obstacles that lie in their way 
witliout letting the world into the secret of their 



existence. He has therefore gamed a compe- 
tency where many would have failed and has 
pushed to a successful conclusion affairs that in 
other hands would have resulted far differently. 

In the achievement of financial success Mr. 
Van Allen has been unassisted, and what he has 
and what he is may be attributed to his own perse- 
verance and determination. He was born in 
Brooklyn, N. Y., March 19, 1841. At the age 
of seven he was orphaned by his father's death 
and soon afterward he began the struggle for a 
livelihood. When sixteen, he came to Jamaica 
and secured work on a farm, receiving his board 
in exchange for his services. Three years later' 
he took a piece of land to cultivate on shares, in 
which way he was engaged several years. He 
was very frugal in his "expenditures and saved 
his earnings until he was enabled to purchase a 
place on the old South Road. There he engaged 
in preserving fruit, which he put into glass jars, 
being one of the first to adopt this plan. In it he 
was successful and accumulated considerable 
money. 

The next enterprise in which Air. Van Allen 
embarked was that of supplying the Long Island 
Railroad with ties, and in this, too, he was pros- 
pered. The profits were invested in real estate, 
which, increasing in value, enabled him to rea- 
lize largely from the investments. He still con- 
tinues the railroad tie business, in addition to 
which he has also been an extensive dealer in 
hard lumber and in fertilizers. Wealth has come 
to him as the result of his judicious management, 
and for years he has had a large bank account, at 
one time drawing his check for $30,000. 

Mr. Van Allen has been called upon to fill va- 
rious official positions and has honored every 
position which he has filled, by proving capable, 
faithful and eminently trustworthy. For twelve 
years he has been a member of the village board, 
and in this capacity he has labored for the welfare 
of the people, fearlessly opposing every measure 
which he believes will be detrimental to their in- 
terests. He never hesitates to express his opin- 
ion on any subject, no matter what the opposi- 
tion may be. In the Queens County Agricul- 
tural Society, of which he is a life memljer, he 
takes an active interest. 

By his marriage to Catherine Tasker, a native 
of Jamaica, Air. Van Allen has a son and daugh- 
ter. The latter, Emma, is the wife of George 
Rocckel, a merchant at Foster's Aleadow, Queens 
County, and also a partner with his father-in-law 




ALFRED W. PRATT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



823 



in the fertilizer business. The son, S. M., early 
displayed the aptitude for business which is a 
family characteristic; at the age of seventeen he 
began in the coal business and has built up a 
large trade and won a flattering degree of success. 
He married Miss Gussie, daughter of Dr. Bell, of 
Jamaica. 



ALFRED W. PRATT. To the one who ap- 
plies himself diligently and tirelessly to 
any branch of business, success will al- 
most invariably come. The life of Mr. Pratt of 
Flushing furnishes no exception to this rule. 
Though beginning without capital, he has been 
enabled, through industrious and judicious effort, 
to accumulate a handsome competency, and since 
1894 has lived retired from active business enter- 
prises, retaining, however, his interest in the 
works with which his name has long been con- 
nected. 

Born in Watertown, near Boston, Mass., in 
1833, the subject of this sketch is a son of Asa 
and Eliza (Stone) Pratt, both natives of Massa- 
chusetts and of Enghsh descent. The father, who 
was a man of integrity, inherited from his Revo- 
lutionary ancestors a patriotic spirit that charac- 
terized him throughout his entire life; he was a 
public-spirited citizen and a hard-working man, 
his trade being that of a cabinet-maker. Of his 
eleven children, only five are living, our subject 
being the next to the oldest. He passed his 
childhood years in Watertown, Mass., where he 
attended the public schools, and where, tuider his 
father's instruction, he worked at the cabinet- 
maker's trade. In 1856 he went to New York 
City, and took a position with C. T. Reynolds & 
Co., No. 108 Fulton Street, the oldest house of 
the kind in the metropolis. His efficiency led to 
his promotion to the position of superintendent 
of the works, in which capacity he was employed 
until 1867. 

Meantime having gained a thorough knowl- 
edge of the manufacture of paints and varnishes, 
Mr. Pratt resolved to start in business for him- 
self. Accordingly, in 1867, he built his varnish 
works in Fifth Street, Long Island City, later re- 
moving to Fourth Street, where he secured more 
commodious quarters, having a frontage of one 
hundred and fifty feet. Two years were spent 
alone, after which he took in a partner and the 
firm name became Pratt & Lambert. The con- 
cern was incorporated with Charles Pratt, a 



brother of our subject, as president, while he 
filled the position of superintendent. It was 
largely due to his efforts that they established the 
largest varnish works in Long Island City, and 
although he retired from active business in 1894, 
he is still financially interested in the Pratt & 
Lambert Manufacturing Company. He invent- 
ed and patented the celebrated Pratt's Patent 
Liquid Dryer, which is still manufactured exten- 
sively in the works. In addition to the plant in 
Long Island City, the firm has a branch factory 
in Chicago and two in Long Island City, and at 
one time had a factory in Newark, N. J., but this 
has been discontinued. The volume of business 
is very large, and the sales aggregate an amount 
equal to those of any other similar concern, the 
superior quality of the products having secured a 
national reputation for the firm. 

After establishing his plant in Long Island 
City, Mr. Pratt selected Flushing as his place of 
residence and here he has remained since 1868. 
He was married in Boston to Miss Sarah Hills, 
who was born in that city, and they became the 
parents of six children, all but two of whom are 
living. Politically he was originally a Whig, and 
on the organization of the Republican party he 
became identified with it and has since been a 
stanch supporter of its principles. Fraternally 
he is connected with Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, 
F. & A. M. While in his youth he had only a 
common-school education, yet, with his strong 
mind and great love for reading, he keeps him- 
self thoroughly posted on the events of the day, 
and can always speak intelligently upon ques- 
tions of a public nature. 



DANIEL McCarthy, who is engaged in 
the grocery business at No. 78 Fifth 
Street, Long Island City, was born in 
Ahabologue Parish, County Cork, Ireland, in 
1857. His father, who, though bearing the name 
of Eugene, was usually called Owen, engaged in 
farming pursuits throughout his entire active life, 
but in his old age lived retired from business 
cares. Fle died in 1890 at the age of ninety years. 
One of his brothers, Daniel, settled in Long Is- 
land City about 1863 and some years aftenvard 
opened a grocery store, which he conducted until 
his death in 1891. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Mary Sullivan and was born in the par- 
ish of Ahabologue, County Cork, Ireland. Now 



824 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ninety-two years of age (1896), she makes her 
home at the old place in Donoughmore, and is in 
fair health considering her advanced age. Her 
family consisted of three sons and three daugh- 
ters, but the daughters are all deceased, and of 
the sons, Daniel, who is the youngest, is the only 
one in the United States. 

In his boyhood our subject attended the na- 
tional schools of Ireland, but his studies were dis- 
continued at the age of seventeen, when he began 
to do for himself. He remained at home the most 
of the time until he was nearly twenty-four, and 
then, in 1881, he took passage at Queenstown 
April 13 and landed in New York April 22. From 
New York he came direct to Long Island City, 
and for the four and one-half years following he 
was in the employ of the Warren Chemical Com- 
pany. Later he took charge of his uncle's gro- 
cery store, to the possession of which he suc- 
ceeded at the death of the owner. He is carrying- 
on a general trade in staple and fancy groceries, 
together with such other articles as are to be 
found in a first-class store of this kind. He owns 
the three-story building at No. 78 Fifth Street, 
and also owns Nos. 70-72 Fifth Street. 

Since coming to this country Mr. McCarthy 
has aimed to become familiar with the institutions 
of the government and has manifested the deepest 
loyalty to his adopted home, tliough by no means 
forgetting the land of his birth. Politically he 
supports the platform of the Democratic party. 
He is a Catholic in religious belief, trained in 
that faith from boyhood, and now holds member- 
ship in St. Mary's Church. His wife, formerly 
Miss Maggie Mahon, is a daughter of John Ma- 
hon, an old settler of Pittston, Pa., where she 
was born, reared and married. 



NICHOLAS LOTT, a retired farmer of the 
town of Jamaica, was born October 26, 
1844, on the old homestead, which is but a 
short distance from his present comfortable 
home, whicli is located on the plank road. His 
father, Stephen N. Lott, who was also born on 
the old place, July 20, 1820. was an only child 
and upon attaining mature years adopted the call- 
ing of a farmer for his life work. He was a prom- 
inent memjjer of the Dutch Reformed Church 
and was a teaclier and assistant superintendent 
in the Sunday-school for many years. He was 
likewise one of the deacons of his congregation. 
Tlie grcat-grandfalhcr of our subject, also 



named Nicholas, was born August 9, 1779, and 
was a soldier during the War of 1812. When 
ready to establish a home of his own he was mar- 
ried to Adrianna Snediker, whose birth occurred 
July 27, 1794. Nicholas Lott, Sr., departed this 
life July 16, 1828, while his good wife survived 
him until July 13, 1836. The Lott family were 
the original settlers of Flatbush and New Lots. 

The father of our subject was married De- 
cember 13, 1843, to Jiliss Cornelia Vanderveer, 
daughter of Charles and Maria (Van Siclen) 
Vanderveer. The mother died February 20, 1854, 
and of those beside our subject we mention the 
following facts: Charles V., born October 19, 
1846, is spoken of elsewhere in this volume; IMaria 
Gertrude married H. J. Stockpole, who is now de- 
ceased, and she makes her home in Jamaica; Ad- 
rianna married Peter Rapalje and at the time of 
her demise left a family of four children, who are 
now living with their father in New Lots. Ste- 
phen N. Lott was a second time married, the cere- 
mony which united him with Phebe Johnson 
being performed October 31, 1856. This lady 
was the daughter of George and ?ilaria (Lott) 
Johnson, and was his second cousin. 

Nicholas, of this history, followed farming on 
the old homestead until the property became so 
valuable that it was divided into city lots and 
sold. He now owns and occupies two acres ad- 
joining the place of his brother Charles, where 
he is leading a quiet life retired from business of 
any kind. He was married September 5. 1866, 
to Miss Elizabeth B. Gilbert, who was born in 
Hamilton, Canada West. She was the daughter 
of George Gilbert, whose birth occurred in Lei- 
cestershire, England, which was also the birth- 
place of her mother, Elizabeth Bellema. After 
coming to America, Mr. Gilbert located at Flat- 
bush, Brooklyn, where he embarked in the hard- 
ware business, making a success of this venture 
from the first. He still makes his home in the 
City of Churches. His good wife departed this 
life about 1845. 

To ]\Ir. and ]\lrs. Lott there were born nine 
children, of whom one is deceased. George Gilbert 
makes his home at Woodhaven ; he is the father 
of two children, George and Elizabeth Mary. 
Phebe Ella Lott married Aaron T. Hall, who is 
engaged in the milk Isusiness and makes his home 
in Brooklyn: his family includes Allen H., Eliza- 
beth P). and Russell S. Ennna Gilbert became 
the wife of Herbert Truman, an electrician of 
New York. ]\Iaria Gertrude became the wife of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



825 



Wilbur B. White of Orange, N. J.; Stephen N., 
Eliza Jane, Ethel Adrianna and Florence Edna 
are all at home with their parents. 

The home of our subject and his wife is one of 
the most pleasant in the town of Jamaica. Among 
its furnishings the writer noticed an old-fashioned 
clock, and upon making inquiry was told that it 
had been in the family for one hundred and seven- 
ty-five years and was a good time-keeper. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lott are members in excellent stanchng 
and active workers in the Reformed Church. 



JOSEPH GEISER, who represents the 
fifth ward of Long Island City upon the 
board of aldermen, is one of the enterpris- 
ing young business men of Steinway, where for 
some time he has been engaged as a contractor 
and builder. During the busy season of 1895 
he gave employment to fifty men, ^a record which 
he will equal and perhaps outrival in 1896. 
Among the substantial residences of the place 
are many for which he held the contract and 
which in accuracy of finish and elegance of de- 
sign reflect the highest credit upon his ability in 
his chosen occupation. 

The parents of our subject were Anton and 
Mary (Schetzen) Geiser, of whom the former, 
for some years engaged in business in New York 
City, removed in 1869 to Astoria, where he es- 
tablished his home in Debevoise Avenue. He 
carried on business here, and also retained to 
some extent his interests in New York City, until 
his death in 1877. His widow is still living on 
the old homestead in Astoria. They were the 
parents of six children, who attained manhood 
and womanhood, and of these four are still liv- 
ing — Joseph being the youngest of the family. 

Born in New York City in 1861, the subject 
of this notice spent the first eight years of his life 
in the metropolis. In 1869 he was brought by 
his parents to Astoria, Long Island City, and for 
some time afterward was a student in the Fourth 
Ward school. At the age of fourteen he became 
an employe in the veneer mill of Wiiriam H. Wil- 
liams, where he remained about five years. He 
then went to New York, where for three years he 
followed his father's occupation of a framer. Hav- 
ing gained a thorough business experience, he 
felt that the time bad come to embark in an in- 
dependent enterprise, and with this purpose in 
view, he began as a contractor and framer, later 
taking up the work of a builder. In 1895 he 



built the grand pier and bathing house at North 
Beach for Steinway; also Mr. Marfilius' residence 
on Shore Road, as well as many other houses. 
His shop is situated at No. 835 Albert Street, 
while his residence adjoins at No. 837. 

The family of Mr. Geiser consists of his wife 
and three children, Katie, James and William. 
He was married in New York City to Miss 
Sophia Weisenstein, daughter of George Weisen- 
stein, a butcher of Astoria, where she was born. 
Politically Mr. Geiser is a Jeffersonian Democrat 
and has represented his party in ward, city and 
county conventions. He has been on the gen- 
eral committee from the fifth ward and also on 
the ward committee. In the fall of 1893 he was 
elected game constable for Long Island City 
and served from January, 1894, until January, 
1896. In the fall of 1895 he was elected alder- 
man from the fifth ward and took his seat on 
the board January i, 1896. Socially he is con- 
nected with the Order of Chosen Friends. His 
integrity and industrious habits have gained the 
confidence of the people, while his social quali- 
ties have brought him many friends. 



JOHN B. MtCOOK, town clerk of Jamaica, 
was born in the city of New York Septem- 
ber 5, 1858. The family of which he is a 
member originated in Ireland, and was for many 
successive generations very prominent through- 
out the northern part of that country. The vil- ■ 
lage of Cookstown in County Tyrone was named 
after one of its most influential representatives. 
Another of the family was Major-General Mc- 
Cook (a second cousin of our subject), the great 
Indian fighter, whose history is familiar to every- 
one in the United States. 

Alexander McCook, our subject's father, was 
born in Cookstown, and there spent the years of 
his boyhood and youth. In 1848 he crossed the 
Atlantic and settled in New York, where for many 
years he carried on business. For fourteen years 
he was a member of the Ninth Regiment New 
York militia and enlisted for service in the Re- 
bellion, in which conflict his brother, James, was 
killed. His death occurred at his home in Har- 
lem in 1891. The lady whom he married bore the 
maiden name of Rebecca Boyd and is a native of 
New York City; she is now living in Flarlem. 
Of their twelve children eight are still living. 

Educated in the common schools of New York 
City, our subject at an early age assisted his 



826 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father in the management of his cracker business, 
and later took a position with a large silk manu- 
facturing house in New York, where he remained 
for fourteen years. When the firm failed in busi- 
ness he turned his attention to other lines of 
activity. Going to Woodhaven, he engaged in 
the real estate and insurance business, which he 
followed exclusively until his election to the of- 
fice of town clerk in the spring of 1894. He still 
gives some attention to business, combining it 
with his official duties. 

Of a genial, social nature, Mr. McCook holds 
membership in various fraternal clubs and or- 
ganizations. In his political belief he is an ardent 
champion of Republican principles, which he 
never fails to support at the polls. He still makes 
his home at Woodhaven, though his official duties 
demand his almost daily presence in Jamaica. 
December 2, 1879, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Ada, daughter of John Berchiell, for- 
merly superintendent of the Harlem Railroad. 
Two children bless their union, John B. and Ken- 
neth G. A public-spirited citizen, Mr. McCook 
is respected for his kindness to his fellow-men, 
and his honest dealings with all business brings 
him into contact with as well as his generous 
and manly attributes as a neighbor and friend. 



ISAAC MURRAY. This worthy and influen- 
tial citizen is descended from one of the old 
and prominent families on the island. He is 
a native of Springfield, Queens County, born 
December 19, 1838, and was one of ten children 
born to Daniel and Mary (Hendrickson) Murray. 
Five of these children now survive, viz: Daniel, 
Isaac, Henry;- Lettie, now the wife of Theodore 
Pettit; and Amy, wife of George Stevens. Daniel 
Murray, the father of our subject, was a native 
of Fostei-'s Meadow (now Elmont), born about 
1805, and the son of Daniel Murray, Sr. During 
his youthful days he followed the 'sea for a few 
years, but finally settled down to farming near 
Springfield, where he spent the remainder of his 
days, his death occurring in 1890. 

Isaac Murray passed his early life in active 
duties on the farm and in attending the common 
schools, and remained under the parental roof 
until the time of his marriage. After his union 
with Miss Mary E. Bayles, in i860, he purchased 
his present property of his father, and soon after 
located on it. On this tract of land he has re- 
sided for the past thirty-five years and lias made 



many and vast improvements, for he has ever 
been industrious and persevering. Mrs. Murray 
was the daughter of William and Mary (Carpen- 
ter) Ba3des, well-known and prominent citizens 
of this section. 

Mr. and Mrs. Murray have had born to their 
marriage eight children, six of whom now sur- 
vice: Alice L. is the first of this number; John 
H., a prominent farmer of Springfield, is mar- 
ried and has three bright children; Irving W. is 
next; George S., also farming near Springfield, 
is married and has an interesting little child ; Wil- 
liam J. and Jennie M. complete the list, the lat- 
ter being the wife of R. D. Lamberson, and the 
mother of three children. In his politics Mr. 
Murray is a Republican and is one of the well 
known men of the county. 



GODFREY L. MICHON, A. B.. M. D. 
Among the number of skilled physicians 
of Long Island is Dr. Godfrey L. IMichon 
of Astoria, Long Island City, who was born in 
the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1863, while 
his mother was visiting there. His father, Peter 
Michon, was also born there and was descended 
from a fine old French family. He was a mechan- 
ic in iron and a machinist of more than ordinary 
ability. About 1854 he located in Troy, N. Y., 
where he and his wife, whose maiden name was 
Cleopha Picard, lived until their death. The lat- 
ter was also a Canadian by birth. They have 
seven children living, all of whom were born in 
the state of New York, with the exception of the 
subject of this sketch, who was the third of the 
family in order of birth. 

Dr. M'ichon was reared in Troy, and until he 
was twelve years of age attended the public 
schools of that place. He was then placed in La- 
val University, Quebec, and from this well-con- 
ducted institution of learning was graduated in 
1884 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon 
after finishing, his literary course he began the 
study of medicine, and after a thorough course 
he was graduated from the medical department 
of the University of the City of New York in 1887 
as an M. D. He at once located in Yorkville, a 
suburb of New York, where he successfullv prac- 
ticed his profession until January, 1895. when 
Astoria became his field of action. Although his 
professional career here has been verv short, he 
is already winning golden opinions as a capable, 
skilled and conscientious practitioner, and it is 




EDGAR DAVIS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



829 



a foregone conclusion that he will rise to emi- 
nence in his profession. He is a general practi- 
tioner, but makes a specialty of lung and throat 
diseases and in his treatment of the cases that have 
come under his care he has shown that he is re- 
markably competent and well posted. He has 
had considerable experience in contagious dis- 
eases and was physician in Riverside Hospital on 
North Brother Island, where for one year he at- 
tended many cases of typhus fever, smallpox, 
scarlet fever and diphtheretical cases, and thor- 
oughly understands all their symptoms and treat- 
ment. This position was a very dangerous as 
well as a trying one. 

In New York Dr. Michon was married to Miss 
Mary Fallon, a native of this state, and they had 
one child, Godfrey, who died in 1894 at the age 
of two years. The Doctor is a member of several 
medical societies, is popular with his -brother 
practitioners, and without doubt has a bright fu- 
ture. 



EDGAR DAVIS, who comes of sturdy Eng- 
lish stock, has inherited many of the most 
worthy traits of that people. He was born 
in the village of Jericho, December 27, 1838, a 
son of Samuel J. and. Mary (Seaman) Davis, the 
latter being a daughter of Isaac Seaman, a niem- 
ber of an old and prominent family of Queens 
County. The paternal grandfather, who was born 
on Long Island, was engaged in farming, and al- 
though he spent the most of his life in Oyster 
Bay, his last days were spent on his farm. In his 
family were three sons and three daughters, of 
whom Samuel J. was the second in order of birth. 
He was reared on the old homestead, received a 
common-school education and in early life 
learned the mason's trade, at which he worked in 
connection with farming throughout life. He died 
in 1894. His family consisted of five sons and 
three daughters, seven of whom survive. 

When a small lad Edgar Davis began mak- 
ing his home with his maternal grandmother in 
Jericho, and there he was educated in the village 
school. At the age of seventeen years he was 
apprenticed to the mason's trade with his uncle, 
John M. Seaman of Jericho, with whom he re- 
mained for three years, then began doing jour- 
neyman's work, and followed this trade for a 
number of years. In 1865 he established a gen- 
eral mercantile business in Jericho, which he con- 
tinued for ten years. At the end of that time he 



established a bottling business at Hicksville in 
partnership with S. P. O'Hara, under the 
name of the Davis & O'Hara Bottling Works, 
which business they conducted for two years, 
when Mr. Davis purchased his partner's interest 
and continued alone for about twelve years. 
Since that time he has given his attention to real 
estate and auctioneering, which he had followed 
in connection with his other business. He has 
filled a number of town offices, the first of which 
was commissioner of highways. He has since 
been assessor of Oyster Bay, excise commission- 
er for two terms and in 1865 was appointed post- 
master of Jericho, which position he held three 
years. In 1867 he was elected justice of the 
peace, serving in this capacity eleven years, and 
for the past ten years he has been notary pub- 
lic. He carries on quite an extensive business as 
a dealer in real estate and in negotiating loans. 

Mr. Davis has always been a Democrat in his 
political views and for twenty years has been a 
member of the Masonic order. He is also a char- 
ter member of the Royal Arcanum of Hicksville, 
Council No. 1159. In 1865 Mr. Davis was mar- 
ried to Miss Phoebe D. Smith, daughter of Gor- 
man Smith. She was born in Queens County and 
of her children we mention the following facts: 
Laura, an artist of more than ordinary ability, is 
a graduate of the art department of Cooper In- 
stitute, and is now located in New York City, 
where she is pursuing her studies and following 
her profession. Her talent in this line developed 
early and her father has spared no expense in 
giving her every opportunity to become pro- 
ficient; Frank is a successful business man of 
Brooklyn; Mabel is a student in the public 
schools. 

March 3, 1887, the mother of these children 
was called from this life, and in November, 1892, 
Mr. Davis was again married. Miss Margaret La- 
ville becoming his wife. This union has resulted 
in the birth of one child, Sarah S. S., named for 
her grandmother, Sarah Starking Seaman. 



JOHN P. MAHN. In 1886 this gentleman 
came from New York City to College Point 
and here he has since engaged in business 
as a wholesale and retail dealer in butter and 
eggs, imported and domestic cheese, and all kinds 
of fine dehcatessen. His place of business is at 
the corner of Thirteenth Street and Second Ave- 
nue, where he receives daily large shipments of 



830 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fresh Long Island eggs and sweet butter. 
Through care in the purchase of goods and the 
rehabiht}' of his business transactions, he has built 
up a large trade, and is known as an efficient, 
capable man. 

In Germany, where he was born June 5, 1861, 
the subject of this record received a good educa- 
tion in the excellent public schools. At the age 
of seventeen he left his native land and sought a 
home in the United States, believing that he could 
more easily attain a competency here than in the 
Fatherland. His first emplo;;^ment was in a gro- 
cery store of New York City. After a short time, 
however, he proceeded westward to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., where he visited for a few months, but 
not wishing to be idle, he soon embarked in the 
grocery business, being thus engaged for one 
year. He then continued his travels, returning 
to Europe, where he visited not only Germany, 
but other points of interest on the continent. 
After a year he came back to New York and later 
settled in College Point, where he has since re- 
sided. He has established domestic ties, his wife 
being Katie Happeisberger, a native of Germany. 

Mr. Mahn attends closely to business, which he 
finds demands his careful attention, and leaves 
him little time for public affairs. However, he is 
loyally devoted to the institutions of this country 
and has never regretted that he left his native 
land. In youth he was trained in the Lutheran 
religion, which was the faith of his forefathers, 
and he inclines to that denomination, though not 
an active worker in it. Socially he is connected 
with the Improved Order of Red Men, Temple 
of Liberty. 



CHARLES FUCHS, superintendent of the 
water works at College Point and a well- 
known architect, surveyor and civil en- 
gineer at this place, was born in Germany Sep- 
tember 14, 1857. From a long line of German 
forefathers he inherited qualities of energy, thrift 
and prudence, added to which he has the Amer- 
ipan characteristic of pluck. The first thirty years 
of his life were spent in his native land, where he 
had excellent educational advantages in the com- 
mon schools. In early manhood he learned the 
business of a surveyor and civil engineer, of which 
he acquired a tlioroug-h, practical knowledge; 
then, seeking a wider field of labor, he came to 
the United States, landing in New York City. 
For a time he \-\^as employed as a mining engineer 



in Pennsylvania, and thence came to College 
Point, without money or friends, but possessing 
courage, determination and energy. 

Soon after coming to this place Mr. Fuchs 
had an opportunity to demonstrate his ability as 
an engineer, and at once started on the road to 
success. In 1890 he was elected superintendent 
of the water works, which are owned by the vil- 
lage, and in this position he has since rendered 
effective service. The painstaking energ}- with 
which he has devoted himself to the work has 
won him the confidence of the community and 
a high place in the regard of all with whom he 
is associated. As a surveyor and civil engineer 
he is fully equipped for successful work, and the 
contracts which he has taken have always been 
carried ottt honorably and to the letter. Socially 
he is connected with the Ancient Order of Work- 
men and the Masonic fraternity. He married 
Miss Gertrude Eckert, whose parents, Fred and 
Mary Eckert, were born in Germany, but are 
now dead. A son, Charles F., blesses their union. 



CHRISTOPHER HACKETT Avas born in 
Kings County, Ireland, July 31, 1846, and 
comes of an honorable ancestry. His 
father, Christopher, who was a native of Erin 
and an expert shoemaker by trade, died at the 
age of eighty-five; his mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Ellen Lyman, was also a native 
of Ireland and died at the home of her son. Chris- 
topher, in Long Island City. At the age of 
eighteen years Mr. Hackett came to America, 
having received a good education in his native 
land. He had thoroughly mastered his father's 
trade and for several years carried on the busi- 
ness in New York City. 

The store of which Mr. Hackett is now the 
proprietor is the largest on Long Island, outside 
of Brooklyn. It is very spacious, elegantly ap- 
pointed and ably managed. It fronts on three 
streets — Third Street, A'ernon and Jackson Ave- 
nues, two of the principal thoroughfares in Long 
Island City. The store is 50x117 feet, and is di- 
vided into three departments, namely, dry goods, 
boots and shoes, and house furnishings. Mr. 
Hackett commenced his business career in New 
York City, and quickly saw there would be an 
opening in the near future for a first-class general 
store across the East River, in what was then 
known as Hunter's Point. After successfully 
conductin"' a shoe business for about eight vears 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



831 



in First Avenue, New York, he moved to Long- 
Island City, and laid the foundation of his present 
large and successful business. Starting on a 
small scale with a few clerks, his business pros- 
pered under his skillful and able management 
until the present time, when he has in his employ- 
ment eighteen to twenty-five clerks to attend to 
the wants of his numerous patrons. His store is 
the emporium for residents, not only of Long- 
Island City, but all the outlying districts, includ- 
ing every station on the Long Island Railroad 
within a radius of twenty miles. Mr. Hackett is a 
respected resident of Long Island City, and has 
the implicit confidence of all business people with 
whom he daily comes in contact. With his fam- 
ily he resides in his own house in Eleventh Street. 
His business career has been one of honorable 
success in the past and bids fair for a long and 
prosperous future. 

Mr. Hackett was first married in New York 
City to Miss Jane Dempsey, who died in Long 
Island City, three children surviving her: Mrs. 
Mary Hart, of Long- Island City; Joseph, who as- 
sists his father in the store, and Lillie, who re- 
mains at home. Mr. Hackett's second marriage 
occurred in this city and united him with Miss 
Margaret Singleton, who was born in Long Is- 
land City. They have one child, Helen. Their 
home is pretty, comfortable and commodious and 
has become well known for the hospitality which 
is extended to all. 



JACOB BECKER, senior member of the firm 
of Becker Brothers, contractors and build- 
ers at College Point, was born in Obern- 
kirchen, Prussia, August 13, 1835. He is a son 
of Jacob and Margaret (Thil) Becker, also natives 
of Prussia, the former of whom, in the spring of 
1854, brought his family to America, taking pas- 
sage on a sailing vessel at Havre and landing in 
New York after a voyage of twenty-eight days. 
Settling in Brooklyn, he worked for a short time 
at his trade there. June 5, 1855, he came to Col- 
lege Point, where he was employed as a carpenter 
and builder. In 1866 he started out for himself 
as a contractor, in which way he was occupied 
until his death in July, 1879. He was then nearly 
seventy years old; his wife died here at the age 
of eighty. 

Of four sons now living, the subject of this 
record is second in respect to age. He attended 
the parish schools of his native land, and in 1851 



began an apprenticeship to the carpentei-'s trade 
under his father, continuing until he came to 
America. He also followed this occupation in 
Brooklyn, and in 1855 accompanied the other 
members of the family to College Point, where 
he worked at his trade for a few months. When 
work became slack, in the dull season, he secured 
employment in the hard rubber department of the 
rubber works, but in 1865 returned to his trade. 
About 1866 he formed a partnership with his 
father, and the following year John was taken 
into the firm, which is now the oldest of its kind 
in the village. Among the residences -which they 
have built may be mentioned those owned by 
Christopher Seitz, J. Operist, John Haley and 
Mr. Golsner; also the drug store occupied by Mr. 
Hart. In the busy season about fifteen or twenty 
hands are employed and every contract is pushed 
vigorously through the efficient efforts of trained 
assistants. Each brother has a shop in the rear 
of his residence, our subject's being in Tenth 
Street. 

Bv his marriage to Christine Bittenbender, a 
native of Germany, who died in College Point, 
Mr. Becker had ten children, of whom eight are 
living, namely: Mrs. Mary Kopp and Mrs. Liz- 
zie Konzet, both of this village; John, Jr., who is 
a carpenter in business with his father; Mrs. Chris- 
tine Rhinehardt, of College Point; Wilhel- 
mina; Henry, a silk weaver; Jacob, Jr., who is a 
carpenter by trade and works in the employ of 
his father; and Joseph, a silk weaver. For his 
second wife Mr. Becker married Theresa Beham. 
Politically the Democratic party receives the 
stanch support of our subject. In St. Fidelis' 
Catholic Church he serves as a member of the 
board of trustees, and he is also connected with 
St. Fidehs' Society and the Steube Kosse. He 
served four years as a member of Enterprise En- 
gine Company No. 2, but is not at present con- 
nected with that organization. 



BENJAMIN W. CRAFT, proprietor of Mat- 
inecock horse farm, and a well known ag- 
riculturist of the town of Oyster Bay, -was 
born July 13, 1831, and is a son of Simon and 
Temperance (Craft) Craft. His parents, though 
bearing the same name, were members of differ- 
ent families that bore no relation to each other. 
His father, who was a descendant of one of the 
pioneers of Long Island, was born and reared 



832 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on the old homestead now owned b}' Benjamin 
W., and on reaching manhood selected agricul- 
ture as his life occupation, becoming a prominent 
and successful farmer and an influential citizen. 
For many years before his death he was a direc- 
tor of the Glencove Mutual Insurance Company. 
He also served as school and road commissioner 
for a long time, and received the nomination for 
legislature on the Prohibition ticket. At the 
time of his death he and his brother Oliver owned 
two farms in this vicinity, besides property in 
Brooklyn, all of which was acquired through in- 
dustrious and judicious efforts. He was born of 
Quaker parentage and trained in that faith, which 
he always favored, though not a member of the 
society. In his family there were four children, 
namely: Milton O., who was a farmer and lum- 
ber dealer of Glencove; Benjamin W.; Emma E., 
who married H. C. Coles, of Glencove, and is now 
deceased; and Sarah C, who resides in Glencove. 
The boyhood days of our subject were spent 
on the home farm, where he was born and where 
he has spent the principal portion of his life. He 
was educated in the public and private schools 
of Glencove, and on completing his studies took 
charge of the hom.estead, which fell to him at 
the death of his father. The latter, during his lite, 
had given some attention to the horse business, 
and this our subject has increased until he now 
has accommodations for seventy-five horses, the 
most of which come from New York City. 
Among the horses in his charge are some that 
are valuable and noted; including '"Aubine" and 
"Zembia," that for some time held the record for 
a double team. This business has been established 
for sixty years, and our subject has carried it on 
for forty years. He uses on his farm all the. grain 
he raises and is obliged to buy large quantities 
besides in order to properly carry on the stock 
business. 

In 1875 Mr. Craft was elected commissioner of 
highways, which office he held for a number of 
terms. For some time he was assessor of the town 
of Oyster Bay, and served as collector for one 
term. Politically he favors the Democratic plat- 
form. October 2, i860, he married Miss Martha, 
daughter of Ebenezer and Jane Bull, of Hampton- 
burg, Orange County, N. Y. Mrs. Craft's mother 
was a daughter of Waite Pearsall and was reared 
principally in Locust Valley, accompanying her 
parents from here to Orange County, where she 
married Mr. Bull. Afterward, when the family 
visited tlie old home, Mr. Craft met the daughter 



and their friendship ripened into an affection that 
resulted in their marriage. 

Seven children were born .to Mr. and Mrs. 
Craft, of whom five are living, namelv: Anna 
W., a successful professional teacher; John T., 
who went to Montana in 1883 and is now a suc- 
cessful ranchman of Ekalaka, where he has held 
many prominent official positions; Edward E., 
who remains on the home farm and assists in 
carrying on the business; and Harvey C. and 
Laura F., who are with their parents. 



CE. CORNELL. A walk througji the 
business streets of Hempstead soon 
• brings one to the undertaking estab- 
lishment of which Mr. Cornell is the owner and 
proprietor and which, through his energetic ef- 
forts, has been placed on a sound financial basis. 
Not alone is he recognized as an enterprising 
business man, but in the dark hours when death 
enters a home his tact, delicacy and kindness in 
making all necessary arrangements have brought 
to him the esteem and regard of the people. 

In the village of Mineola, one mile north of 
Hempstead, the subject of this sketch was born 
December 5, 1850. The family of which he is a 
member is one among the oldest on Long Island. 
His grandfather, Hallock Cornell, was born at 
Manhasset in 1773 and followed the occupation of 
a farmer, dying when ninety-six years of age. 
His sons were William, Isaac, Jeffrey, Stephen 
and James G. The last named, who was our 
subject's father, was born at ^lanhasset in 1803, 
and engaged in farm pursuits until 1865, when he 
went to Brooklyn and embarked in business; he 
died in that city in 1875. In religious belief he 
was a prominent member of St. George's Church. 
For a time he sensed as under-sheriff of Queens 
County, his father-in-law, Thomas Treadwell, 
being sheriff. 

Our subject's mother, Lydia, daughter of 
Thomas Treadwell, was born in 1820 and died in 
1890. Her brother, \Mlliam, succeeded their 
father as sheriff of Queens County: her sister, 
Catherine, married Benjamin F. Rushmore, who 
was also sheriff of Queens County and the lead- 
ing druggist of Hempstead, as well as one of the 
most prominent citi/-:ens of the place. In the fam- 
ily of James G. and Lydia Cornell there were 
three sons, of whom James E. was a real estate 
dealer at No. 44 Court Street, Brooklyn, but died 
in 1888; his wife, whose maiden name was Anna 




JOHN polhp;mus. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



835 



Suydam, is still living in Brooklyn, as are their 
five children, Miriam, Ella, Carrie, Elizabeth and 
James. The other son, Elbert, who is engaged 
in the lumber business at Richmond, Va., mar- 
ried Julia Barr, of Brooklyn, and they have one 
child, Cora. 

Alternating attendance in the public schools 
with work on the home farm, our subject grew 
to manhood. For three years he was employed 
as a grocery clerk and later for two years was 
clerk for Treadwell, Jerome & Slate, in New 
York, after which he was for five years cashier 
in his father's large restaurant in Brooklyn. 
Thence, in 1883, he came to Hempstead and here 
he has since carried on a successfuk business as 
an undertaker. In 1872 he married Miss Alice, 
daughter of Thomas C. Weeks, of Hempstead. 
They are the parents of two living children. Lulu 
N. and Fred E., and also lost two in infancy. 

Taking an active interest in politics, Mr. Cor- 
nell gives his vote to the candidates of the Repub- 
lican party. For seven years he was collector of 
Hempstead, but retired in 1894, refusing a re- 
nomination. His service in that capacity, as in 
every other to which he was called, was marked 
by consistent integrity and efliciency. In relig- 
ious belief he is connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He is identified with the 
Mutual Benefit Association of the village, and 
socially holds membership in the Royal Arcanum 
and the Shield of Honor. 



JOHN POLHEMUS, who died in Flushing 
December 14, 1894, was one of the oldest 
and most successful printers in New York 
City. He was born near Haverstraw, Rockland 
County, N. Y., December 15, 1826, and was a 
self-made man in all that the words imply. He 
was first employed in a cotton factory and was 
afterwards on the Morris and Lehigh Canal, but 
later he went to New York City, and in 1842 be- 
gan learning the printer's trade. He distinguished 
himself by his skill, and in 1852 formed a part- 
nership with John De Vries, under the firm name 
of Polhemus & De Vries, but this was later dis- 
solved. 

Mr. Polhemus then took up his quarters at 
No. 102 Nassau Street, on the top floor, but as 
business increased he occupied the floors below 
it and began at once to accumulate type so that 
he might be prepared for emergencies. One year 
the firm used over twenty thousand pounds. He 



accomplished the feat of printing "Gaulding's 
New York Directory" in eleven days. Lately the 
oflice has been removed to No. 121 Fulton Street. 
Mr. Polhemus was a member of the Typothetae, 
founded in 1863, and on its revival in 1883 he 
agam became a member. Besides serving as its 
treasurer, he was also chairman of the executive 
committee and was a delegate to all the annual 
conventions except the first. In 1891 he visited 
Europe, and in New York was handsomely en- 
tertained by his friends at a banquet September 
22, 1 89 1. 

Our subject made a complete success of the 
printing business and it is claimed that there is 
more type in his office, or building, than in any 
other oflice in the United States outside of the 
government printing office at Washington, D. C. 
In 1874 Mr. Polhemus located in Flushing, first 
at No. 136 Barclay Street, but later removed to 
the corner of Bowne and Madison Avenues. 

Three children were born of our subject's first 
marriage: Horace G., Charles T. and. Minnie B., 
the latter of whom is deceased. The two sons 
continue the business as The John Polhemus 
Printing Company and occupy six floors, this be- 
ing one of the largest enterprises of the kind in 
New York City. In Michigan our subject mar- 
ried his second wife, formerly Miss Emma C. 
Crispe, a native of Kent, England, and daughter 
of Edward T. and Elizabeth (Munn) Crispe. The 
father was a merchant in that country, but later 
came to the LTnited States and settled in Plain- 
well, Mich. Mrs. Polhemus was first married to 
George K Needham, a resident of Chicago, and a 
member of the Stock Exchange. She is quite a 
traveler, having spent much of her time in Europe 
and on the Pacific Coast, and is a lady possessed 
of more than ordinary attainments. She is a 
leader in the aristocratic circles of Flushing, 
where she has made her home for many years, 
and is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Polhemus" ancestors came from Holland, and his 
father, Theodore Polhemus, was a soldier in the 
War of 1812. In politics our subject was a stanch 
Republican. 



H 



ERBERT LUTHER BARKER, M. D. 
The young professional men of Queens 
County are an element in the develop- 
ment of its interests and a centralizing force in 
drawing within its boundaries influences of an 
uplifting nature. By their character and skill they 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



are adding to the reputation of the county and 
giving it a high standing in other parts of the 
state. Dr. Barker is one of the young physicians 
whose influence is already felt, not only in pro- 
fessional, but also in social circles. His office is 
in AVoodside, and his practice extends through- 
out the surrounding locality, besides which he is 
frequenth- called to assist in clinics in New York, 

A native of Antrim, N. H., born August 2"], 
1866, the subject of this sketch is a son of Henry 
]\I. and Mary J. (Colburn) Barker. He is the eld- 
est of three sons, his brothers being Harry C, 
a practicing attorney of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and 
Fred M., who until recently was connected with 
the Elektron Manufacturing Company. The fam- 
ily for five generations were natives of New 
Hampshire and prominent people in the vicinity 
of Antrim. The Doctor's father was born in 
Antrim in 1838, grew to manhood in his native 
place, and selecting agriculture for his occupa- 
tion, followed that calling until the spring of 
1876, when he removed with his family to Dutch- 
ess County, N. Y. Shortly afterward he took 
charge of what is now the Ogden Mills estate at 
Staatsburg, and for seventeen years has acted in 
the capacity of superintendent of this place. He 
is a highly esteemed citizen and is now serving 
his second term as supervisor of his town. 

Until 1883 our subject was a student in the 
public schools. In that year he entered the De- 
garmo Institute at Rhinebeck, a preparatory 
school which he attended for three years. In the 
fall of 1886 he entered Cornell University, hav- 
ing received the state scholarship, and in 1890 he 
graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philos- 
ophy. Going to New York City, he entered the 
College of Physicians and Svirgeons, aiid con- 
tinued there until his graduation in 1893. After 
graduating, he entered Charity and Maternity 
Hospital on Blackwell's Island, where he re- 
mained for eighteen months, in that way adding 
to his store of theoretical knowledge by practical 
and varied experience. In October, 1894, he 
opened an office at No. 132 West Forty-fourth 
Street, New York City, and there carried on a 
general practice until May, 1895, when he came 
to Woodsidc and established himself in his jires- 
ent location. In addition to his practice here,- he 
goes to the city three times a week as clinical 
assistant at the \'anderbilt Clinic, and for one year 
after leaving the hospital he was assistant to Prof. 
A. M. Phelps, of the Post-graduate Medical 
School and Hospital. Prior to leaving the city he 



was a member of the New York County Medical 
Society. 

In 1893 Dr. Barker was united in marriage with 
Miss Luella J. Herrick, of Staatsburg, Dutchess 
County, a graduate of Mount St. Vincent Acad- 
emy, and a lady of many accomplishments as 
well as attractive courtesy of manner. The Re- 
publican party embodies in its platform the prin- 
ciples which Dr. Barker believes to be most con- 
ducive to the prosperity of the country, and he 
therefore gives his ballot to its support. As a 
physician, he is unusually quick and skillful in 
his diagnosis of disease; simple, judicious and 
conservative in its treatment ; gentlemanly and 
winning in his contact with his patients, a physi- 
cian who, when once known, is most valued, and 
respected alike by rich and poor. 



R FRANKLIN TITUS, a dealer in seeds 
and agricultural implements at A\'est- 
• bury Station, was born July 7, 1861, 
upon the family homestead which has been in pos- 
session of succeeding generations of that name 
since 1654. The original owner was Edmund, 
son of Robert Titus, who was born in St. Cather- 
ine's parish, Hartfordshire, near London, Eng- 
land, and grandson of Silas, who was a colonel in 
the army of King Charles. The line of descent 
from Silas was Robert. Edmund, John, Edmund, 
William, Robert and R. Franklin. 

William Titus, grandfather of our subject, mar- 
ried Phoebe Willetts, and their children were 
Edmund, Daniel, Samuel, AMlliam. Henry: 
Amelia, who married Oliver Whitson: and Amy, 
wife of Joseph Shotwell. Robert Titus, father of 
otir subject, owned and occupied the old home 
place until his death in 1872, meantime following 
farm pursuits. In religious faith he was a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends, and in politics ad- 
hered to the Republican party. He married 
Esther, daughter of Townsend Rushmore. and 
in their family were the following children: Wal- 
ter, deceased; Emily, who died in childhood: An- 
nie, who passed away at an early age; and R. 
Franklin, the only survivor. 

The boyhood days of our subject were passed 
on the home farm and his education was obtained 
in the common schools of his native town and in 
a boarding school in Connecticut, where he com- 
pleted his studies. In 1878 he took charge of the 
home place, and has since given considerable 
attention to its cultivation. In 1891 he embarked 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



837 



in his present business, and has since carried on 
a large trade among neighboring farmers. He 
carries only the best grades of seeds, which he 
supplies to farmers and gardeners, and also has 
in stock a complete assortment of mowers, bind- 
ers, plows, harrows and other farming imple- 
ments. With each year his trade has largely in- 
creased, until the business is now established 
upon a sound financial basis. 

Actively interested in public affairs and a Re- 
publican in political views, Mr. Titus is vice-presi- 
dent of the Republican Club and has served his 
party upon different committees and in various 
positions of trust. Since 1892 he has been a mem- 
ber of the Long Island Farmers' Club and in 
1895 was elected vice-president of the organiza- 
tion, also a member of the board of managers. 
At the World's Fair he was awarded a diploma 
for his exhibition of thirty-four different varieties 
of seed potatoes. In company with Mr. Whitson 
he organized the Westbury Law and Order 
League for the purpose of preventing gambling 
and the illicit sale of liquor, and he is one of the 
executive committee of the league. Since 1893 
he has held the office of inspector of elections. 
In religious belief he follows the faith of his an- 
cestors and holds membership in the Society of 
PMends. October i, 1885, he married Phoebe, 
daughter of Jonathan Carpenter, of White Plains, 
and they are the parents of four children, Walter, 
Raymond, Robert and Dorothy. 



JOSEPH STEINERT. To gain success in 
the legal profession an abundance of energy 
is necessary, together with a keen insight 
into human nature and mental powers of a high 
order. These qualities have combined to secure 
for Mr. Steinert an enviable reputation as a law- 
yer. He has a natural legal mind, is a close stu- 
dent and well versed in his profession. As an 
advocate, either before court or jury, he is forci- 
ble, clear and concise in presenting his cases, and 
is convincing in argument. His office is in New 
York City, but he makes his home in Hicksville, 
where he is known as a public-spirited and pro- 
gressive citizen. 

The Steinert family is of German origin. The 
father of our subject, Herman, is a son of Her- 
man Steinert, Sr., who died at the early age of 
twenty-five. The former, a native ot Prussia, 
came to America and settled in New York, where 
he engaged in legal practice. To this profession 



he has devoted his attention throughout life, not 
having taken much interest in public affairs or 
political matters. October 10, 1844, he married 
Rosetta Levy, who was born in Prussia, and 
whose parents, Louis and Caroline Levy, died 
in New York City at the respective ages of eighty- 
seven and ninety-eight. Unto their union were 
born seven children, Joseph, Henry, Max, Mau- 
rice, William, Jacob and Sarah, all of whom are 
living except one son. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New 
York City June. 10, 1846, and attended the pub- 
lic schools of that city until fifteen years of age, 
at which time he entered the law office of his 
maternal uncle, the late David Levy, and re- 
mained there until he was admitted to the bar, 
at the May term of the supreme court in 1868. 
He has since engaged in general practice, with 
the exception of three years, during which he 
was clerk of the seventh judicial district court in 
New York City. To this office he was appointed 
in June, 1872, and after filling it for three years 
he resumed the practice of law, which he has since 
continued. 

May 8, 1867, in New York City, Mr. Steinert 
was united in marriage with Miss Agnes B. 
Machen, daughter of James Machen, who died 
in New York City from wounds received in the 
War of the Rebellion. Eleven children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Steinert, of whom the fol- 
lowing are living: Joseph H., who received his 
education in the public schools of New York; 
Louis, who attended Packard's College in New 
York City; Samuel, William, David, Jerome, Ida 
and Kate. 

In 1882 Mr. Steinert took up his residence in 
Hicksville, where he has since made his home. 
In 1883 he was elected justice of the peace and 
the following year was chosen justice of the ses- 
sions of Queens County. In 1887 he was re- 
elected justice of the peace, which position he 
filled with efficiency. In 1892 he was selected to 
represent the town of Oyster Bay on the board of 
supervisors of Queens County, and the next year 
was re-elected to the position, but in 1894 refused 
a renomination for the same office, and has since 
held no public position. Politically he has always 
adhered to the platform of the Democratic party 
and it is safe to say that the organization has no 
member in Queens County more loyal to its inter- 
ests than is he. January i, 1892, he was ap- 
pointed counsel to the sheriff of Queens County, 
which position he held under James Norton, then 



838 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sheriff, until Januar}- i, 1895, when he was suc- 
ceeded by the present incumbent of the office, a 
Republican in politics. 

In whatever position I\Ir. Steinert has been 
placed, whatever dut\- he has been called upon 
to perform, in all his social and professional con- 
nections, his course has been one of honor and 
integrity-, and his success is the legitimate result 
of his exemplary life. On questions of law he is 
regarded as an authorit}-, and he is held in the 
highest regard as a safe counselor and a man of 
profound judgment. 



ALBERT L. BOYD, the well known hatter 
of Long Island City, was born in Flens- 
burg, Schleswig, Denmark, February 20. 
1S47, being a son of Albert Erasmus and INIaria 
Catherine (Wittj Boyd, natives of the same place 
as himself. His father, who was a man of ener- 
getic and industrious disposition, was a sailor by 
occupation, and while out on a whaling expedi- 
tion was lost at sea, being then stiU a young man. 
The widowed mother aftenvard married Chris- 
tian Lauritz, a sailor, who accumulated consider- 
able money in the West India trade, and who, in 
1857, brought the family to America, settling on 
the corner of West Eleventh and \\'averley Place, 
Xew York. He opened a grocerv" there, which 
he conducted for many years, gaining a compe- 
tence sufficient to provide his children with ex- 
cellent educational advantages. He died in Xew 
York in Februar\-, 1891, and his wife passed awav 
in February, 1875. 

Our subject and his older brother, John, a resi- 
dent of X'ew York Cit}-, are the only children of 
his mother's first marriage. To her second union 
seven children were bom. but the only sur\'ivor is 
Frederick, who is a buyer for LeBoutiler Broth- 
ers. The daughter, Annie, Z\Irs. W. E. A. His- 
cox. of Xew York, died in 1882; Christian H., a 
travehng salesman, died in 1880: and Charles, 
who was first tenor in an opera companv, also 
was connected with a wholesale grocerv house, 



and died in X'ew York Cit\- in if 



Our sub- 



ject's step-father had by his first marriage a son, 
John, who went through the entire period of the 
Civil War as a member of the United States navy 
and afterward died in the naval hospital, and was 
buried in the navy yard at Brooklyn. 

In 1857, ^^'t'l the other members of the family, 
our subject took passage on a sailing vessel tliat 
reached X'ew York after a passage of fortv-six 



days. He was educated in Grammar School Xo. 
41, in Greenwich Avenue, X'ew York City, and 
afterward was apprenticed with ^^'arnock & Co., 
X'o. 519 Broadway, \^ith whom he remained for 
eight and one-half years. At one time he had 
the pleasure of selling a hat to ex-President U. S. 
Grant, then commander-in-chief of the armv. 
iMany of. the most prominent men of the city were 
among his customers, and he also had consider- 
able patronage from well known men of other 
places. While with this firm he was personally 
requested by A. T. Stewart to solicit subscriptions 
opposing the Broadway Railroad. After spend- 
ing a week at the task and securing many names, 
he was requested to show the list to Mr. Stewart 
personally, which he did. The multi-millionaire 
looked over the names, expressed his gratifica- 
tion and thanked him ven- kindlv. 

Upon leaving Warnock & Co. Z^Ir. Boyd be- 
came connected with John H. Day. a hatter at 
Xo. 33 Park Row. Later he was with Schindler, 
of X'o. 1 170 Broadway, for eighteen years, as head 
salesman, remaining with him until the business 
was closed out. [Meantime, in October, 1874. he 
located his residence in Long Island Cit\-. In 
1892 he was appointed a clerk in the treasurers 
office of this city, where he remained until April 
I, 1895- While in the office he opened a hat store 
at X'o. 454 Broadway, where he has since carried 
on business, keeping the latest and most approved 
styles in the market. In addition he also has a 
complete stock of men's furnishing goods. 

April 12, 1868, in X'ew York City, :Mr. Boyd 
married ;\Iiss Caroline E. Zinser, a native of that 
place. Her father, Benjamin Zinser, who was 
born in Alsace, came to America at the age of 
nineteen and settled in Xew York Cit\-, being 
employed as a barber in the old Chelsea village, 
now X'inth Avenue and Eighteenth Street. Later 
he was on Eighth Avenue. In 1874 he came to 
Long Island Cit\-, where he still resides. He was a 
member of the old Continental Guard and the 
Xew York ^Militia. During tlie Civil \\'ar he was 
called out for one hundred days' ser\-ice, enlist- 
ing as -a private in Company D, Eleventh X'ew 
York Infantry, and being promoted later to be 
first lieutenant. His wife, Caroline (Kieffer) Zin- 
ser, was born in .Alsace, and was a daughter of 
Godfrey Kieffer, who emigrated to America and 
was an interpreter in Xew York for some time, 
being known there as a fine linguist and educated 
man. He died in 1868 at the age of seventy-five. 
Mrs. Zinser passed away in Long Island Citv in 




THOMAS VALENTINE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



841 



1891. Both were Lutherans, which was the re- 
ligious belief of the family. Mrs. Boyd, who is 
the only living child of her parents, was reared in 
New York and attended Grammar School No. 
25 in Seventeenth Street. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd 
have had four children, namely: Benjamin Z., 
who is foreman of Engine Company No. 5 ; Mrs. 
Minnie Hahn, who died in 1890 at the age of 
nineteen, leaving one child, John: Albert, who 
died at seven years of as:e; and Magdalene. 

Always interested in political affairs, Mr. Boyd 
is an active Republican. Notwithstanding the 
fact that his party is in the minority, he led the 
ticket when nominated for supervisor, and also 
for alderman. Socially he is identified with En- 
terprise Lodge No. 228, K. of P., in which he 
has held the different chairs, and is now past 
district deputy. For seven 3'ears he was con- 
nected witli the Protection Engine Company No. 
2, of which he was treasurer for five years, and 
while a member he rendered especially valuable 
service by his work on the records. He is also 
a charter member of Arion Singing Societv. 



T 



HOMAS VALENTINE. In tracing the 
genealogy of this family in Long Island 
we find that it is one of the oldest and most 
prominent here. The first members of this fam- 
ily of whom we have any record were Thomas 
and Robert Valentine, brothers, who lived on the 
old farm of their father's in the town of Oyster 
Bay. This farm consisted of about one thousand 
acres and was divided between the two sons. It 
is not known whether Robert married or not, but 
Thomas wedded Miss Elizabeth Hewlett, sister 
of Capt. Charles Hewlett of Revolutionary fame, 
and ten children were the fruits of this union, 
six daughters and four sons. These sons were: 
Obadiah, Absalom, Hewlett and Jeremiah. The 
last named, the grandfather of our subject, was 
born June 21, 1762, and in May, 1784, he married 
Miss Mary Van Velsor. His death occurred 
June 15, 1850. Their children were as follows: 
Obadiah, James, Samuel, Thomas, John H., 
Mary A., Elizabeth and Rachel. 

Of these children, Thomas was the father of our 
subject. He was born August i, 1794, and was 
married April i, 1819, to Miss Sarah Brooks, 
daughter of Daniel Brooks of New York City. 
His death occurred December i, 1872. Of the 
children born of his marriage, three died in in- 
fancy. The others were as follows: Sarah, Thom- 
34 



as, Elizabeth A., Jeremiah and John IT. 
Soon after his marriage, the father of our 
subject engaged in the grocery business in New 
York, on borrowed capital, at first on a small 
scale, and meeting with success in this venture he 
carried on business for a number of years. He 
made his home in the city tmtil he was fifty years 
old, after which he returned to his father's large 
farm and assumed its management. In cultivat- 
ing the land he used improved methods, and thus 
made a success of the calling. In politics he was 
a radical Whig and an active worker for his 
party. During his nine years' residence on the 
farm he was twice elected to the office of high- 
way commissioner, school trustee, justice of the 
peace and associate judge of the county. In the 
building of the Flushing and Bayside plank road 
he took an active interest and was president of the 
corporation. After his removal to Williamsburg, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, he was 
elected trustee of the Williamsburg Bank, filling 
that position for fourteen years. He was also 
very prominent in church matters and an active 
member of Grace Episcopal Church of Jamaica. 

Thomas Valentine, our subject, ivas born Sep- 
tember II, 1S27, m the city of New York, and 
there remained until fifteen years old, receiving 
his education in the school of All Saints, New 
York City, and Union Hall Academy, Jamaica. 
Fie then moved with his parents to the farm and 
gave his undivided attention to cultivating the 
same until within the last few years, during which 
time he has been retired, although he still re- 
sides on the homestead. In politics he is a Re- 
publican and has ever been interested in the wel- 
fare of his party. For years he has been con- 
nected with the educational interests of his sec- 
tion and for fifteen years he was inspector of elec- 
tions and delegate to county conventions. For 
years he has been a worthy membr of Zion Epis- 
copal Church of Little Neck. 

On the 20th of- March, 1851, Mr. Valentine 
married Miss Cornelia E. Cornell, a native ot 
Little Neck, and the daughter of William Cornell, 
who was a prominent citizen of that section. 
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Val- 
entine: Sarah, wife of John R. Wright of Ja- 
maica; John, a merchant and contractor of Ja- 
maica; Emma, wife of James H. Remsen of Ja- 
maica; Thomas, in Dutchess County, N. Y.; 
Charles, a farmer of Flushing; Nellie, wife of 
Charles H. Tilten, who carries on the old farm; 
and Lincoln, who is a contractor of Great Neck. 



842 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Valentine died on the old home place March 
8, 1885, and since then Mr. Valentine has made 
his home with his daughter Nellie. Our subject 
is a man whose character is above reproach and 
whose honorable career through life has gained 
him the respect and esteem of all. In his posses- 
sion are deeds for the old farm, conveying it first 
to the grandfather, Jeremiah, March 28, 1815, and 
this has been preserved in the family up to the 
present time. 



M 



ICHAE.L JEUCH, who resides at Nos. 
57-59 Thirteenth Street, College Point, 
was born near Strasburg, Alsace, then 
in France, 1834 being the year of his birth. B[is 
parents, Michael and Catherine (Ashelmann) 
Jeuch, were also natives of Alsace, where the 
former was a wine merchant and an extensive 
vine grower. The family consisted of two daugh- 
ters and three sons, namely: John, who was 
wounded five or six times during the Franco- 
Prussian war, and died here after its close; Jacob, 
who died in College Point; Michael, Mary and 
Catherine, who reside in Europe. The paternal 
grandfather, Daniel Jeuch, was a farmer. 

In the schools of Alsace Michael Jeuch ob- 
tained a good French and German education, 
after which he served a two years' apprentice- 
ship to the mason's trade. In 1850 he took pas- 
sage on the sailer "Zuricli" at Havre, and after a 
voyage of ten weeks landed in New York, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1 85 1. For three years he worked at his 
trade in New York, after which, in 1854, he came 
to College Point and assisted in erecting the En- 
terprise works. The following year he estab- 
lished his home here, and since 1856 has been 
engaged in building and contracting. He had 
the contract for Oppenheimer's silk mill, the 
town hall, Kunze's silk mill, the addition to the 
Enterprise rubber works, Kleinert's Bank, the 
buildings of the Mutual Brewing Company and 
many residences, both here and in Whitestone, 
Bayside and Flushing. Formerly, during the 
busy seasons, he employed from fifty to sixty men, 
being the largest contractor here. He still owns 
about fifteen houses and other valualile property. 

Miss Mary Klein, who was born in Alsace, be- 
came the wife of Mr. Jeuch in New York City 
and (lied in College Point. Of their eight chil- 
dren four are living, namely: Michael, a mason 
here; Mrs. Annie Rheinhardt, of New York; 
Kate;and Georg-e.a mason w(irking for his father. 



In addition, there is an adopted daughter named 
Katie Weir. For four 3'ears Air. Jeuch \\as a 
trustee of College Point and served on the street, 
light, police and assessment committees. For 
eight years he was overseer of the poor for the 
town of Flushing, and for two years he was fire 
commissioner. He is a charter member of St. 
Johannes Lutheran Church and one of its prin- 
cipal workers. He has frequently represented his 
party — the Democratic — as delegate to local and 
state conventions. 

For three years before coming to College Point 
Mr. Jeuch was a member of an engine company 
in Melrose, and afterward he was foreman of the 
Union Bucket Company and later became fore- 
man of the James Smith Engine Company No. i. 
With several others he purchased the engine and 
built the engine house. On the incorporation of 
the village the engine was sold and a hose car- 
riage purchased. For two years he was foreman 
of the Union Hose Company, after which he 
joined the Enterprise Hose Company, and later 
became connected with the Eagle Hook and Lad- 
der Company, for which he built the houses, and 
in which he is still an honorary member. He 
served for two years as chief engineer of the fire 
department of College Point, which he organ- 
ized, and he is to-day the oldest fireman in this 
vicinity. On several occasions he has had nar- 
row escapes with his life, but he has always been 
fortunate in avoiding serious accident. He is a 
member of the Order of American Firemen at 
this point. His record as a fireman is an honora- 
ble one, of which he may well be proud. 



COLES PETIT. The name of this gentle- 
man has been usefully and honorably 
identified with the best interests of Queens 
County for many years, and he is at present liv- 
ing at ]\lill)urn, where he conducts a general mer- 
cantile establishment. He was born in 1841 to 
Asa and Susan (Seaman) Petit, both natives of 
the town of Hempstead. The father was a far- 
mer by occupation, following this business until 
his advancing years made it necessary for him 
to retire. He is now in his eighty-ninth year and 
is living in the enjoyment of all the comforts of 
life. suiTounded by a host of warm and admiring 
friends. During his boyhood days he was a crack 
shot and spent much of his leisure time in tramp- 
ing about the town of Hempstead hunting for 
game, of which there was an al^undance. His 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



843 



estimable wife is still living and is now eighty-one 
years of age. 

Our subject was given every opportunity for 
gaining a common-school education, and, being 
reared as a farmer, followed this occupation until 
twenty-five years of age. His ambitious spirit, 
however, drove him into the oyster business, and, 
purchasing a sloop, he was employed in this in- 
dustry for three and a half years. Retiring from 
the latter himself, he hired a captain to take 
charge of the vessel, and when that gentleman 
died several years later, he sold out his business 
in this line and came to Milburn. Here he in- 
vested his money in a stock of general merchan- 
dise and his interests in this business are now of 
quite extensive proportions. 

In 1872 Mr. Petit was married to Miss Phebe 
F., daughter of John Hageman, a worthy citizen 
of Long Island, and to them have been granted 
three children, namely: Irving C, Alice and 
Winant B. In local affairs Mr. Petit is conserva- 
tive, but during national elections he supports 
the candidates of the Democratic party. He is 
one of the most popular residents of his com- 
munity, and with his family moves in the best 
circles of societv on the island. 



T 



HO MAS S. WRIGHT, whose home is sit- 
uated at the junction of Chrocheron Ave- 
nue and Whitestone Road, town of Flush- 
ing, is a native of this place and was born April 
22, 1845. Upon another page of this volume 
will be found mention of his parents, Jordan and 
Mary P. (Willets) Wright, under whose training 
he was prepared for an honorable position in the 
commercial world. His education, which was 
commenced in a private school at Bayside, was 
later carried on in Flushing Institute, where he 
was a student for some time. 

At the age of twenty years Mr. Wright went to 
New York City and entered a broker's office, 
where he remained for a period of twelve years. 
He finally resigned in order to accept a clerkship 
in the Mechanic's Bank of New York City, where 
he has been a trusted employe for seventeen years. 
During this long period he has proved faithful to 
every trust reposed in him, and well deserves the 
high regard in which he is held by the officials of 
the institution. 

The marriage of Mr. Wright to Miss Martha 
C. Cadness, daughter of John Cadness, a promi- 
nent horticulturist of Flushing, occurred July 11, 



1877, and has been a union of mutual helpfulness 
and happiness. They are the parents of a son 
and daughter. The former, John J., was born 
April 19, 1878, and is now a student in Flushing 
Institute. The daughter, Susie Eleanor, was 
born November 11, 1880, and is a pupil in the 
Schuler Academy at Flushing. Though Mr. 
Wright has never actively identified himself with 
politics, he has strong opinions on the subject and 
is a pronounced Republican. His forefathers 
were Friends and he clings to that faith, holding 
membership in the society. 



BENJAMIN F. EVERITT, who is a well 
known business man of Jamaica, was born 
in this village in 1848. The name of Ever- 
itt is pioneer on Long Island and for generations 
to come will maintain its prominent place among 
the first families of Queens County. Reference 
to the ancestral history appears in the sketch of 
our subject's brother, William E. Everitt. also of 
Jamaica. 

Educated in the public schools of the village, 
the subject of this notice began his active busi- 
ness career at an early age, when he became an 
employe of the government in the postoffice. In 
1868 he entered the office of the county clerk, 
where he remained about ten years, and the length 
of his service in that place proves his ability and 
faithfulness. Desiring to enter business with his 
father and brother, he resigned from the office 
and became connected with the management of 
the undertaking establishment, to the ownership 
of which he succeeded at the death of his father 
and tlie contemporaneous retirement of his 
brother from the concern. 

A public-spirited citizen, Mr. Everitt always 
lends his aid and influence to the advancement 
of measures which he believes will be conducive 
to the public welfare. In local affairs he takes 
an active part, and both in county and national 
elections casts his ballot for the principles of the 
Democratic party. In 1883 he was chosen cor- 
oner of the county and served in that capacity 
until January i, 1895. He has also held other 
positions of trust and responsibility. In religious 
connections he is identified with the Reformed 
Church of Jamaica, and for fifteen years has been 
its sexton. Socially he is connected with the 
Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders and the Royal 
Arcanum, and for ten years served as district 
deputy of the Odd Fellows. He was also a mem- 



844 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ber of the grand council of the state of the Royal 
Arcanum. 

The marriage of Mr. Everitt took place De- 
cember II, 1868, when Miss Mary E. Baylis be- 
came his wife. She is a daughter of Selah Baylis, 
and a member of one of the old Quaker families 
of Long Island. They are the parents of three 
children, of whom the eldest, Carrie E., is the 
wife of George L. Adams, who is associated in 
business with Mr. Everitt. The other daughters, 
Nettie R. and M. Anna, are students in the vil- 
lage schools. 



ALBERT J. BOGART. To the contractor 
and builder in effect, conjointly with the 
architect, belongs the task of imparting to 
a city that appearance of solidity, wealth, refine- 
ment and comfort which at once stamps its citi- 
zens as progressive and enterprising. Among 
the most successful architects and builders of Far 
Rockaway stands the name of Albert J. Bogart, 
whose exceptional business abilities, reliability 
and promptness in carrying out his undertakings, 
and the liberal methods he employs in dealing 
with the public, have secured him wide recog- 
nition and an influential patronage. Mr. Bogart 
has been a resident of Far Rockaway for eleven 
years and has been engaged in his present busi- 
ness for the past five years. He is endorsed by 
leading architects and owners as never exceeding 
his estimates, while most faithfully following out 
plans and specifications. 

Mr. Bogart's father, Isaac Bogart, is a native 
of the Keystone State, born in Wayne County, 
and although formerly engaged in the lumber 
business, is now a most successful agriculturist. 
He married Miss Phoebe Jane Tyler and to them 
were given three children, two sons and one 
daughter, as follows: William P., of Washington: 
our subject; and Hannah, of Sullivan County. 
Albert J. was born in Wa^'ne County, Pa., No- 
vember 9, 1864, and was reared in the lumber 
business. He received but limited educational 
advantages, having been kept out of school after 
he was twelve years of age, but as he has been 
observing has made up for what he lost in ear- 
lier years. He remained with his father until six- 
teen years old, and then went to the western part 
of the state, where he was in the lumber business 
for one year. 

From there Mr. Bogart went to Michigan, and, 
being a natural mechanic, began working at the 



carpenter's trade. He did not spend the usual 
time in learning the trade, as it came naturally 
to him, and he displayed unusual ability from the 
start. When but a small boy he observed con- 
struction, and when he saw a building erected 
he immediately imitated it on a small scale. A 
sawmill he imitated perfectly, had it in running 
order, and the details were carefully worked out. 
Later in life Mr. Bogart moved to Islip, and after 
working at the carpenter's trade for a year and a 
half went to Westchester County, remaining one 
year. Then he began contractmg and building 
on his own responsibility, making his own plans. 
He has met with the best of success and is doing 
considerable business in Far Rockaway. His 
marriage united him with Miss Maud Wheatley, 
of New York City. In national affairs he is a 
Democrat, but in local affairs he votes for the 
best man. 



ADOLPHUS DONCOURT, of the firm of 
Doncourt Brothers, dealers in hardware 
and house furnishing goods at Flushing, 
was born in Port Washington, Queens County, 
and is a son of Alfred and Amelia (Allen) Don- 
court, natives respectively of New York City and 
Long Island. His father, who was proprietor of a 
grist mill for some years, but is now living re- 
tired at Seacliff, is a son of Ellory Doncourt, who 
emigrated from France to America in early man- 
hood, having previously served in the war under 
Napoleon; he first engaged in the manufacture 
of wall paper at Hempstead, after which he pur- 
chased a farm at Lakeville, where his death oc- 
curred. Our subject's mother, who was a daugh- 
ter of David Allen, died at Great Neck in 1896. 
Of her marriage four sons and one daughter were 
born, namelv: John H.. who resides at Seacliff": 
David H., and Adolphus, comprising the firm of 
Doncourt Brothers; August, who lives at 'Sla.n- 
hasset, and Mrs. Mary Anna Lane, whose home is 
at Great Neck. 

The childhood years of our subject were spent 
in the town of North Hempstead, in the vicinity 
of the village of Hempstead. At the age of sev- 
enteen he began a three years" apprenticeship to 
the carpenter's trade at Great Neck, and upon the 
completion of his term of service he spent three 
years in journeyman work, being employed prin- 
cipally by J. H. L'Hommedieu. In 1884 he 
came to Flushing, where lie was employed in the 
liardwarc department of Clement iS: Bloodgood. 




WILLIAM H. SIEBRECHT. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



847 



of which his brother was manager. In 1889 he 
resigned his position in order to engage in busi- 
ness on his own account, opening a small store 
at No. 35 Main Street. The following year he 
was joined by his brother and they opened a larger 
store at No. 29 Main Street, embarking in busi- 
ness tmder the firm name of Doncourt Brothers. 
In 189s Adolphus Doncourt bought the present 
property at No. 11 Main Street and erected a 
large three-story frame building, 25x100, of which 
the firm occupy the first floor and basement, the 
second floor being devoted to offices and the third 
to residence flats. Not only is the location the 
best in the village, but the building itself surpasses 
in design and finish anything before attempted 
here. The stock is large, consisting of a com- 
plete assortment of hardware and house furnish- 
ing goods, as well as a stock of bicycles. 

In Haverstraw, Rockland County, Mr. Don- 
court married Miss Ehzabeth R. Sharp, who was 
born in New York City. They are the parents of 
two sons, Howard and Carlton. Mrs. Doncourt 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
to which our subject contributes, though not 
identified with it. In national politics he inclines 
to Republican principles. Socially he is associ- 
ated with Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. 
M., of which he is past master. He is also a mem- 
ber of Pentalpha Chapter. As a business man 
he is able, eflficient, energetic and industrious and 
abundantly deserves the large success which he 
has gained by his unaided efforts. 



WILLIAM H. SIEBRECHT. This suc- 
cessful and popular florist of Astoria, 
Long Island City, and prominent 
member of the fire and water board of this place, 
is a native of Germany, born in Berka, province 
of Hanover, December 27, 1852, a son of Henry 
and Georgina Siebrecht, both natives of the same 
province. In his native land the grandfather fol- 
lowed farming and his son Henry, after his mar- 
riage, followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, 
tilling the soil nearly all his Hfe. In addition to 
this he also followed weaving. About 1880 he 
came to this country and now lives retired on a 
place adjoining our subject's. He and his wife 
are worthy members of the Lutheran Church. 
Their children, four in number, are all living, and 
are in the order of birth as follows: Louisa, Mrs. 
B. Wolf of Long Island City; Henry A., a well- 
known florist of New Rochelle, N. Y. ; William 



H., our subject; and Lena, Mrs. Meyer of New 
York City. 

Our subject remained in Berka, Germany, un-. 
til ten years old, and then removed with his 
parents to Gottingen, Hanover, where he fin- 
ished his education. Later he was apprenticed 
to a florist in Cassel (Hesson) and after com- 
pleting his apprenticeship, in 1870, crossed the 
ocean to America, hoping to find a wider field for 
his business. For two years he remained in New 
York City, working at his trade in the employ of 
his brother, Henry A., who had come to this 
country some time before. After remaining a 
year with his brother, AVilliam H. started out for 
himself, and with what money he had saved in- 
vested in eighteen lots in Broadway between First 
and Second Avenues, one of the finest pieces of 
property in Astoria. Starting with four houses 
he soon added to this, and at the present time has 
twelve green houses, covering about thirty thou- 
sand square feet, all nicely arranged and kept in 
the best of condition. There is a large shed for 
storage which is used every day, and in this one 
can drive a team and wagon. The coal cellar is 
under the shed and five boilers furnish hot water 
heat to the houses. An engine is used to pump 
water from the artesian well and a cistern of fifty- 
eight thousand gallons furnishes the houses with 
plenty of water. An elevated tank, holding thir- 
teen thousand gallons of rain water, supplies the 
houses, for Mr. Siebrecht prefers this water to 
any other and will only use the water from the ar- 
tesian well when obliged to. 

Mr. Siebrecht makes a specialty of bulbous 
plants, lilies of the valley, hyacinths, tulips, daf- 
fodils, narcissus, etc. ; also carnations and chrysan- 
themums, asparagus, and all kinds of lilies in their 
season. These bulbs and plants he imports every 
year fresh from the regions where they grow, and 
he has many choice plants. In 1893 he took a 
trip abroad partly for pleasure and partly for busi- 
ness, and visited his native place. Later he vis- 
ited Belgium, Holland, France and Italy, re- 
maining abroad about three months. He is a 
member and stockholder of the building and loan 
association, and in national politics is a Repub- 
lican, although independent in local affairs. Not 
long since he erected a fine residence adjoining 
his greenhouses, and this is presided over by his 
excellent wife, formerly Miss Annie R. Heim, a 
native of New York City, where she was reared 
and educated. Their four children are named as 
follows: PauHne, Henry, William and George. 



848 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1894 Mr. Siebrecht was appointed a mem- 
ber of the fire and water committee by Mayor 
Sanford. He is president of the New York Cut 
Flower Exchange, of which he was one of the 
principal organizers, and was its treasurer until 
appointed to his present position. He is also a 
member of the New York Florist Club and a trus- 
tee of the Long Island City Savings Bank. For 
some time he has been a prominent member of 
the Second Reformed Church of Astoria. 



PROF. GEORGE W. EMMERICH, pro- 
fessor of music at College Point, and or- 
ganist at the German Lutheran Church, 
was born here April 22, 1865. His father, 
George, who was a native of Germany, came here 
early in the settlement of the village and was em- 
ployed in the Enterprise rubber mills, where his 
industry and energy brought him the good will 
of his employers. Unfortunately, the work af- 
fected his eyesight, and being advised to change 
his occupation, he established a milk business in 
1866, to which he has given his attention during 
most of the time since. By his marriage to Wil- 
helmina Schultz he had seven children, of whom 
the following survive : George W. ; Elizabeth and 
Annie, who reside in College Point; Louie, who is 
learning the machinist's trade, and Mamie. 

The subject of this article was educated in the 
common schools and Dr. Bowsher's College. 
Early in life he evinced a remarkable aptitude 
for music, and his talent being recognized, he 
was given the advantages of the best instruction 
the village afforded. Since 1889 he has been an 
instructor in vocal and instrumental music, both 
piano and organ, and is the principal musical di- 
rector here, having charge of the singing societies, 
Harmonic Maennerchor, Harmonic Damenchor, 
and Concordia Mixed Choir. On different occa- 
sions he has given concerts of high grade, at 
some of which his own compositions have been 
rendered. For fourteen years he has been the 
organist at the German Lutheran Church. 

While Professor Emmerich did not have the 
o]Dportunity of study with remarkable foreign ar- 
tists and is not a graduate of noted European 
conservatories, nevertheless his rendition of the 
composition of tlie old masters and his thorough 
grasp upon the whole science are fulh' equal to 
those who have had superior advantages. One 
of his compositions was given under his super- 
vision at a concert in College Point, hv a chorus 



of eighty voices and an orchestra of twenty pieces, 
which for conception, theme, harmony and exe- 
cution would have reflected credit upon any of 
the great professors, ancient or inodern. 

A Republican in political opinions, Professor 
Emmerich is not active in public affairs and avoids 
official preferment, having sufficient to occupy 
his time in professional work. He attended 
school until he was nineteen, after which for three 
years he aided his parents on the home farm, 
being of great assistance to them then, as he is 
now. His ready ear for musical sounds made 
telegraphy very easv for him to learn, and he 
worked at it for four years, but in the meantime 
his musical ability became so apparent that, upon 
the solicitation of many, he gave up telegraphy 
and engaged in teaching music. In religious be- 
lief he is a Lutheran and for years has had charge 
of the choir in the church of which he is organist. 
He stands well in College Point, where everyone 
knows and respects him, and while other teachers 
meeting with indift'erent success have left for 
other places, he remains to the satisfaction of his 
patrons and pupils. 



DANIEL De:MOTT comes of a line of 
sturdy- and industrious farmers, who have 
witnessed the development and upbuild- 
ing of Queens County, and he has not been inac- 
tive in the accomplishment of this result. The 
farm which he occupies is thirty-seven acres in 
extent and has been the scene of his labors for 
many years. The place is pleasantly and favora- 
oly located in the town of Hempstead and is well 
improved in every particular, having on it a set 
of substantial buildings and all the needful ma- 
chinery for the carrying on of a first-class farm. 
Mr. DeMott was born in this town in the year 
1818. His parents were John and Ann (Snede- 
ker) DeMott, who were likewise born in this 
portion of the county and here passed their en- 
tire lives engaged in farming. The father was 
successful -in' his various undertakings and be- 
came well-to-do in this world's goods. His death 
occurred several years after the death of his wife. 
Daniel, of this sketch, like most of the youth 
of his day and locality, attended the district 
school, where he made the most of his meager 
opportunities and became well informed in the 
common branches of study. He chose the occu- 
pation of a farmer for his life work and in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



849 



pursuance of this calling has met with signal suc- 



cess. 



In 1840 Mr. DeMott was married to Miss Har- 
riet v., daughter of Michael Combs, a worthy 
citizen of the town of Hempstead. Six children 
were granted them, three of wdiom are now liv- 
ing, namely: Harriet, the wife of John Snedeker, 
of Hempstead; Anna E., Mrs. Daniel D. Smith, 
of Oyster Bay; and Daniel, who still Hves on the 
home farm, which he helps to cultivate. Both 
our subject and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which 
they have taken a very active and prominent part. 
Though not an office seeker, Mr. DeMott is great- 
ly interested in the success of the Republican par- 
ty, whose candidates he never fails to support. 
Although now past seventy-eight years of age, 
he is hale and hearty and is remarkably well pre- 
served. He is prepared to take life easy, and as 
one of the oldest citizens of the town commands 
the respect and confidence of the entire com- 
munity. 



A 



lage. The family are attendants at the services 
of the Episcopal Church and are held in high es- 
teem by all to whom they are known. 

For more than a cjuarter of a century Mr. 
Gauch has been actively identi^ed with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he 
takes a warm interest. His residence and store 
are situated at No. 76 Second Avenue, where he 
has remained uninterruptedly for a period of 
twenty-eight years. During this time he has wit- 
nessed many changes in the community and the 
growth of the village. His acquaintanceship is 
large, including not only all the people of Col- 
lege Point, but many from adjoining villages, by 
all of whom he is esteemed as an honest, indus- 
trious man. 



DAM GAUCH. Since 1868 this gentle- 
man has occupied the same place of busi- 
ness in College Point, and he is therefore 
well known to two generations of residents here. 
He has worked industriously and patiently, pro- 
viding for his family, educating his children and 
laying aside a portion of his earnings for the pro- 
verbial "rainy day" when work is no longer pos- 
sible. From 1 861 until 1868 he was engaged in 
the manufacture of boots and shoes in New York, 
and since that time has been similarly engaged 
in College Point. 

Born in Bavaria, Germany, May 17, 1840, 
Adam Gauch was thirteen years of age when he 
left his native land, having previously gained a 
fair common-school education. In 1854 he land- 
ed in New York City, where he apprenticed him- 
self to a brother-in-law, who was a shoemaker by 
trade. He soon acquired a good knowledge of 
the manufacture of shoes, and has since devoted 
his attention to this occupation. Tn'.New York, 
in 1863, he married Miss Christina Keppler, a 
native of Germany, but a resident of this country 
since childhood. They are the parents of two 
daughters and one son, named as follows: Katie, 
wife of Richard Scmitz, of New York City, and 
the mother of three children, Freda, Emma and 
Carrie; William A., who lives in College Point; 
and Emma, who is attending school in this vil- 




■ ILLIAM A. PITT, the well known en- 
gineer and inventor, residing at Man- 
hasset, was born in New York City, 
June 8, 1844, to William and Annette (Burtnette) 
Pitt. His grandfather, Charles Pitt, and father 
were natives of Croydon, England, whence they 
came to America and settled in New York, being 
the first plumbers of that city. Charles Pitt was 
the inventor of the water back for hot water pur- 
poses, but he did not take out letters patent for 
his invention. He and his son followed plumbing 
throughout life and moved from the city to Stam- 
ford, Conn., wdiere they died. 

At the trades of plumber, steam fitter and ma- 
chinist, our subject served successive apprentices. 
At the age of twenty-six he began to invent. He 
originated the idea of lighting gas by the electric 
spark. He invented and introduced many im- 
provements in sanitary plumbing and also for the 
ventilation of buildings in New York, all of which 
were patented. In 1869 he became an engineer 
of the chief of staff of the fire department and 
furnished the instruction and lectures for the men. 
Another of his inventions was a system for the 
carrying of the sewage to land for its improve- 
ment, without contaminating the rivers. Since 
1884 he has been contending with the scientific 
world for innovations in the steam engine, which 
is the greatest improvement yet effected in that 
line, and as a result has secured a method to save 
loss of power, making a practical saving of no 
less than one-half the applied force. He has pub- 
lished the only book of two hundred pages in 
reference to the steam engine crank, as against a 
half page by anyone else. The scientific have ac- 



8.SO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cepted his inventions, recognizing their great val- 
ue. He has never allowed any man to take the 
advantage of him in his inventions or deprive him 
of the profit therefrom. For his latest invention 
he has been ofTered $100,000. 

The first marriage of Mr. Pitt took place in 
1876. His second marriage, December 29, 1880, 
united him with jNIiss Emma Tracy, who was born 
in New York City, being a daughter of Capt. 
Prescott Tracy. Two daughters bless the union, 
Florence S. and Louise Elder, the former of 
whom was born in New York, and the latter in 
Glen Brook, Conn. The family are attendants at 
and members of the Episcopal Church of Man- 
hasset. 

When our subject was about eight years of age 
his parents moved to Stamford, Conn., where he 
attended the public schools. Later he prosecuted 
his studies in the Moravian school at Nazareth, 
Pa., where he completed the course. To the in- 
formation obtained in schools he has added by ob- 
servation and self-culture and is now a man of 
broad knowledge and extended information upon 
all topics. In 1868 he cast his first presidential 
ballot for General Grant, and since then has al- 
ways supported Republican candidates. Socially 
he is a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 228, F. 
& A. M., of New York City. 



JACOB SALATHE. While Switzerland has 
not contributed as large a number of citizens 
to the United States as have some other 
countries of the Old World, yet it may truthfully 
be said that no land has sent better, braver or 
more honest hearts than has the mountain-ribbed 
home of William Tell. In the list of the Swiss 
who have sought in the United States a wider 
field of labor than was offered by their own coun- 
try, mention belongs to Jacob Salathe, of Col- 
lege Point, superintendent of the silk mills of 
William Openhym & Sons at this point. 

Mr. Salathe was born in Switzerland, Septem- 
ber 3, 1849, '^ncl being early obliged to earn his 
own living, he had meager educational advant- 
ages, his present information having been mainly 
gained by practical experience. At the age of 
eighteen he crossed the Atlantic and settled in 
New York. From an early age he had been fa- 
miliar with the trade of a silk weaver, and on ar- 
riving in the metropolis he soon secured work at 
that occupation, which he has since followed. He 
proved so cflicient and capable that he was grad- 



ually promoted until he filled a position of re- 
sponsibility and trust. In 1892 he came from 
New York to College Point, where he has since 
resided, filling the position of superintendent of 
the mills of William Openhym & Sons, the main 
office of which firm is at Nos. 42-50 Green Street, 
New York. 



WILLIAM J. McKEOWN, the active, 
popular and efficient deputy sheriff and 
sergeant of the Queens County police, 
has made a reputation as a brave and faithful 
officer. May 19, 1864, he was born in the village 
of Jamaica, being the elder of two children born 
to his parents, and is now the only survivor of 
this family. His parents were John and ]\Iary 
(Rigney) McKeown, the former of whom was 
born on the Isle of Erin, where he acquired a 
fair education up to the age of nineteen years, 
when he decided to seek his fortune in America. 
Soon after his arrival in this country he obtained 
employment ^^ith the A'an Siclens in the village 
of Jamaica and became an overseer on one of 
their farms. Later in life he settled down to 
farming for himself on the place where the sub- 
ject of this sketch now lives, and this has been 
his home ever since. His life has been a quiet 
and useful, if uneventful, one, and he is univer- 
sally esteemed. 

Under the guardianship of his parents, the sub- 
ject of this sketch grew up, and while he was re- 
quired to perform the usual duties of the farmer's 
boy, his education was not neglected and he ac- 
quired a practical knowledge of books in the 
common schools. When he had reached the age 
of fourteen years he began driving a market 
wagon for Charles G. Strang, and at the end of 
three years he commenced farming for himself 
on the place where he now lives, of which he l^e- 
canie the owner in 1892, having previously rented 
it for about ten years. In the management of this 
place he has shown good judgment, and the nat- 
tu-al result has been that he has prospered finan- 
cially. 

November 30, 1891, occurred Mr. ]\IcKeown"s 
marriage with jNEiss Mary L. .Stewart, a daughter 
of Dr. James Stewart, of New York City, and 
the following March he began the erection of his 
present beautiful residence, which was completed 
on Decoration Day following. Mr. ■\IcKeown 
has always supported the men and measures of the 
Republican party and in 1 80 1 he received the ap- 




JOHN E. BACKUS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



853 



pointment of deput}' sheriff of Queens County 
under Sheriff Norton, and after the election of 
Sheriff Doht, in 1895, he was reappointed by him, 
and is thus in the fourth year of his service. He 
is an active and able officer and discharged his 
duties in such an efficient manner that in October, 
1895, he was appointed sergeant of tlie Queens 
County police force, and still holds the position. 
In 1889 Mr. McKeown was elected to the of- 
fice of game constable of the town of Jamaica, 
and filled this office very satisfactorily to all con- 
cerned for three years, and especiall}^ so to those 
who supported him. Our subject is one of the 
representative citizens of the county, is a believer 
in law and order and makes it a point to see that 
his views are carried out as far as possible. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. McKeown are identified with the 
Catholic Church. 



JOPIN E. BACKUS. A prominent position 
among the citizens of the town of New- 
tovirn is held by the gentleman whose name 
introduces this biographical notice, and who, dur- 
ing his lifelong residence in the county, has been 
interested in its welfare and a friend of its institu- 
tions. A man of broad knowledge and superior 
ability, as well as the genial courtesy of manners 
which wins and retains friends, he merits the high 
regard in which he is held by all who know him. 
Germany has furnislied Long Island with 
many worthy citizens, but she has contributed 
none more worthy of mention or whose career 
has been such a complete success in every way, 
than Ascan Backus, father of the subject of this 
notice and for years one of the most influential 
men of Newtown. His life shows what may be 
accomplished by determined energy, even in the 
face of man}^ obstacles. He was born in Saxe- 
Gotha in 1814, being the son of a prominent 
farmer and stock-raiser, who, owing to the part 
he took in political affairs during the troubled 
times of his country, was stripped of his posses- 
sions. Ascan, who at that period was studying 
for one of the professions, was obliged to leave 
his books and face the problem of earning a live- 
lihood. 

Coming to America, Mr. Backus landed in 
New York, July 4, 1829, being then a youth of 
fifteen. At first he assisted his brother, Charles, 
who had arrived a year before, in the manage- 
ment of his farm. By economically saving, his 
earnings, he soon amassed a sufficient sum to en- 



able him to hire a small place. There he began 
for himself, with what success every resideiit of 
Queens County knows. He made a specialty of 
raising produce, which in those days had to be 
shipped by boat down Newtown Creek and 
around the battery to New York. Making the 
acquaintance of the principal market men of the 
metropolis, he gained their friendship through 
his strict integrity and upright dealings. The 
markets were closely watched by him and his 
sales were made accordingly. 

As the years passed by, an ever increasing suc- 
cess came to Ascan Backus. As he increased the 
amount of his landed possessions, he also en- 
larged his corps of employes, built new structures 
for his grain and produce, and purchased addi- 
tional stock. Among his laborers he was re- 
spected. In any dispute his word was respected 
as final. In their sickness he was a sympathetic 
friend, in their holiday sports an approving on- 
looker, and it was his desire to inculcate within 
them habits of economy and prudence. Not a 
few of them owed their success, afterward at- 
tained, to his words of counsel and encourage- 
ment. AVhen he died, March 18, 1880, rich and 
poor alike mourned his loss as that of a kind 
friend, good citizen and accommodating neigh- 
bor. 

By his marriage to Mary A. Beethan, Ascan 
Backus became the father of six children, of 
whom there now survive John E., Frederick D., 
and A/lary E., wife of Dr. J. H. Lever of Flushing. 
Our subject was born on the family homestead 
in the town of Newtown, September 25, 1846. 
His education was obtained in the Flushing In- 
stitute, and as he neared man's estate his business 
ability manifested itself and he was made an as- 
sistant manager by his father of his large es- 
tates. His success in that position fully justified 
the confidence reposed in him. After his father's 
death in 1880, he was made executor of the es- 
tate and for some years afterward he and his 
brother carried on the farming interests in part- 
nership on a large scale, until the final settlement 
was made. 

The undoubted bttsiness ability possessed by 
our subject has brought him prominently forward 
among the progressive men of the town. He is 
treasurer of the Citizen's Water Supply Com- 
pany of Newtown, which was incorporated in 
1893. Ii^ the Queens County Agricultural So- 
ciety he is serving as a director. He is one of the 
commissioners of the State Normal School of 



854 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Jamaica, and is treasurer of the board. In the 
Dutch Reformed Church, to which he and his 
family belong, he has filled the offices of elder and 
deacon for years. 

November 5, 1873, Mr. Backus married Miss 
Phoebe S. Vanderveer, who presides with grace 
and hospitable dignity over his elegant horne in 
Hoffman Boulevard, midway between Jamaica 
and Newtown. They are the parents of three liv- 
ing sons, one having died. F. Eugene is at home, 
assisting his father in the management of his 
large interests. I. Wyckoff and J. Edwin are 
students in the Flushing Institute. Mrs. Backus 
is the daughter of Isaac W. Vanderveer, and a 
granddaughter of John R. Pitkin, one of the best 
known men of his day. He was the founder of 
East New York, Kings County, and of Wood- 
haven, Queens County. In 1846 he was instru- 
mental in drawing, and after two years of diligent 
and persistent work succeeded in having adopted, 
one of the general manufacturing laws of the 
state of New York, under which to-day a vast 
amount of individual capital and enterprise is as- 
sociated in the development of the state's re- 
sources. For years he was a successful mer- 
chant, but later became interested in the develop- 
ment of the shoe manufacturing interests of the 
state and was a prominent factor in inducing 
practical shoe manufacturers to remove from 
New England to New York. In 1860-61, with a 
few friends, he founded the East New York Boot, 
Shoe and Leather Manufacturing Company, 
which was later conducted by his children, and 
in which about three thousand pair of shoes were 
manufactured .daily. His success was all the 
more remarkable when we consider that he was 
self-supporting from the age of twelve, having 
neither the prestige of wealth nor the influence 
of friends to aid him in attaining prosperity. 



PETER RENART, who has resided in Col- 
lege Point since 1851, was born in New 
York City in 1840 and is of German and 
French descent. His paternal grandfather, who 
was born in France, removed to Germanv, where 
he was employed as a farmer and linen weaver. 
The father, Michael, was born in Rhine Falls, 
Germany, and in youth followed the occupations 
in which liis father engaged, but after coming to 
America and settling in New York, he was em- 
ployed as a boiler maker. In 1831 he came to 
College l^>int, where he eiUered the Enterprise 



Rubber Works. He died here in 1894, aged sev- 
enty-five. Politically he held Democratic views, 
and in religion was a Lutheran. In New York 
he married Margaret Bornham, who was born 
in France and died in College Point at the age 
of seventy-two. Her father, who took part in 
the Napoleonic wars, emigrated to America and 
settled in Lancaster, Pa., where he was employed 
as a mason and builder. 

The parental family consists of eight children, 
all living, namely: Peter; George and ^Matthew, 
who live in College Point; Michael, who is in the 
state of Washington; William, of Paterson, N. J.; 
Mrs. Susan Bush, of Sullivan County, N. Y. ; 
Mrs. Louise Earthman, also of Sullivan County, 
and Mrs. Annie Rohn, who is in Russia. Our 
subject was educated in the schools of New York 
and College Point. At the age of fifteen he went 
to sea, shipping on a whaling vessel, "Iowa," from 
New Bedford, and engaging in sperm whaling 
in the South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. 
Four years were spent on this voyage, and while 
on board ship he learned the carpenter's trade. 

Returning to New Bedford, six weeks after- 
ward Mr. Renart shipped on the "Java," which 
took practically the same route as the "Iowa," 
and he was employed as carpenter and cooper 
during the four years he remained on thi^ vessel. 
On retiring from the sea he came to College 
Point in 1 851 and afterward followed his trade 
until 1885, since which time he has given his 
attention to jobbing. He erected his residence 
at No. 148 Fifteenth Street, and here he has 
established a pleasant home. 

In New York City Mt. Renart married Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Markey) Willman, who was born in 
Rheinpfalz, Germany. Her father, Peter, was a 
son of Peter Markey, Sr., and was born in Ger- 
many, where he engaged in farm pursuits until 
his death, at the age of eighty-three. In religious 
belief he was a member of the Catholic Church. 
Fle married IMagdalene BroA\'n, a native of Prus- 
sia, and daughter of John Brown, who was the 
proprietor of an oil mill. There were eight chil- 
dren in the family of Peter ]\Iarkey, of whom 
three are living, all in America. ^Irs. Renart, 
who is next to the eldest, was educated in Ger- 
many and came to America in 1857. Her first 
marriage was to ^lichael \\'illman. who enlisted 
in the Union Army as a nieml.ier of the Fourth 
New York Infantry and was killed in the battle 
of Antietam. Two children were born of this un- 
ion, Michael, who lives in Paterson, and Tohn. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



85s 



who died in College Point. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Renart were born three children, namely: Mrs. 
Susan Sweeney, Mrs. Mary Kreamer and Peter, 
Jr., a silk weaver by trade, all being residents 
of College Point. For eight years Mr. Renart 
was foreman of the Eagle Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany, in which he is still a member. 



FRED MEDERO, agent for Boyer's Freight 
Line, of New York, Flushing and College 
Point, was born May 28, 1855, in Flushing, 
where he now resides. His father, Michael Me- 
dero, a native of Canary Island, near the west 
coast of Africa, and a descendant of Spanish an- 
cestry, left home at the age of eight years, taking 
passage on a boat commanded by Captain Jones, 
of West Creek, N. J., on the occasion of his first 
trip to that island. He reached New York and 
soon afterward went to sea with Captain Jones. 
At the age of seventeen he was owner and cap- 
tain of a vessel, with which he engaged in the 
oyster trade on the coast of New Jersey and Vir- 
ginia. Later he was in the fruit trade between 
New York and the West Indies, and was among 
the first to bring bananas by cargo to New York 
City. His vessel, which he still commands, sails 
between the metropolis and the West India 
Islands, carrying out a general cargo and return- 
ing with logwood. His life of adventure on the 
high seas has not tmdermined his strength: on 
the contrary, he is unusually hale and vigorous 
for a man of seventy-three. Besides speaking the 
English language fluently, he converses readily 
in Spanish and French. 

The mother of our subject, Mary C. Seaman, 
was born at West Creek, N. J., and died in Flush- 
ing, having had a family of eleven children, of 
whom four survive. Fred, who is the next to 
the eldest, was reared in Flushing and attended 
the public schools until fourteen, when he en- 
tered a broker's office in New York City. Dur- 
ing the eleven years that he was thus engaged he 
did all the custom house work tor the firm. In 
1880 he started in the brokerage business for him- 
self at the corner of South and Old Slip Streets, 
where he continued as a ship broker for some 
time. I^ater he was in partnership with Charles 
I. Hill, under the firm name of Charles I. Hill & 
Co., succeeding I. R. Staples & Co. in business at 
No. 66 South Street. On coming to Flushing 
he started in the green grocery business at No. 
91^ Main Street. In 1887 he became agent for 



Boyer's freight line, of which he has since been 
general manager. He runs one steamboat, the 
"L. Boyer," which is a boat of one hundred and 
fifty tons; this stops at College Point, Steinway 
and Pier No. 23, leaving at 2 p. m. for home. 
The freight business is very large and the enter- 
prise has proved of much benefit to the people of 
Flushing. The employes are boys residing in 
this place, and the location at the foot of Broad- 
way is most advantageous for the purposes of 
trade and transportation. 

By his marriage to Mary, daughter of Patrick 
Kanna, of this place, Mr. Medero has four chil- 
dren, namely: Charles, who is local agent for the 
Boyer Freight Line at Flushing; Mary, Joseph- 
ine and Fred. The family residence is situated 
at No. 18 North Prince Street. Mr. Medero is a 
member of the Flushing Building & Loan As- 
sociation and the United Banking Company of 
New York. Since 1875 he has been identified 
with Mutual Engine Company No. i, in which he 
has held all the offices. He is a firm adherent 
of Republican principles, and a progressive citi- 
zen who takes an interest in all worthy enterprises. 



G 



FORGE HACHTEL, who is engaged in 
the bakery business in Second Avenue, 
between Sixth and Seventh Streets, Col- 
lege Point, was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 
26, 1866, and is a son of George and Lena (Stand- 
inger) Hachtel, natives of the same place, where 
the father is still engaged in farm pursuits; the 
mother died some years ago. Of five children 
comprising the family all but one are living, the 
subject of" this sketch being the eldest of the 
number and the only one in America. He was 
reared in the parental home and aided in the 
work of cultivating the farm, also attended the 
German schools until fourteen years of age. 

In 1880 Mr. Hachtel took passage on a steamer 
at Bremen, and after an uneventful voyage land- 
ed in New York. His first employment in this 
country was upon a farm in Glencove, Queens 
County, where he remained for six months. He 
was then apprenticed to learn the trade of a bak- 
er in New York City, where he remained, the 
most of the time, for the six following years. In 
t886 he came to College Point, and three years 
later was here united in marriage with Miss Cyn- 
thia Jacobs, daughter of Charles Jacobs, a far- 
mer of this village, where she was born. 

Continuing at his trade, Mr. Hachtel in 1893 



S6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bought out his father-in-law's business, which is 
one of the oldest bakeries here, and he has since 
been proprietor of the place at Nos. 94-96 Sec- 
ond Avenue. Stead_v employment is furnished to 
two bakers, and a wagon is run for the conven- 
ience of customers in College Point and Flush- 
ing. While he has been very successful in every 
line of his trade, his specialty has been the mak- 
ing of rye bread, in which he has few equals. He 
is a member of the Adelphi Social Club and the 
Order of Foresters, and in religious belief is iden- 
tified with St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He and 
his wife have three sons, George G., Frederick 
G. and Charles H. 



ANTON HAHN, who is of German birth 
and parentage, came to America in 
1893, and located in Long Island City, 
where he is a leading florist. He deals in all 
kinds of potted plants, shrubs and choice cut 
flowers and makes a specialty of floral pieces and 
decorations for weddings, parties and funerals. 
Prior to coming to America he was the court 
gardener to Her Majesty, the late Empress Au- 
gusta of Germany. He has in his possession six- 
teen first prizes, medals and diplomas from all 
the principal exhibitions held in his native land, 
also letters of recommendation from Empress 
Augusta and Emperor Frederick III. 

The birth of Mr. Hahn occurred in 1857 in 
Coblentz, Germany, which was also the birth- 
place of his father, Mathias Hahn, who was like- 
wise a florist of wide reputation and extended 
knowledge. His wife was formerly a Miss Er- 
ben, both of whose parents are now deceased. 
To them was granted a family of ten children, of 
whom six are now living. Of this household, An- 
ton is the only one who makes his home in the 
New World. He attended the schools of Cob- 
lentz until nineteen years of age, when he en- 
tered the Pobbelsdorff Botanical Garden Insti- 
tute and after completing the course there stud- 
ied in other schools of the kind, finally being 
graduated from the Geisenheim Horticultural 
School when only twenty-two years of age. 

After becoming fully qualified our subject en- 
gaged in business with his father until the death 
of the latter, when he carried on affairs alone un- 
til. 1893, the year in which he came to America. 
Choosing Long Island City as his future abiding- 
place he first worked for a Mr. Arnold, and later 
became florist and gardener for a gentleman own- 



ing one of the finest homes in Brooklyn. L'pon 
leaving his employ he was given the position of 
second foreman in an establishment in New York 
City, remaining there until September 15, 1894, 
when he bought out Mr. Arnold of Astoria, and 
has continued at this stand ever since. He has 
made many improvements in the place, Avhich is 
without question one of the largest and finest in 
Long Island City. His greenhouses and garden 
cover twenty-two lots and both are supplied with 
all the conveniences for propagating plants and 
shrubs of all kinds. He supplies the decorations 
for the i\Iuseum of Art in Central Park, and at 
various times has had charge of the decorations 
at St. Patrick's Cathedral, located in Fiftieth 
Street, New York. ]\Ir. Hahn was called upon to 
do the decorating for a wedding at the residence 
of Mr. Byke of Brooklyn, and displayed such ex- 
cellent taste and good judgment in his arrange- 
ment of the different rooms that his skill as a 
florist was mentioned in glowing terms in the 
New York papers and copied by the English and 
German papers. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in his 
native land, in 1886, when ]Miss Anna Reiche be- 
came his wife. They have one daughter, Katie. 
In religious affairs Mr. Hahn is a Catholic. 



WILBUR F. JOHNSON. It was in 1881 
that Mr. Johnson opened a furniture 
and undertaking establishment at East 
Norwich. The business was at first conducted 
upon a small scale, but by fair and honorable 
methods and untiring industry, there was a 
gradual increase in the trade, to accommodate 
which the stock was increased and the facilities 
enlarged. To meet the needs of the growing 
business, in 1885 ]Mr. Johnson purchased prop- 
erty conveniently located and here he erected a 
commodious and substantial building. His busi- 
ness is now one of the most extensive and com- 
plete in this line of any outside of the large cities, 
and his trade extends throughout this section. 

Noting the history of the family, we find that 
our subject's grandfather, Stephen Johnson, was 
born and reared in Hempstead, Queens Coun- 
ty, where for many years he engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits. Our subject's father, Rev. 
Samuel F., was from boyhood conspicuous for 
his talents, and at an early age entered the min- 
istry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to whicli 
he devoted his active life. His labors were chief- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



859 



ly on Long- Island, in addition to whicli he spent 
twelve years in Connecticut. In fiis various 
charges he labored indefatigably to advance the 
spiritual interests of the people, and through his 
upright, consistent life and earnestness as a 
speaker he won many into the church. His self- 
sacrificing efforts finally resulted in failing health, 
which obliged him to retire from ministerial 
work. His last days were spent at Rockville Cen- 
ter, where he died April 24, 1886, after a long and 
useful life devoted to the cause of Christianity. 
'His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Smith, makes her home with her daughter, Har- 
riet, wife of Rev. W. A. Layton. 

In the parental family there were five children, 
namely: Wilbur F.; Harriet; Sidney, who died 
in childhood; Frank, who is bookkeeper for the 
First National Bank of Pasadena, Cal.; and Ar- 
thur, who is engaged in business in Drayton, 
Pembina County, N. D. The first eighteen years 
of our subject's life were spent beneath the paren- 
tal roof, and he attended the public schools of 
the various places where his father resided. When 
twenty-one he entered Packard's Business Col- 
lege of New York City, where he completed the 
commercial course. For the six years following 
he taught the East Norwich school. During that 
time he was married, August 20, 1877, to Miss 
Emily, daughter of John Vernon, of one of the 
old families of East Norwich. 

The religious connections of Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson are with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of East Norwich, in which he has for fif- 
teen years been steward and class leader. Also 
active in Sunday-school work, he has been sup- 
erintendent for some time, and has been instru- 
mental in promoting the welfare of this depart- 
ment of the church. Plis political belief brings 
him into co-operation with the Republican party, 
with which he always votes and works. He is a 
careful, conscientious business man, and has 
gained a measure of success of which he may well 
be proud. 



WILLIAM RASOUIN, JR. Although 
still in the dawn of a successful career, 
Mr. Rasquin is one of the prominent 
attorneys of Long Island, a region well repre- 
sented by some of the country's most talented 
legal lights. His present position has been ac- 
quired by arduous study and a strict adherence 



to an honorable course, and as a citizen he is 
well and favorably known. He is a native of 
Philadelphia, Pa., and was born in September, 
1864. His father, William Rasquin, Sr., was a 
native of Cologne, Germany, his ancestors be- 
ing exiles from France. In his youth he learned 
the shoemaker's trade, and upon reaching man- 
hood became a soldier in the German army. 
Upon his arrival in America in 1856 he took up 
his residence in Philadelphia, and until his re- 
moval to Brooklyn, in November, 1864, was en- 
gaged in the shoe business. His wife was Louisa 
Lindauer, a native of Canton Schwytz, Switzer- 
land, on Lake Zurich, and six children were bofn 
to them, four of whom are living. 

William Rasquin, Jr., was the eldest child born 
to his parents, and was graduated from the pub- 
lic schools of Brooklyn when thirteen years of 
age. For two years following this he was with 
David M. Stone, editor of the "Journal of Com- 
merce," then began the study of law with Erastus 
New in New York City. At this time he was but 
fifteen years of age, and when twenty-one years 
old he was admitted to the bar in Brooklyn, in 
September, 1885. For one year thereafter he was 
associated with Mr. New, and after the latter's 
death he entered the office of Robert Sewell of 
New York City, with whom he has since been 
professionally associated. Since November, 
1893, Mr. Rasquin has been a resident of Flush- 
ing and has a well appointed office at No. 1 1 Main 
Street. Fie at once identified himself with the in- 
terests of the place and his intelligence and abil- 
ity soon became recognized, for after a residence 
here of only a year and a half, he was elected, in 
the spring of i8g5, chairman of the town board 
of auditors for a term of three years. He is the_ 
local attorney for the United States Building and 
Loan Bank of Flushing, and although formerly 
a member of the Kings County Bar Association 
he transferred his membership to Queens County 
upon locating there. 

A stanch Democrat, Mr. Rasquin was a dele- 
gate to the state convention of 1895 ^''^d was on 
the committee on credentials. He is a Royal 
Arch Mason and a member of Cornucopia Lodge 
No. 563; also belongs to the Royal Arcanum. 
Besides holding membership with the Flushing 
Boat Club, he is also identified with the village 
improvement association, Murray Hill Improve- 
ment Association, and was one of the organizers 
of the Murray Hill Hose Company, serving as its 
first president, and is now chairman of its board 



86o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of trustees. He is also a member o£ the Mer- 
cury Wheel Club. 

Mr. Rasquin was married in Brooklyn to Miss 
Ella Rockefeller, who traces her ancestry in this 
country to the landing of Henry Hudson, and is 
consequently of Holland-Dutch stock. Grand- 
father Rockafellow (the original spelling of the 
name) located in Columbia County, N. Y., and 
some of the family subsequently moved to Or- 
ange County. To Mr. and Mrs. Rasquin two 
children have been born: Almon Gilson and 
William Rockefeller. They have a beautiful 
home on Murray Hill and are attendants of the 
Reformed Church. Mr. Rasquin was for seven 
years a member of the Third Battery National 
Guard, and held the rank of sergeant five years. 
He is an enthusiastic wheelman and when in 
Brooklyn was a member of the Long Island 
Wheelmen. He was a delegate to the National 
Wheelmen's Convention, was chairman of the 
roadbook committee of the New York division 
and has ridden all over New York state on his 
wheel. 



HENRY KESSELRING, proprietor of a 
grocery at College Point, and member of 
a well known family of this village, was 
born here February 22, 1864. He is the son of 
John C. Kesselring, a native of Germany, who 
came to College Point about 1856 and has since 
resided here, having witnessed the growth and 
development of the place from a straggling, un- 
important hamlet to a thriving village. Not only 
is he familiar with the progress of the place, but 
has himself largely contributed thereto, having 
by his business attributes and public spirit been 
'a potent factor in attaining the present results. 
In various ways he has been associated with the 
business interests of the community, and at this 
writing is employed in the Enterprise mill. Some 
years ago he purchased the grocery store of which 
his son, Plenry, is the manager. Politically he 
has always been identified with the Democratic 
party and a devoted adherent to its principles. 

By his marriage to Miss Mary Kutrufif, who 
was born in Germany and came to America in 
girlhood, John C. Kesselring- became the father 
of nine children, of whom the six here named sur- 
vive: Susan, whose home is in New York; Mary, 
Minnie, Bertha, Henry and Clara, all residents of 
College Point. The subject of this sketch, who 
is the onl}- son of his parents, was reared to man- 



hood in this village and received his education in 
the schools of College Point and New York. His 
first employment was that of telegraph operator 
at the station here, which position he held for 
one year. The occupation, however, did not 
prove congenial and he turned his attention to 
other lines of work. For eight months he was 
employed in a drug store, after which for one 
year he engaged as clerk for his brother-in-law 
in the grocery business. Later, when his father 
purchased the concern, he remained as manager 
of the business, which he has since conducted 
successfully. Socially he is identified with the 
Foresters and is secretary of Court Fregang 
here. 



LEONARD W. LAMBERSON, w*o was 
formerly successfully engaged in the gro- 
cerv business, now conducts a feed estab- 
lishment in Jamaica. He is a native of Spring- 
field. N. Y., and was born July 24, 1841, to 
Remsen and Sarah (Smith) Lamberson, he and 
his brother John, a resident of Springfield, being 
the only surviving members of a family of three 
children. Remsen Lamberson w-as also born in 
Springfield, his natal year being 1812, and here 
he grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed for some years, but he 
finally turned his attention to farming, following 
the same until his death, which occurred Septem- 
ber 17, 1895. He was first married to Miss Sarah 
Smith, and for his second wife he married Miss 
Hannah E. Smith, her sister, by whom he had two 
children, oi whom Howard is the only survivor. 
His third wife was ]\Iiss Adaline Johnson. The 
grandfather. Derrick Lamberson, was a miller 
and hotelkeeper of Fosters ^Meadow the greater 
portion of his life. 

LTnder the shelter of the parental roof the sub- 
ject of tiiis sketch grew to manhood, and in the 
common schools in the vicinity of his rural home 
he acquired a fair education. After he had at- 
tained the age of twent}'-onc years he began life 
for himself as a farmer, but in a short time de- 
cided to devote his attention to other pursuits and 
for two }ears was a stage driver under William 
Durland between Jamaica and New York City. 
He then became a member of the Brooklyn po- 
lice force, but after two years spent in this man- 
ner, he removed to his present location and 
opened a grocer}-, which for thirty years he con- 
ducted very successfully, but in 1805 '""-^ disposed 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



86i 



of his stock of goods, leased his store property 
and is now devoting his attention solely to the 
feed business, which he had previously conducted 
in conjunction with his grocery business. 

In 1862 Mr. Lamberson's marriage with Miss 
Mary E. Smith occurred, and to them have been 
born two children; Anna Augusta, wife of John 
L. Boyd, and the mother of six children; and 
Remsen D., who is married and the father of four 
children. The latter is a successful grocer of 
Springfield. Mr. Lamberson is a Republican 
politically and for four years was a member of the 
town board of trustees. He has also been a 
trustee of his school district for some nine years, 
in fact, he is a public-spirited man and has al- 
ways been a useful and substantial citizen. 



ticket, for the position of justice of the peace in 
the town. He was united in marriage, in April, 
1887, with Miss Alice Phelan, daughter of Daniel 
Phelan, of Brooklyn, and unto them have been 
born four children; Ella, Thomas, Martha and 
Roger. 



THOMAS PATTERSON, who is num- 
bered among the progressive and enter- 
prising residents of Mineola, where he is 
extensively engaged in the real estate business, 
was born in the city of Brooklyn in 1861, being 
the son of John and Margaret (Williams) Patter- 
son. His boyhood days were spent in Brooklyn, 
where he was a student in the common schools, 
laying there the foundation of learning necessary 
for the successful management of business affairs. 
In youth he was employed at different times by 
various manufacturing companies of New York, 
but it was not his intention to continue in the 
employ of others, this work being used merely as 
a stepping stone to a business of his own. 

In 1889, having saved an amount sufficient to 
justify the venture, Mr. Patterson embarked in 
the real estate business, and three years later he 
came to Mineola, where he has since conducted 
general work in his chosen line. In this village 
lie erected a commodious and comfortable resi- 
dence, of artistic design and desirably located; 
this place has since been his home, and is regard- 
ed as one of the most attractive private dwellings 
in the village. A large part of his work consists 
of platting village lots and he has laid out an 
addition to Mineola, thus enhancing- the progress 
of the community and the business interests of the 
people. He has a city office located in the Ar- 
buckle building. 

Since attaining his majority Mr. Patterson has 
been identified with the Republican party, and 
has never failed to support by his vote the prin- 
ciples for which this organization stands. In 1895 
he received the nomination, on the Republican 



BENJAMIN G. STRONG, M. D., coroner 
of Queens County, is a very prominent 
physician and stands high in the opinion 
of his professional brethren, and has been suc- 
cessfully engaged in practice for many years. 
The Doctor is highly educated in general and is 
a student and scholar of great depth. He comes 
of good old Puritan stock and is a member of 
the seventh generation from John Strong, the 
first of the family in America. The Doctor is a 
native of Michigan, and was born in Hillsdale 
County in i860. His father. Dr. Ashal V. 
Strong,was born at Huntsburg, Ohio, whence 
he later removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., 
where he earned a well-merited place among the 
prominent physicians of that county. 

In tracing the ancestry of our subject back to 
John Strong we first make mention of his grand- 
father, Amasa Strong, born in Westhampton, 
Mass. The father of the latter, who also bore the 
given name of Amasa, was likewise a native of 
Westhampton, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing. His wife was a Miss Sarah Noble of West- 
field, Mass. Amasa Strong, Sr., was in turn the 
son of Bela Strong, and the latter the son of Jere- 
miah Strong. 

John Strong was born in Taunton, England, 
and with one hundred and forty others embarked 
on a sailing vessel, which was seventy days, cross- 
ing the Atlantic. They were landed at Nantasket, 
Mass., May 30, 1630. The Strongs then settled 
at a place called Dorchester, where they lived for 
five years and then removed to Hughhorn, Mass. 
Their residence there was of short duration, how- 
ever, for the record tells us that they soon made 
their home in Taunton, that state. In 1669 John 
Strong, with his household, settled in Windsor, 
Coni-u, which place he aided very materially to 
develop, and where he resided until his decease. 
He was a tanner by trade and followed this call- 
ing after coming to America. 

The first of the family to leave the East was the 
great-grandfather of our subject, who upon 
reaching mature years made his home in Ohio, 
where he successfully followed farming. His son. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the grandfather of Benjamin G., succeeded him 
to the old homestead and he too accumulated a 
good property. 

Ashal V. Strong was given every advantage for 
gaining a good education and after deciding to 
take up the medical profession became a student 
in Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, 
from which he was graduated as Doctor of Medi- 
cine with the class of '49. He determined to make 
his home in the West, and accordingly opened an 
ofifice at Reading, Hillsdale County, Alich., where 
he was engaged in practice until his decease. He 
became one of the most successful physicians of 
the county and was a prominent member of the 
various local medical societies. 

During the late war Dr. Ashal Strong was 
made assistant surgeon of the First Michigan 
Sharpshooters, serving acceptably until receiv- 
ing his honorable discharge on the expiration of 
his period of enlistment. He was fifty-seven 
years of age at the time of his decease, in Febru- 
ary, 1884. After his army experience and the 
organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
he became identified with the post nearest his 
home and was an active worker in this body dur- 
ing his lifetime. He also ranked high in Masonic 
circles and was well known to his brethren in the 
Odd Fellows fraternity, as he was also a mem- 
ber of that order. 

The mother of oui- subject was Comelia (Grin- 
nell) Strong, a native of Evans Hills, N. Y., and 
the daughter of Ezra and Catherine Grinnell. 
Her father lived to the remarkable age of ninety- 
four years, departing this life at the home of Dr. 
Strong in Michigan in 1885. During his younger 
years he had been a farmer of prominence in the 
Empire State and took an active part in the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, with which he has been con- 
nected for many years. The mother of our sub- 
ject is still living on the old home place in Michi- 
gan. Benjamin G. is her only son, and his sis- 
ter, Carrie, is now Mrs. Curtiss of Reading, j\Iich. 

When eighteen years of age our subject gradu- 
ated from the high school of Reading, He at 
once began his own support by clerking in a 
drug store in his native place, being thus occu- 
pied until 1880, when he entered the medical de- 
partment of the University of Michigan at Ann 
Arbor, and was graduated as a physician three 
years thereafter. He then entered into business 
with his father, and when the latter died he suc- 
ceeded to his practice. He continued to make his 
home in the Wolverine State until 1889, when he 



came East and opened an office in Long Island 
City. In the spring of that year, wishing to gain 
more information relating to his profession, he 
took a course in the Post-Graduate School of Xew 
York City, and in June of that year succeeded to 
the practice of Dr. Hitchcock and has since con- 
tinued at the old office. No. 434 Jackson Avenue. 

In the fall of 1893 the Doctor was elected 
county coroner on the Republican ticket by a 
very large majority. In January of the suc- 
ceeding year he took the oath of office, and in 
discharging the duties of this responsible posi- 
tion gives entire satisfaction. He is one of the 
busiest men in Long Island City and in addition 
to his extensive practice he had last year two 
hundred cases as coroner. 

Dr. Strong and Miss Alice Bartholomew of In- 
dianapolis, Ind., were united in marriage in 1884. 
INIrs. Strong was born in Michigan and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of 
a daughter named Blessing. The Doctor is an 
Odd Fellow and holds membership with Island 
City Lodge and Encampment. He is also a ]\Iason 
of high degree and belongs to Banner Chapter. 
He is likewise a Royal Arch ]Mason and was made 
Knight Templar in Hillsdale. The Knights of 
Pythias claim him as one of their most able sup- 
porters and he also belongs to the Order of Sons 
of Veterans. As we have already stated, he is 
an influential and enthusiastic Republican and is 
a member of the county Republican central com- 
mittee. He reads papers from time to time be- 
fore the Long Island City and Queens County 
^Medical Societies and as one of the most skillful 
physicians of the island his advice is often sought 
and followed by those even older in the profes- 
sion than himself. 



J 



OHN D. HALVORSON. The merchant 
tailoring establishment of which this gen- 
tleman is the proprietor and which is one 
of the well known business houses of Flushing, 
stands at No. 89 Main Street, occupying a loca- 
. tion that is advantageous for the purposes of the 
trade. By those who are in a position to be in- 
formed in regard to the matter, it is said that !Mr. 
Halvorson has no superior in this locality in his 
special line of work. He makes a specialty of 
imported cloth, of which he carries a full assort- 
ment, adhering strictly to the latest styles in Lon- 
don and Paris. 

A Swede bv liirtli. 'Slv. Halvorson learned the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



865 



merchant tailoring trade under competent in- 
structors in his native land. In 1881 he came to 
the United States and after travehng through 
different parts of the country, he located in New 
York City, where for a time he was in the employ 
of Averill Brothers. Later he was with M. Rock, 
the well known tailor of Fifth Avenue, and the 
value of his services may be recognized by the 
fact that he was retained as cutter by that gentle- 
man, who has for years been regarded as one of 
the finest merchant tailors in the world. He used 
the Bell system of cutting, the leading system in 
the country, and remained in M. Rock's estab- 
lishment for seven years. 

In the meantime, in 1890, Mr. Halvorson es- 
tablished his home in Flushing, where he built 
a commodious residence at No. 1 18 Central Ave- 
nue. In March, 1896, he opened his present es- 
tablishment, where he has since had a large trade 
as an importer of suitings and as merchant tailor. 
He is well and favorably known among the peo- 
ple of this part of the county, and his knowledge 
of the merchant tailoring trade has brought him 
the confidence of those with whom he has had 
business dealings. 



JUDGE LUKE J. CONNORTON, attorney- 
at-law and one of the leading Democrats of 
Flushing, was born in this village Novem- 
ber 21, 1853, and is a son of Luke and Hannah 
(Curley) Connorton, deceased, the former of 
whom was engaged in the livery business here 
for many years before his death. Luke J. is the 
older of two children and was educated in the 
Flushing Institute, graduating in 1872. After- 
ward, having resolved to become an attorney, he 
took up the study of law under J. W. Covert, ex- 
member of Congress, and was admitted to the bar 
in Brooklyn in 1877. After Mr. Covert went to 
Congress he remained in his office for a short, 
time. 

In 1878 Mr. Connorton was elected town clerk 
upon the Democratic ticket, which position he 
held by successive annual election for a period 
of twelve years, meantime continuing the practice 
of law. In 1889 he was elected justice of the 
peace for Flushing, being the only justice in the 
village. In 1893 he was re-elected for a period 
of four years. He has civil jurisdiction in the 
town and holds court daily in his offices in the 
town hall and at No. 1 1 Main Street. Such time 
as may not be needed for official work is devoted 
35 



to the practice of law, in which he has been suc- 
cessful. 

One of the leaders of the Democratic party in 
this section. Judge Connorton, does all in his 
power to advance party interests. He has fre- 
quently served as delegate to local and state con- 
ventions, and in 1884 was an alternate to the na- 
tional convention. At this writing he is a mem- 
ber of the town committee. For fifteen years he 
has been clerk to the board of town trustees. In 
every position to which he has been called, he 
has rendered able and efficient service, and as an 
official has few equals in the town. Fraternally he 
is a member of the Royal Arcanum and master 
of finance of the Knights of Pythias. He is also 
identified with Rescue Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany. In this village he married Miss Kate E. 
O'Brien, who was born here, and they are the 
parents of a son, William. 



PRESTON B. SEAMAN. Among those 
who have acquired a wide reputation for 
their great skill and artistic conception as 
architects in Long Island City is Preston B. 
Seaman. In Astoria he is regarded as a ris- 
ing young man of marked professional attain- 
ments and great promise. He was born at No. 
927 Boulevard, Astoria, July 11, 1868, to the 
marriage of Allen and Mary M. (Kenzel) Sea- 
man, both natives of the Empire State. The 
grandfather, Hampton Seaman, was of French 
origin and of an old and prominent family, many 
of whose members were Quakers. The father of 
our subject' was born in Orange County, but 
when a young man went to New York City and 
was there engaged as a marine engineer, erect- 
ing steamboats and other machinery for F. W. 
Devoe. In 1850- he came to Astoria, but his 
work carried him to different parts of the island. 
He is now retired from active business and re- 
sides at No. 927 Boulevard, where, although sev- 
enty-four years old, he enjoys fairly good health. 
To his marriage were born six children, five 
daughters and a son, two daughters and the son 
now living. 

Our subject, the youngest of this family, re- 
ceived a good, practical education in Astoria, first 
in the public schools and then in Trinity Church 
school, graduating from the latter institution in 
1887. Later he began the study of architecture in 
Jersey City, N.. J., and from there went to Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., where he was with Parfett Brothers, 



866 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



architects, for about two years. From there he 
went to New York City, and after remaining with 
C. True for three years, in 1892 opened an office 
in Astoria. While residing in New York City he 
was a member of the New York Sketch Club, and 
joined several evening classes and there studied 
dififerent drafting and panelings. Since locating 
in this city he has continued his study and is well 
posted in all that pertains to his profession. He 
completed the Astor Hotel, Mrs. Campbell Wool- 
sey's residence, the Presbyterian parsonage, and 
many other residences and buildings. He also has 
had much work in Flushing and in Jersey City. 
Mr. Seaman is treasurer of Astoria Athletic 
Club, of which he was one of the organizers, and 
is filling his second term in that position. For 
one year he was secretary of the club. He is a 
member of the Church of the Redeemer, is mem- 
ber of the choir, and although assistant superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school is acting superin- 
tendent, and is also secretary and treasurer. Po- 
litically he advocates the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party. 



WILLIAM CONNORS has been a resi- 
dent of College Point for twenty-six 
years, since 1870, and since 1881 has 
carried on his present business, that of manufac- 
turer of improved mineral waters. The business 
of manufacturing and bottling aerated waters is 
a very important one, and few have been more 
successful in it than has he. His establishment 
is situated in Twelfth Street, between Second 
and Fourth Avenues, and he also has a branch at 
Great Neck, supplying all the hotels and picnic 
grounds there and at Roslyn, Port Washington 
and Sand's Point. The place covers an area of 
150x150 feet and the general equipment is very 
complete, consisting of all the necessary appli- 
ances for manufacturing and bottling soda and 
mineral waters, ginger ale, tonic beer and other 
drinks. He is also agent for and bottler of Bead- 
leston & Woerz's ales, porter and imperial lager 
beer, which is sold at both wholesale and retail. 
Employment is furnished to a number of men, 
and wagons are kept for the delivery of orders to 
customers. 

Born ill Ireland March I, 1857, Mr. Connors 
came to America at an early age and joined some 
relatives at College Point, where he has since 
resided. His first work here was in the Enter- 
prise rubber mills, where he was employed for 



three years. For a similar period he was en- 
gaged in the hotel business, after which he em- 
barked in the enterprise which he has since suc- 
cessfully conducted. Under his efficient manage- 
ment the business has grown to large propor- 
tions, his trade extending to Oyster Bay and Ja- 
maica towns and through the town of North 
Hempstead. By his marriage to Mary Cashen 
of Whitestone, he has five children, all at 
home, namely: Edward, William, Margaret, 
]Mabel and Raymond. Believing thoroughly in 
the advantages gained by an education, he is giv- 
ing his children excellent opportunities, so that 
they may become fitted for useful positions in the 
world. He is a member of the Catholic Benevo- 
lent Legion and the Order of Foresters. A Dem- 
ocrat in politics, he is serving as town trustee and 
is chairman of a very important committee — 
that which inquires concerning the disposal of 
lands under water. 



G 



FORGE HENRY JORGEN WULFF. 
Among the worthy residents and respect- 
ed citizens of Schuetzen Park is this gen- 
tleman, who bears the distinction of being the 
oldest contractor in house painting and deco- 
rating in Long Island City. He has been remark- 
ably successful in this business and his income 
has been such that he has been enabled to travel 
through various portions of the L^nited States 
sight-seeing. 

]\Ir. Wulff, who located in this city in 1870, is 
a native of Germany, having been born in 
Liibeck. October 7, 1842. His father, Jorgen 
Wulff, was a marine engineer and died in his na- 
tive land when forty-eight years of age. He mar- 
ried Miss Johanna Rassof, who lived to the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-two years. Both parents 
were Protestants. Of their family of six children, 
five are now living, three making their home in 
America. 

George Henry ^^'ulft' attended the public 
schools of Hanover until a lad of fourteen, when 
he was apprenticed to a painter and during the 
years he served thus became familiar with 
every department of the painter's trade. Later 
he traveled as a journeyman through various 
parts of his native land, and also worked in the 
cities of Petersburg and ^loscow and many of the 
important towns of England and France. In 
1868, however, he decided to come to America. 
The vessel on whicli he took passage landed him 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



867 



in Quebec, where he remained for a time and then 
he crossed over into the States and found work 
in New York City. In May, 1870, he came to what 
is now Schuetzen Park and made his home. He 
erected the first residence in the place and opened 
a shop where he received contracts for house and 
sign painting, also doing the most beautiful fres- . 
coing. He soon became known as an expert in 
his line and many of the public buildings all over 
the island owe their beautiful decorations to his 
genius. Mr. Wulff has erected three residences 
in North Avenue, two on Broadway, near Stein- 
way, which are among the finest in the place, be- 
sides his place of business at No. 517 Broadway. 
At one time he was the largest contractor in the 
city, but of late years he has practically retired 
from active work. 

Mr. Wulflf was married in Long Island City in 
1 87 1 to Miss Wilhelmina Russof, whose birth 
also occurred in Liibeck, Germany. To them four 
children have been granted, namely: Hannah, 
now Mrs. Suss of this city; Lizzie, Olga and 
Felix, at home with their parents. In 1876 our 
subject visited the Centennial Exposition in Phil- 
adelphia and in 1893 spent several weeks at the 
World's Fair in Chicago. He has made two trips 
back to his native land, first visiting his old home 
in 1874 and again crossing the Atlantic in 1890. 

In national politics Mr. Wulff is a Democrat, 
but in local affairs he votes for the best man re- 
gardless of party lines. Socially he is a member 
■oi the Turners' Society, the Odd Fellows order 
and the Red Men, holding membership in the lat- 
ter body with Pocahontas Lodge No. 14. He 
has an interest in the Long Island City Building 
& Loan Association, and in every walk of life his 
chief aim has been to do what he could to benefit 
humanity. In the German Second Reformed 
Church of this place he is one of the most active 
and influential members and is very justly num- 
bered among the best citizens of Queens County. 



who is employed in Brooklyn; Mary, residing in 
College Point; Herman, of this sketch; Theodore 
and Lily, who reside in this village. 

The first work of our subject was as an em- 
ploye in the India Rubber Comb Mills, where 
he remained about three years. He then began 
to learn the cigar manufacturing business, but 
it was not congenial and as soon as possible 
he turned his attention to other lines. For one 
year he was employed by the superintendent of 
the waterworks, after which he worked for Wes- 
cott's Express Company, being a driver at first, 
but soon receiving a more lucrative position. Be- 
ing observant and intelligent, he soon learned the 
business, and remained with the company from 
1876 until 1882. 

Desiring to engage in business for himself, 
Mr. Kraemer bought and established the North 
Shore Express, fitting up an ofHce and stables 
at No. 145 Ninth Street, where he has first-class 
accommodations. In addition to the office here, 
he has one in Whitestone, while in New York 
customers may leave orders at No. 109 John 
Street, No. 45 Church, No. 3 Mercer or No. 312 
Canal Street. The express runs daily between 
College Point, Whitestone and New York. 

Politically Mr. Kraemer is a Democrat, but not 
a partisan. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, 
his parents being members of that church. He 
married Katie Rech of College Point and they 
have three children, Frank, Florence and Walter. 



HERMAN KRAEMER, founder and pro- 
prietor of Kraemer's North Shore Ex- 
press, and a well-known resident of Col- 
lege Point, was born in this village July 18, 1859, 
and is a son of Henry and Mary E. (Strabe) 
Kraemer. His father, who was born in Germany, 
emigrated to America in early manhood and set- 
tled in College Point, where he is employed by 
the India Rubber Comb Company. By his mar- 
riage he has five children living, namely: Henry, 



GEORGE GEMUNDER, JR. It is not al- 
ways that the peculiar genius of the 
father descends to the son, that the talent 
which brought fame to the one is inherited by 
the other. Such, however, is true in the history 
of the subject of this article. He is a member of 
a family possessing high artistic gifts, not alone 
as musicians but also as makers of musical in- 
struments, and the name has been brought into 
a world-wide renown through the ability of its 
representatives. 

In no instance can it more worthily be said that 
the "mantle worn by the father has fallen upon 
the shoulders of the son" than in the life of 
George Gemunder, Jr., who, receiving his fath- 
er's name, also received much of his wonderful 
talent. As a violin maker his reputation is es- 
tablished and his fame more than local. Recog- 
nizing the peculiar qualities that go to make up 
a perfect instrument, it has been his aim, first 



868 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



under his father's instruction and now alone, to 
so combine the different features as to make one 
sympathetic and harmonious whole. The violins 
which he has manufactured are greatly admired 
and considered very valuable. The greatest mu- 
sicians have used them and testify to their purity 
and sweetness of tone. So accurate and thorough 
is his knowledge of the violin that he is frequently 
consulted and his decision sought in disputed vio- 
lin cases, where he gives expert testimony that is 
considered authoritative. 

While Mr. Gemunder is himself a native of the 
United States, born in New York, October i, 
1858, he is of German parentage and descent. His 
father, George, was born in Ingelfingen, Wur- 
temberg. April 13, 1816. The paternal grand- 
father, Johan George, was born in the same prov- 
inve and was a member of a family established 
there early in the seventeenth century; in youth 
he learned the wagonmaker's trade, but drifted 
into the manufacture of guitars and violins. Pos- 
sessing artistic tastes, he was himself a skillful 
performer on the flute and violin, and all of his 
sons inherited his love for music. 

At the age of nineteen, our subject's father be- 
came a journeyman and traveled throughout the 
German provinces, finally going to Paris, where 
he became a pupil of Vuillaume, the great copyist 
of the old Italian violin makers, and a pupil of 
Lupot, the latter in turn having been a pupil of 
Stradivarius, the author of the common system. 
After some years he came to the United States, 
where he has had an active and useful career in 
his chosen occupation and now, crowned with the 
world's praise and the reverent esteem of the 
greatest violinists of the century, he is passing the 
twilight of his life at his cottage in Astoria, Long- 
Island City. His wife, who was in maidenhood 
Anna M. Kieser, was born in Baden, Germany, 
and died in Astoria in 1894, aged fifty-six years. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of twelve children, all but two of whom 
are living. They reside on Long Island, and 
the four sons are all well known violinmakers 
and musicians of Astoria. Our subject, who is 
the eldest of the family, was reared in New York 
until 1872, when he accompanied his parents to 
Long Island City. He was educated in the gram- 
mar school in Thirteenth Street and in Heiden- 
felt Institute, from which he graduated in 1873. 
From early boyhood his attention was given to 
the manufacture of violins, and as soon as his 
education was completed, lie studied the system 



which his father had given to the world. Since 
the retirement of the latter in 1885, he has car- 
ried on the business, which engrosses his entire 
attention. Artists, both in this country and 
abroad, are numbered among his personal ac- 
quaintances and ill his home may be found pho- 
tographs and autographs of many whose names 
are world renowned. Skilled in the playing of 
the violin, he plays in public only for charitable 
enterprises, when his talent is always available for 
the benefit of the suffering. Tlge Amacitia, to 
which he belongs, is the finest amateur orchestra 
in the country. For twenty years he has been a 
member of the Astoria Mannerchor, of which he 
was secretary for six years. He is one of the first 
tenors of the Arion Society of New York, and at 
present is a member of its board of trustees. 

At Astoria, in April, 1885, ATr. Gemunder mar- 
ried Aliss Anna Mencken, who was born in Xew 
York and educated in this city. Her father, Hen- 
ry Mencken, is a well-known resident of Long 
Island City and is represented elsewhere in this 
volume. One child, Anna ^Matilda, blesses their 
union. Mr. Gemunder has had neither time nor 
inclination to mingle in public affairs, but in na- 
tional elections casts a Republican ticket, while in 
local matters he is independent. For years he 
and his wife have been the leaders of the choir 
of the Dutch Reformed Church, to which they 
belong and in the work of which they are active. 
He has served in Astoria Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany No. I. Among the instruments he has sold 
are some of great value, including a few that were 
valued at $6,000. He is an expert both in the 
construction of the violin and in judgment as to 
the merits of an instrument, and his abilitv is 
widely recognized and is bringing him a large 
success. 



CHARLES VAXDER\'EER LOTT, a 
prominent and much esteemed citizen 
of the town of Jamaica, is a worthy 
representative of one of the oldest families 
on Long Island. For many years he was 
the owner of a large portion of the old 
homestead, located on the Jamaica plank road, 
where his birth occurred October iq, 1846. 
As the vears passed by and the property became 
more valuable he divided his farm into city lots, 
which he disposed of readily at a handsome price. 
He is now living a retired life on a few acres of 
the old place which he retained for his own use. 




WILWAM H. SCHWALENBRRG. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



871 



Stephen Lott, father of our subject, was also 
born on the old farm, July 20, 1820. The latter 
was an only child, and on attaining years of ma- 
turity took up the calling in which his father had 
been engaged and followed farming for the re- 
mainder of his life. He was a thorough Chris- 
tian, and for many years was deacon in the Re- 
formed Church, of which he was a member. He 
took great pleasure in teaching in the Sunday- 
school and for some time was assistant superin- 
tendent. 

The marriage of Mr. Lott took place Septem- 
ber 12, 1872, when Miss Sarah Leah Suydam be- 
came his wife. She is the daughter of Capt. 
Daniel R. Suydam and tlie sister of John T., who 
is one of her near neighbors. (A full sketch of her 
parents will be given in the latter's sketch, found 
on another page in this volume.) To our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife there have been born 
five children, namely: Sarah Suydam, Cornelia 
Vanderveer, Phebe Johnson, Charles V., Jr., and 
Gertrude Jeanette. 

In his business undertakings Mr. Lott has 
displayed good executive ability and has been 
very successful. Both he and his estimable wife 
have hosts of sincere friends who hold them in 
the highest esteem. For a more detailed sketch 
of his parents we refer the reader to the history 
of. his brother Nicholas, which is published else- 
where in this volume. 



WILLIAM H. SCHWALENBERG. 
Although the eai'thly career of this 
gentleman closed on the 9th of July, 
1885, he will be long remembered as one of the 
foremost business men of Long Island City, 
where he established a reputation for all that was 
honorable and upright in business life, and won, 
by the exercise of both brain and brawn, a com- 
petency for himself and family. He was born at 
the corner of Monroe and Jackson Streets, New 
York City. His father was a native of Hanover, 
Germany, in which country he Avas reared and 
educated, and upon his arrival in America in his 
early manhood, he established himself in the 
grocery business in New York, first in Elm 
Street and afterward at the corner of Monroe and 
Jackson Streets, where he prospered financially 
and continued to do business until i860. In 
1859 he erected a hotel at Hunter's Point, Long 
Island City, and in i860 came hither and assumed 
its management, which occupied his time and at- 



tention up to his death, December 3, 1876. He 
was in every way fitted to successfully carry on 
this business and his establishment was always 
popular and well patronized. L^pon his arrival 
in Hunter's Point, the place was coming into 
notice as the terminus of the Long Island Rail- 
road and the Thirty-fourth Street ferry was es- 
tablished about that time. Mr. Schwalenberg 
foresaw that the place would become import- 
ant and his predictions were verified by later 
events. His wife was Elizabeth Stephan, who 
was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and 
their marriage resulted in the birth of two sons, 
William H. and Frederick, and one daughter, 
Fannie, who grew to maturity. 

The initiatory training of William H. Schwal- 
enberg was acquired in the public school in Madi- 
son Street, New York City, but in i860 he ac- 
companied his parents to Hunter's Point, and 
continued his studies in the old stone schoolhouse 
here. Later he attended school at Greenpoint 
and the Thirty-seventh Street School, New York, 
of which William H. Wood, since superintendent 
of the public schools of New York, was then 
principal. Mr. Schwalenberg finally graduated 
from Bryant & Stratton's Business College of 
Brooklyn, after which he immediately embarked 
in business as the assistant cashier of the Kings 
County Savings Bank of Brooklyn, but Septem- 
ber I, 1869, he returned to Hunter's Point and 
became his father's assistant in the hotel which 
was rapidly increasing in patronage and import- 
ance. In 1873 he was nrade a partner in the 
business, at which time his father visited Europe, 
and when the latter died he became the sole 
proprietor. 

In his political views Mr. Schwalenberg was 
always a stanch Democrat, and at all times advo- 
cated the measures of that party and gave his 
hearty support to its candidates. In the fall of 
1880 he was elected supervisor of Long Island 
City for a term of two years, at the end of which 
he was re-elected, but before his second term 
had expired the angel of death visited him, and 
his useful earthly career was closed. He was one 
of the most useful and active members of the 
board of supervisors the county ever had, for in 
the discharge of his official duties he brought to 
bear his sound judgment, unbounded energy and 
progressive, but always practical, views. He was 
a director of the Long Island City Shore Rail- 
road, and in other respects was connected with 
the business affairs of this place. Socially he was 



872 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in 
which he had attained to the Knights Templar 
degree. 

November 12, 1879, M^. Schwalenberg was 
united in marriage to Miss Carrie J. Steffens of 
New York. Her father, August Stefifens, a mer- 
chant of New York City, now deceased, was born 
in Hanover, Germany, and there married Caro- 
Hne Bjorn, a native of Holstein, Germany. She 
was of pure Danish blood and one of her lineal 
ancestors on the paternal side was one of the first 
explorers of Greenland. She died at her home in 
New York at the age of sixty-si.x years, having 
been a well read and highly intellectual lady. The 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Schwalenberg resulted in 
the birth of a son and daughter: William H., Jr., 
and Jeannette. Mrs. Schwalenberg is a member 
of the Greenpoint Lutheran Church, of which 
both the Schwalenbergs and Steffens have been 
members since the time of the Reformation. She 
is active in church work, liberal in its support and 
very charitably inclined. She is a graduate of the 
Normal College of New York City and is giving 
her children excellent educational advantaeres. 



ROBERT MARK. As a representative of 
the successful business man, the name of 
Robert Mark deserves honorable mention 
among those of other citizens of Long Island 
City. Industry and energy have brought him 
prosperity, and his well-known ability as a mer- 
chant tailor has secured for him a large trade 
among the best people of the place. The art of 
cutting and fitting he learned from his uncle, who 
was court tailor and tailor to King Francis II. of 
Italy. In September, 1895, he opened his pres- 
ent establishment in the Kelly Block, at No. 45 
Jackson Avenue, corner of Fourth Street, where 
he has commodious rooms, stocked with a full 
line of imported and domestic suitings of the 
latest styles. Twice, when in Europe, he pur- 
chased a complete line of goods, which he brought 
back to this country with him. It has ever been 
his aim to keep in touch with the latest designs 
in tailoring, and he is thoroughly familiar with 
every change of fashion, so that his customers 
place the highest confidence in his judgment and 
taste. 

The Mark family is of Italian origin. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, Robert Mark, was born in 
Italy, where for many years he was a successful 
merchant tailor. He was a prominent man and 



served as alderman ; later became deputy sheriff of 
Naples, which position he held until his death. 
The father of our subject, Michael, was born in 
Naples, and for a long time engaged in merchant 
tailoring, but is now engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits, in which business he has gained wealth. 
For many years he has filled the office of alder- 
man. Though now advanced in years, he is hale 
and rugged and attends personally to the man- 
agement of his business affairs. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Carmelite Barilo and was a daughter of 
Johan Barilo, who was in his time considered 
the finest tailor in Italy. Her brother, Frank 
Barilo, who was a sergeant in the Italian army, 
was a first-class tailor and made the garments for 
King Francis II., of Italy, until he retired from 
the business. Like his father before him, he was 
considered the best tailor in the country, and it 
was his high reputation in this regard which led 
to his selection as court tailor. He is still living, 
though for some years he has not been engaged 
in active labors. 

Michael and Carmelite Mark had ten children, 
and of that number six are living, namely: Anna 
M., Mrs. A. Cristiano; Robert; Theresa, IMrs. 
Robert Cristiano; Johan Baptiste, an officer in 
the Italian army and now engaged in business 
near the old home; Vincent, who spent three 
years in America and is now a merchant tailor in 
Naples; and Antoinette, who is with her parents. 
Our subject was born near Naples in 1864 and 
was educated in the public schools and in private 
institutions of learning. At the age of eleven he 
began to learn the merchant tailor's trade under 
his uncle, Frank Barilo, with whom he remained 
until eighteen. He then started in business for 
himself, remaining in Ital}' one year, and then 
emigrating to America in 1883. After having 
worked in a shop in New York City for a time, 
he began in business for himself in East Seventy- 
second Street, and while there learned the new 
French system of cutting under the best cutters 
of the city. 

Being called to Italy to serve in the army, Rob- 
ert Mark sold out his business and returned to 
his native land, where he volunteered, but not 
coming up to the required measurements, he was 
rejected. After a visit of five montlis, he started 
back to America on the steamer "Adriatica" of 
the White Star Line, but when four days out a 
storm arose, the vessel was rendered unsea- 
worthy, and put back into Liverpool for repairs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



873 



The trip was then made on the steamer "Ger- 
manic," which anchored in New York after a voy- 
age of nine days. On reaching that city he se- 
cured employment as a cutter, remaining thus 
engaged until 1886. He then came to Long 
Island City and opened a shop at No. 55 Jack- 
son Avenue, where he soon built up a large trade. 
In 1892, leaving the business in charge of a man, 
he took his family back to Italy and spent four 
months there, then returning and resuming busi- 
ness here. In July, 1894, he sold out and again 
went to Italy, hoping that the change of climate 
would benefit his wife, who was in ill health. 
Eight months were spent there, and then, the in- 
valid having been restored to health, the family 
returned to the United States. Soon afterward 
Mr. Mark opened his present establishment, 
where, during the busy seasons, he gives em- 
ployment to about eighteen hands, his entire at- 
tention being devoted to the business. 

In Long Island City Mr. Mark married Miss 
Annie Gill, who was born near Naples, Italy, but 
was reared and educated in this city. Her fath- 
er, Vincent Gill, brought his family here, and for 
more than twenty-five years was employed as a 
foreman on the Long Island Railroad. They are 
the parents of three living children, Millie, Jennie 
and Madeline, to whom they are giving the best 
of training. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Mark 
is a member of the Jefferson Club and an expon- 
ent of the doctrines of which the famous states- 
man was the originator. He is also a charter 
member of the Aurora Club, which he is now 
serving as president. 



M' 



ATTHEW LEPAGE, a prominent archi- 
tect of Woodhaven, was born in Ri- 
mouski, in the province of Quebec, Can- 
ada, September 20, 1831. His father, Paul Le- 
page, was also a native of that place and during 
his lifetime followed the profession of a civil en- 
gineer. The Lepage family is one of the oldest 
in Canada and traces its ancestry back to the time 
when the French Huguenots first discovered the 
St. Lawrence River. Many of this name have 
been prominent in the history of the Dominion 
and without exception have been influential and 
respected residents of their community. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Sophia Perrin, 
was also born in Canada and was descended 
from one of its old French families. She reared 



a familv of six sons, of whom only three are now 
living, those besides our subject being Joseph, 
a carpenter and builder of Woodhaven; and 
Zephyrin, who also follows the occupation of a 
builder; he still resides in Canada. Aude was liv- 
ing at Sheepshead Bay at the time of his decease 
and was one of its well-to-do hardware mer- 
chants. 

The subject of this sketch received a good edu- 
cation in the schools of the Dominion, making a 
special study during the last years of his 
school life of civil engineering and architecture. 
When nineteen years of age he crossed into the 
States and for a time made his home in East New 
York. The following nine years he was a resi- 
dent of Jamaica, where he followed his profession 
with signal success until the year 1864, when he 
came to Woodhaven. A lifetime of earnest en- 
deavor in pursuing -his business, coupled with 
strict integrity, honesty of purpose and liberality, 
has tended to place him among the highly hon- 
ored and successful business men of the county. 
It is due to his skill that many of the public 
buildings and private residences of this place 
have been built and to him is also given the credit 
of laying out the parks of this vicinity. He is one 
of the best known architects in this region and 
has drawn the plans for many of the beautiful 
residences which are to be found in the city of 
Brooklyn. 

While a resident of Jamaica Mr. Lepage was 
married to Miss Jane, daughter of William Am- 
berman, who has followed the occupation of a 
builder all his life, and it was with him that our 
subject was associated in business while living 
in Jamaica. Mr. Amberman comes from good 
old Revolutionary stock and is a worthy repre- 
sentative of one of the oldest families on Long 
Island. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Lepage there have been born 
seven children, of whom Joseph A. is a conductor 
on the Long Island Railroad; Matthew is associ- 
ated in business with his father; Kate is the next 
in order of birth; Georgiana married Grant 
Moore of Jamaica, and now lives in Brooklyn; 
and Flora, Matilda and Eva are all at home. The 
family occupy one of the finest and pleasantest 
homes in Woodhaven and number among their 
friends some of the best people in Queens Coun- 
ty. In politics Mr. Lepage is an ardent sup- 
porter of Democratic principles, although he has 
been too busy with his own affairs to seek or care 
to hold office. 



874 



PORTILMT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 




yfyV.j- ME41S AfALL HOURS 



JOSEPH M. DONNELLY, proprietor of the 
Boulevard Hotel, at College Point, was born 
at New Utrecht, Kings County, N. Y., being 
a son of M. J- and Ann (McCardk) Donnelly. His 
father, who was engaged in farm, pursuits, died at 

New Utrecht, and 
afterward the mother 
made her home with 
our subject until her 
death, which occurred 
at the age of eighty- 
eight. Joseph J\l. was 
the youngest of eight 
children, of whom 
three are living. Tlie 
first twenty years of 
his lifewere passed on 
the home farm and in 
attendance at the 
Bayridge schools. In 
February, i860, he went to California, via the 
Isthmus of Panama, and on reaching San Jose, 
Santa Clara County, he engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness with an uncle, William J. Donnelly. After 
three years the uncle retired and he then started 
in business in Santa Cruz, where he was pro- 
prietor of the Pacific House. 

Selling out in 1S66, Mr. Donnelly traveled 
through the Western states and territories, then 
returned home on a Pacific mail steamer, but 
soon went back to California and was in San 
Francisco at the time W. H. Seward headed the 
procession connecting the Atlantic Railroad with 
the Pacific road. On settling his business in the 
far West, he went back East and for a time re- 




sided in New York, but in 1868 came to College 
Point, and was the first to build here a large 
summer hotel and pavilion. Upon the death of 
Mr. Stoiber he bought his present place, where 
he has a main pavilion, with a seating capacity of 
over three thousand; also bowling alleys, dancing 
halls, large grounds, convenient landing and fine 
water front. Even in the warmest weather a cool 
breeze blows here, thus making the place especi- 
ally desirable as a summer resort. The grounds 
cover about ten acres and ofifer splendid facilities 
for the accommodation of picnic parties. In the 
bay and adjoining waters every opportunity is 
afforded for boating and bathing. There are four 
large dining-rooms and a large corps of waiters. 
Base ball and foot ball grounds, photograph gal- 
lery, swings and shooting gallery are connected 
with the hotel. 

At New Utrecht, L. I., Mr. Donnelly married 
Miss Sarah Crecy, and they are the parents of 
three sons and one daughter, namely: Joseph T.. 
a graduate of Manhattan College, now with his 
father: George, an electrical engineer in New- 
York City; Jerome and Sarah, who are attending 
school. In 1890 Mr. Donnelly went abroad, visit- 
ing the principal cities of Great Britain and the 
continent, and this trip was rendered more de- 
lightful by the fact that he speaks fluently Ger- 
man, Spanish and English, and was thus able to 
converse with the people of the various cities 
which he visited. He is a member of the Knick- 
erbocker Yacht Club and the Orion Societv of 
New York, ^^■hile he is interested in public af- 
fairs, he has always refused to run for office, pre- 
ferring to give his attention to business matters. 



;i»a2g 





./: 



\ 




^, 



GEORGE H. WILLIAMSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



877 



GEORGE H. WILLIAMSON. May 20, 
1894, there passed from earth a gentle- 
man who had been long and favorably 
known in the business circles of Long Island 
City; one who had, by his enterprise and ability, 
contributed to the progress of this place and 
gained a name as a skillful, efficient builder. 
There are standing, in and around Steinway, a 
large number of buildings erected under his 
supervision, which are monuments to his taste 
and conscientious work. Among them may be 
mentioned the dye works, Steinway Railroad 
depot, a number of frame houses for William 
Steinway, many residences for private parties, 
and the grand pier at the beach. The latter is a 
fine structure, iSoxiio, roofed, and exceedingly 
handsome in appearance. It is constructed in 
such a substantial manner that it seems able to 
defy the elements for a century. Equipped with all 
the improved facilities for the accommodation of 
visitors, it is considered one of the best piers in 
the vicinity of New York, and speaks well for the 
skill and efficiency of the builder. 

Born in New Brunswick, N. J., August 24, 
1842, our subject traced his ancestry through his 
mother, Catherine Yoorhees, to Steven Cohert 
van Voorhees, a native of Holland, who, in April. 
1660, emigrated to America, and became the 
founder of the family in this country. February 
16, 1684, he settled in Flatlands, now Kings 
County, where he remained until death. Prior 
to coming to this country, he resided in front 
of the village of Hees, near Ruinen, in the prov- 
ince of Drenthe, Holland, and from this fact 
his name was derived, "voor" meaning "in front 
of." Later the prefix ''van" was dropped by our 
subject's grandfather, Roelofor Ralph Voorhees. 
Some of the ancestors participated in the Revo- 
lutionary War, and the family has been noted for 
patriotic allegiance to the country of their adop- 
tion. The mother of our subject, who was eighth 
in descent from the original fovuider, died in New 
York City. 

Our subject's father, John Williamson, was 
born in New Brunswick, N. J., October 24, 1814. 
His father, Isaac, was born in 1759 and was a 
builder by occupation, his home being at Six 
Mile Run, near New Brunswick, N. J. His pos- 
sessions were large and valuable, and he was 
financially well-to-do. Preceding him, in line of 
ancestry, was William, who served as captain 
under Colonel Nelson in the Revolutionary War. 
The first of the name to settle in America was 



Lawrence, a native of Warden, Holland. John 
AVilliamson, who was a builder by trade, had a 
large sash and blind factory in Amity Street, New- 
York, and remained in that city until his death at 
the age of seventy-seven. In religious belief he 
was connected with the Reformed Churcli and 
served his congregation as deacon. His wife died 
at the age of sixty-eight. Of their ten children, 
Henry V., the eldest, was major of a New York 
regiment in the Civil War, and since then has 
been employed in the postoffice in New York 
City; he is a member of the Order of Sons of 
the Revolution, the Holland Society, and the 
Order of Cincinnati. 

The subject of this sketch, who was third 
among the children, was reared in the metropolis 
and received his education in the University of 
the City of New York. During the war he was 
in the government employ, holding a position in 
the quartermaster's department in New York 
City. In 1877 he came to Long Island City as 
clerk in the water department under Mayor De- 
Bevoise, and after three years in that connection, 
he took charge of the Steinway Avenue Improve- 
ment Commission. Of his work in that position, 
it is said that his books were the neatest and most 
accurate ever kept by an employe. 

About 1883 Mr. AVilliamson turned his atten- 
tion to contracting and building, which he fol- 
lowed until his death. He was a volunteer fire- 
man of the old department in New York, with 
which he was connected until it was disbanded. 
Later he became a member of the Veteran Fire- 
men's Association, in which he was a trustee at 
the time of his death. Politically he upheld Re- 
publican principles. In fraternal relations he was 
a member of Advance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. 
M., at Astoria; John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W., at 
Astoria; and the Lincoln Club in Long Island 
City. 

In Steinway, October 9, 1878, Mr. William- 
son married Miss Mary A. Berry, who was born 
at Lake Providence, La. Her father, John Ivy 
Berry, a native of the same state, was a large 
planter at Lake Providence, where he died in 
1861. His wife passed away one month prior to 
his demise. She bore the maiden name of Mar- 
garet D. Billbrough and was born in England, 
whence in girlhood she came to America with her 
parents and two sisters, settling in New York, 
but later going South, where she was married. 
Two children blessed her union: John C, who 
was born in New York, and now resides in New- 



878 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



town; and Mary A., Mrs. Williamson. The lat- 
ter lived with an aunt, Mrs. Lindsey, in Mobile, 
Ala., until thirteen years of age, then accom- 
panied her to New York, where she was edu- 
cated. She makes her home at No. 241 Purdy 
Street, and with her are her four daughters, 
namely: Florence M., a member of the class of 
'97, Long Island City High School; Sarah M., 
who is a member of the class of '98; Catherine 
May and Edith L. Another daughter, Jessie, 
died at the age of two years. Mrs. Williamson is 
a member of the Steinway Dutch Reformed 
Church, and an active worker in the Ladies' Aid 
and Woman's Missionary Societies. Much of her 
time is devoted to the management of the estate 
left by her husband, which, through her judicious 
management, brings in handsome returns. In 
social circles she is known and esteemed for her 
worth of character and noble attributes, and with 
her daughters she occupies a high place in the 
regard of the best people of the place. 



JOHN HALEY, superintendent of the Har- 
way Dvewood Extract Manufacturing 
Company, at Flushing, was born in County 
Galway, Ireland, being a son of Michael and 
Bridget (Grady) Haley, natives of the same coun- 
ty. The parental family consisted of si-x; children, 
of whom five are living, John being fourth in or- 
der of birth. The father spent his entire life in 
Ireland, and after his death the widowed mother 
joined the remaining members of the family in 
America, where she continued to reside until her 
death in Brooklyn. 

The first eighteen years of the life of John 
Haley were spent in his native land, and he was 
the first of the family to seek a home in the 
United States. In 1866 he crossed the Atlantic 
and soon after landing in this country he went 
to Dane, Wis., where he had friends. Not caring, 
however, to locate there permanently, he re- 
turned East after a year's experience of western 
life. In 1867 he entered the employ of the 
New York Dyewood Company, at Greenpoint, 
Brooklyn, and continued with it until 1882. His 
ability was recognized by his superior officers 
and he was promoted from an unimportant posi- 
tion to one of responsibility. Subsequently he 
came to Flushing and aided in fitting up the 
works of the Harway Dyewood Extract Manu- 
facturing Company at this place. Here he at 
different times was employed in every department 



and in 1 891 was chosen superintendent of the 
works, which place he has since filled. 

In New York City, ^Ir. Haley was united in 
marriage with JNIiss Catherine Madden, a native 
of Ireland, and they have a cozy and comfortable 
home at No. 36 Pine Street. Their family con- 
sists of one son and three daughters, Thomas, 
Catherine, Mar\^ and Ellen. In religious belief 
Mr. Haley is connected with St. ^Michael's Catho- 
lic Church, and is a member of the Catholic Be- 
nevolent Legion. In his chosen business he is 
well versed and his experience renders his serv- 
ices very valuable to his employers, whose confi- 
dence in him is shown in their selection of him 
to fill the position of superintendent. 



PETER W. KOUWENHOVEN, who is en- 
gaged in farming on a productive piece of 
land near the village of Jamaica, was born 
in Flatlands, April 17, 1856. His father was 
William I. Kouwenhoven, of Holland-Dutch de- 
scent, and for many generations back the family 
have been residents of Long Island. The father 
formerly followed the vocation of a farmer, but 
is now living in good circumstances in Brooklyn. 
Our subject's mother, formerly Abigail Baxter, 
was also born in Flatlands, but was of Scotch- 
Irish ancestry. She was well educated for the 
dav and locality in which she lived and proved 
herself to be a helpmate indeed during the years 
in which her husband was trying to gain a foot- 
hold in life. She reared a family of seven chil- 
dren, including three sons and four daughters. 
Of these John J. is now a resident of New Jersey^ 
while William manages the old homestead in 
Flatlands. 

Peter W., of this history, who was the youngest 
of the family was given the advantages for gain- 
ing a common-school education, ^^l^en ready to 
start out in life for himself he chose the vocation 
of a farmer, and in 1882 rented a tract of land near 
Woodhaven. which he cultivated for two years. 
He then rented the place on which he is living at 
the present time, and so well and profitably did 
he manage affairs that after three years he was 
enaljled to purchase a portion of it. As the years 
passed bv and he became more prosperous he 
kept adding to his little property until he now 
owns a place of forty-nine acres which is conced- 
ed by all to be one of the best improved tracts in 
the town of Jamaica. 

]\Ir. Kouwenhoven was married May 5, 1880^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



879 



to Miss Sarah E., daughter of John J. Ryder, of 
Flatlands. To them have been granted two chil- 
dren, Harry W., a lad of twelve years, and Har- 
riet Ethlyn, who is in her fourth year. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kouwenhoven are devoted members of the 
Dutch Reformed Church, with which he has 
been connected for many years as one of its dea- 
cons. In political matters he is an ardent admirer 
of Republican principles and is interested in the 
success of that party. He has never held public 
office, preferring to give his undivided attention 
to his private affairs, and let them serve the peo- 
ple who have more desire and ambition to do so. 



JOHN W. SELOVER. One mile south of 
the village of Jamaica, on the Rockaway 
road, stands a neat, well-appointed home, 
surrounded by well-cultivated fields which pre- 
sent, in season, an attractive appearance with the 
broad rows of golden grain or ripening fruit. 
This is the property of Mr. Selover, to whose en- 
ergy and industry its thrifty appearance is due, 
and who, while securing a competency from its 
cultivation, has also gained a place among the 
prominent farmers of the town. 

The Selover family was represented among the 
early settlers of Queens County and its members 
have been men of honor and energy, mainly be- 
longing to the agricultural class. Details with 
reference to the family history are given in the 
biographical sketch of our subject's brother, Will- 
iamson R., presented on another page. The son 
of Cornelius J. and Margaret (Ryder) Selover, our 
subject was born in the town of Jamaica, Febru- 
ary 28, 1836. His youthful years were passed in 
a manner similar to other farmer boys, alternating 
attendance at the common schools with labor on 
the home place. As he approached manhood he 
apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, and 
on the expiration of his time he began to work 
at this occupation, following it for four years. 
It was, however, not entirely congenial, and be- 
lieving that the life of a farmer would be more 
to his taste and probably bring in better profits, 
he turned his attention to agriculture, settling on 
a farm two miles west of his present home. 

Prior to 1880 Mr. Selover farmed as a renter, 
but in that year he purchased the place where he 
has since resided. June 12, 1859, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of 
Matthew Bacon, of Patchogue. Nine children 
were born of this union, of whom six are living, 



namely: Ella L., who married Seymour VV. Tarr, 
of Newtown, and has three children; Frank W., 
a carpenter, who married Miss Emma Wood, has 
three children, and resides in Lawrence, this coun- 
ty; Cornelius J., Sadie, Anna and Estelle, who 
are with their parents. 

Some vears ago, dismayed with the corruption 
of machine politics, and realizing that but one 
party openly takes a stand against the saloon, Mr. 
Selover became a Prohibitionist, and to this faith 
he has since adhered with firmness. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
is serving as president of its board of trustees. A 
worthy citizen, iiitelligent, high-minded and strict- 
ly honorable, he stands high in the community, 
and his estimable wife is equally well regarded by 
those to whom she is known. 



GEORGE HESS, who is engaged in the 
real estate business at Nos. 36-38 Fif- 
teenth Street, near Sixth Avenue, College 
Point, was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 22, 
1 83 1, and received good educational advantages in 
his native land. In early youth he served a three 
years' apprenticeship to the butcher's trade, 
for which he was obliged to pay $100, re- 
ceiving nothing in return for his services. He 
was diligent at his work and learned his trade 
well. At the age of sixteen he came to America, 
making the voyage on a sailing vessel, which cast 
anchor in New York after a tedious trip of fifty- 
five days. On arriving in that city, he at once se- 
cured work at his trade, which he followed unin- 
terruptedly for a number of years, meeting with 
fair success in return for his labors. 

In 1870 Mr. Hess came to College Point, 
where he has since resided. After a short time 
he became well known for his proficiency in the 
manufacture of bologna sausage, in which he 
was and is still considered an expert. For years 
he made a specialty of this, and, in fact, to this 
day, many of his old customers insist upon his 
filling their orders for sausage. In 1887 he en- 
tered the real estate business, which he has since 
carried on successfully, making a specialty of the 
sale of property and renting of houses. 

While living in New York City, Mr. Hess 
married Elizabeth Ecka, and they became the 
parents of seven children, of whom the only sur- 
vivors are Maggie, wife of John P. Hamn of 
Brooklyn; and Lizzie, Mrs. George Leonard, also 
a resident of Brooklyn. The present wife of Mr. 



88o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Hess bore the maiden name of Dora Oleridge 
and was born in Baden, Germany, but has spent 
her life principally in the United States. In prin- 
ciple a Democrat, he shows no partisan spirit and 
in local matters votes for the best men irrespec- 
tive of their party attachments. In religious be- 
lief he and his wife are Protestants. 



CHARLES L. HINGLE, a contractor and 
builder residing in Mineola, was born 
near Garden City in the town of Hemp- 
stead, September 7, 1864, and is a son of Alartin 
and Mary Hingle. His father, who was a native 
of London, England, came to America in 1837, 
and settled near Garden City, where he bought a 
farm and remained for fourteen years. Then sell- 
ing out to A. T. Stewart, he moved to a location 
southeast of Heinpstead and purchased a farm, 
where he continued to reside until his death in 
1882. Plis wife, who was also a native of Eng- 
land, was married to him in this county and still 
lives on the old homestead, which is now owned 
by her son, Edward H. 

Ten children comprised the parental familv 
and all are living, namely: Martin, who is in 
Alabama; Edward, proprietor of the home place; 
Mary, wife of Minor Way of Hempstead; Cath- 
erine, who married William Ashdown of Hemp- 
stead : William, whose home is in New Jersev ; 
Martha, who is married to William Johnston of 
Detroit, Mich. ; Sarah, wife of David ITunter of 
Hempstead; Albert, who lives on Long Island; 
Richard, who is engaged in the carriage business 
at Merrick; and Charles L., of this sketch. The 
last named was educated in the public schools 
and remained at home until seventeen, when he 
entered the shop of Albert Hingle, his brother, 
with the intention of learning the trade of a 
wheelwright. One year later he entered the shop 
of Albert Thomas of Westbury, with whom he re- 
mained one year. For the three ensuing years 
he followed his trade and assisted in the work 
on the home farm, after which he spent a year 
at East Rockaway, working at the carpenter's 
trade. His next position was at Hempstead, 
where he worked for eighteen months with John 
McLean, and afterward engaged in business for 
himself two and one-half years. 

While residing at Hempstead, Mr. Hingle was 
united in marriage, February 3, 1892, with ]\Iary 
E. Walker, daughter of William and Phoebe 
Walker of Mineola. Shortly after liis marriage he 



came to ^lineola and built his pleasant home at 
this place. His work is principally in this village, 
Hempstead and Floral Park, he having erected 
many houses in each place. As a workman he is 
efficient, skillful and accurate, and his services 
are in demand for buildings of superior style 
and finish. In this immediate vicinity he has 
erected about thirty-five buildings, among them 
the fire department building and the public hall at 
East Williston. Politically he is a defender of 
Republican principles and an advocate of party 
measures both at the polls and by his influence 
in private affairs. He and his wife are the parents 
of one daughter, Laura E. 



JOHN GREAFLIN. superintendent of the 
Rhenania Mills at College Point, was born 
in. Switzerland, November i, 1857, and re- 
ceived a good education in the schools of his na- 
tive republic. At an early age he entered a silk 
factory, where he soon gained a knowledge of the 
business and his services thus became proportion- 
ately valuable. Five years were spent in the fac- 
tory in Switzerland, when, having resolved to 
cross the ocean to America and try his fortune 
in this newer republic, he left the home of his 
birth and the associations of his youth for the 
untried scenes of America. 

Arriving in this country, Mr. Greaflin secured 
employment in a silk mill in New York Citv, 
where he remained for four years, his work be- 
ing very satisfactory to his employers. In 1878 
he came to College Point, where he has since 
resided. In 1884 he entered the Rhenania 2\Iills. 
first occupying a humble position, but soon re- 
ceiving promotion on account of excellence and 
ability. After six years he was made superin- 
tendent in 1890 and this responsible place he has 
since filled with efficiency. Pie has the confidence 
of the company, by whom he was sent to France 
in 1894 for the purpose of inspecting and investi- 
gating the modes of silk manufacture there and 
the improvements that have been made in the 
business. While this position was one of great 
responsibility, he was successful in securing the 
desired information, of which he has availed him- 
self in the management of the mills Igere. 

By his marriage to Lucy Smith of College 
Point, Mr. Greaflin is the father of four children, 
Adolph, Annie, Elsa and Charlie, all of whom 
are receiving good educations in the public 
schools. He has never identified himself with 




JOSEPH BRRMEI.. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



883 



any political organization, but has maintained an 
independence of thought and action in his ballot 
and in the discussion of public enterprises. While 
not a member of an_Y denomination, he inclines to 
the Lutheran Church, which was the religious 
belief of his ancestors. He is connected with a 
number of social and singing societies, and is 
actively identified with the Knights of Pythias. 



JOSEPH BERMEL. Although only in the 
prime of manhood and vigor, the gentleman 
whose name stands at the head of this sketch 
has attained the high standing in business circles 
that his unceasing efTorts, united with sterling 
worth and high sense of honor, deserve. He is 
proprietor of one of the leading marble and gran- 
ite works of Middle Village. While his business 
interests occupy much of his time, he gives in- 
terested attention to public affairs and is a prime 
mover in every measure for the benefit of the 
community. His pleasant home is the rendezvous 
for the best people of the place, his wife second- 
ing his efforts in all that tends to the elevation of 
social life and the welfare of the people. 

The father of our subject, Charles Bermel, was 
born and reared in Germany, where he learned 
the tailoring business. About 1850 he emigrated 
to America, where for some time he followed his 
trade in New York City, and later was similarly 
engaged in Brooklyn until his death in 1885. By 
his marriage to Elizabeth Cohn he had seven 
children, of whom all but one are living. Joseph 
was born in Brooklyn, April 8, i860, and acquired 
his education in the public schools of that city. 
At the age of sixteen he apprenticed himself to the 
trade of a stone cutter, at which he served for four 
years. In 1880 he came to Middle Village, where 
for two years he was employed as a journeyman 
stone cutter with John Sutter. He then estab- 
lished himself in the business, having as his part- 
ner, Anton Timmes, under the firm name of 
Timmes & Bermel. After one and one-half years 
in that connection Mr. Bermel retired from the 
business, and two years later purchased the mar- 
ble and granite works of which he has since been 
proprietor. 

October 21, 1884, Mr. Bermel married Miss 
Mary A. Timmes, and unto them have been born 
five children, namely: Eva, Joseph, Mary, John 
and Lizzie, all of whom are with their parents. 
The political opinions of Mr. Bermel are em- 
bodied in the platform of the Democratic party. 



to which he adheres with fidelity. He was elected 
to the important position of supervisor in 1896 
and is now filling that position with ability. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church and is active in promoting the prosperity 
of religious causes and institutions. Socially he 
is connected with the Knights and Ladies of Hon- 
or and Lodge No. 301, Order of Foresters, at 
Newtown. 



ELIAS A. FAIRCHILD, A. M., proprietor 
and principal of Flushing Institute. Per- 
haps there is no state in the LTnion that 
is more advanced than New York in the atten- 
tion paid to the interests of the young; all over 
the state there are earnest, disinterested workers 
in the good cause, men and women who have 
devoted their lives to the progress of the coming 
generation and whose highest reward is to see the 
advancement of the race. In this good work no 
one has taken greater interest or devoted him- 
self more untiringly than the subject of this ar- 
ticle, who for more than fifty years has been 
connected with Flushing Institute. 

The institute owes its origin to an association 
of men in Flushing, headed by Rev. Dr. Muhlen- 
berg of New York City, who erected the original 
building in 1828 and founded it as a school for 
boys. In 1845 Ezra Fairchild, an educator of 
considerable note, succeeded to the principalship 
of the school, which he carried on until his death, 
and since that time it has been under the present 
management. The grounds occupied by the in- 
stitute e-Ktend from Main to LTnion Street, a dis- 
tance of one thousand feet, and from Amity almost 
to Madison Street, thus furnishing a very large 
campus. The main building is adapted to the re- 
c[uirements of a boarding school, with doors open- 
ing from the private part to the school-rooms. 
Here boys and young men are prepared for the 
Government schools, college, or for the great 
world of business. In his work Mr. Fairchild is 
assisted by his brother-in-law, Mr. Northrop, as 
associate principal, the latter being a graduate of 
the college at Middlebury, Vt., and a teacher here 
since 1850. 

The father of our subject, Ezra Fairchild, was 
born in Mendham, Morris County, N. J. His 
father, Ebenezer, a farmer, was born in Morris- 
town, N. J. He was a descendant of English 
ancestors who first settled in Connecticut, but 
afterward removed to New Jersey. After gradu- 



884 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ating from Amherst. College, Ezra Fairchild de- 
voted -himself to educational work in New Jersey 
until 1845, when with his family and school he 
came to the institute, which he conducted until 
his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Stites, was born in New Jersey and died^ in 
Flushing. Their three children are Rev. Elijah 
S., a minister residing in Chicago, 111.; Emily H., 
wife of A. P. Northrop, of Flushing; and Elias A. 
The last named, who is the eldest of the three, 
was born in Mendham, N. J., and prepared for 
college under his father's training. He then en- 
tered Rutgers College, from which he graduated 
in 1845 with the degree of A. B., that of A. M. 
being conferred upon him later. The same year. 
1845, h*^ came to Flushing to assist his father 
and has since made this place his home, being the 
oldest educator here. His attention has been de- 
voted to his chosen work, to the exclusion of all 
extraneous matters. He is, however, well posted 
concerning public affairs, and in national politics 
is a firm Republican. He is a member of the 
Reformed Church of Flushing and a regu- 
lar contributor to religious and charitable en- 
terprises. After coming to this place he mar- 
ried Miss Laura de Mauriac, daughter of 
J. O. de Mauriac, a native of Bordeaux, 
France, who emigrated thence to America, 
and for some years was connected with Flushing 
Institute as a teacher of French. Three sons 
complete the family circle, Clarence, Fred and 
Harold, all graduates of Flushing Institute and 
business men of New York City. 



J 



AMES SARVIS, chief detective of the Long 
Island Railroad, and one of the well-known 
residents of Long Island City, is a veteran 
of the late war, in which he rendered brave and 
faithful service, though at that time but a youth 
in his teens. He was born in New York City, 
September 4, 1847, l^'s parents being James and 
Isabella (Trumphur) Sarvis, the former of whom 
died before the war, while the latter passed away 
in 1892, at the age of seventy-two years. 

The parental family consisted of four children, 
two of whom are still living. Our subject, who 
was the eldest of the family, was reared in New 
York City, where he attended the pulolic schools. 
After his father's death he went to Orange Coun- 
ty and made his home near Cuddebackville, from 
which place, at the breaking out of the rebellion, 
he went to take a place among the defenders of 



the old flag. Fie became a member of the first 
volunteer regiment organized in Brooklyn, en- 
listing with the First Long Island (or Sixty-sev- 
enth New York) Infantry, but was honorably dis- 
charged by certificate of surgeon. December i, 
1861, he enlisted in the United States service, on 
board the United States ship "Onward," on which 
he traveled southward and took part in the 
Charleston blockade. Later the ship cruised 
after privateers along the South American coast 
until the close of the war, when our subject was 
honorably discharged June 20, 1865, having- 
served nearly four years. 

While still a boy. Captain Sarvis was appren- 
ticed to the ship-calker's trade, which had been 
his father's occupation and at which, after com- 
pleting, he worked for a time. He was then ap- 
pointed on the fire department, as a member of 
which he served for three )^ears. Later he became 
policeman on duty in the eleventh, seventh and 
twenty-fourth precincts, and wdiile filling that po- 
sition became interested in the detective service. 
Resigning from the force in 1885, he came to 
Long Island as a member of the Steinway police. 
The following year he was appointed chief detec- 
tive of the Long Island Railroad, in w-hich ca- 
pacity he has since been engaged. His connec- 
tion with the capture of the notorious Dobbins 
gang reflects high credit upon his ability, and he 
pursued them tirelessly until he secured their 
sentence to prison for seven and one-half years. 
The Stock, Stacey and McDonald gangs he also 
had sentenced for periods between six and one- 
half and eight and one-half years. The negro. 
Williams, who robbed and then fired the dwell- 
ing of Mr. Baldwin, at Flushing, he succeeded in 
capturing, convicting and sending to the state 
prison for ten years. Train wreckers and station 
robbers have been captured, and crimes of all 
kinds against tlie law have been unearthed. 
Among his most famous arrests was that of the 
Wilson and Palmer gang, in New York, who were 
robbing the safe in a jewelry store at No. 67 Di- 
vision Street, New York, and through \\"ilson sev- 
eral other robberies were brought to light. 

For more than twenty years Captain Sarvis has 
given his attention to detective work, for which 
occupation his peculiar C(ualities admirably fit 
him. He is keen, fearless and energetic, quiet 
and non-communicative in his investigations, and 
almost invariably successful in results. His ef- 
fective work in securing the arrest and conviction 
of manv of the most hardened criminals of this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



885 



locality has brought him the confidence of the 
people. In addition to his work as detective, he 
is captain of the uniformed police at Rockaway 
Beach and railroad state detective for Queens, 
SuiTolk, Kings and New York Counties. While in 
New York he was a member of Reno Post No. 44, 
■G. A. R., and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. In national matters he is a Republican, but 
in local affairs reserves the right to vote for the 
best man, no matter what his party ties may be. 

In New York City, in 1869, Captain Sarvis mar- 
ried Miss Emily Morris, who was born there and 
•died in New Jersey. Of her five children only 
two are living, namely: James, who is in the em- 
ploy of the Long Island Railroad Company; and 
Emily, who is at home. The second marriage of 
Captain Sarvis took place in Brooklyn and united 
him with Miss Mary A. Keough, by whom he has 
one child, William. 



JOHN A. HALPIN, of Long Island City, is 
a native of this place, his birth occurring in 
Third Street, July 19, 1865. His father, 
George H. Halpin, who was born in Brooklyn, 
was employed on the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry 
for the East River Ferry Company, being one 
of its first employes. His death occurred in 1870, 
while he was still in the prime of life. His wife, 
Adeline Smith, was born in Forty-eighth Street, 
New York City, her father being John Andrew 
Smith, also a native of that place. He was a 
cooper by trade, but after locating in Long Is- 
land. City opened a general store where J. N. 
New & Bro. are now located, and conducted a 
successful business for many years. He finally 
opened a restaurant in Vernon Avenue, between 
Borden Avenue and Third Street, and after con- 
ducting it successfully for some time retired. He 
died at the age of seventy-two years, after a well 
spent life. ''Old Pap" Smith, as he was familiarly 
known, was one of the oldest settlers of the 
place and was universally respected. Mrs. Hal- 
pin, his daughter, died here April 10, 1894. 

John A. Halpin was the only child born to 
his parents and in Long Island City he was 
reared. The public schools of the place afforded 
him a practical education, but at the age of six- 
teen years he laid aside his books to engage in 
clerical work in the various stores, which occu- 
pation he followed for some time. He next en- 
gaged in railroad work and was a brakeman on 
a passenger train of the Long Island Railroad 



between Long Island City and Patchogue for 
five years. By this time he had become tired of 
the life and decided to devote his attention to 
other pursuits, and in November, 1885, he be- 
came a clerk for William Brady, a successful 
hardware merchant, and remained in his employ 
up to 1894, thus acquiring a thorough and prac- 
tical knowledge of the business. On the ist of 
May of that year a business partnership was 
formed with John W. Retry, and a large and se- 
lect hne of hardware was purchased, in the choice 
of which Mr. Halpin's former experience stood 
him in good stead. A profitable business at once 
sprung up and has continued to increase up to the 
present time. Mr. Halpin possesses keen com- 
mercial instincts and in the treatment of his 
patrons is thoroughly reliable and honorable, thus 
proving that "honesty is the best policy." 

Mr. Halpin's marriage with Miss Lulu Prince, 
a daughter of Charles Prince, was celebrated in 
Long Island City and they have a pretty and 
comfortable residence at No. 105 Fourth Street. 
In his political proclivities Mr. Halpin is a Demo- 
crat. 



PHILIP FERRIS, proprietor of a meat mar- 
ket in Flushing, was born October 6, 1847, 
on the corner of Ridge and Riverton 
Streets, New York, being a son of Philip and 
Letitia Ferris. For several generations the fam- 
ily resided in New York City, having removed 
there from Dutchess County, which was the orig- 
inal place of settlement of the Holland-Dutch an- 
cestors. His grandfather, who also bore the 
name of Philip Ferris, was born in Delancv 
Street, New York, and for years was employed 
as a butcher in the old Essex Street market ; his 
death occurred in the metropolis when he was 
eighty-eight years of age. 

Our subject's father, who was born in New 
York, was for some time engaged in the butcher- 
ing business in the Essex Street market, but later 
removed to the corner of Ridge and Riverton 
Streets. In 1852 he went to Williamsburg and 
opened a market, where he carried on a large 
business. His death, which occurred at seventy- 
four years, was the result of injuries received in a 
fall. In religious belief he was an Episcopalian 
and held membership in a church in South 
Street. Our subject, who was the only child of 
his parents, was orphaned by his mother's death 
when he was only two years old. He was reared 



886 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Williamsburg and attended the grammar 
school in Second Avenue and Tenth Street, Dis- 
trict No. 2, from which he graduated at an early 
age. Under his father he learned the butcher's 
trade and when nineteen began for himself as 
the junior member of the firm of McCullough & 
Ferris, their shop being on the corner of Leon- 
ard and Devoe Streets, Williamsburg. After six 
years the partnership was dissolved and he came 
to Flushing November 5, 1871, since which time 
this village has been his home. 

Purchasing property on the corner of Union 
and Lincoln Streets, Mr. Ferris built a market 
and began in the meat business. At that time 
all the business houses were in Main Street, and 
the surrounding country was considered a wil- 
derness; many declared he could never make a 
success at his location, but time proved the wis- 
dom of his judgment and foresight. In addition 
to meats he keeps on hand different varieties of 
game and is the largest dealer in poultry in the 
place. Besides this he sells butter and eggs, also 
sausages of his own manufacture. For the con- 
venience of his business he has a large refrigera- 
tor. The business is next to the oldest of this 
kind here, and its success proves the ability of the 
proprietor. 

In Devoe Street, near Humboldt, Brooklyn, 
Mr. Ferris married Miss Clara Lewis, daughter 
of William B. Lewis, who was an engraver resid- 
ing in Brooklyn and employed in New York. 
They are the parents of three children, namely: 
Philip, Jr., who is in business with his father, and 
is a member of the Royal Arcanum; Elizabeth 
B., a well educated and accomplished young lady ; 
and Harry L., who is his father's assistant in btisi- 
ness. Socialh' ^Ir. Ferris is connected with 
Lodge No. 997, Royal Arcanum, and in politics 
he adheres to Republican principles. He is Wd- 
eral in his religious views, while his wife is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
L^pon all matters of public interest he is well in- 
formed and ranks among the patriotic, public- 
spirited men of the village. 



J ALBERT JOHNTRA, a leading grocer 
of Flushing, was born in Lake wood. Ocean 
- County, N. J., January 12, 1873, being the 
eldest among the six children of Joseph A. and 
Mary E. (.^dams) Johntra, natives respectively 
of New York City and New Jersey. His father, 
who is a man of superior aljility, is now engaged 



in the grocery business at Astoria and is a well- 
known and successful business man, having at- 
tained a competence through the exercise of good 
judgment in all his transactions. 

In the schools of Chester, Pa., the subject of 
this notice gained the principal portion of his edu- 
cation, though for a time he studied in the schools 
of Lakewood. On leaving school he was em- 
ployed in a drug store for one year, after which, 
in January of 1889, he went to Long Island City, 
and became connected with his father in the 
grocery business, assisting in the management 
of the three stores, which the latter had there at 
one time. At the age of nineteen he opened a 
store in Fulton Street, Astoria, and carried it 
on until it was sold. He then managed another 
establishment until June, 1895, when he came to 
Flushing and opened his present grocery, form- 
ing a partnership with H. E. [Miller, under the 
firm name of Johntra & ]\Iiller. In April, 1896, 
he purchased Mr. ^filler's interest in the business. 

The business location of Mr. Johntra at Nos. 
28-30 ]\Iain Street is advantageous for the pur- 
poses of trade. His entire time is devoted to 
his business, in which he has met with flattering 
success at the outset. As he buys in large quan- 
tities, he is enabled to sell at lower prices than 
others, and while the profits on each sale are 
small, yet the aggregate of the business is so 
large that the remuneration is proportionately 
heavy. Two delivery wagons are used to accom- 
modate customers. The trade is not limited to 
Flushing, but extends into Bayside, Whitestone, 
College Point and other neighboring places. 




L STA\' A. HAL'CK, who is engaged in 
the bakery business at College Point, 
was born in Musbach, Bavaria, Germany, 
September 14, 1S63. He is a son of Philip Hauck, 
a baker of ^lusbach, and a grandson of John A. 
Hauck, who also followed that occupation. The 
former, who for some years operated a farm in 
addition to the management of his bakery, mar- 
ried Caroline Burger, daughter of a glazier of 
Heilbroni, Wurtemberg. . In 1892 the parents 
joined the other members of the family in Amer- 
ica and now make their home in Philadelphia. 
They are faithful members of the Baptist Church 
and possess honest, energetic and industrious 
dispositions. It is a noteworthy fact that all of 
their family, consisting of twelve children, still 
survive. 




JOHN R. CARPENTER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



889 



Gustav A., who was fifth in order of birth, 
spent the first thirteen years of his life in Mus- 
bach and then came to America, being the first 
son who left Germany. He took passage at Ant- 
werp on the steamer "Zealand"' in 1877 and landed 
in Philadelphia after an uneventful voyage. The 
two years following his arrival were devoted to 
learning the baker's trade with a brother-in-law. 
In 1879 he went to New York, where he was em- 
ployed at his trade for a number of years. In 
May of 1893 he came to College Point and built 
his present place in Thirteenth Street, opposite 
First Avenue, where he has his store, bake shop 
and residence. His specialty for the past ten 
years has been the baking of fancy cakes, and his 
reputation in this line makes his services in con- 
stant demand for weddings and large parties. He 
uses one wagon for delivering goods to custom- 
ers. 

In New York Mr. Hauck married Miss Mary 
A. Dresell, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
and is a daughter of Michael and Margaret 
(Lang) Dresell. Her father, who was a farmer 
in his native land, came to America and settled 
in Brooklyn, where he died: her mother resides 
with Mrs. Hauck. The latter was seven years of 
age when she came to the United States. By 
her marriage she is the mother of five children: 
Charles, Henr}^ William, Lizzie and Gustav. 
Politically our subject is a Democrat. The family 
belong io St. FideHs' Catholic Church and So- 
ciety, and Mr. Hauck is a member of St. Francis 
Society of New York, the Steube Kosse and 
Harmonic Society at College Point. 



JOHN R. CARPENTER. Perhaps no citi- 
zen of Jamaica has been more closely iden- 
tified with the development of its commer- 
cial interests than the gentleman who forms the 
subject of this article. He has for years been en- 
o-aeed in the lumber and coal business, which he 

o o 

has carried on with such success that his sales 
now reach an annual aggregate of $200,000. By 
industry, fair dealing and prompt attention to all 
the details of his business, he Kas built up one 
of the largest trades on Long Island. 

The Carpenter family was among those that 
early settled in Queens County, and successive 
generations have been honorably connected with 
the growth and progress of this section. The first 
of the name to come hither was Jacob Carpenter, 
the great-grandfather of our subject, who came 
36 



here in the middle of the eighteenth century. The 
grandfather bore the name of Nathaniel. On the 
old Carpenter homestead, situated at Springfield, 
in the town of Jamaica, our subject's father, also 
Nathaniel, was born in 1794, and there his early 
years were spent. Pie displayed the patriotic 
spirit that has always been a family characteris- 
tic, and during the War of 1812 enlisted in the 
defense of American liberties. In his early years 
he followed the trade of a shoemaker, but later 
engaged in farming. In religious belief a Pres- 
byterian, he was for a long time an elder in the 
church at Jamaica. The closing years of his life 
were spent on the old homestead, and there he 
died in 1869. In all his thoughts and actions he 
was governed by a sense of rectitude, for he had 
so trained his mind to right thinking, and his will 
to right feeling and right doing, that it became 
a part of his moral nature. His life was a busy 
and useful one, and in his death he was mourned 
by hosts of friends. 

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth, was born 
in the town of Jamaica, and was a daughter of 
John Rider, well known as an architect and 
builder. He drew the plans for the rebuilding of 
the Presbyterian Church and assisted in the con- 
struction of other large buildings of his day. At 
his death, he left a property valued at about $50,- 
000. Mrs. Elizabeth Carpenter was an active 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and in that 
faith passed from earth in 1867. Her brother, 
James Rider, was a man of prominence and rep- 
resented his district in the legislature for two 
terms. 

. By his first marriage our subject's father had 
four children: Tuttle, Elias, Priscilla and Eph- 
raim. The latter died in 1895, leaving two sons, 
James Tuttle and Nicholas Smith, now residing 
in Springfield. Of the second marriage there were 
born Phebe, Rebecca, Patience Anna and John 
R. Patience A. married Isaac C. Hendrickson, 
one of the leading citizens of Jamaica, being pro- 
prietor of a lumber yard, director in a bank and a 
member of the board of control of the Jamaica 
Normal School. 

At the family homestead in the town of Ja- 
maica, the subject of this notice was born Janu- 
ary 17, 1842. His education was gained in the 
district school and Union Hall Academy of Ja- 
maica. Soon after the opening of the Civil War 
he left the home farm, where he had been assist- 
ing his father, and became an active participant 
in the struggle for the Union. Joining the Thir- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



teenth New York Independent Battery, he served 
for two years and eight months, being on de- 
tached duty the most of the time. In recognition 
of his fideUty he was commissioned third Heu- 
tenant. 

After returning home from the war, Mr. Car- 
penter was for two years engaged in the butcher 
business, and then went back to the home farm. 
In 1887 he embarked in the himber and coal busi- 
ness in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac 
C. Hendrickson, under the name of the Jamaica 
Lumber and Coal Company. They remained to- 
gether until 1890, when Mr. Carpenter estab- 
lished his present large business, taking as part- 
ner his nephew, Robert W. Higbee, who retired 
from the firm February i, 1895. Since that time 
his sons have been associated with him in the 
business. 

In 1861 Mr. Carpenter married Miss Adeline, 
daughter of Tredwell Davison, a farmer and 
stock-raiser of the town of Hempstead. Of their 
three sons, Frank N. died in infancy. Tredwell at 
an early age went into a wholesale house in New 
York, but is now with his father; he married 
Elizabeth Wasson, a native of Canada, and they 
have one child. Marguerite. Alexander, the 
youngest son, was cashier in a wholesale estab- 
lishment in New York until March i, 1895, but 
is now associated with his father in business. The 
family occupy a pleasant home in the village, near 
the yards, where they have a comfortable resi- 
dence surrounded by four acres of land. 

Identified with the Methodist Church, Mr. 
Carpenter was for twenty-five years a member of 
the official board at Springfield, and for seven- 
teen years served as superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school. Notwithstanding his close attention 
to business, he has devoted much time to read- 
ing and self-culture, and has also found time for 
active religious work. A man of pleasing ad- 
dress, social and hospitable, generous and lib- 
eral in his sentiments, and broad in his views, his 
life reveals the success that may be attained by 
self-reliance, integrity and persevering industry. 



FREDERICK N. SMITH. Few profession- 
al or business men of Queens County have 
been more active in supporting its indus- 
tries in a substantial way that this gentleman, 
who is a leading member of the Queens County 
bar. He is a man of great public spirit and for 
some time has been counsel for the Long Island 



City Building and Loan Association, as well as 
secretary for the Queens County Bar Association. 

Mr. Smith was born in Portland, Me., Decem- 
ber 25, 1861. His father, M. C. Smith, was a na- 
time of East Hampton, Conn., which was also 
the birthplace of the grandfather, Nathaniel C. 
Smith, who was a prominent iron manufacturer 
of that portion of the Nutmeg State. The latter 
during the War of 1812 was color sergeant, or 
ensign, of Connecticut home troops. He lived 
to an advanced age, dying when past the age 
of ninety years. This branch of the Smith family 
first located in Massachusetts, whither they had 
come from England. Later they removed to 
Connecticut, where the grandfather passed his 
entire life, and where also M. C. Smith lived for 
many years. The latter afterward moved to 
Portland, Me., where he engaged as an iron mer- 
chant. 

The father of our subject after spending many 
years in the Pine Tree State located in New 
York City, where he was employed as superin- 
tendent of the iron works of Schriver & Co. 
However, when Mr. Steinway established his fac- 
tory for the manufacture of pianos in Long Island 
City, Mr. Smith was engaged as superintendenf 
of the foundry, having charge of this department 
for many years, or until he resigned the position 
He is now a resident of Astoria, having made 
his home in this village since 1872. During the 
late war he served as a member of a ]\Iaine vol- 
unteer company, rendering his country valuable 
aid during the entire period of his enlistment. 

Mrs. Mary E. (Cobb) Smith, mother of our 
subject, was born near the capital of Elaine and 
was the daughter of Samuel Cobb, a blacksmith 
by trade. Tlie latter was a cousin of Sylvanus 
Cobb, the author. Her union with ~Sl. C. Smith 
resulted in the birth of four children, of whom 
Frederick, of this history, was the youngest. 
When the family located in Long Island Citv in 
1872, our subject became a student of the Fourth 
^^'hen the family located in Long Island City in 
1878. He then took a normal course and some 
years thereafter began the study of law in the 
office of Foster, & Stevens of New York. After 
the usual amount of reading he entered the law 
department of Columbia College, and in 1S84 was 
awarded a diploma and admitted to practice at 
the bar of New York State. Mr. Smith then en- 
tered the office of A. T. Payne, at that time cor- 
poration counsel, and remained with him as his 
managing clerk for about seven years, during 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



891 



which time he also practiced on his own ac- 
count. 

In December, 1892, Mr. Smith opened an office 
at No. -jj Jackson Avenue, Hunter's Point. He 
has been especially successful in handling civil 
cases and has been identified as counsel in many 
suits involving large amounts -of real estate. For 
the past eight years he has been attorney for 
the Long Island City Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation, and for the past four or five years has 
filled the office of secretary of the Queens County 
Bar Association. 

Mr. Smith was married in Amsterdam, N. Y., 
in 1888, to Miss Annie Patterson, a native of New- 
York City. She is the daughter of Culver Pat- 
terson, now deceased, who was for many years 
a prominent attorney of the above city. Mrs. 
Smith is a very accomplished lady and was edu- 
cated in the schools of Astoria. She is the mother 
of a daughter. May E., and son, Oliver N. Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith have a beautiful home in Astoria, 
where they are surrounded by every comfort that 
the age can suggest, and here it is their delight 
to entertain their many friends from far and near. 
In politics our subject is a stanch Republican 
and has been a member of both the city and 
judiciary committees. Socially he is a Knight 
of the Golden Eagle, master of records of .Stein- 
way Castle, No. 8, and is a member of Grand 
Castle, also past and district grand chief of 
Queens County. Mr. Smith is a thorough Chris- 
tian and for many years has been a member and 
deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church of 
Astoria. 



WILSON LAWRENCE, proprietor of 
a boarding and livery stable at Flush- 
ing, was born in this village December 
8, 1823. The first of his family to locate here 
was his paternal grandfather, Benjamin, Sr., who 
was born near Albany and removed thence to a 
farm near Flushing, where his closing years were 
spent. The father, Benjamin, Jr., was born here 
and on arriving at maturity entered upon the oc- 
cupations of farmer and stock dealer, buying 
stock in different states and selling it on Long 
Island. He died in Flushing when about sixty- 
five years of age. His wife, who died at about 
sixty years of age, was in maidenhood Phoebe 
Rowland, and was born in Flushing, where her 
father, David Rowland, engaged in general farm 
pursuits. 



The subject of this record, who is the only sur- 
vivor of two children, received his education in 
the Flushing schools, and from early boyhood 
assisted his father in the stock business. In 1853 
he located here and embarked in the livery busi- 
ness in Broadway, which he continued until the 
close of the war, when he disposed of it. Later 
he was employed as clerk in New York and for 
a time also carried on a transfer business there. 
On the death of his father he returned to the 
home farm, which he superintended for more than 
ten years, later disposing of the place. 

In 1891 the firm of Bort & Lawrence started 
the Madison Avenue Stables, and the connection 
has since been continued. The stables occupy 
70x100 feet on Madison Avenue and Union 
Street, where are box stalls for fine horses and 
accommodations for forty horses. Through 
energy and judgment in the management of the 
b-usiness success has come to the firm in the shape 
of a reasonable pecuniary profit. In addition to 
boarding horses, livery rigs are kept, a large busi- 
ness being done in that line. Their place is the 
headquarters for horsemen, Mr. Bort being a 
professional trainer and an acknowledged author- 
ity in that line, and frequent use is made of the 
one-half mile track, which is situated near the 
stables. 

The residence of Mr. Lawrence is situated 
on the corner of Amity Street and South Par- 
sons Avenue. By his first marriage he has three 
children, while by his second union, which made 
Miss Elizabeth A. Hover his wife, he has four 
children, namely: Fred N., a merchant in New 
York; Henry W., who is employed as a clerk in 
New York; Mrs. Kate Peck of Flushing; and 
Grace, who is with her parents. Socially Mr. 
Lawrence is a member of Cornucopia Lodge No. 
563, F. & A. M., and was once actively connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but 
is now demitted. In national politics he is Demo- 
cratic. 



CHRISTIAN HELLWARTH, trustee of 
the village of College Point and a success- 
ful business man of iNevv York City, was 
born where he now resides March 10, 1863, to 
Christopher and Fredericka (Wilken) Hellwarth, 
natives of Germany. His father, who was born 
in Stuttgart and was a florist by occupation, came 
to America in early manhood and settled in Col- 



892 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lege Point, where he married. He and his wife 
now reside in Newport, R. I. 

The younger of two children, our subject was 
educated in the public schools and College Point 
Academy, from which he gi^aduated. At the age 
of fifteen he entered the office of the College 
Point Rubber Company, Limited (now the Chel- 
ton Point Works), and later was transferred to 
the New York Cit)' oflice. In 1880 he resigned 
his position with the company in order to enter 
the dry goods business. He was successively 
with Wilkin, Lord & Taylor, Altman and James 
McCreerv in Twenty-third Street, remaining with 
the last named gentleman nearly nine years. At 
this writing he still holds this position, which is 
one of responsibility and importance. 

Though in business in New York, ^Ir. Hell- 
warth has always retained his home in College 
Point, where he erected and occupies a commo- 
dious and elegantly appointed residence in Tliir- 
teenth Street, between Sixth and Seventh Ave- 
nues. Pie was married here to Hannah Krieg, 
a native of College Point, and two children 
blessed their union, of whom Ralph survives. 
In public affairs here Mr. Hellwarth has always 
been influential and active. At one occasion he 
was chairman of a meeting of citizens at the t;me 
of the nomination of a school trustee and agitated 
the question of carrying on the study of Ger- 
man in the public schools. In the fall of 
1894 he was nominated on the Citizens' ticket 
to the office of village trustee and was elected, 
taking the oath of office in January, 1895, to hold 
office until January, 1898. He is chairman of the 
auditing committee and member of the police 
committee and the committees on lights and 
wells and pumps. Socially he is connected with 
the Royal Arcanum and the Krakehlia Singing 
Society, and at one time was vice-president of the 
Adelphi Social Club. In religious belief he is 
connected with the Dutch Reformed Church. 
Politically he is a Democrat, but is popular with 
men of opposing belief and is regarded as one of 
the influential citizens of the viflage. 



WILLIA^I METHVEN, captain of the 
Queens County police and one of the 
leading liverymen of Flushing, was 
born on the last day of the year 1855 in Cleish, 
Kinross-shire, Scotland. Pie is a member of an 
old Scotch family, his grandfather, Alexander, 
having been superintendent for an estate in that 



countr}'. His father, Alexander, Jr., was born in 
Cleish, where for some years he engaged in farm- 
ing, but afterward removed to Dundee, where he 
had charge of the horses of the North British 
Railway Company until his death in 1893. In 
religious belief the family adhered to the Scotch 
Presbyterian faith. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Jean Stark, and was a daughter of Robert 
Stark, a weaver and boatman on Loch Leven. a 
popular summer and fishing resort in the west- 
ern part of Scotland. She is still living and 
makes her home in Dundee. Of her eleven chil- 
dren, all but one attained years of maturity and 
nine are now living, William being fourth in order 
of birth. He was educated in the schools of 
Cleish and Dundee and from boyhood was en- 
gaged in the horse business. In Dundee he mar- 
ried Miss Jessie Smith, by whom he has seven 
children. Coming to America in 1880, he soon 
afterward settled in Flushing, where he had 
charge of Mr. Colton's stables at the fashion 
track. During the three years that he was 
with this gentleman, much of his time was 
given to the training of horses. Later for two 
vears he had charge of Ewen's stables, after 
which he carried on a hotel in Main Street for 
two years and was then located on the corner of 
Main and Broadway. After having rented 
Mickle's stables for eighteen months he opened 
the Flushing Hotel stables at No. 90 Broadway, 
which he has since conducted. 

As a trainer of horses 'Sir. ^lethven is well 
known both on Long Island and in New York, 
and he prepared many horses for the X^ew York 
market. He is a member of the Flushing Driv- 
ing Park Association, of which he was superin- 
tendent for a time. While he has broken a large 
number of fractious colts, he has never been in- 
jured. At one time he owned "Hussar," which 
liad a track record of 2:21. but could make a mile 
in 2:i2-l. At dift'erent times he has owned other 
fine standard horses. 

In 1895 [Mr. ]\Iethven was appointed captain 
of tlie Queens County police for three years, and 
in that capacity he has stopped prize fighting 
and made a number of raids on pool rooms. Dur- 
ing the car strike in Brooklyn he was for five 
weeks in charge of the Queens County end and 
took an active part in quelling disturbance. In 
1894 he was elected constable for the town of 
Flushing and served one term. Socially he is 
connected with the Knights of Pythias, Red Men 




DAVin KETCHAM. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



895 



and Order of American Firemen. He served his 
time in the Empire Hose Company No. i, of 
which he was foreman, then second assistant en- 
gineer for two years and assistant engineer under 
McCormick for two years. He has served his 
party — the Republican — as a delegate to county 
and state conventions and is a member of the Re- 
publican Club. 



DAVID KETCHAM, who holds the re- 
sponsible ofifice of assessor of the town of 
Jamaica, is one of the well-known and 
wealthy residents of the beautiful village of Hol- 
lis. He was born in the town of Huntington, Suf- 
folk County, July 29, 1823, and is the son of Zeb- 
ulon Ketcham, whose birth occurred in that local- 
ity in 1804. The latter was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and for several years was collector of taxes 
of the town of Huntington. At the time of his 
decease, in 1840, the community lost one of its 
best and most highly esteemed residents. 

James Ketcham, uncle of our subject, now de- 
ceased, was for many years a hotelkeeper at 
Patchogue, L. I., and also wreckmaster ofif the 
Long Island coast. Grandfather David Ketch- 
am was also born in the town of Huntington, an^ 
during the War of 1812 served as lieutenant of 
his company, Avhich was stationed at Ft. Green. 
He was a farmer by occupation and lived to the 
advanced age of ninety-four years. When a lad 
of ten or twelve years he saw General Washing- 
ton pass through Long Island during the prog- 
ress of the Revolutionary War. He married 
Abby Nostrand, whose family, as well as that of 
the Ketchams, was among the oldest and most 
prominent on this island. 

Mrs. Abby (Oakley) Ketcham, mother of our 
subject, was a sister of Jesse Oakley, who mar- 
ried the sister of Mr. Ketcham. This lady, Han- 
nah Oakley, is now living at Huntington and is 
eighty-seven years of age. Mrs. Abby Ketcham 
survived her husband many years, being eighty- 
four years old at the time of her decease. She 
had three brothers, David, Jesse and Timothy, of 
whom the last named was for many years a 
prominent merchant of New York City. 

David Ketcham was the eldest in the family of 
six children born to his parents. He had one 
brother, John O., formerly a carpenter and build- 
er living in Brooklyn. During the excitement 
in the Pennsylvania oil fields he repaired to that 
region, where he died soon afterward. Mary 



Ketcham married David Jarvis, now deceased, 
who for many years was engaged in the grocery 
business in Brooklyn, where Mrs. Jarvis died in 
the spring of 1895. Elizabeth departed this life 
when eighteen years of age. Phebe married 
George W. Uhler, formerly a merchant of Brook- 
lyn, but who is now deceased. Susan died when 
sixteen years old. 

Receiving a fair education in the district 
schools, Mr. Ketcham, when quite young, went to 
New York City and was employed in the store of 
his uncle, Timothy Oakley, until the death of his 
father, in 1840, when, being the eldest of the 
family, he returned home to manage the farm, 
and remained on the estate until March 12, 1849. 
In the meantime he married Miss Mary Oakley 
and in the year above mentioned they removed to 
th^"• town of Jamaica, purchasing property 
which has since been laid out into lots and sold to 
the residents of the beautiful village of Hollis. Up 
to this time he had given his tmdivided attention 
to agricultural pursuits, and in this occupation 
was remarkably successful, accumulating a snug 
little fortune. His farm, however, soon became 
very valuable, and in order to make the most of 
his opportunities he sold it to l\Ir. Campbell of 
Brooklyn, who has laid it out in town lots. 

Mrs. Ketcham became the mother of two chil- 
dren and departed this life January 17, 1893. Her 
daughter Elizabeth lived to be seventeen years 
of age, when she- too passed to her home be- 
yond. Aaron Oakley Ketcham, the son, mar- 
ried Kate Lott, member of one of the oldest fam- 
ilies on the island. They had two sons, Frank 
Lott and David W. The husband and father de- 
parted this life in 1889 and his widow and family 
now occupy a beautiful home adjoining the resi- 
dence of our subject in the village of Hollis. For 
many years the son had looked after the manage- 
ment of the old farm and it was really not until 
his death that Mr. Ketcham made up his mind 
to sell the propert_v. 

Mr. Ketcham has not only been one of the 
leading farmers in Queens County, but he has 
been successful in every enterprise in which he 
has engaged. His influence has always been di- 
rected toward furthering the best interests of his 
community, although he cannot be considered a 
politician in any sense of the term. He is Demo- 
cratic in politics and not only possesses the con- 
fidence of his party, but that of the Republican 
voters as well. He has been before the people in 
various positions of honor and trust and since 



896 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1872 has held the office of assessor of the town 
of Jamaica, receiving almost the entire vote of 
the district. As a citizen he is on the side of 
every social and moral reform: as a neighbor he 
is kind, and as a friend stanch and true. The 
poor and distressed find in him a cheerful helper, 
to whom no appeal is made in vain. He occupies 
one of the most pleasant homes in Hollis, which 
during the past few j^ears has been darkened and 
saddened by the death of his wife and both chil- 
dren. He is a devoted member of the Presby- 
terian Church and for many years was trustee of 
his congregation. 



DAVID H. LANEY, a successful and en- 
terprising business man of Woodhaven, 
is a florist of wide reputation in the coun- 
ty and has a large trade among its best people. 
He was born in Hampshire, England, June 11, 
1842. When he was a lad of eleven years his 
mother died, leaving ten children, which it was 
impossible for the father to keep together. 

David H., who had but a limited education, was 
thus obliged to commence the battle of life on 
his own account, his first occupation being as a 
gardener's assistant. He soon became an expert 
in this industry and rose from one position to an- 
other until he was given a position in the gar- 
dens of Buckingham Palace, the Queen's private 
residence in London. Here he remained for two 
years, giving the best of satisfaction. 

In 1870 young Laney bade good-bye to his 
relatives and friends in England and boarded a 
vessel which landed him in due time in America. 
He brought the best of recommendations with 
him and found employment without much delay. 
For ten years he was private gardener for D. B. 
Wesson, junior member of the firm of Smith 
& Wesson, manufacturers of firearms in Spring- 
field, Mass. It was his great desire, however, 
to get a situation nearer the metropolis, and 
when I\Ir. Wesson closed his place in order to go 
abroad, Mr. Laney came to New York and it 
was not long before he was employed by Mr. 
Grosjean of Woodhaven, the millionaire proprie- 
tor of the great agate works located here, to take 
charge of the grounds of his private residence. 
Although now in business for himself, he still 
has the oversight of the laying out of the grounds 
surrounding Mr. Grosjean's home and supplies 
all the flowers and shrubs used in its decoration. 
Our subject has been vcrv successful in all his 



ventures since he came to America, and all of 
his surplus capital he invested in property which 
now comprises his gardens and on which are lo- 
cated his hot houses. These are fitted out with 
every convenience for the successful prosecution 
of his work and are among the largest in the 
county. He keeps himself well posted regarding 
the best methods of caring for plants by subscrib- 
ing to many of the leading journals devoted to 
this subject which are published in America. 

Just prior to embarking for the shores of the 
New World, ^Ir. Laney was married to ]\Iiss 
Hannah Windsor. To them has been born a son, 
Albert, now in charge of a business which his 
father established for his benefit. Mr. Laney is 
deeply interested in the progress of the place 
which has so long been his home, and although 
he has been often solicited to hold public office 
has always refused to do so, as he feels that he 
can render his fellow citizens as much benefit in 
private life as when representing them in some of- 
fice. He is an Odd Fellow of high standing in the 
community and is a charter member of the lodge 
at Woodhaven, with which he has been connect- 
ed for seven years. He is also a charter member 
of the Royal Arcanum. 

An upright, honorable man, ]\Ir. Laney has a 
reputation for veracity and high principle which is 
second to none in the neighborhood. 



M' 



OSES R. SCHENCK, of the firm of 
Schenck Brothers, manufacturers of car- 
riages at Great Neck, was born in Cold- 
spring Harbor, Suffolk County, L. I., February 
8, 1855, being a son of Simeon and Mary A. 
(Darling) Schenck. He remained in the village 
where lie was born the most of the time until he 
was nine, when he accompanied his father to Port 
Washington, and there attended the public 
schools. When about fourteen years old he be- 
gan to work in the shop with his father and re- 
mained in his employ until he was twenty-three, 
when the two entered partnership under the firm 
name of Schenck & Son. 

In 1880 the death of the father oliliged the son 
to assume the entire responsibility of the busi- 
ness, which he carried on successfully until 1883. 
r^Ieantime, on the 23d of November. 1S81, he 
married Miss Sarah E. ?\lackey of Port \\'ashing- 
ton, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Van Nos- 
trand) ^lackey, and a native of the village of 
Roslvn. L. I. In the fall of 1883 the firm of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



897 



Schenck Brothers was organized and our sub- 
ject moved to Great Neck, his present place of 
residence. He is known as one of the progres- 
sive and energetic business men of this village 
and stands high in the community. 

Three children comprise the family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Schenck, namely: Mabel Lguise, who was 
born in Port Washington October 3, 1883; Ber- 
tha Irene, born at Great Neck September 25, 
1886; and Clifford R., born in Great Neck March 
28, 1892. Mrs. Schenck is a granddaughter of 
John Mackey, a brother of George Mackey, Sr., 
to whose sketch upon another page the reader 
is referred for the history of the Mackey fam- 
ily. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Schenck was elect- 
ed tax collector in 1890 and 1891, and was also 
appointed to fill an unexpired term as assessor, 
but refused a nomination for the office. He has 
served as a member of the school board, of which 
he was president one year, but upon the expiration 
of his term refused re-election. At various times 
he has been a delegate to town and county con- 
ventions, but has refused to go to state conven- 
tions. With his wife he holds membership in 
All Saints' Church at Great Neck, and he is 
treasurer of the Union Sunday-school. Socially 
he belongs to Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & 
A. M., at Flushing, and Pentalpha Chapter No. 
206. 



WILLIAM M. THOMAS. The experi- 
ence of this gentleman goes to prove 
that success may be obtained, even 
though for years she eludes the pursuer, evading 
his most energetic and persevering efforts. Mr. 
Thomas met with much in earlier life that would 
have daunted a man of less determination, but it 
only stirred him to renewed endeavors, and final- 
ly he achieved a success that was a tribute to his 
ability and force of character. While his resi- 
dence is in Corona, much of his time is spent in 
New York City, where he is engaged in the real 
estate business at No. 35 West Thirtieth Street 
and Fifty-ninth Street and Eighth Avenue, and 
is also proprietor of the Mineola stables at 
Eighty-fourth Street and Boulevard. 

The son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Knight) 
Thomas, the subject of this record was born in 
Torresdale, Pa., July 23, 1849. His boyhood 
days were principally spent in Belvidere, N. J., 
where he was employed in his father's mill. After 



completing the studies of the common schools 
he spent one year at Nazareth Hall, a Moravian 
boarding school in Northampton County, Pa. 
When about sixteen years of age, in 1865, he en- 
listed as a member of the Fifteenth United States 
Infantry, stationed at Ft. Adams, R. I., but after 
a service of two months his father put a stop to 
his boyish enthusiasm by taking him out of the 
army. 

After working in the commission business in 
New York City for a time, Mr. Thomas was for 
one year with William H. Stiger, and then for 
three and one-half years was with a firm at No. 
165 West Street. October 20, 1869, he married 
Miss Mary R. Philips, who was born in Dutchess 
County, N. Y. Not long afterward his employer 
went out of business and he was thrown out of 
employment, but he soon secured a job as driver 
of a wagon, selling flour in various parts of 
Massachusetts near the state line. His employers 
were Moffat & Reese. From there he went back 
to New York and began to deliver produce in 
various parts of the city, for which he first re- 
ceived $12, later $18 per week. One week was 
spent as conductor on a Broadway street car, 
when he resigned, having an offer to go into the 
real estate business with Dye & Curtis. This 
was in 1870 and he remained with them until 
they went out of business, five years later, which 
caused a change of his plans. Borrowing $100, 
he started in business for himself in the office 
formerly occupied by his employers. He made a 
success in buying, selling and collecting, and has 
continued the business to the present time, hav- 
ing had a partner since 1877. 

In 1881 Mr. Thomas purchased a place at Bay- 
side, where he made his home for a few years, 
selling the property at a profit of about $5,000. 
He then bought twenty acres at Corona, where 
he now resides, also a farm of two hundred and 
fourteen acres, known as the Strong place, one 
of the oldest homesteads in the county. In addi- 
tion to this, he has invested in property in New 
York and also owns three of the largest stables in 
the city. In 1872 he voted for General Grant for 
the Presidency, later he adopted Democratic 
views and in 1874 became connected with Tam- 
many Hall, being secretary of the Eleventh As- 
sembly District of that famous organization. For 
twenty years he has been a notary public. Reared 
in the faith of the Hicksite Friends, he still clings 
to that connection and meets with other members 
of the society in Philadelphia every year. So- 



898 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cially he has been chaplain of the Knights of 
Plonor, and for two terms served as treasurer of 
the New York Lodge of Masonry. While living 
in the city he was connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, but has not been identi- 
fied with that organization for many years past. 



DENNIS SULLIVAN, a contractor by 
occupation, is one of the most popular 
citizens of Flushing and in the various 
public offices which he has filled has proved the 
possession of public spirit, energy and integ- 
rity. He was born in Rochester, Monroe Coun- 
ty, N. Y., in December, 1840, iDeing next to the 
oldest in a family of five daughters and two sons, 
of whom one daughter and both sons are liv- 
ing. His parents, Dennis Sullivan, Sr., a mold- 
er by trade, and Mary (McCarthy) Sullivan, died 
in Auburn, N. Y., the former about 1854. 

From four years of age until man's estate, 
the subject of this record resided in Auburn, 
where, at the age of fourteen, he entered the em- 
ploy of the Auburn Gas Light Company, in the 
early days of the business when gas was manu- 
factured from rosin. In 1857 he came to Flush- 
ing, where he was employed for a time as a gas- 
fitter. Next he went to Morristown. where he 
was similarly engaged. In 1859 he located in 
Astoria and became foreman of the Astoria gas 
works on Hell Gate. January 4, 1864,- he again 
came to Flushing as superintendent of the Flush- 
ing Gas Light Company, which responsible posi- 
tion he filled until 1890, and during that time the 
plant was remodeled and increased in size. 

While in the employ of the gas company, Mr. 
Sullivan began contracting, which business in- 
creased to such an extent that he finally resigned 
his position and turned his attention entirely to 
general contract work. He built the Flushing 
& College Point Street Railroad, nearly four 
miles in length, crowding the work so rapidlv 
that it was completed in less than two months. 
He also had the contract for the water works at 
Munson, Mass., and built the water works at 
Northville. N. Y. From 1877 until 1889 lie was 
a mem1)er of the board of trustees, of which he 
was president one term; he served on the prin- 
cipal committees and was chairman of the water 
committee during his entire term of office. In 
1875 ''■e was superintendent of the building of 
the water works, the completion of which was 
celebrated the following vear. 



Politically a Republican, j\Ir. Sullivan has 
often been delegate to county and state conven- 
tions. For one term of three years he served 
efficiently as county superintendent of the poor. 
For two years he held the position of overseer 
of the poor in the town of Flushing, and at differ- 
ent times was called to other local offices. He 
was a member of the old Hamilton Guard, and 
for three years belonged to Rescue Hook and 
Ladder Company. In Astoria he married Miss 
Maria Fay, sister of Michael E. Fay, of whom 
mention is made on another page of this volume. 
They are the parents of four children, namely: 
Edward and AVilliam, who are contractors; Mar- 
garet; and ]\Iary, wife of Eugene Eglee, of New 
York. 



JOHN JONES WRIGHT was born Feb- 
ruary 14, 1835, in the village of Flushing, 
which was also the native place of his fath- 
er, Samuel, and grandfather, William, the for- 
mer a horse-shoer, and the latter a car-man by 
occupation. His mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Mary Ann Dui¥, was born in Oyster 
Bay and died at Flushing when seventy-five 
years of age; her father was Oliver Dufif, whose 
father-in-law and four brothers-in-law partici- 
pated in many of the most sanguinary conflicts 
of the Revolution. Samuel Wright died at the 
age of sixty-six years, having spent a busy, in- 
dustrious and honest life among the scenes and 
with the people familiar to him from boyhood 
years. He and his wife attended the Episcopal 
Chitrch and were people of generous and neigh- 
borly disposition. 

The subject of this notice is one of twelve chil- 
dren, nine of whom attained years of maturity, 
namely: William, who resides in the western 
part of this state; Joshua, who in 1857 enlisted in 
the regular army, served for five years, and later 
was accidentally killed in New Orleans; Thomas, 
who died in Flushing in 1888; John Jones; Sam- 
uel, who died in this village: Charles, a resident 
of Brooklyn; Airs. Eliza Reed, and Mrs. Cath- 
erine Webb, of this place; and Jane, who died 
here. 

At the age of sixteen our subject was appren- 
ticed to the trade of a carriage blacksmith under 
Mr. Ketchum at Flushing and on completing the 
trade, in 1857 opened a general blacksmith shop 
here. In 1862 he located in Hunter's Point. 
Long Island City, and built a shop at No. 33 




OLDFIELD HENDRICKSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



901 



Jackson Avenue, where for two years he carried 
on a general blacksmithing business, but after- 
ward gave his attention solely to horse-shoeing. 
For thirty years he shod horses for James Mc- 
Mahon, of Bowery Bay, and the best horsemen 
of the country, being known as the most prac- 
tical and successful horse-shoer of his locality. 
Accumulating money which he invested in real 
estate, he became well-to-do and is now the 
owner of two residences in Third Street, Long 
Island City, as well as a shop there, and a resi- 
dence at No. 282 Amity Street, Flushing. His 
success is due to the energetic manner with 
which he has devoted himself to business; he 
has never been an idler, but has led a busy, use- 
ful and industrious hfe. 

At Flushing in 1861 occurred the marriage of 
J. J. Wright and Isabella Todd, daughter of 
Adam Todd, formerly a gardener here. They 
have four children, William, Samuel A., Elmira 
and Belle. In national politics Mr. Wright is a 
Democrat, always voting that ticket at Presiden- 
tial elections. He was one of the first members 
of Island City Lodge, F. & A. M;, with which he 
has since been connected. 



CHRISTIAN RAU, a mason and contrac- 
tor residing in College Point, was born 
near Cologne, Westphalia, Germany, in 
1834, being a son of Arnold Rau, who devoted 
his attention to farming in his native land 
throughout his entire life. At the age of fifteen 
he was apprenticecl to the m-ason's trade in Elber- 
feldt, Germany, and upon the completion of his 
term of service began to do journeyman work, 
traveHng throughout all of Germany. After a 
time he settled in Elberfeldt, where for nine years 
lie followed his chosen calling. 

Having resolved to come to America, in 1865 
Mr. Rau took passage on the saiHng vessel "Liz- 
zie" at Hamburg, and after sixty-one days upon 
the water landed in New York City. During the 
same year he came to College Point, where he 
began work at his trade. In 1866 he commenced 
to take contracts, and in this way he has since 
carried on business, having met with fair suc- 
cess in his enterprises. He has had contracts for 
much important work in his line here, both in the 
erection of public and private buildings, and his 
work has been invariably satisfactory to the par- 
ties concerned. 

The family residence, erected by Mr. Rau, 



stands in Fourteenth Street, near Seventh Ave- 
nue. It is presided over hospitably by his wife, 
whom he married here, but who was born in Bre- 
men, Germany. She bore the maiden name of 
Albertina Youngman, and is the mother of four 
children, Anna, Lizzie, Martha and Oscar. The 
family attend the Lutheran Church and are in- 
terested in all religious work. While Mr. Rau 
has never sought public office, he has firm opin- 
ions upon all political questions and uniformly 
gives his allegiance to the Republican party. 



OLDFIELD HENDRICKSON. Surely 
and rapidly the brave and hardy men 
who first settled in Hollis are passing 
to their graves, and among them Oldfield Hen- 
drickson is now numbered. The civilization of 
our day, the enlightenment of the age and the 
dutv that men of the present time owe to their 
ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives and deeds 
should be made. Mr. Hendrickson, one of the 
respected and influential citizens of Queens 
County, was born in this county, across the 
street from where his widow now resides. He 
was the son of James and Catherine (Oldfield) 
Hendrickson, who were the parents of three chil- 
dren, all now deceased. 

James Hendrickson was a native of Spring- 
field, L. I., and spent his life in this vicinity. For 
many years he was a prominent and active mem- 
ber of the Dutch Reformed Church and was also 
active in other enterprises of moment. Oldfield 
Hendrickson received good educational facili- 
ties, attending Union Hall Academy of Jamaica 
during his youth, and after reaching man's es- 
tate settled down to agricultural pursuits on the 
home place. Industrious and persevering, he 
made a success of life in hfs chosen calling, and 
his fine farm attests by its appearance the thrift 
and energy of its former owner. 

On the i6th of December, 1835, Mr. Hendrick- 
son married Miss Margaret Van Alst of Dutch 
Kills, Long Island City, and after this union re- 
sided on the home farm, assisting in its manage- 
ment until after his father's death, when he 
erected the fine residence, now owned by his 
widow, and there passed the remainder of his 
days, dying December 16, 1871. Like his father 
he was a worthy member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, holding membership in the Jamaica con- 
gregation for years. When that church burneil 



902 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



down he assisted in building the church at 
Queens, and for years afterward was an elder in 
that organization. Mrs. Hendrickson is a mem- 
ber of one of the prominent old families of 
Queens County. Her parents, John G. and Al- 
etha (Polhemus) Van Alst, had eight children, 
only two of whom survive at the present time, 
Mrs. Hendrickson and James L., the latter a resi- 
dent of the village of Newtown. Mrs. Hendrick- 
son's grandparents were George and Ann (Mes- 
serole) Van Alst. 



THOMPSON LAYTON. In the course of 
his active and useful career Mr. Lavton 
has earned an enviable reputation as an 
enterprising agriculturist, efficient citizen and 
self-reliant man. He is numbered among the 
most prosperous farmers of Oyster Bay Town, 
where he owns over one hundred acres of valua- 
ble and well improved land. The farm upon 
which he resides and which has been in posses- 
sion of the family since 1824 lies near the village 
of East Norwich, thus afifording all the advan- 
tages of rural life together with the conveniences 
of the village. 

The son of Peter and Emeline (Pintard") Lay- 
ton, tlie subject of this sketch was born February 
7, 1833, on the homestead he now owns and oc- 
cupies. The family has been represented in this 
locality for several generations. His grand- 
father, John Layton, was a native of the town of 
Oyster Bay and devoted his entire active life to 
agricultural pursuits here. The father of our 
subject, soon after his marriage, settled on this 
farm in 1824 and here he continued to reside un- 
til his death in April, 1865. His children were 
named as follows: Margaret, who died in child- 
hood; John, who located in Connecticut; Charles, 
who died in boyhood; Mary, Mrs. Townsend 
Monfort, deceased; Thompson; and Charles, a 
sailor, of whom all trace was lost years ago. 

From the time he was twenty-one years old 
until the death of his father, our subject operated 
the home farm on shares, and afterward he be- 
came the owner and proprietor of the estate. 
May 10, 1865, he married Mary E. Van Nos- 
trand, who was l)orn in Roslyn August 2g, 1841, 
and was a daughter of Cornelius and Sarah R. 
Van Nostrancl. Unto their union were born the 
following-named children: Jennie; Peter, a 
blacksniitii Jiving in the village of Oyster Bay; 
Thompson (i., Jr., who assists his father in op- 



erating the farm and resides in the new house on 
the homestead; Ida, wife of Benjamin Morgan, 
of Port Washington, Queens County; Sarah 
R. ; Emeline, who died in infancy; Nellie L. ; 
Charles W., who died in boyhood; Mary M., 
Lottie B. and Gertie A. Tlie older children were 
educated in the Friends' Academy at Locust \'al- 
ley, and the younger members of the family will, 
at the proper time, be given such advantages as 
will fit them for positions of usefulness in the 
world. 

The Democratic party has the hearty allegiance 
of Mr. Layton, and he supports its candidates 
at every election, local or national. In 1871 he 
was elected assessor of the town of Oyster Bay, 
a position which he filled for twenty years, with 
the exception of an interim of two years. For a 
number of vears he has served as school trustee. 
Iri every position to which he has been called, 
he has done all in his power to advance the in- 
terests of his fellow-citizens and promote the wel- 
fare of the community. He and his family are 
highly esteemed wherever known. They are 
genial and hospitable, and all visitors to their 
home (even those to whom they are personally 
strangers) receive a hearty, cordial welcome and 
an invitation to come again. Naturally, these 
qualities make them popular among the people 
of the town, and their list of friends and acquaint- 
ances is a large one. 



RICHARD TRACY came to College Point 
April 23, 1870, and has since made this 
place his home. Prior to locating here, he 
learned the mason's trade, in all its branches, at 
Brooklyn, and he was thus prepared to success- 
fullv conduct a business of his own. After work- 
ing at the trade for years, he began in 1891 as a 
general contractor in mason work, which line he 
has since carried on diligently and with success. 
Among his most important work was the opening 
and grading of the streets in College Point, also 
the erection of I. E. Klinert's brick factory, the 
stone edifice in vohich St. Fidelis' congregation 
worships and Hugo Funke's silk mills. 

In ornamental plastering, of which he makes a 
specialty, ]Mr. Tracy has been very successful, 
and his reputation in this line is unexcelled. He 
also has many contracts for putting in boilers 
and engines and does all the heavy trucking work 
in the village. His pay roll each season amounts 
to $750. In addition to building residences for 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



903 



others, he built the one on Whitestone Road 
which he owns and occupies, and erected the shop 
in Eleventh Street, between Fourth and Fifth. 
After coming to College Point he established a 
home of his own, his marriage uniting him with 
Miss Mary Williams, an estimable lady of this 
place. Nine children were born of their union, of 
whom all but two are living. 

While Mr. Tracy gives his attention closely to 
his contract work, he nevertheless finds time for 
social engagements, and is one of the popular 
residents at College Point. He is a charter mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and the Catholic Benevolent Legion and is con- 
nected with the Adelphi Social Club. In religious 
belief he is a Catholic and holds membership in 
the St. Fidelis Church. 



WILLIAM RUHL, proprietor of College 
Point Saenger Hall, was born in Har- 
burg, Hanover, Germany, June 8, 
1859, and is a son of John Ruhl, a native of Hil- 
desheim, Hanover, and by trade a carpenter and 
builder, which occupation he followed until his 
death. At one time he was a corporal in the 
German cavalry. After his demise his widow, 
Elenora S. (Rose) Ruhl, brought her two sons, 
William and Edwin, to the United States and set- 
tled in New York City, where she remained un- 
til death. Edwin is now a resident of Jersey 
Heights. 

William, who is the younger of the two sons, 
was less than ten years of age when he accom- 
panied his mother to America in 1869. He at- 
tended school only si.x months during the year, 
his education being acquired principally in the 
night schools. At an early age he learned the 
cigar maker's trade, at which he worked until 
1880. Then, in partnership with his brother, un- 
der the firm name of E. Ruhl & Co., he em- 
barked in the wholesale liquor business at No. 
1522 Third Avenue. On dissolving this part- 
nership, he carried on a general trucking busi- 
ness in New York about seven years, and mean- 
time, in 1888, he started a soda water business in 
Fourth Street, between D and Lewes, where he 
remained for two years. In 1890 he removed to 
No. 227 Lewes Street, where four years were 
spent. 

In 1893 Mr. Ruhl located in Flushing, and 
soon afterward started a grocen,' business in Mad- 
ison Avenue, Murray Hill, where he built a store 



and two residences. Later he engaged in the 
manufacture of soda water until February, 1895, 
when he sold out and purchased his present place 
on Second Avenue and Twelfth Street, College 
Point, where he has a building 50x100 feet, with 
summer gardens. His ball room, 50x75, is the 
finest in the village and more balls are held here 
than any other place in College Point. He has 
places also for lodge meetings, accommodations 
for societies, turn-vereins, clam-bakes, picnics 
and coaching parties. Besides this, he is engaged 
in bottling beer and runs two wagons in filling 
orders. 

In New York City, in October, 1893, Mr. Ruhl 
married Miss Katie Flughes, who was born 
there, and is the youngest of the three children 
of Edward and Margaret (Connelly) Hughes, na- 
tives respectively of Counties Monaghan and 
Cavan, Ireland. Her father, after his marriage, 
settled in New York City, where he engaged in 
business as a dealer in meats; her mother died 
in that city in February, 1896. Socially Mr. Ruhl 
is connected with Puritan Lodge No. 399, F. & 
A. M., and Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 
No. I at College Point. He and his wife are a 
genial, pleasant couple, and have many warm 
friends in this locality. 



SAMUEL A. WRIGHT, D. V. S., son of 
J. J. and Isabella (Todd) Wright, was born 
in Long Island City in November, 1871. 
His education was received in his native place 
and the high school of Brooklyn, and on com- 
pleting his studies he began to learn the trade of 
a horse-shoer, at which he was employed about 
two years. From that he naturally drifted into 
veterinary surgery, an occupation for which he 
had early in life displayed a natural inclination. 
In 1890 he entered the American Veterinary 
College of New York City, where he conducted 
his studies with diligence and success, gradu- 
ating in March, 1893, with the degree of D. V. S. 
WhHe in college he was the class secretary and 
also secretary of the College Medical Society. 
During his vacations he continued work at 
horse-shoeing until the last year of his college 
course, when he practiced veterinary surgery 
with his brother. Dr. W. H. Wright, in Long Is- 
land City. 

Upon graduating our subject opened an ottice 
at No. 68 Broadway, Flushing, where he has 
since conducted a general practice as veterinary 



904 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



surgeon, for success in which his former thor- 
ough experience as horse-shoer is of the utmost 
value. In his business transactions he is enter- 
prising yet cautious, honest to the smallest de- 
tail, painstaking and skillful, a man who will un- 
doubtedly succeed in his chosen work. He is a 
member of the Vigilant Athletic Club of Long 
Island City, and takes an active part in various 
fraternal and social organizations. 



ERASMUS D. SKINNER, M. D., of Min- 
eola, was born in Greenport, Suffolk Coun- 
ty, N. Y., in 1838, to Dr. E. E. D. and 
Mary B. (Read) Skinner. His grandfather. 
Dr. Ezekiel Skinner, was born in the town 
of Glastonbury, Conn., and in early manhood 
studied medicine, but later entered the ministry. 
The father, who was born in Connecticut in 1807, 
graduated from a medical college and com- 
menced practice at Greenport in 1828, remaining 
there until his death in 1875. He was a member 
of the Baptist Church of Greenport. For years 
he was chairman of the Republican Central Com- 
mittee, and prior to the organization of that 
party upheld Whig principles. In 1844 he was 
toasted by the Clay Whig Club of New York 
City as the "lone Clay Whig of Suffolk County." 
In addition to successful practice as a physician, 
he was noted as a skillful surgeon. In his fam- 
ily there were six children, namely: Annie E.; 
Jane M. A.; Erasmus D.; Benjamin Rush, who 
entered the legal profession; Dr. Barton D., a 
physician of Greenport; and Ezekiel D., a mill- 
wright at Greenport. ' ^ 

In the spring of 1858 the subject of this rec- 
ord entered the Bowdoin Medical College, where 
he remained a few months. In the fall of the 
same year he became a student in the Berkshire 
Medical College of Pittsfield, Mass., from whicii 
he graduated in November, 1858. Ele com- 
menced practice at the old home of his grandfath- 
er Skinner in Westford, but at the end of three 
years failing health induced him to return to 
Greenport. In 1875, with invigorated strength, 
he removed to Mineola and established a practice 
which he has since conducted. In 1888 he was 
appointed physician to the temporary Home for 
Children, located at this place. He is a member 
of (he Queens Cimnty ;\Iedical Society, of which 
he was formerly president. 

A Republican in politics. Dr. Skinner in 1872 
was elected coroner of Suffolk Count v by a large 



majority, and for twelve years served as health 
officer for the town of North Hempstead. W'ith 
his wife he holds membership in the Baptist 
Church of Hempstead, in which he has held the 
offices of deacon and trustee. For a number of 
years he was a member of the executive commit- 
tee of the Queens County Sunday-school Asso- 
ciation, and for a time was superintendent of the 
L'nion Sunday-school of ^lineola. Socially he 
is identified with Protection Lodge No. 151, I. 
O. O. F., at Roslyn, of which he is past grand, 
and is also officially connected with ]\Iineola En- 
campment No. 121 and past district deputy grand 
patriarch. At this writing he is district deputy 
grand master of Queens District No. 2. 

In April, 1862, Dr. Skinner married Anna E., 
daughter of Alanson Hallock, a prominent farm- 
er of Cutchogue and a leading Republican of his 
locality, his death occtirring in 1S94, when he was 
ninety-three. The three children born of this 
union are Henry W., residing in ^Mineola and a 
traveling salesman for a drug house of New York ; 
Erasmus D., Jr., who is with R. JNI. Bowne's Son, 
of Glencove; and Isabella C, wife of L. C. Under- 
bill, of Mineola, a dealer in lumber and coal at 
Locust Valley. 

Dr. Ezekiel Skinner, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., and by 
diligent effort gained a good education. At an 
early age he began the stitdy of medicine, with 
the intention of entering that profession. \\'hen 
the War of 1812 broke out. he left his practice 
and family and went into the army as a private 
but was almost immediately made field surgeon. 
On his return he resumed practice and also took 
up ministerial work, whicli divided his time with 
his profession. His son, Benjamin R., had be- 
come a missionary to Africa and in less than 
six months had, with his wife and one child, suc- 
cumbed to the unhealthful climate. Undaunted 
by their sad fate, the father, though then an old 
man, resolved to take tip his son's work. He 
went to Africa, where for about three years he 
labored for the physical and spiritual uplifting of 
the poor natives. He was the first governor of 
Liberia. Failing health at last obliged him to 
return to America. He resumed here his labors 
as clergyman and physician, but for a number of 
years before his death he was entirely lilind. 
After his death our subject's father took into his 
home the widowed mother, who also was totally 
blind for a number of years. 

Of Alanson Hallock, the father-in-law of Dr. 




JAMES F. Mclaughlin. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



907 



Skinner, the following mention was made in an 
obituary notice: "He was in his ninety-fourth 
year and belonged to one of the oldest families 
of the town. Witli vigorous mental powers and 
by reason of sturdy health, he outlived nearly 
all of his own generation. He was an upright 
man, prompt, intelligent, prudent, judicious and 
to the last degree firm, yet pleasant and cour- 
teous withal, though he hated sham and fraud and 
denounced them in emphatic speech. He was 
bold in his convictions and upheld and followed 
them without fear or favor. Those who consid- 
ered him obstinate misunderstood him and failed 
to recognize the fact that his integrity of prin- 
ciple and steadfastness of purpose rendered it 
impossible for him to yield to public clamor or 
private influence against his own conviction. 
His loyalty to his friends as well as his likes and 
dislikes was marked. He was an honest, stead- 
fast man, deserving and receiving the respect of 
his townsmen." 



JAMES F. AIcLAUGHLIX. Having gained 
through careful study a thorough knowl- 
edge of the law, Mr. McLaughlin has be- 
fore him a useful and honorable career in the pro- 
fession of his choice. The bar of Queens County 
has among its representatives a large number of 
men of superior intellectual attainments, profound 
knowledge and keen insight into human nature. 
To stand side by side with these lawyers and to 
elicit froni them words of praise and admiration, 
proves the possession of large mental powers. 
This has been done by Mr. McLaughlin, who, 
though one of the youngest attorneys practicing 
at the bar, is also one of the best known and most 
highly respected. 

In the village of Jamaica, where he now has his 
law office, the subject of this notice was born Oc- 
tober 10, 1868, being a son of the late William A. 
jMcLaughlin. The family genealogy is given in 
the sketch of his brother, John J., who holds the 
position of engineer of Queens County. He was 
reared in this village and after gaining a good 
education in the public schools, he entered the 
law office of Hon. James W. Covert, ex-Con- 
gressman of New York, where he commenced his 
legal studies. Later he entered the New York 
Law School, from which he graduated in 1888. 
The following year he was admitted to the bar 
and for one year remained with his former pre- 



ceptor, after which he was in the office of j. J. 
Gleason of New York. 

Opening an oiifice in Jamaica, Mr. McLaugh- 
lin soon became known as a rising attorney. A 
thorough student of the profession, he started in 
practice with a determination to excel in the 
profession, and already he has had charge of 
some important cases. His interest in whatever 
concerns the moral or material well-being of his 
fellow-men has always been actively shown in 
such ways as occasions have offered. Since at- 
taining his majority he has never failed to cast 
his ballot for Democratic principles, whenever an 
opportunity has been offered. In the local coun- 
cils of the party he is prominent, but his influ- 
ence has never been given to secure personal ao-- 
grandizement. Instead, he has favored those 
measures that will best promote the interests of 
the party, without regard for personal prefer- 
ences. In 1894 he was elected town clerk and 
served one term, after which he again gave his 
entire attention to his chosen profession. He re- 
sides with his brother and sisters at the family 
homestead. Socially he belongs to the Chub 
Club of Jamaica, also the Jamaica Club, and is a 
welcomed guest in the best homes of the villacre 



JOHN P. KRAEBEL, German interpreter 
for the Queens County Court and a resident 
of College Point, was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, July 14, 1852, and in 1856, when less than 
four years of age, was brought by his parents to 
this country, settling with them' in New York. 
His educational advantages were limited, as he 
was obliged to support himself from an early age. 
His father, Peter, who was a basket-maker by 
trade, followed that occupation in New York and 
Brooklyn, and later, in 1861, went to East New 
York, of which place he was an early settler. By 
his marriage to Elizabeth Motsch, who died 
March 4, 1893, he had four sons, namely: Paul, 
who is engaged in the basket-maker's business 
in Brooklyn; Peter, who is foreman in a basket 
factory in New York; John P., of College Point; 
and Jacob, of Brooklyn. 

Coming to this village February 9, 1875, the 
subject of this record has resided here since, with 
the exception of one year. Since that time he 
has been identified with many important meas- 
ures and enterprises. He is now (1896) sei"ving 
his third term as deputy sherifT, and for five con- 
secutive years served as constable. Early in 



9o8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



life he learned the trade of basket-making, which 
he followed at various times. For five years he 
was employed by the Enterprise Rubber Com- 
pany. July i6, 1884, he began in the coal and 
wood business, which he has since carried on suc- 
cessfully. 

Both as a writer of German and English, Mr. 
Kraebel has gained quite a reputation, and for 
some time he was connected with the "Long 
Island Reporter," the proprietor of which also 
published a German paper. While working in 
the factory, he attended night schools and thus 
and by observation he obtained an excellent busi- 
ness education, receiving a first-grade certificate 
in bookkeeping from the Poppenhusen Insti- 
tute. For his work as interpreter he is peculiar- 
ly and especially adapted; he speaks both lan- 
guages fluently and understands all varieties of 
German idiom, being also an expert at giving in 
English the exact shade of meaning, so that his 
services as interpreter are appreciated and in de- 
mand. 

The first wife of Mr. Kraebel was Margaret 
Schreiner, who died May 22, 1888, having had 
four daughters, Anna Elizabeth, Carrie Margaret. 
Christine Anna and Margaret Catherine. In 
March, 1889, our subject married Margaret 
Schafift, and they have three sons, Joseph James, 
John Peter and Edgar Paul. Though a Demo- 
crat in politics, Mr. Kraebel favors protection in- 
stead of free trade. In religion he is a Catholic. 
The Adelphi Social Club, as well as various sing- 
ing societies and social organizations, number 
him among their members. He is district dep- 
uty state commander of the American Legion of 
Honor. He is connected with the Enterprise 
Hose Company and is president of the local or- 
ganization of the American Firemen's Associa- 
tion. 



STEPHEN HILDERHOF, who is engaged 
in the bakery business at College Point, 
was born in Laudenbach, Baden, Ger- 
many, June 23, 1863, and is a member of one of 
the old families of that locality. His father, Ja- 
cob, who was a son of Jacob, Sr., a miller by 
occupation, was l)orn in Hembsbach, Baden, and 
took an active part in the Revolution of 1848. 
Tliroughout his entire life, which was passed in 
his native land, he followed the calling of a mil- 
ler. His death occurred in February, 1896. when 
he was sixty-six years of age. He married Cath- 



erine Kessler, daughter of Stephen Kessler, who 
was a miller by trade; she was born in Lauden- 
bach and continued to reside in her native prov- 
ince until death. In religious belief she and her 
husband were devout Lutherans. Seven of their 
children are living, of whom Stephen is third in 
respect to age. 

The subject of this record was reared in Lau- 
denbach and for a time attended the Weinheim 
Institute. At the age of sixteen he was appren- 
ticed to learn the baker's trade in ^Nlanheim, and 
upon the completion of his term of service he 
went to Strasburg, where he worked for a time. 
In 1884 he crossed the Atlantic and secured work 
at his trade in New York City. August 21, 1893, 
he started in the baker's business at College 
Point, where he bought out Mr. Ostermeyer. His 
location at the corner of Twelfth Street and 
Fourth Avenue is a convenient one, and in his 
kitchen he has large ovens and ever)- convenience 
for the proper management of the business. A 
delivery wagon is run for the accommodation of 
his customers. Socially he is connected with the 
Improved Order of Red JNIen at College Point 
and with the Steube Kosse. He is an enterpris- 
ing young man and will without doubt gain suc- 
cess in his chosen occupation. 



FREDERICK L. JOHNSON. M D. Dur- 
ing the years of his residence in Corona, 
Dr. Johnson has become known as one of 
the skillful and rising young physicians of this 
portion of Queens County. For the successful 
prosecution of his chosen calling, he is admira- 
bly fitted by natural inclination and years of 
painstaking, assiduous study, and it is but reason- 
able to suppose that in the coming years he will 
be the recipient of added professional honors. 

The Doctor's parents. Eldridge and Jane 
(Hughes) Johnson, were natives of Xew Jersey, 
and the former was a merchant in Cape May at 
the time of his son's birth in 1869. The boy was 
given excellent educational advantages, attend- 
ing a private school from ten years of age until 
thirteen, when he entered Rutgers preparatory 
department and there prepared for college. In 
1886 his name was enrolled as a student in the 
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, in which he 
continued his studies until his graduation avo 
years later. His next step was to enter the med- 
ical department of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, at Philadelphia, from which he graduated 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



909 



in 1890. Shortly afterward he began work as 
resident physician in St. Agnes Hospital, Phila- 
delphia, having received the position as the re- 
sult of a competitive examination among the 
students of the university. 

One year was spent in that hospital, after 
which the Doctor accepted the position of assist- 
ant physician of the Pennsylvania Railroad, with 
headquarters at Jersey City, spending one year 
there. He then opened an office at No. 308 West 
Twenty-sixth Street, New York City, where he 
carried on a general practice in medicine for one 
year, and from which place, in April, 1893, he 
came to Corona, succeeding to the practice of 
Dr. George Brockway. In addition to his gen- 
eral practice, he holds the position of examining 
physician for the Metropolitan Life Insurance 
Company for the territory extending from Long 
Island City to Great Neck; and is also medical 
examiner for the Corona Council of the Legion 
of Honor. 

While in Philadelphia, Dr. Johnson married 
Miss Emma J. B. Meyer, daughter of Augustus 
and Margaret fWatkinson) Meyer, their wedding 
taking place in 1890. The young couple have 
established a pleasant home in Corona and are 
popular among the best people of the village. 
Though taking an interest in everything that per- 
tains to the welfare of the community and the 
progress of the nation, Dr. Johnson has never 
allied himself with any political party, but has 
maintained an independence of thought and ac- 
tion in matters relating to the franchise. He was 
reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church 
and is a firm believer in the cause of Christianity, 
but has never identified himself with anv denomi- 
nation. 



DANIEL J. SULLIVAN, a plumber and 
gas-fitter in Astoria, was born here Jan- 
uary I, 1850. His father, Patrick Sulli- 
van, whose birth occurred in County Kerry, Ire- 
land, was there reared, educated and married, 
soon after which event he took passage with his 
wife for America. In 1844 we find him located 
in Astoria, where he embarked in business for 
himself as a manufacturer and repairer of shoes. 
Mrs. Mary (Brophy) Sullivan, mother of our 
subject, was likewise born in County Kerry, Ire- 
land, and remained the loving companion and 
helpmate of her husband until her death, which 
occurred in the spring of 1894, when she was 



eighty years of age. Of the children born to 
them one daughter and four sons still survive. 

Daniel J., of this sketch, acquired his educa- 
tion in the Fourth Ward school in this place, and 
when a lad of fourteen years was apprenticed to 
George Van Zandt, a plumber. After working 
for that gentleman for a time he went to New 
York City and completed his trade under Butch- 
er & Butler. Later he started out as a journey- 
man at his trade and continued thus until about 
1879, when he started in business for himself in 
Main Street. He remained at the old stand until 
1889, when, having purchased two good build- 
ing lots, he erected thereon the store which he 
now occupies. The structure is three stories in 
height and contains three stores fronting on 
Main Street. One of these he occupies, using 
the main floor for the display of his goods, while 
his shop is in the basement. He has all that he 
can do in the line of plumbing and gas-fitting 
and of late years has added metal and tin-roofing 
to his business. He keeps in his store every va- 
riety of heaters and ranges and has built up an 
excellent reputation for carrying reliable goods. 
Mr. Sullivan has been given the contract for the 
plumbing and roofing of hundreds of buildings 
in this vicinity, among them being the Astor 
House, Baab's Building and the Fifth Ward 
school house, as well as the large pavilions at 
Bowery Bay Beach and the Schuetzen Park 
Hotel. 

In May, 1892, our subject was appointed by 
Mayor Sanford supervisor of the examining 
board of plumbers and plumbing of Long Island 
City. Two years later he was made chief in- 
spector of plumbers of the city, serving in this 
capacity until December 31, 1895, when he re- 
signed. He is still, however, an ex-officio mem- 
ber of the board. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary 
Smith, a native of Ireland, occurred in New York 
in 1873. To them were born two sons, of whom 
William was accidentally drowned in 1887 when 
nine years of age. John is still at home and as- 
sists his father in the business. He is a finely 
educated young man, being a graduate of St. 
Francis Xavier College of New York. He after- 
ward attended Walworth Business College of 
that city and received a diploma from the Plumb- 
ers' School of New York. 

Socially Mr. Sullivan belongs to the Order of 
American Firemen, meeting with Council No. 17. 
He is also connected with the Veteran Firemen's 



gio 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and the Exempt Firemen's Associations, and for 
several years was foreman of Protection Engine 
Compan)' No. 2. 

Mr. Sullivan deserves great credit for the suc- 
cess which he has made of life, for he is entirely 
a self-made man. When only eleven years of 
age he started a paper route in Astoria and Ra- 
venswood and two years later, when he sold out, 
was given $300 for his customers. It was then 
that he made application for a position in the 
navy, as he was very fond of the water, but being 
too young he was rejected and turned his atten- 
tion'to the plumbing business. He has risen 
step by step to a position of influence in the com- 
munity, owing to the exercise of industrious and 
persevering qualities. In politics he is a stanch 
Democrat and a prominent member of the Jef- 
ferson Club. He has been delegate to the vari- 
ous county conventions from time to time and 
takes great interest in the success of his chosen 
party. 



M 



AJ. ELBERT HEGEIv-./vin. The Civil 
War gave to our country many men of 
acknowledged valor, ability and military 
skill, of whom, had the Rebellion never occurred, 
nothing would have been known beyond the con- 
fines of their own homes. Such an one is the 
subject of this sketch, whose record during the 
late war was one of which his friends may well 
be proud. Though a mere youth at the firing 
of the first shot on Ft. Sumter, his patriotic spirit 
was kindled and he determined to help save the 
nation from disruption and disgrace. Enlisting 
in a New York regiment, he participated in many 
of the bloody engagements of the war and shared 
all the hardships, as well as the victories, of his 
company. 

The world is always interested in the lives of 
war veterans, and our readers will undoubtedly 
peruse with pleasure this account of the career 
of Major Hegeman. He was born July 27, 1841, 
in the house at East Norwich where he still 
makes his home, and which has been the family 
residence for almost one hundred years. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, Elbert Hegeman, was born 
in Queens County July 5, 1771, and died Sep- 
tember 29, 1824, spending much of his life in the 
house now occuiiied by his grandchildren. (Jur 
subject's father, Jacoli, was born July 7. 1803, 
in East Norwich, where he grew to manhood, 
and at an earlv age emljarkcd in liusiness in New 



York City, remaining thus engaged until 1859. 
Meantime he retained his home in East Norwich, 
to which he retired at the close of his business life, 
and in which he died February 28, 1892. In re- 
ligious belief he was identified with the Society 
of Friends. 

The marriage of Jacob Hegeman united him 
with Ann C. Coles, daughter of Thomas Coles, a 
prominent farmer of Glencove, and a Quaker by 
birth and training. Their children were as fol- 
lows: Amelia C, deceased: Elbert; Margaret; 
Thomas C, who died in 1881; and Sarah, who 
with :\Iargaret and Elbert makes her home in 
the family residence.. The boyhood years of our 
subject were spent at the old homestead, and he 
was given good educational advantages in the 
public schools and by private instruction. 

The first event of especial prominence in the 
life of our subject was his enlistment, August 13, 
1862, as a private in Harris" Light Cavaln,% 
which was the Second New York \'olunteer 
Regiment. After one year he was promoted 
from the ranks to the position of corporal and 
later became sergeant. The Thirteenth New 
York Cavalry Regiment was composed of com- 
panies raised in the counties of New York, Al- 
bany, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Erie, and mus- 
tered into service from February. 1863, to March, 
1864. As a reward for meritorious service, our 
subject was promoted to be lieutenant, to which 
he was appointed June 9, 1863. September 16, 
1864, he was commissioned captain, which was 
followed by his appointment April 4, 1865. The 
Thirteenth was later consolidated with the Six- 
teenth New York Cavalry, and he was assigned 
to service in it. June 23, 1865, he was trans- 
ferred to the Third Provisional Cavalry, and was 
brevetted major, in which capacity he was serv- 
ing at the time he was mustered out, September 
21, 1865, having seen over three years of actual 
service. 

The regiment to which Major Hegeman was 
first assigned. was incorporated with the cavalry 
corps of the Army of the Potomac. His first 
engagement was at Beverly Ford on the Rappa- 
hannock. This was followed by the battle of 
Fredericksburg and a second engagement at 
that place. In the spring of 1863 he took part in 
the battle of Chancellorsville. With a detach- 
ment of the corps he moved across the Rappa- 
hannock on what was known as the Richmond 
raid, in which the raiders flanked the entire force 
of the enemy and went within one and one-half 




FRANCOIS RAYMOND. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



913 



miles of the city of Richmond, destroying bridges 
and cutting off the Soutliern army's communica- 
tion with headquarters. His next engagement 
was at Brandy Station, which was a severe one 
for the cavalry forces. June 17, 1863, he was at 
the battle of Aldie, Va., one of the most serious 
cavalry engagements of the service. In this his 
regiment was ordered to make a charge on some 
hay stacks behind which the enemy were forti- 
fied. Obeying the order, they made a sweeping 
charge, the result being that one-half of the 
charging squadron was killed or disabled. 

The next engagement was at Middleburg, June 
19, after which there was a series of skirmishes 
with the enemy. The battle of Gettysburg was 
the Major's last engagement while in the old 
regiment. At Fredericksburg he joined the 
new regiment immediatelj' after the memorable 
battle of Gettysburg, and afterward was at Aldie, 
Fairfax Station, Centerville, Culpeper and Pied- 
mont. He acted as escort for General Sheridan 
just before his famous ride to Winchester, accom- 
panying him from Piedmont to the railroad sta- 
tion at Rectortown. Though always in the 
thickest of the fight, he was never wounded 
throughout the entire period of his service, a re- 
markable record when the activity of his service 
is considered. 

Major Hegeman was in Ford's Theater on the 
memorable night of April 14, 1865, when Presi- 
dent Lincoln was assassinated. He has still in 
his possession the play-bill of the evening, set- 
ting forth the programme of the entertainment, 
which was so terribly and tragically changed by 
the action of John Wilkes Booth. 

On returning to Long Island at the close of 
the war. Major Hegeman took a position with 
the Columbian Marine Insurance Company, and 
later was engaged in the dry goods business for 
three years. He then established a general mer- 
cantile store at Glencove, and this he conducted 
. for five years, when failing health obliged him to 
retire from active commercial enterprises. While 
ensrasred in business, he was elected collector of 
taxes for the town of Oyster Bay, and after one 
year was re-elected. In 1878 he was appointed 
deputy coimty treasurer, which he held for six 
years. His experience in that position was of the 
greatest assistance to him afterward, as in 1884 
he was elected county treasurer, and in this ca- 
pacity his services were so valuable that he was 
re-elected three years later, serving six years 
altogether as treasurer and being in the office 

37 



twelve years. The close confinement incident to 
the discharge of his official duties affected his 
health and as soon as released he went to Ber- 
muda, where he spent two months. 

Politically Major Hegeman is a Democrat. 
He was' influential in securing the organization 
of the Oyster Bay Bank, of which he has since 
been a director. For twenty-five years he has 
been a Master Mason and belongs to Glencove 
Lodge No. 580; Melchizedek Chapter No. 273, 
Glencove; and Clinton Commandery No. 14 at 
Brooklyn. 



FRANCOIS RAYMOND. This name will 
be at once recognized by the majority of 
our readers as that of one of the old resi- 
dents of the village of Woodhaven. He was born 
in the city of Clermont, in the center of the 
French Republic, March 27, 1833. For a few 
years he attended school, but when only eleven 
years old was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
locksmith. Three years later he went to Paris, 
where he worked at his trade during the Revolu- 
tion of 1848, and in 1853 joined the army, par- 
ticipating in the Crimean War in 1854. During 
his army experience of seven years he was four 
times wounded, none of which resulted seriously. 
AVhen settling down again to the peaceful pur- 
suits of life, our subject plied his trade in his na- 
tive land tmtil 1864, the year in which he emi- 
grated to America. For one year after coming 
hither he was employed as a locksmith in New 
York City, but in 1865 he came to Woodhaven 
and at once entered the Grosjean Works, which 
had just been organized and was running with a 
force of seventy-five or eighty men. He was 
given work in the mechanical department of the 
establishment, and being industrious and eco- 
nomical he was soon in possession of a snug lit- 
tle sum of money, with which he started in the 
hardware business on his own account. He was 
remarkably successful in this branch of trade 
and for twenty years was the proprietor of a well- 
stocked establishment and commanded a paying 
trade. During that time he also dealt in real es- 
tate, buying and selling property of great value in 
this vicinity. Although managing his own af- 
fairs in this prosperous manner, he still remains 
in the employ of the large agate factory, being- 
contractor in one of the departments, and hav- 
ing under his charge a large force of men. He 
has witnessed the growth of these works from 



914 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the time when eighty men were employed to tlie 
present time, when work is given to some fifteen 
hundred hands. 

Mr. Raymond is very justly regarded as one of 
the most prominent and influential citizens of the 
village. On the organization of the Woodhaven 
Bank, he bought stock in the institution and is 
now one of its directors. Prior to making his 
home in America he married Miss Adela Vuil- 
liaumier, a native of Paris, France. They and 
their daughter, Adela, occupy one of the finest 
homes in the place, situated in Benedict Avenue. 
Mr. Raymond has become thoroughly Ameri- 
canized, even though he does speak the Eng- 
lish language imperfectly, which is accounted 
for from the fact that he has most of his life 
been associated with people of his own nation- 
ality. In politics he is a Republican of the 
strongest type. 



PROF. CHARLES W. GOULD, principal 
of the Fourth Ward school of Long Is- 
land City, and formerly superintendent of 
the city schools, enjoys the distinction of being, 
in point of years of service, the oldest educator 
in Queens Count}'. During his long experience 
as an instructor he has had under him a large 
number who are now prominent in various avo- 
cations, and not a few of these deem their suc- 
cess due to the inspiration received while under 
his perceptorship. 

Professor Gould has been so long and closely 
identified with the educational interests of the 
county that a sketch of his life will be of general 
interest. He was born in Masonville, Delaware 
County, N. Y., June 5, 1843, and is of English 
descent. His father, Asa, a native of Saratoga 
County, N. Y., was a son of John Gould, who 
was born in New Hampsliire, removed thence to 
Saratoga County, N. Y., and at an advanced age 
settled in Delaware County. During the War 
of the Revolution he took an active part in de- 
fense of the colonies. 

In Masonville, where his life from early man- 
hood was spent, Asa Gould engaged in farming 
and the lumber business until his death, which 
occurred there at the age of fifty-two years. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Permelia Ly- 
on, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., being 
a daughter of William Lyon, a native of West- 
chester County, N. Y., who removed thence to 
Chcnancro County and settled on a farm. The 



Lyon family is of English origin, its first repre- 
sentatives in America having come from Eng- 
land to Connecticut, but later removed to New 
York. Mrs. Pennelia Gould died in Delaware 
County, after having become the mother of six 
children, four of whom now survive. 

The subject of this article gained his primary 
education in the public schools of Masonville, 
later attended Cazenovia Seminary, and at the 
age of eighteen he taught a term of school in 
Chenango County. Returning to the seminary, 
he finished his education there, gaining the mon- 
ey for his tuition by teaching. After teaching 
one term in Masonville, he went to Cincinnati, 
where in a competitive examination he received 
the appointment of teacher in a suburban school. 
One year later, during the oil excitement in 
Pennsylvania in 1864, he went to Oil City, but 
a short sojourn satisfied him, and he soon went 
back home. In 1865 he accepted a position in 
Schuylkill County, Pa., where for five years he 
was principal of the school at Girardville. In 
1870 he came to Queens County, where for three 
vears he was principal of the Roslyn school. 
Afterward he was principal at Whitestone for 
two years, and then, in 1875, came to Long Is- 
land City, where he has since made his home. 
The first five years of his residence here were 
spent as principal of the old Fourth Ward school 
in Astoria, after which the board of education 
selected him to serve as superintendent of 
schools of Long Island City, in which responsible 
place he remained for three temis of two years 
each. While in that office he established a uni- 
form course of study in the schools which still 
exists. In 1887 he went to Glencove as superin- 
tendent and principal of the schools, and re- 
mained there for four years, though still retain- 
ing his property in Long Island City. In 1892 
he became principal of the Fourth Ward school 
in Astoria, and still holds that important place, 
having here, as elsewhere, been instrumental in 
securing many needed improvements in the 
school work. 

While the winter months are spent at his city 
residence. No. 550 Lockwood Street, Professor 
Gould and his family usually spend the summers 
in Masonville, where he owns a home. In all 
political affairs he is interested and well informed, 
and in national elections gives his vote to the 
Democratic candidates. While superintendent 
he organized a teachers' meeting, and of this 
association he is now vice-president. He has also 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



915 



been active in the state conventions of teachers.. 
In Delaware County Professor Gould married 
Miss Christie, daughter of Judge William Bixby, 
and an accomplished and cultured lady, who 
shares with her husband the respect of a large 
circle of acquaintances. They are the parents of 
four children, namely: Estelle, a graduate of the 
Glencove schools and now a teacher in one of 
the fourth ward schools; Effie, a graduate of the 
Glencove schools and a stenographer; Ida, who 
graduated from the fourth ward schools; and 
Charles W. J., a graduate of the fourth ward 
schools and at this writing a student in the Long 
Island City High School. 



JOHN H. ELDERT, junior member of the 
firm of Twombly & Eldert, large contractors 
in Queens County, within whose limits they 
have built many miles of macadamized roads, is 
one of the most substantial residents of Richmond 
Hill. He was born at New Lots, this county, 
February i, 1853. His father, Henry Eldert, 
whose birth occurred at the same place in the 
year 1806, was for thirty years assessor of the 
town of New Lots. He followed agricultural pur- 
suits during the greater part of his life, but at 
the time of his decease. May 4, 1884, was living 
in a pleasant home in Liberty Avenue, in the town 
of Jamaica. 

Grandfather Hendrick Eldert was also born on 
the farm in New Lots on which our subject and 
his father were born. During the progress of the 
War of 1812 the grandfather served as a soldier, 
and the gun which he then carried is now in the 
possession of our subject. The Elderts are de- 
scended from an old Dutch family which was one 
of the first to settle on Long Island, and its vari- 
ous members from that time have been people of 
prominence and have held various positions of 
trust and responsibility in their respective com- 
munities. 

■ Our subject's mother, Cornelia Van Siclen, is 
a sister of Abraham Van Siclen, whose home is in 
Liberty Avenue, near Woodhaven, and a cousin 
of Abraham Van Siclen, vice-president of the Ja- 
maica Bank and one of the wealthiest residents of 
Queens County. For a more complete history of 
this family we refer the reader to the history of 
the above gentlemen, which will be published else- 
where in this work. The paternal grandmother 
of our subject was Sarah Emmons, the daughter 
of Hendrick Emmons, one of the leading far- 



mers in his day and locality. Fler birth occurred 
on the old South road in the town of Jamaica, in 

1793- 

The subject of this sketch was an only son, 
but he has one sister, Sarah Emmons Eldert, who 
married Flenry Lott Rapelje, now deceased. This 
lady is at present living in the city of Brooklyn, 
and is the mother of four children, namely: An- 
na, Henry W., David and Cornelia. Our subject 
continued to make his home on the old home- 
stead where his birth occurred, until 1882. Then 
he removed to the farm bought by his father in 
Liberty Avenue and continued to assist in the 
management of this place until 1889, when, hav- 
ing erected a fine residence in Morris Park, he 
removed thither. The same year he became asso- 
ciated with Mr. Twombly in the contracting busi- 
ness, and by giving strict attention to this under- 
taking they have built up the largest business in 
this line on the island. 

Mr. Eldert has never aspired to political hon- 
ors, but was elected commissioner of highways in 
the town of Jamaica, which office he filled ac- 
ceptably for three years. He is very popular in 
his community and on the organization of the 
Chub Club, of Jamaica, he was chosen as its presi- 
dent, which position he still holds. He is also a 
member of the Richmond Hill Club and belongs 
to the Mounahan Gun Club, of Jamaica, of which 
organization he was the first president. In poli- 
tics he is a stanch Democrat. He is always ready 
to assist in all progressive movements and enter- 
prises of merit, and is widely known not only as 
an earnest and public-spirited citizen, but as a 
shrewd and thoroughly reliable business man. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Carrie 
M. Bergen, of Richmond Flill, occurred in 1882. 
To them have been granted two children, Henry 
G. and Cornelia J. 



WILLIAM LEHR, who is a prominent 
factor of Queens County, as was his 
father before him, is successfully car- 
rying on the business of contractor and builder, 
lie was born in New York City, January 22, 1865, 
and is the son of Henry Lehr, whose birth oc- 
curred across the waters in Germany. He at- 
tended the schools of the Fatherland for several 
years, after which he learned the shoemaker's 
trade, working at it in Germany until seventeen 
vears of age, when he accompanied his parents 
on their emigration to America. 



gi6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Henry Lehr followed his trade for a time in 
New York, after which he took up carpentering, 
becoming an expert in the use of tools. In 1866 
he located in Dutch Kills and began contracting 
and building on his own account. He attended 
strictly to his own afTairs and became prominent 
in this line, having all the work he could do un- 
til 1893, when he retired from active business 
life. He married Wilhelmina Walters, also a 
native of Germany, and to them were born four 
children, one son and three daughters. 

With the exception of a few months, the en- 
tire life of our subject has been spent in Long 
Island Citv. His education was acquired in the 
third ward, but instead of the nice modern 
building which the youth of to-day attends in 
that district, the school was conducted in a pri- 
vate house. When a lad of thirteen years he 
began working for his father, and in 1892 began 
contracting for himself, making estimates on the 
carpenter work and also drawing plans for many 
of the buildings. He is the owner of a very beau- 
tiful place at No. 250 Prospect Street, which he 
occupies with his family. 

Mr. Lehr was married in New York to Miss 
Annie Sell, a native of that city, and they have 
one son, Walter William. In politics our sub- 
ject is a true-blue Republican and is greatly in- 
terested in the success of his party. He is a 
member of the Third Ward Republican Club, in 
which org-anization he has many warm friends. 
Although never seeking or desiring office, he was 
appointed inspector of elections on one occasion. 
He is closely identified with all matters pertain- 
ing to the upward growth and advancement of 
his village, which numbers him among its enter- 
prising and progressive citizens. 



HENRY MENCKEN. The enormous de- 
mand existing in this section of the 
United States for the l^est qualities of coal, 
wood, brick, etc., is now being fully met by the 
ably directed eftorts of the popular dealer, Henry 
Mencken, who has been a business man of As- 
toria for over thirty-five years. Like many of the 
other wealthy citizens of this place, Mr. Mencken 
is a native of Germany, born in Hanover in Sep- 
tember, 1826. His father. Henry Mencken, was 
also a native of Germany, and followed agricul- 
tural pursuits there all his life. 

The l^oyhood and youth of our subject were 
passed on his father's farm in the old country. 



and owing to the duties of the same he received 
but an ordinary education. He remained under 
the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when 
he decided to seek his fortune in the United 
States. In 1845 h^ crossed the ocean to America 
and located in New York City, where he clerked 
in a grocery store. Four years later he had saved 
sufficient means to enable him to embark in busi- 
ness for himself, and although h^ started on a 
small scale at first, by industry and economv he 
soon had a number of branch stores and met with 
most excellent success. 

In i860 Mr. Mencken came to Astoria and 
started in business here. In 1862 he built his 
present residence and store at the corner of New- 
town Avenue and Henry Street. He opened a 
grocery and carried it on successfully until 1888. 
Previous to that, however, in 1880, he started his 
present business, buying out Squire Morris, and 
since then he has erected manv of the best busi- 
ness houses in the city. He built a frame build- 
ing at the foot of Main Street and a brick build- 
ing in Boulevard Avenue, where he does busi- 
ness. He has met with well deserved success in 
all his ventures and is one of the most practical, 
far-seeing and intelligent business men in the 
place. He has a frontage of one hundred feet 
on the boulevard, it extending to the river, and 
he gets all the coal by boat, having an engine to 
hoist the wood. He handles all kinds of coal, 
soft wood from \'ermont and hardwood here, and 
also handles all kinds of building material. 

Mr. Mencken was married in New York City 
to Miss Annie Wilschieben, a native of Germany, 
who died August 31. 1895. Their four children 
were as follows: Henry, Jr.. engaged in the flour 
and feed business in Astoria: Annie, now ilrs. 
Gemunder, in Astoria: Augusta. Mrs. ^^'eishar, 
who is with our subject: and Sophia, Mrs. 
Suckow, who resides in Philadelphia. Pa. ]\Ir. 
Mencken was alderman of the fourth ward for a 
number of years and has held other positions in 
the city. For years he has been an elder in the 
Dutch Reformed Church and has assisted very 
materially in its building up. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 



ROBERT H. NEMN, ex-assistant chief of 
the Long Island City \'oIunteer Fire De- 
partment, is one of the old and respected 
residents of Queens County. He was born in 
New York Citv October 5. 1832. and was the 




JOSEPH ALLEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



919 



son of Thomas Nevin, whose birth occurred in 
Astoria in 1783. The locality was known at that 
time, however, as Hallett's Point. Grandfather 
Robert Nevin was a native of Ireland, and after 
coming to America during the early period of 
its history, served as a minuteman in the Revolu- 
tionary War. He was afterward employed by 
Colonel Rutger, one of the wealthy residents of ' 
New York, as his gardener and florist, and re- 
mained in that position until his death. He was 
an Episcopalian in religious affairs and a promi- 
nent member of St. Paul's Church. 

Thomas Nevin was a cooper by trade and at 
the time of his decease, when eighty-five years of 
age, was the proprietor of a shop in Dey Street 
in New York City. During the War of 1812 he 
served as a member of a volunteer company which 
was ordered to build sand forts at Sandy Hook. 
His brother John, who was also in that conflict, 
fought in the battle of Plattsburg. The lady whom 
Thomas Nevin married was Dorcas Walker, a 
native of the Emerald Isle. She also lived to 
advanced years, passing away at the age of 
eighty-six. She became the mother of two sons, 
Robert Harrison, of this history, and Matthias 
W., who has charge of a large book bindery in 
Hartford, Conn. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in the 
tenth ward of New York City and acquired a 
good education in its grammar schools. At the 
age of seventeen he was apprenticed to learn 
the business of a moiilder in the Novelty Iron 
Works of New York, remaining there for four 
years, when he went to West Point, Putnam 
County, and secured work in a foundry. After 
a time he returned to the metropolis, resuming 
work at his trade, in which he was engaged until 
accepting the position of shipping clerk for the 
Downer Oil Company of New York. In 1870, 
however, he resigned this post and came to Long 
Island City, where he has resided ever since. 

In 1861, at the first tap of the drum, Mr. Nevin 
joined the Second New York Militia, and, in 
going South, went through Baltimore after the 
riot. He participated, with his company, in the 
first battle of Bull Run, and, his term of enlist- 
ment expiring soon after that, he received his 
honorable discharge and returned home. Pre- 
vious to this he had conferred upon him the title 
of first sergeant. On coming to this locality he 
engaged in work at his trade and was thus em- 
ployed until 1890, when he accepted the position 
of janitor for the residences owned by M. J. Gold- 



ner in Hunter's Point. With this he combines 
the duties of sexton of St. John's Episcopal 
Church, of which he is a devoted member. 

The marriage of Mr. Nevin and Miss Margaret 
Monde occurred in New York in 1854. This lady 
was born in the Emerald Isle, and by her union 
with our subject became the mother of seven 
children. Rebecca married James Murphy and 
is now deceased; Thomas H. is engaged in the 
manufacture of tin cans, and makes his home in 
this city ; James W. is deceased ; Emma is at home 
with her parents; Robert H., Jr., is a traveling 
man, living in Dutch Kills; Margaret A. and 
Frederick B. are at home. 

For three years during the administration of 
Mayor Petry, our subject held the position of 
health commissioner, thus rendering his fellow- 
citizens faithful and efficient service. While in 
New York he was connected with Engine Com- 
pany No. 15 from 1850 until the time it was dis- 
banded, three years later. For ten years he was 
a member of Engine Company No. 4 of Long 
Island City, and for three years following was 
assistant engineer of the volunteer fire company 
for the second district. He was a delegate to the 
State Firemen's Association, which met at Kings- 
ton, N. Y., and was also sent as a representative 
of his company to the meetings which were held 
at Trov and Cortland. In his political faith he 
uses his ballot in favor of the Democratic party. 



JOSEPH ALLEN. Biographies of success- 
ful men furnish interesting and instructive 
reading for the young, and especially is this 
true when, as in the career of Mr. Allen, the one 
whose history is recorded has early in life been 
orphaned and thrown upon his own resources. 
The struggles which they have successfully en- 
countered, the hardships which they have bat- 
tled undismayed, and the victories they have en- 
joyed, render their examples worthy of emula- 
tion. 

In the life of which we now read, there was 
much of hardship, yet in the end much of suc- 
cess. It was the good fortune of the orphan 
boy to find friends, who gave him a home and 
good counsel and through whose assistance he 
was enabled to get a start in life. There is an an- 
cient maxim which says, "Call no man happy 
until he is dead." Of Mr. Allen we may say that 
he was happy in life and happy in death, for he 



920 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



passed tranquilly, calmly and contentedly from 
this world to the one above, trusting in the grace 
of Him whom he had sensed throughout life. 

The last years of Mr. Allen were spent on his 
farm, situated on the Rockaway road two and 
one-half miles south of Jamaica, where his widow 
and family now reside. He was born in England 
about 1815, being a son of John and Lydia Al- 
len. After the death of his mother, he was 
brought by his father to America, being then a 
child of five years. He was one of six children 
(all now deceased) of whom only himself and two 
sisters came to this country. Shortly after the 
family came to the United States the father died 
in Brooklyn, and Joseph was reared to man- 
hood under the guidance of his uncle, William Al- 
len. Under that gentleman he learned the trade 
of a boilermaker, which he followed for a short 
time in Brooklyn. 

Early in the '40s Mr. Allen went to Philadel- 
phia and secured employment at his trade. After 
some ten_ years spent there he went back to 
Brooklyn and, giving up work at his trade, estab- 
lished himself in the milk- business, in which he 
was engaged for nineteen years. In 1868 he 
came to the farm where his widow still resides, 
and here he remained until his death in 1888. 
While a resident of Brooklyn, he served as pound 
master for a number of years. In religious be- 
lief he was a Methodist and held membership in 
that denomination. At his death he left, besides 
his family, many warm friends and acquaintances 
who mourned his loss as that of a good and true 
man. 

^ March 7, 1848, Mr. Allen married Miss Mary 
M. Oxley of Carbon County, Pa. This estimable 
lady is the only survivor of the eleven children of 
Peter and Eve (Morgan) Oxley, the former of 
whom was a prominent citizen and for many 
years an alderman in Hazleton, Luzerne Coun- 
ty. Pa. Like her husband, she is a loval and con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Church, and has 
showed the sincerity of her religion bv the purity 
of her lif?. Of her ten children, eight are living. 
Mary M., the eldest, is the wife of John T- War^'d 
and the mother of one child: Joseph, who" is man- 
aging the home farm, is married and has two 
children: Frances Malvina was first the wife of 
Albert Spalding, by whom she had two chil- 
dren; by her present husband, Thomas Lewis, 
she has one child; Louisa, wife of John Goodale, 
has two children: John Stephen is a painter by 
trade and resides in Brooklyn; Etta married 



John Higbie Hendrickson, by whom she has one 
child; William Chapman, who is married and has 
one child, is engaged in the railroad business and 
makes his home in Brookl3'n; Grace, the young- 
est of the children, is the wife of William L. Fred-_ 
ericks of Oueens. 



HON. JACOB STAHL, a newly elected 
member of the assembly, has been for 
many years engaged in business at 
Schuetzen Park, and is the proprietor of one of 
the finest undertaking establishments in Oueens 
County. Mr. Stahl was born July 25, 1840, in 
Bavaria, Germany, in which country his father, 
Jacob Stahl, was born some time in 1804. He 
was a builder and continued to work at his trade, 
with the exception of the time he served in the 
German army, until his death, which occurred 
when he was sixty-eight years of age. He was a 
devout Catholic in religion and reared his chil- 
dren in that faith. Grandfather Jacob Stahl was 
also a builder in his native land and lived to the 
remarkable age of ninety-five years. 

Mrs. Mary (Frantz) Stahl, mother of our sub- 
ject, was orphaned by the death of both parents 
when quite young, hence the biographer is un- 
able to give any facts relating to this side of the 
house, with the exception that it is known her 
father, Prof. Joseph Frantz, was a finely educated 
man. Mrs. Stahl was very studious, and for many 
years prior to her marriage taught school. She 
died when sixty-eight years of age. The parental 
family included six children, of whom five grew 
to mature years and four are living at the present 
time, most of them in Long Island Citv. 

According to the custon: in Germany, our 
subject attended school until fourteen years of 
age, when he began working with his father, 
learning the mason's trade. He remained his 
assistant until nearing his twentieth birthday, 
when, ;May 7, i860, he left Havre on the sailing 
vessel "Germania," and June 19th of that year 
was landed on the shores of America. He did 
not remain in the metropolis but a short time 
when he came to Long Island, within two blocks 
of his present place of residence. Four years 
later we find him in \\'illiainsburg, where he es- 
tablished a milk route, running this business for 
one year on his own account. At the end of that 
time he sold out and returned to Long Island 
City, which was very sparsely settled at that time, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



921 



and engaged in farming on a small tract of land 
within ten blocks of where he now lives. He was 
thus engaged for four years, when he became the 
proprietor of the Fifth Ward Hotel, running this 
hostelry for five years in connection with 
his farming interests. Finding that he would have 
to give one or the other up, he sold his farm and 
gave his entire attention to conducting a first- 
class hotel. He is well known to all the traveling 
men who visit this city, as for twenty-five years 
he was the popular "mine host" of the Fifth Ward 
Hotel. He disposed of the building and furniture 
in 1S94 and prepared to give his wdiole time to his 
undertaking business, which he had established 
in December, 1892. He has been eminently suc- 
cessful in this line, and in addition to the large 
supply of undertaking goods which he keeps con- 
stantly on hand, has built barns in which are 
kept a number of fine carriages. As an under- 
taker Mr. Stahl has all that he can do and his 
services in this line have been such as to win the 
respect of all whom he encoimters. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mar- 
garetta Berbrich occurred in this city in 1864. 
This lady, who was born in Newtown Avenue, 
Astoria, is the daughter of Joseph Berbrich, a 
native of Bavaria, Germany. He was a farmer 
in the Fatherland, emigrating to America when 
nineteen years of age. On making his home in 
America he located in Brooklyn, where he was 
engaged in the furniture business. He sold out 
in 1844 and purcliased a farm on Newtown road, 
and was engaged in its cultivation until his de- 
cease, when sixty-one years of age. His father, 
grandfather of Mrs. Stahl, also made his home 
in America. Mrs. Maria Berbrich was also born 
in Germany and was in her sixteenth year at the 
time she crossed the Atlantic. She was of French 
descent and could speak the language of that 
country better than German. By her mar- 
riage with Mr. Berbrich she became the mother 
of two children besides Mrs. Stahl, Catherine, 
Mrs. Rubruss; and Magdalena, both of whom 
reside in this city. 

Our subject was elected alderman at large in 
1876 and remained such until 1878, when he re- 
fused further honors of a public nature until his 
friends prevailed upon him to accept the nomina- 
tion of assemblyman in 1895. He was elected 
to the office on the Democratic ticket by a ma- 
jority of one hundred and three votes. Socially 
he is a demitted Odd Fellow, belongs to Her- 
mann Lodge No. 341, A. O. U. W., and is a 



member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He 
is a charter member and has been connected with 
the Turner's Society for a period of twenty-four 
years, and for thirty-four years has taken an act- 
ive interest in the Frohsinn Singing Society. He 
is a talented musician, singing first bass in the 
various musical societies to which he belongs. 
Mrs. Stahl is connected with the Lady Washing- 
ton and Benevolent Societies; also the Ladies of 
Honor and Henrietta Lodge. Mr. Stahl is a 
charter member of the Jefferson Club, of which 
he has been treasurer, and has been on the gen- 
eral committee for many years. Both himself and 
wife are devout Catholics and attend service at 
St. Joseph's Church. Our subject is a member of 
the County Undertakers' and Livery Association, 
and is regarded by all wdio know him as one of the 
substantial and highly honored residents of the 
county. 



M- 



ATTHEW J. GOLDNER, president of 
the improvement commission of Long 
Island City, has also been sheriff of the 
county and city clerk. He was born in New 
York City July 29, 1856. His father, Anthony 
Goldner, was a native of a town located on the 
banks of the Rhine, in Germany, and there, until 
1852, when he determined to come to America, 
worked as a sculptor. While still single he came 
hither and located in New York. Being very 
efficient in his line of work he found no difficulty 
in obtaining a position, and until 1865 worked for 
other firms. That year, however, he embarked 
in business for himself at Calvary Cemetery, in 
Long Island City, where he is still located. His 
marble works are among the most extensive on 
the island, and Mr. Goldner receives some of the 
largest orders ever given to any one man. He 
is well known to the residents of this section, as 
he has been employed in business near the cem- 
etery since 1858. He is a valued citizen and takes 
an active interest in everything pertaining to the 
welfare of his community, which he represented 
for one term in the city coimcil. 

After attending the public schools for a time 
our subject was sent to De Lasalle Institute in 
New York City, where he completed his studies 
when sixteen years of age. He then entered his 
father's marble works, and when twenty-five, so 
efficient had he become in this line of work, he 
was taken in as full partner, the firm becoming 
A. Goldner & Son. They continued to operate 



922 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



together until January, 1886, when the junior 
member disposed of his interest in the business, 
owing to the fact that he had been appointed 
under sheriff to John J. Mitchell. He served thus 
for three years and in 1888 was nominated on the 
regular Democratic ticket for the office of sheriff. 
In January of the following year he took the oath 
of office and entered upon the duties of the office. 
His term expiring in 1892, he vacated in favor of 
his successor, and January 20, 1893, was appoint- 
ed city clerk by Mayor Sanford. He discharged 
the duties of the office in a most satisfactory man- 
ner until July 20, 1895, when he offered his resig- 
nation in order that he might accept the presi- 
dency of the general improvement commission 
of Long Island City, receiving this appointment 
also from the mayor. To this he gives his entire 
time and attention, managing affairs in such a 
manner as to show the people that their confi- 
dence is not misplaced. 

Mr. Goldner has erected several residences in 
the upper first ward, and with his family now 
occupies a beautiful home at No. 153 Eleventh 
Street. He was married in New York City to 
Miss Georgiette Mahler, a native of the metrop- 
olis. At all times since attaining his majority our 
subject has been interested in politics, and is at 
present a member of the Democratic County 
Committee of Queens County. For the past fif- 
teen years he has been a member of the Long 
Island City General Democratic Committee, and 
has been sent as a delegate to state conventions. 
He was appointed school commissioner from the 
second ward by Mayor Petry, and rendered 
efficient service as a member of that body in 1883 
and 1884. Socially lie is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and in religious af- 
fairs is a devout Catholic, holding membership 
with St. Marv"s Church. 



ABRAHAM VAN SICLEN, vice-president 
of the Bank of Jamaica, was born October 
5, 1824, on the farm where he now lives, 
one mile south of Jamaica. He is a member of 
one of the old Holland-Dutch families that were 
pioneer settlers of New Lots. There his grand- 
father, Aliraliam Van Siclen, was born and raised 
and tliere his life was spent. In addition to the 
cultivation of his farm, he was the owner of a 
tan-yard and also engaged in other branches of 
business, lacing a man of prominence in his dav. 
The three sons of Abraham \'an Siclen, Sr., 



were John and Abraham, both prominent farmers 
in Kings County, and James, our subject's father. 
The last named was born in what is now Van 
Siclen Avenue and was a farmer throughout his 
entire life. During the early "20s he moved to 
the place now occupied by our subject, and here 
he remained until his death, which occurred short- 
ly before the breaking out of the Civil War. He 
was survived for ten years by his wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Ida Kouwenhoven, and was 
born at Flatlands, Kings County. Like himself, 
she was a member of an old Long Island family 
and spoke the Dutch language. 

In the parental family there were the follow- 
ing children: Abraham: William, who died in 
early m.anhood : James, a farmer residing on a 
part of the \'an Siclen estate, just across the street 
from our subject; Garrett, a farmer living in 
Flushing; Peter, a wealthy retired farmer whose 
home is in the village of Jamaica ; Cornelia, wid- 
ow of George Nostrand, of New York; Johanna, 
widow of William H. Wooley, and a resident of 
New York : Gertrude, who married Joseph Skill- 
man, and lives in Flushing; ^latilda, who mar- 
ried James C. Hendrickson, but is now deceased, 
and Margaret; she was first the wife of Jacob 
Bergen, and after his death was married to James 
C. Hendrickson, whose first wife was her sister, 
Matilda. 

While attending school at Union Hall Acad- 
emy the subject of this sketch displayed consid- 
erable talent and fondness for mathematics, which 
gift, being developed, has sen,'ed him well 
throughout life and has aided' him in securing 
large success in the financial world. He began 
for himself as a farmer on the old homestead, and 
at the outbreak of the Rebellion he engaged ex- 
tensively in market gardening, having extensive 
hot houses. In that way he made money rapidly, 
laying the foundation of his present fortune. 

Besides being interested in several New York 
banks and holding the position of trustee in the 
Jamaica Savings Bank, Mr. \'an Siclen is vice- 
president of the Bank of Jamaica, which he aided 
in organizing. He is the owner of several farms 
in the neighborhood of his home place, but the 
active management of these he has given over 
to his sons, though he still maintains their over- 
siglit. His hot houses are the most extensive in 
the vicinitv of Jamaica, and of this feature of his 
work he is justly proud. In public affairs he takes 
conunendable interest, Init has always refused to 
accept office, preferring to give his attention to 




THOJIAS MAN A HAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



925 



private affairs. Though one of the largest tax- 
payers in the county, he has never opposed public 
improvements for the purpose of reducing the 
amount of his taxes; on the contrary, his influ- 
ence and co-operation have been given to all en- 
terprises tending to secure the welfare and pros- 
perity of the people. 

In 1863 Mr. Van Siclen married Miss M'artha 
A., daughter of Peter Nostrand, a representative 
of an old Long Island family. Our subject and 
his wife are the parents of six children, namely: 
Annie, Peter, Ida, James, Samuel and Cornelia. 
Samuel and the daughters are with their parents ; 
Peter and James are married and occupy farms 
adjoining the old homestead. 

Politically Mr. Van Siclen is a strong Repub- 
lican. He is a man of devoted religious belief 
and holds membership in the Presbyterian 
Church, which he is serving as trustee. His suc- 
cess is largely due to his strength of mind and 
force of will. Attending to all the minutiae of 
business, he suffered very few losses, and his early 
success was such as to secure a constant increase 
of property. Though more than ordinarily suc- 
cessful, he has pursued no devious paths to ac- 
quire property, but has been strictly honorable 
and honest in all his dealings. 



THOMAS MANAHAN. The earthly ca- 
reer of this gentleman was marked by all 
that goes to make up good citizenship, 
and his death, which occurred May 29, 1893, was 
widely felt. He was born in Ireland, July '12, 
1832, and when a lad of sixteen years came to 
America with a brother, James Manahan. Soon 
afterward he secured employment as a farm hand 
with James Pilling of New Brooklyn, and, being 
industrious, persevering and honest, he was re- 
tained in Mr. Pilling's employ for nearly twenty 
years. During all this time he had lived temper- 
ately, prudently and frugally and had saved suf- 
ficient means by 1868 to enable him to purchase 
in the town of Jamaica a farm one and one-half 
miles from the village of Jamaica (now in Lib- 
erty Avenue). 

The marriage of Mr. Manahan to Miss Cath- 
erine P. Nicoll of East Brooklyn occurred Octo- 
ber 8, 1853. A family of six children was born to 
them, four of whom survive: William F., James 
P., Estella and T. Frank, who with their widowed 
mother reside on the home farm. Mr. Manahan 
was an ardent Republican politically, but never 



sought or desired office for himself, and in every- 
thing that pertained to the welfare of his section 
he always manifested the greatest interest. In 
1892 he sold the farm where he had lived for 
about twenty-five years, reserving only a small 
plot on which to build a residence, but s'hortl_\' 
after it had been been started his death occurred 
and the house was completed by his widow. 

William F. Manahan, the eldest of the family, 
was born June 29, 1856, and is engaged in the 
milk business. He is unmarried and makes his 
home with his mother. James P., who was born 
September 28, 1862, is a blacksmith by trade and 
is engaged in that occupation in Brooklyn; T. 
Frank is in the employ of the Browning-King 
Clothing Company of New York City. These 
sons have followed in the footsteps of their father 
and are stanch Republicans. Mr. Manahan's 
mother was of Scotch origin, and his father was 
a native of the North of Ireland. The latter died 
wdien the subject of this sketch was a small lad 
and he was left to struggle in the world as best 
he could. How nobly and perseveringly he sur- 
mounted the many obstacles that strewed his 
pathway can only be guessed at by the result of 
his efforts and was never known to any one save 
himself. He founded a home and family in 
America and his life had its uses. 



R 



EV. S. STEBBINS STOCKING. Through 
the course of a long life, covering the 
greater part of the century now closing, 
the subject of this sketch has been permitted to 
witness the marvelous improvements that have 
been wrought in the realms of thought and action, 
and, both by his educational and his ministerial 
work, he has been an important factor in elevat- 
ing the moral tone of mankind. Now in the even- 
ing of his days content has come to gently round 
off the afternoon of life with its golden twilight 
glow. He can look back over his active years 
with the satisfaction of one who has done his 
dutv, and can look forward to eternity with a hope 
of enjoying the blessed fruition of his labors. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
is one of the oldest in America. Its first repre- 
sentative, George Stocking, came from the west 
of England to this country in 1635 and first made 
settlement at Cambridge, Mass., but soon after- 
ward went to Hartford, Conn., where he died in 
1683. His son, Deacon Samuel Stocking, was 
the first deacon in the first church built in Mid- 



926 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dletown, that'state. Ovir subject's father, Rev. Jer- 
emiah Stocking, was born in 1767 in what is now 
Portland, Middlesex County, Conn., and received 
excellent educational advantages, to which he 
added b}' extensive reading, so that he became 
one of the most learned men of his day. One of 
the founders of Methodism in Connecticut, for 
more than a half century he served as a local min- 
ister in that denomination, and at his own ex- 
pense built the little church in which he preached. 
His death occurred March 25, 1853, ^t the age of 
eighty-six. Active, energetic, earnest and faith- 
ful in life, he was mourned in death by the many 
to whom his noble qualities had endeared him. 
He married Mary Wood, a native of Haddam, 
Conn., and a descendant of Puritan ancestors; 
she passed awa}^ October 31, 1828. 

There were nine sons and two daughters in 
the family of Rev. Jeremiah Stocking, all of whom 
attained mature years and filled honorable posi- 
tions in life. They were as follows: Sidney, a 
pioneer of Ohio, where he died; Solon, a Metho- 
dist minister, who died at Binghamton, N. Y., 
August 26, 1836; Septinius, a prominent physi- 
cian in Boston during the early part of this cen- 
tury; Samantha, who became the wife of Hazel 
Strong; Sophronius, a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, who removed to Illinois in an 
early day, invested in land there and became 
wealthy; Sevilius, an Episcopalian clerg-yman, 
who died in Maryland ; Sevilla, wife of Rev. Amos 
Barker; Serenius, a farmer, who died in Massa- 
chusetts; Selah, a Methodist minister, who re- 
sided in western New York; Sabin, who was a 
prominent physician of Glastonbury, Conn.; and 
Sabura Stebbins, the youngest of the family. 

Under the careful training of his parents and 
the teachers of the New England schools, the 
subject of this notice grew to manhood. He was 
baptized by the first Methodist Episcopal Bishop 
in America, and at an early age began to be inter- 
ested in religious matters. At the age of four- 
teen he left home to fit for college, which he 
accomplished in a few years without any financial 
assistance, meeting his expenses by teaching- 
school. After leaving home he became a regular 
attendant at the services of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, and when qualified to enter the 
freshman class at college he called upon the bish- 
op of Connecticut, who was then president of 
Washington fnow Trinity) College, at Hartford, 
and offered hinuself for matriculation. He was 
very kindly received liy the bishop, and woukl 



have entered that college had not his friends ur- 
gently requested him, for special reasons, to enter 
AVesleyan University of ^^liddletown, then just 
opening under the presidency of Rev. Wilber 
Fisk, D. D. Accordingly he became a member 
of the first class of that now noted university, 
from which he graduated in 1835, being honored 
with the Latin salutatory. 

Immediately after completing his collegiate 
course, Mr. Stocking was selected bv the presi- 
dent of the university to fill the position of clas- 
sical teacher in the preparatory academv at Wil- 
braham, Mass., where he taught for one vear, 
meeting with marked success. He then accepted 
the position of president of the Troy Conference 
Seminary at Poultney, Vt., remaining at the head 
of the institution until it was thoroughly organ- 
ized and widely patronized, when he resigned to 
enter on his course of theological studies in the 
divinity school of Yale College. There he be- 
came connected with Trinity Church, then under 
the rectorship of Rev. Harrv Croswell, D. D. In 
1837 he was confirmed in the Protestant Episco- 
pal faith by Bishop Brownell, and the next year 
was admitted as a candidate for holy orders while 
still a student at Yale Theological Seminary. He 
was ordained a deacon by the bishop of Con- 
necticut in Christ Church at Hartford, December 
22, 1830, and for a time thereafter officiated as 
minister in Trinity Church, Newtown, Conn., to 
the pastorate of which he received a unanimous 
invitation from the congregation. Feeling, how- 
ever, that his inexperience would render it diffi- 
cult for him to discharge the responsible duties 
of the position satisfactorily, he. after careful 
thought, declined the offer. 

The week after refusing this pastorate, 'Sir. 
Stocking received an invitation to take charge 
of St. Andrew's Church at ?ileriden. Conn., and at 
once entered upon the discharge of the duties 
connected with that position, his first sermon 
being preached there on the Sunday after Easter, 
1840. On the 15th of the following November 
he married ^liss S. S. ]Mallory, only daughter of 
Hon. Rollin C. ?iIallory, of West Poultney. A't., 
who was a member of congress at the time of his 
death. 

In February, 1841, ^Ir. Stocking was advanced 
to the order of priest by the bishop of Connecti- 
cut, in his own church. His pastorate at Meriden 
closed on Easter Sunday, 1S41. and the follow- 
ing Sundav he accepted the rectorship of Trinity 
Church at Newtown, Conn., and entered upon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



927 



its duties, laboring with signal success until 1849. 
Owing to chronic laryngitis he became incapaci- 
tated for ministerial work, and resigning the rec- 
torship he removed to New York City to avail 
himself of the best medical treatment of eminent 
specialists. Unfortunately, he derived no ma- 
terial benefit from the treatment, and finally re- 
linquished all hopes of restoration and of resum- 
ing ministerial work. He therefore decided to 
devote himself to the cause of education, and with 
this idea in view, founded an institution of learn- 
ing called St. Mark's Hall, at Orange, N. J. For 
ten years he gave his attention exclusively to 
educational work, but in i860 his health became 
so impaired from constant application to his 
school that he was obliged to relinquish all con- 
nection with it. Going back to New York he 
again consulted the best physicians, and under 
careful treatment his health was entirely restored. 
Receiving an invitation to officiate in Grace 
Church, South Oyster Bay, L. I., through the 
summer of 1862, Mr. Stocking was so well pleased 
with the work that he not only remained that 
summer, but was its rector for the following 
twenty years. By consent of the vestry, he con- 
tinued to live in New York until 1869, when he 
moved to Long Island, and has since made his 
home in Jamaica. With advancing years, he 
retired from the ministry, and he and his wife 
are spending their declining days in their pleas- 
ant home in Clinton Avenue. Tlirough their 
married life of fifty-five 3^ears they have shared 
their joys and sorrows, and have been of mutual 
help and assistance. Now as the shadows are 
lengthening tovi'ard eternity, they spend their 
time quietly and happily, blessed by the friend- 
ship of those who know them and honored by 
all with whom they have an acquaintance. 



BERNHARD L. FABER. Few of the citi- 
zens of Jamaica can present such a varied 
career as the subject of this sketch — 
thrown entirely upon his own resources and in a 
strange land at the early age of nineteen, self- 
educated and self-made — showing what a brave 
and determined spirit can do in battling with the 
world. Difficulties and obstacles which arose in 
his path were each in turn overcome, and Mr. 
Faber stands to-day a representative of the en- 
terprising men of Queens County. 

As the name indicates, Mr. Faber is of Teu- 
tonic origin. He was born in Luxemburg, Ger- 



many, June 14, 1835, being a son of Anton and 
Margaret CNiederkorn) Faber. His father, who 
was born in 1792, learned the shoemaker's trade 
in early life and devoted bis attention to it 
throughout his active years. He remained in his 
native land until about five years before his death, 
which occurred at the advanced age of eighty- 
eiglit. He was at that time living in the home 
of his son in Jamaica. The wife and mother was 
born in the village that was named in honor of 
her father, a man of note in his own country, 
serving with valor as a member of Napoleon's 
body guard, and living to attain the great age 
of ninety-nine, when he passed away on the an- 
niversary of his birth. Mrs. Margaret Faber 
died when her son, our subject, was three years 
of age. 

The parental family consisted of six children, 
of whom all but one came to America. John, 
who came in 1852, settled in Chicago, where all 
trace of him was lost; Maria was married in Ger- 
many to John Theis, a carpenter, and died in 
1895. In 1854 our subject, his brother Michael, 
and sister Susan crossed the Atlantic. Michael 
went to Chatham, Canada West, where he en- 
gaged in the hotel business and died in 1877; his 
family now live in Chicago. Susan, who never 
married, is now living in New Jersey. 

The educational advantages enjoyed by our 
subject were exceedingh' meager, as at the early 
age of nine years he commenced to- learn the 
shoemaker's trade under his father's instruction. 
He continued thus employed in his native land, 
and after coming to the United States, in New 
York and New Jersey. In 1856 he settled in 
Jamaica, where he started a small shop in Wash- 
ington Street, but in 1863 removed his store to 
the corner of Fulton Street and Herriman Ave- 
nue. For thirty years he continued in that place, 
and it is a noteworthy fact that for thirty-seven 
years he was tenant of one man. In 1893 he pur- 
chased the brick building in Fulton Street, near 
the town hall, where his large store is now located, 
and here the business is carried on under the 
firm name of B. Faber & Son. 

Mr. Faber and his family adhere to the Catho- 
lic religion, which has been the faith of the fam* 
ily for many generations. In his possession he 
has a German Bible, published in Germany in 
1534, and cherished by the family as a valuable 
souvenir. In 1859 he married Miss Wilhelmina 
Kohler, who was a native of Baden, Germany, 
but came to this country in girlhood. They are 



928 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the parents of two sons, Philip H. and Lean- 
der B. 

PhiHp H. Faber was born April lo, 1864, and 
received a good education in the schools of Ja- 
maica, it being his father's ambition that he might 
have opportunities which were denied him in boy- 
hood. P"or two years he was employed in a dry 
goods store in this village, later was ticket agent 
for the Long Island Railroad at the Jamaica sta- 
tion, and then for several years was employed in 
the office of the county clerk. In 1892 he was 
taken into his father's business as partner and 
has since given his attention to the management 
of the store. In 1890 he was united in marriage 
with Miss Ida M., daughter of William H. Pear- 
sail, whose ancestors were among the first set- 
tlers of Long Island. They have had three chil- 
dren, but one died in infancy, the surviving son 
and daughter being Mabel Pearsail and Philip 
H., Jr. 

Leander B. Faber was born November 5, 1867, 
and was educated in the schools of Jamaica, New 
York and Brooklyn. At the age of fourteen years 
he went into the law office of H. A. Monfort, the 
Jamaica attorney, under whom later he carried 
on his legal studies, and with whom he has now 
formed a partnership. He was admitted to the 
bar in September, 1892, and is regarded as one 
of the rising young attorneys of the county. From 
the age of fourteen he has remained in Mr. Alon- 
fort's office in one capacity or another, with the 
exception of one year, during which time he at- 
tended school in New York City. At the age of 
twenty-three he was elected police judge of fa- 
maica. To him belongs the distinction of having 
been the youngest man ever elected to that of- 
fice on Long Island. He filled the position with 
marked ability until the spring of 1895, when he 
positively declined re-election, his private busi- 
ness having grown to such magnitude that it de- 
manded his whole attention. Sociallv he is con- 
nected with the Jamaica Club and the Chub Club 
of Jamaica. His marriage, January 26, 1892, 
united him with Miss Emma R. Quortrup, of 
Richmonfl 1-Iill. this county, and they have two 
children, Madaline W. A. and Leander W. 
■ lioth sons and tlieir families have fine homes 
adjoining each other in Alsop Street, built on 
land previously owned by their father. Thev are 
regarded as among the rising young men of the 
village, and are energetic in a marked degree, sys- 
tematic in looking after their personal affairs, in- 
fle]ien(lciit in their views on all subjects, and strict- 



ly upright in all business transactions. Pos- 
sessing quick perception and sound judgment, 
they are meeting with deserved success, the one 
at the bar and the other in the management of 
the business interests which he holds in connec- 
tion with his father. 



AUGUSTUS DENTON. Among the suc- 
cessful agriculturists of the town of North 
Hempstead stands the name of Augustus 
Denton, whose pleasant home is situated about 
four and a half miles east of Hydepark. Mr. 
Denton was born on the place where he now 
lives in 1843, ^ son of Charles and Louisa (Leon- 
ard) Denton, the father being a native of the 
same farm. This was purchased by the grand- 
father of our subject, Joseph Denton, who was 
a successful and prominent farmer. The latter 
reared a large family of children, as follows: 
Mary, Elizabeth, Abigail, Cornell, Joseph, Law- 
rence, Ann, Deborah, and the father of our sub- 
ject. 

The last named was reared on the old nome- 
stead and devoted his life to farming. He was 
active in religious circles and was a member and 
senior warden of St. George's Church of Hemp- 
stead. His death occurred at his home in 1879, 
when seventv-nine years old. His wife followed 
him to the grave in July, 1890, when eighty-three 
vears old. Their children were named as follows: 
Alvira, Leonard, Charles C, Oscar, George W. 
and Augustus. The latter grew to manhood in 
the house that sheltered his father and grand- 
father, and received a fair education in the com- 
mon schools. Like his ancestors he has a taste 
for agricultural pursuits, and was thus occupied 
imtil the vear 1891, when he retired and leased 
his farm of one hundred and seventy acres. Since 
then he has given his attention to his official 
duties. 

In his political views !Mr. Denton has always 
advocated the principles of the Republican party, 
and he is an active worker for the cause of educa- 
tion, having filled the office of trustee of schools 
for some time. Like his father, he is a memlier 
of the Episcopal Church, succeeding him in the 
duties of vestryman, and for five years has been 
warden. In 1885 he received the nomination of 
his partv and was elected lo the office of super- 
visor of North Hempstead. So well did he dis- 
charge the duties of that position that he was re- 
elected in 1892. 1894, and again in 1806. thus 




JOHN B. HOPKINS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



931 



showing his popularity. Formerly he was a 
stockholder in the Jericho Plank Road Company, 
and for some time held the position of treasurer. 

Mr. Denton has shown his appreciation of se- 
cret organizations by becoming a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, being a member of Morton 
Lodge No. 63, of Hempstead, in which he has 
filled all the chairs, and is now past master. He 
is also a member of the Shield of Honor of Hyde- 
park, Lodge No. 3, and is past master in that also. 
In the year 1870 Mr. Denton married Miss Sarali 
M. Allen, daughter of George W. Allen, of North 
Hempstead, and they have two children, Eugene 
W., now a student in the Columbia Law School 
ot New York City, and Grace, a student in St. 
Mary's School at Garden City. 

The founder ot the Denton family on the island 
was Rev. Richard Denton, who came from Eng- 
land on account of religious troubk.v and settled 
on Long Island. Samuel Denton, the great- 
grandfather of our subject, was a life-long resi- 
dent of the island, and our subject has a will drawn 
by him February 10, 1717. 



WILLIAM HOPKINS, a well-known 
and substantial resident of Jamaica 
South, was born on the place of which 
he is now the proprietor, January 31, 1859. His 
father was John B. Hopkins, whose birth oc- 
curred in Flatlands, April i, 1837. The year 
prior to the birth of our subject he came to this 
section and took up his abode on the splendid 
farm which William now owns and where he was 
content to pass the remainder of his life. In addi- 
tion to this property he owned much other valu- 
able real estate in the town, but the greater part 
of his money was made in the sale of fertilizers 
on Long Island. He was one of the most lib- 
eral and public-spirited men of his day and no 
worthy cause was allowed to fail for want of sup- 
port on his part. In his advocacy of temperance 
principles he was always firm. He became one of 
the directors in the Bank of Jamaica, in which he 
was also one of the original stockholders, and in 
many ways aided in establishing and sustaining 
worthy objects which were set on foot for the 
good of the community. He filled many offices 
of trust and responsibility in a most competent 
and worthy manner. The Methodist Episcopal 
Church regarded him as one of its most influen- 
tial members, and in his contributions toward its 



support he was extremely liberal. His death, 
January 31, 1894, was a public loss. 

Our subject's grandfather, William Hopkins, 
was born in Wales and on coming to the United 
States when a young man settled in the Flatlands, 
L. I., where he followed his trade of a black- 
smith and became well and favorably known to 
its early residents. John B. Hopkins married 
Elizabeth Eldert, who was born in Jamaica Town, 
Queens County, March 9, 1830. Her father, 
Luke Eldert, a patriot in the War of 1812, was 
born December 20, 1786, and was descended from 
one of the very old and honored families on the 
island. Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins left at her de- 
cease three children, of whom our subject was the 
eldest. His brother John B., who is cultivating 
a portion of his father's estate, married Ella Rider 
and has three children, Mabel, Nettie and Ben- 
nem. Lillian I. Hopkins, the only daughter, 
makes her home with her brother William. The 
father of our subject married for his second wife 
Nellie E. Stillwell, who is at present a resident of 
Jamaica, and in that place their son, George S., 
also makes his home. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
schools of Jamaica, after which he settled down 
to farm life and has followed this vocation with 
unusual success. In his political faith he uses his 
influence and ballot in favor of Republican candi- 
dates. He was married in 1884 to Georgiana, 
sister of H. and J. Camden, large celery growers 
of this section. They are the parents of a daugh- 
ter, Florence A., whose birth occurred June 4, 
1885. Previous to her union with our subject, 
Mrs. Hopkins had been married to Philip R. 
Howard, who at his decease left her with three 
children. 



GEORGE C. MILLS, a feed and grain 
merchant of Dutch Kills, was born in 
New York City, October 22, 1848, a son 
of John S. and Sarah (McPhoren) Mills, natives 
of New York City and Staten Island respectively. 
The father was an iron rail finisher in his native 
city until he retired from the active duties of life, 
and is now residing in Long Island City. He 
was also born in the Empire City, but the grand- 
father was a native of England. The grandmoth- 
er of our subject, in maidenhood a Miss Sit- 
cher, was descended from French , Huguenots, 
and both her people and Mr. Mills' were partici- 
pants in the Revolution, as members of the Co- 



932 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lonial army. Robert McPhoren, grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Dublin, Ireland, was 
given the advantages of Dublin University, and 
later became a teacher. He married a Miss Story, 
a member of an old Staten Island family. The 
parents of George C. Mills, who are now aged 
about seventy years, have long been members of 
the Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of 
three sons and three daughters, but one of the 
latter is now deceased. 

George C. Mills was the eldest of the family, 
and in the public schools of his native city was 
given excellent educational advantages up to the 
age of fourteen years, when he began working 
under his father at making iron railing. At the 
end of seven years he gave up this business to en- 
gage in merchandising and dealing in horses. In 
1873 he came to Long Island City, making loca- 
tion in Dutch Kills, and here about 1887 he em- 
barked in business as a grocer and feed mer- 
chant in Jackson Avenue. He gave up the 
grocer's business, however, in 1894, and has since 
dealt wholly in flour and feed, in which he has 
built up a large business and has won the repu- 
tation of being reliable and upright. He is re- 
markably reasonable in his prices and is the 
cheapest dealer in his line in Long Island City. 
In connection with this business he makes a spec- 
ialty of handling horses, of which he is an ex- 
cellent judge, and which he has found profitable. 

In the city of New York Mr. Mills married 
Miss Mary E. Summers, a native of that place, 
and their union resulted in the birth of eleven 
children, eight of whom are living: Adelaine, de- 
ceased ; John S., who is employed in New York ; 
Sadie; Elijah; Bornte, deceased; Tillie; Cath- 
erine, deceased; George C, Jr.; Molhe; Rebec- 
ca,- and a baby boy unnamed. Mr. Mills has a 
comfortable home at No. 112 Barton Street, and 
he and his family attend St. John's Episcopal 
Churcli. 



JOHN MESSENGER is a member of the 
firm of Clonin & Messenger, dealers in coal 
and wood, brick, lath, lime, cement, etc., 
with offices at No. 756 Boulevard, Long Island 
City. He was born in the city of New York in 
1854, a son of W. F. Messenger, who was born 
in Germany. At the age of eighteen years the 
father left his native land and came to America, 
taking up his residence in New York City, where 
he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes un- 



til his retirement from business. He died in that 
city in 1875, at the age of sixty-three years. He 
and his wife became the parents of nine children, 
only three of whoin are now living, the subject 
of this sketch being the sole member of the fam- 
ily residing in Long Island City. His brother, 
William F., was a soldier in the Union armv dur- 
ing the Civil War and lost his life in the second 
battle of Bull Run. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
New York City public schools and had reached 
the grammar department and his sixteenth vear 
when he laid aside his books to begin the active 
battle of life. He then became the correspond- 
ing clerk for different New York firms and for 
twelve years was the confidential clerk of Reiche 
Brothers, the largest importers of animals and 
birds in America. He then became superintend- 
ent of the aquarium at Coney Island, for Coop & 
Reiche, in which capacity he continued for four 
years, and for the two following years was treas- 
urer of the New York aquarium at Thirty-fifth 
Street and Broadway. Seven years of the time 
while confidential clerk were spent in traveling 
all over the United States from the Atlantic sea- 
board to the great Rockies, and from the Great 
Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico in the interests of his 
employers. 

After resigning this position ^Ir. ^lessenger 
engaged in business as a retail butter and egg 
dealer in New York City. After selling oioThe 
was for a time engaged in speculating. In 1890 he 
came to Astoria and formed his present partner- 
ship with Mr. Clonin, with whom he purchased 
the old Rapelyea coal yard, which thev have com- 
pleted and greatly improved. They have built 
up a very large commercial connection and eight 
teams are kept constantly busy. Their dock is 
on East River, and the capacity of their estab- 
lishment is unlimited, as navigation is possible 
throughout the winter months. 

In 1876 Mr. Messenger was married in New 
York City to Miss Eleanor Clark, a native of Del- 
aware, who has borne him three children: John, 
Jr., who is attending college in New York Citv; 
Gertrude and Leslie. Mr. Alessenger has shown 
his approval of secret organizations by becoming 
a member of several: Alma Lodge No. 728, F. & 
A. M., of New York, and Alma Council No. 191, 
R. A., of New York City, and has represented 
his lodge twice in the grand council, first in 
Brooklyn and next in Syracuse. He is also iden- 
tified with the American Legion of Honor. Ann'tv 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



933 



Council No. 576, of New York, in which order 
he has held official position in the Grand Council. 
Mr. Messenger has traveled extensively through- 
out his native land, and being a close and accu- 
rate observer, he improved his opportunities and 
has a far better knowledge of America than the 
great majority of her native-born citizens'. 



M 



ISS MARY J. GARDNER, one of the 
bright, intelligent women of Astoria, 
Long Island City, comes of an old and 
influential family of Long Island. She is of Eng- 
lish origin on the paternal side of the house and 
the first member of the family to settle in Amer- 
ica was Thomas Gardner, who came here from 
England in 1600 and located in New Jersey. 
Later he removed to New York City, engaged in 
merchandising, and became the owner of much 
wealth, a considerable part of what is now the 
lower portion of the city being in his possession. 
Miss Gardner's grandfather, Charles Gardner, was 
born near Grand Street, New York, and he was 
married there to Miss Ella Bennett, daug'hter of 
Jacob Bennett. For many years after his mar- 
riage he was engaged as a grain merchant in New 
York, but later sold out there and bought a farm 
near Newtown, L. I., where he died of cholera a 
number of years afterwards. 

John Gardner, father of Miss Gardner, was 
born in Brooklyn, and followed the carpenter 
and contractor's business, having a shop on the 
dry dock of New York City, but subsequently he 
moved to Long Island City and continued his 
chosen occupation until retiring. He passed 
away in August, 1870. He was a man of strict 
integrity, quiet and unassuming and very domes- 
tic in his tastes. For many years he was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Mary McAllister, 
was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and the 
daughter of James McAUister, who was born in 
Scotland, but who, when a small boy, was taken 
by his parents to Ireland, where he grew to man- 
hood. He there married a Miss Henry, and later 
followed contracting for a livelihood. The 
daughter, Mary McAllister, came to America 
when a yoimg lady and made her home with a 
married sister and a cousin in New York City 
until her marriage to Mr. Gardner. She died No- 
vember 23, 1895. She was a very intellectual 
woman and a devout member of the St. Cle- 
ment's Church, New York. 



Previous to his union witli Miss McAllister 
John Gardner married a Miss Simmons, who bore 
him four children, all now deceased. One son, 
John, served through the Civil War in a New 
York regiment' and died some years afterward; 
after one severe engagement there were but five 
men of his company, left. Mr. Gardner's second 
marriage resulted in the birth of six children, 
four of whom are now living: James H. resides 
in Long Island City; Charles A. was in the Unit- 
ed States navy during the Civil War, but is now 
deceased; Albert is in business in New York 
City ; George J. is a business man of Long Island 
City and Greenpoint. All of these children 
were born in Long Island City. Miss Gardner 
owns valuable property in this city and possesses 
excellent business acumen. She is an earnest 
member of the Church of the Redeemer and is 
liberal and charitable to an unusual degree. She 
is possessed of superior gifts and endowments of 
mind and heart, and wherever met she reflects the 
virtues of highest womanhood. 



SAMUEL D. NUTT, M. D., is one of the 
successful medical and surgical practition- 
ers of Queens County, and since the fall of 
1894 has been coroner of the town of Jamaica. 
He is living in the village of Woodhaven, where 
he is in command of a large and lucrative pat- 
ronage. 

Our subject was born in New York City, June 
24, 1865. His father, Joseph D. Nutt, was also 
born in that city, and for many yeai"s has been a 
prominent jeweler in the metropolis. We are un- 
able to give any facts relating to the ancestors of 
our subject other than they were residents of New 
York State and many of them lived on the banks 
of the Hudson River. The lady whom Joseph D. 
Nutt married was Celia Upham, a native of Ver- 
mont, and the sister of Selah B. Upham, for many 
years one of the prominent druggists of New 
York, but who is now living retired in the village 
of Woodhaven. For a history of the Upham fam- 
ily we refer the reader to his biography in this 
volume. We will, however, make mention of the 
fact that Mrs. Nutt's grandfather was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War and was present at the 
battle of Burlington, Vt. 

The subject of this sketch, after completing his 
education in the common schools of his native 
city, took a course in the College of New York. 
He then was associated with his father in the jew- 



934 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



elry business for a short time, after which he be- 
gan as clerk in the drug store of his uncle, S. B. 
Upham. During the time he was in his employ 
he studied medicine, and in 1883 entered Belle- 
vue Medical College, from which he was gradu- 
ated three years later. The year following he 
spent in practice in the Ninety-ninth Street Hos- 
pital and the next twelve months visited the pa- 
tients in Bellevue Hospital. 

In 1889 Dr. Nutt made permanent location in 
Woodhaven, where he succeeded to the large 
practice of Dr. Combs, who abandoned his gen- 
eral practice in order that he might give his atten- 
tion to a hospital which he had established. Dr. 
Nutt rapidly grew in favor with the people, and 
at the present time is without doubt one of the 
most efficient physicians of the county. He is 
progressive and enterprising in all that relates to 
the welfare of his community and has given the 
best of satisfaction by the able manner in which 
he discharged the duties of health officer of VVood- 
haven. He was the candidate of the Republican 
party for the position of coroner of the town of 
Jamaica and was elected by a large majority. He 
is a member of the Queens County Medical So- 
ciety and the New York Order of Railroad Sur- 
geons, and at the conventions of these various 
organizations he has delivered many interesting 
addresses. Socially he is a leading member of 
Woodhaven Lodge No. 204, I. O. O. F. 

In 1891 Dr. Nutt was united in marriage with 
Miss Rita, daughter of Edward H. Wallace, a 
large contractor and builder in New York City, 
and senior member of the firm of Wallace & Rob- 
inson, who have been associated in business for 
some time. Dr. and Mrs. Nutt have one daugh- 
ter, Edna G. 



FRANCIS N. McKINNEY, late superin- 
tendent of the Standard Oil Works of 
Long Island City, is now deceased. He 
was born in North Carolina in 1842 and was or- 
phaned liy the death of his parents when about 
eight years of age. He was then taken into the 
home of his parental grandparents, by whom he 
was reared. During the late war our subject was 
forced into the rel^el service, and after the cessa- 
tion of hostilities made his way to Oil City, Pa., 
wliere he became an employe in what is now the 
Standard Oil Company. Pie became an expert 
in the refining of oil, ac(|uiring his knowledge of 
this business under a Mr. Rodgers. 



In 1871 Mr. McKinney came to Long Island 
City, where he was made foreman of the works 
of the company, and later was promoted to be 
superintendent. During his residence here the 
interests of the Standard Oil Company increased 
until now its buildings cover acres of ground. Mr. 
McKinney continued to make his home here un- 
til the fall of 1 89 1, when he was transferred to 
Florence, Colo., as inspector for the company, 
and there died September 18, 1892. He was a 
devoted member of Grace Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Long Island City, of which he was 
trustee and class-leader, in fact was one of the 
most influential members of his congregation and 
was active in the work of the Sunday-school and 
Epworth League. Personally he was a man 
of strict integrity and true worth and in every 
way possible he used his voice and influence for 
the promotion of those measures which were of 
benefit to his community. In politics he was an 
enthusiastic Republican. 

Mr. jNIcKinney was married in the South to his 
first wife, and after her death, or June 17, 1871, 
he was united in marriage in Oil City, Pa., to ]vliss 
Mary T. Adams, a native of Beaver County, that 
state, and the daughter of Maj. Oscar E. Adams, 
also born in that portion of the Keystone State. 
Grandfather Dr. Milo Adams also hailed from 
that locality and was a lineal descendant of John 
Quincy Adams. Dr. Adams practiced medicine 
in Beaver County and was one of its most promi- 
nent and skilled physicians. The father of IMrs. 
McKinney was for many years superintendent of 
what was known in Pennsylvania as the Plummer 
oil lands. After severing his connection with the 
owners of this territory he held the same position 
with other companies and was also largely in- 
terested in oil fields himself. He was thoroughly 
acquainted with his business, to which he gave 
his energies and strict attention for his entire ac- 
tive career. He was well known throughout the 
country, as his operations in this line were very 
large. Mr. Adams departed this life in Decem- 
ber, 1877. He was also a member of the ^leth- 
odist Episcopal Church and was a Republican in 
politics. 

The mother of J^Irs. i\IcKinney was Helen '\L 
(Easton) Adams, a native of Beaver County, Pa., 
and the daughter of David Easton, well known to 
the residents of that section as the popular pro- 
prietor of one of its best hotels. This estimable 
ladv is still living and makes her liome with some 
of her marrietl children who reside in Oil City. 




WILLIAM AUGUSTIxNE LAWRENCE. 




EDWIN S. LAWRENCE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



939 



There was born to Maj. Oscar and Helen M. 
Adams a large family of children, fourteen in 
number, of whom four are now deceased. Of this 
household Mrs. McKinney was the eldest. Her 
childhood was passed in her native state, but 
when old enough to go to school she was sent 
to a female seminary at Brighton, where she ac- 
quired a fine education. By her union with our 
subject there have been born three children, of 
whom Claudius Adams is the only survivor. He 
is a shrewd and thoroughly businesslike young 
man and a graduate of Columbia Grammar 
School. He was with his father at the time of 
the latter's death, and, taking up the business, 
carried it on with satisfaction to the company un- 
til 1895, when he returned East and is at present 
a student at Simpson's Theological Seminary in 
New York City. It is his intention to be a mis- 
sionary, and he is about to sail for Africa. Mrs. 
McKinney is a consistent member of the Meth- 
odist Church and is active in all the good works 
in which that body is engaged in her community. 
She occupies a beautiful home in Hunter's Point, 
which at the time of its erection, in 1887, was 
one of the first built in Eleventh Street. 



EDWIN S. LAWRENCE. Material wealth 
must not exclude the riches of character 
in the recountal of the values which have 
been brought to Queens County by its citizens, 
and among its most precious treasures must be 
estimated the lives of those citizens who, by their 
intelligence and uprightness, have assisted in 
raising the standard of life and thought among 
the people. No one is doing more in this line than 
the subject of this sketch, who, like many other 
prominent citizens, is a native-born son of the 
county and a descendant of a family that has 
long been identified with the history of this lo- 
cality. 

Some mention of the life of Lieut. William 
Augustine Lawrence, our subject's father, will be 
of interest in this connection. He was born in 
Flushing, June 28, 181 1, and died at the family 
homestead at Fresh Meadow, when sixty-four 
years of age. In the early part of his life, from 
1831 to 1833, he was associated in partnership 
with his brother, Edwin, in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Flushing, but upon the death of his father 
he returned home, where he afterward gave his 
attention to general farming, market gardening 
and the raising of cattle and horses. In every- 
38 



thing that he undertook he was thorough, efficient 
and capable, and in the lines of which he made 
specialties he won large success. Many of his 
horses and cattle took prizes when exhibited at 
local fairs, and he also frequently received 
diplomas and premiums for his displays of vege- 
tables. Indeed, if he may be said to have had a 
hobby, it was in the direction of improving vege- 
tables and raising the standard of quality. He was 
the originator of the Lawrence cabbage, known 
all over Long Island, and prized for its fine 
quality. 

The marriage of William A. Lawrence to Cath- 
erine Elizabeth Ely took place March 24, 1841, 
and resulted in the birth of eleven children, 
namely: Edwin Seabury, Ann Augusta, Mary 
Elizabeth, William Augustus, Theodore Brown, 
John Augustine, Amelia Stratton, Sarah Louisa, 
Kate Lois, Henry Bogert and Euretta B. Of this 
family four sons and four daughters are still 
living. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Stratton) Lawrence, who 
died at the respective ages of fifty-seven and 
seventy-two. The great-grandfather, Thomas, 
Sr., who was born July 31, 1721, and died Novem- 
ber 4, 1795, married Mary Willett, whose birth 
occurred November 25, 1726. The great-great- 
grandparents were Samuel and Alary (Hicks) 
Lawrence, born April 15, 1690, and October 15, 
1698, respectively. The father of the former 
was Maj. William Lawrence, who married De- 
borah, daughter of Richard Smith, of Smithtown, 
L. I. The major was a son of Capt. William Law- 
rence, who came to this country in 1635 on the 
ship "Planter," Captain Palmer, and married 
Elizabeth Smith, a sister to his son's wife. 

The subject of this record was born at the old 
homestead, where six generations had lived and 
died, the -date of his birth being March 24, 1842. 
He commenced his education in the public school 
of Flushing and finished at Union Hall Academy, 
Jamaica. Of a large family he is the only one 
who continues as a tiller of the soil and is devoted 
to the occupation he has chosen for his life work. 
From 1856 to the present time he has kept a 
diary, where may be found a record of extremes 
of weather, fluctuations in market prices, changes 
in farming, and record of deaths of many promi- 
nent people as well as of members of the immedi- 
ate family, whic'h often proves very convenient in 
verifying some important date or event in his 
past life. 



940 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



JOHN J. McLaughlin. There are few 
more familiar figures in public life in Queens 
County than the subject of this sketch, John 
J. McLaughlin, the man to whom more than any 
other one individual the people of the county are 
indebted for the maintenance in its present ex- 
cellent condition of the eighty-two miles of ma- 
cadam roads known as the county road system. 
Mr.. McLaughlin is the county engineer, an of- 
fice which he has held for nearly four years, and 
in the discharge of the duties of which he has re- 
flected credit upon himself and given general pub- 
lic satisfaction. 

John J. McLaughlin was born at Jamaica, Sep- 
tember 1 6, i860, and is therefore in his thirty- 
sixth year. He attended first the private school 
taught by the Misses Waters and later the public 
school in Jamaica. Then he took a course in 
the New York University, froin which he was 
graduated with high honors in 1879. ^^ the 
same year he was engaged as assistant by R. L. 
Waters, city surveyor of New York, which posi- 
tion he retained until 1887, when he resigned to 
accept a position as surveyor under the city gov- 
ernment of Brooklyn. In New York the work of 
Mr. McLaughlin consisted of extensive municipal 
improvements, he being the first assistant in 
charge of the s'urveys for the new parks and for 
the city farm at Central Islip, L. I. 

When he became engaged in Brooklyn, Mr. 
McLaughlin had charge of a large number of 
street improvements, which continued until 1891, 
when at his own request, owing to press of pri- 
vate practice, his city work was discontinued. 

Mr. McLaughlin has acted as engineer for 
Kings and Queens Counties in the matter of 
bridges over Newtown Creek since 1887, con- 
structing the Grand Street and Meeker Avenue 
bridges, and making repairs to the other bridges 
over the creek. He has had charge of many ex- 
tensive private improvements in Queens County, 
particularly those instituted by F. W. Dunton in 
the town of Jamaica. He made the preliminary 
surveys for the Bicycle Railroad in Queens and 
Suffolk Counties, and had charge of a portion of 
the Jamaica road improvement under the board 
of macadam commissioners. He is also engineer 
for the Jamaica sewerage commission, and pre- 
pared the plans for sewers and disposal works 
accepted and approved by the commission. 

Mr. McLaughlin was appointed with G. A. 
Roullier as engineer of county roads in Queens 
County in 1892, and the following year, when the 



county was converted into one district, he was 
appointed engineer in charge. While county en- 
gineer he established the present system of road 
maintenance in Queens County. 

In spite of his busy life Mr. jMcLaughlin has 
found some time for sociability and is known as 
a jolly good fellow. In 1888, while living in 
Brooklyn, he married Adelaide M., daughter of 
John D. Carroll. Mr. McLaughlin is a member 
of the American Society of Civil Engineers, of 
the Royal Arcanum and of the Catholic Benevo- 
lent Leerion, besides several lesser ors:anizations. 



GEORGE FORBES, M. D., is one of the 
leading and successful young physicians 
whose field of practice is in Ravenswood, 
a portion of Long Island City. He is a member 
of the leading medical societies of the county, 
taking an active part therein, and makes it a point 
to keep himself posted on all the leading discov- 
eries. Dr. Forbes was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., 
November 5, 1867. His father, George Forbes, 
a native of Anstruther, Scotland, left his native 
land in his youth and, after becoming fully ac- 
quainted with the ways of the American people, 
accepted a position as bookkeeper, working his 
way up until he became general manager for Gil- 
bert, Potter & Co., of New York City. He re- 
mained with them for a period of fifty years, or 
until the firm went out of business, when he re- 
tired. He is now living in Brooklyn, where he 
has a delightful home. Although seventj'-five 
years of age, he is remarkably healthy and so 
comfortably situated, financially, that he is 
enabled to enjoy life to the fullest extent. He 
worships with the members of Westminster Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he is a member. 

Mrs. Sarah A. (Johnson) Forbes, the mother 
of our subject, was born in Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y. She became the mother of five children and 
departed this life in 1872. Of this household only 
three are now living: Margaret, the wife of Neil 
O. Fitch, a physician of Astoria; Thomas, who 
is a traveling salesman for a New York house, 
and who makes his home in Brooklyn, and our 
subject. Henry A. was a prominent pharmacist 
in Astoria, where he died in 1894, aged thirty-six 
years. 

George Forbes attended the public schools of 
Brooklyn until a lad of thirteen years, and the 
following year entered the drug store of his broth- 
er Henry, which was located on the corner of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



941 



Grand and Putnam Avenues, Brooklyn. After 
following this business for four years he was de- 
sirous of adopting a professional life and aban- 
doned every other occupation in order that he 
might give his entire time to reading medicine. 
In the meantime he went to Astoria and entered 
the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. Fitch, where 
he had access to a splendid library of the best 
medical authorities and was also instructed by 
that able physician. In due time he entered the 
medical department of the University of New 
York City and in 1889 was graduated therefrom 
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 

When looking around for a suitable location 
Dr. Forbes found a good opening for a progres- 
sive physician in Ravenswood and lost no time in 
opening an office here. He is engaged in gen- 
eral practice, and by his skill and knowledge in 
his profession has built up a good and paying 
business. He is especially successful where his 
skill as a surgeon is necessary, and has performed 
many difficult operations. His residence and of- 
fice are at No. 693 Vernon Avenue, one of the 
prettiest streets in the place. 

Dr. Forbes was married in the Sumner Ave- 
nue Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, 
July 15, 1 89 1, to Miss Norine Cadmus, a native 
of that city. Two children have been granted 
them, Gladys and Mildred. Mrs. Forbes is-- a 
consistent member of the Episcopal Church. The 
Doctor is a stanch Democrat in politics, and in 
order that he might help forward the work of his 
party in this part of the county he has allied him- 
self with the Jefferson Club of the city and is a 
member of the general Jefferson Democratic city 
committee. He belongs to the Long Island City 
Medical Society and also takes an active part in 
the work of the Queens County Medical Society. 
Personally the Doctor numbers many warm 
friends in all circles and has among the clients 
many of the best families of the county. 



GEORGE A. McNULTY, alderman from 
the first ward of Long Island City, and 
an employe of the "New York Sun," was 
born in New York City, December 10, 1867. His 
father, Robert, who was a native of Londonderry, 
Ireland, crossed the Atlantic in boyhood and set- 
tled in New York, where he secured a place in the 
employ of the "New York Sun."' Beginning in a 
menial position he worked his way up until he 
became foreman of the pressroom, which respon- 



sible position he held for a long time, his entire 
connection with the paper covering a period of 
twenty-eight years. 

Politically a Democrat, Robert McNulty was 
actively interested in local affairs from the time 
of his settlement in America. Ever true in his 
allegiance to the country of his adoption, he was 
a public-spirited citizen, desirous of aiding every 
measure that would promote the welfare of the 
people. In 1868 he came to Long Island City 
and established his home at No. 147 Third Street, 
where he continued to reside until his death. May 
30, 1886. For two terms he was overseer of the 
poor, and for years served on the general com- 
mittee. Twice he was elected to represent his 
ward on the board of aldermen, of which he 
served as president, and for a short time he was 
acting mayor. His father died in Ireland, but his 
mother came to this country and died in Long 
Island City. 

The mother of our subject, Margaret Elliott, 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, but was 
brought to America at the age of three years by 
her parents, who settled in New York. Her 
father, Robert Elliott, a native of County Tyrone, 
was a drover's sou and on coming to the United 
States engaged in business in Sixth Street, New 
York, where Cooper Union now is. He died 
there in 1S68 at the age of about sixty years. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Tag- 
gart, was born in County Tyrone, and died in 
New York City the year after the family came to 
America. Both the Elliott and Taggart families 
were of Protestant faith and Scotch descent. Mrs. 
Margaret McNulty was reared and married in 
New York, but for some years has lived in Long 
Island City. 

The parental familv consists of three livino- 
children, two having died in childhood. The 
surviving sons are George A., and Robert J. and 
William T., who are employed as pressmen on the 
"New York Sun." The first-named, our subject, 
was educated in the grammar schools, from which 
he was graduated. In June, 1886, he became an 
employe of the "New York Sun," his first work 
being that bf fly boy, but after nine months in 
that capacity he was promoted to pressman, and 
still fills that position. 

In 1893 Mr. McNulty was nominated on the 
Gleason ticket as alderman from the first ward, 
his opponent being James Comisky, but he was 
defeated because deprived of official ballot. In 
the fall of 1895 he was again nominated for that 



942 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



office against the same opponent, and was elected 
by a majority of five hundred and twenty-two 
votes, this being the largest majority for alder- 
man ever polled in the first ward. He assumed 
the duties of the office in January, 1896, and will 
without doubt give satisfaction in the discharge 
of the responsible duties connected with the po- 
sition. For four years he has been a member 
of the Democratic general committee of Long 
Island City. He has frequently represented the 
Democratic party as delegate to various conven- 
tions, and is regarded as one of the rising leaders 
of his political organization. 



PETER GUENSCH, a prosperous dealer in 
all kinds of meats, vegetables and country 
provisions, has become known for the ex- 
cellence and high grade of his stock. He is a na- 
tive of the city of New York, and was born in 
i860. El-nest Guensch, his father, was born in 
Germany, but in early manhood came to the 
United States to seek his fortune. By trade he 
was a merchant tailor, and established himself in 
this business in New York City, continuing suc- 
cessfully engaged in the same until his death in 
1873, ^t the age of seventy-six years. He was 
always patriotic and true to the flag of his adopt- 
ed country, and during the progress of the Civil 
War ser\red the Union in a New York regiment. 
His wife was formerly M'iss Elizabeth Schmidt, 
now a resident of Newark, N. J. Of a family of 
eight children born to this worthy couple, only 
three reached maturity. Edward, who was a sol- 
dier in a New York regiment during the war, 
was wounded and died after the cessation of hos- 
tilities in Norfolk, Va. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his 
native city, where he completed a good grammar 
school education. In 1873 he became shipping- 
clerk in a furniture store owned by F. Mohr & 
Co., of New York, remaining with them until 
1885, when he went to Brooklyn and established 
himself in the butter, egg and cheese business at 
No. 57 Atlantic Avenue. After three years he 
formed a co-partnership with P. Scherer in the 
grocery business at Orange Valley, N. J. One 
year later he located in Long Island City and 
opened a meat market at No. 95 Webster Ave- 
nue, which is one of the best of which the city 
can boast. In 1893 he erected his present store 
building, a. two-story structure, which has a 
frontage of thirty-two feet and is ninety-eight 



feet long. It is fitted up with every convenience 
and one delivery wagon is kept constantlv em- 
ployed. 

In 1881 Mr. Guensch was married in Long 
Island City to Miss Annie Diemer, a native of 
New York City and a daughter of ]\Iichael Die- 
mer, formerly a successful meat merchant at No. 
95 Wilbur Avenue, but who is now retired, his 
business being now conducted by his son-in-law, 
Mr. Guensch, at No. 298 Webster Avenue. The 
latter and his wife have two children, William and 
Walter. In the spring of 1893 Mr. Guensch was 
appointed a member of the board of health by 
Mayor Sanford, and this position he held up to 
December 2, 1895, when he resigned. Socially 
he is a member of Advance Lodge, F. & A. ]\I., 
of Astoria, and politically is a Democrat and has 
been a member of various conventions. He is a 
member of the Lutheran Church of New York 
City, while his wife belongs to the Episcopal 
Church of Ravenswood. 



JOHN T. SUYDAM, a well known resident 
of the town of Jamaica, was born near 
Woodhaven, January 29, 1856. His father 
was Daniel R. Suydam, whose birth occurred 
February 22, 1809, in Norwich, Queens Countv. 
For eighteen years he commanded a vessel, and 
when settling down to life on terra firma he pur- 
chased a farm in the above town and was engaged 
in its cultivation until his death, Alarch 10, 1878. 
The mother died in March, 1885. 

Daniel R. Suydam married his cousin, :\Iiss 
Sarah Suydam, and immediately settled on the 
tract of land which we have spoken of above. A 
portion of this property is now in the possession 
of our subject, who has cultivated it in a very 
profitable manner. The father of Daniel R. was 
in turn the son of Cornelius Suydam and his onlv 
child. The last named was the only son of John 
Suydam, well known to the old-time residents of 
this community. The Suydams were one of the 
old Dutch families of Queens County, of which 
we have but little information, other than it was 
one whose various members occtipied good and 
useful positions in life and with very few excep- 
tions were people of considerable means. 

The parental family included six children, of 
whom those living besides our subject are Sarah, 
who became the wife of Charles Lott, a retired 
farmer living near the home of John T.. and Ida 




E. A. GOODRIDGE, M. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



945 



C, the wife of John A. Vanderveer, a farmer in 
Flatlands. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the only 
son of the household, adopted the calling of an 
agriculturist when ready to embark in life, and 
continued to be thus engaged for many years, or 
until he accumulated a handsome competence, 
when he retired and is now living in ease and 
comfort in his pleasant home on the Jamaica 
plank road near Woodhaven. February 21, 1877, 
he married Miss Anna J. Debevoise, of Jamaica, 
who is also related to one of the old and respected 
families of the county. Their union has been 
blessed by the birth of the following-named sev- 
en children: Warren R., Daniel R., Sadie V., 
Charles D., Jennie S., Anna J. and John T., Jr. 
Mrs. Suydam is an active member of the Re- 
formed Church of Jamaica, which is one of the 
largest congregations in the village. 

In social affairs our subject is a member of 
the Royal Arcanum, in which he takes great in- 
terest. In political matters he is a stanch sup- 
porter of Republican doctrines and candidates 
and on this ticket has held numerous minor of- 
fices. 



EDWIN A. GOODRIDGE, M. D., of Flush- 
ing, is a descendant in the eighth genera- 
tion from William Goodridge, who came to 
this country from Bury St. Edmunds, England, 
in 1636, and settled at Watertown, Mass. His 
brother John, who came in the same year, settled 
at Hartford, Conn. These brothers were de- 
scended from John Goodridge, D. D., of Devon- 
shire, England, who graduated from Oxford in 
1509. The Doctor's great-grandfather, Benjamin, 
was one of three brothers who with their father, 
Benjamin, Sr., participated in the battle of Bunk- 
er Hill and other engagements of the Revolu- 
tionary War. 

Ira Goodridge, the grandfather of the subject 
of this sketch, was a native of Keene, N. H., and 
removed from that town with his father to West- 
minster, Vt., when still a mere lad. From West- 
minster he removed to Sutton, Vt., and thence in 
1825 to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he re- 
mained until his death a few years ago. During 
his residence in Vermont he was prominent in 
the politics of the state, serving in various civil 
capacities, and several times was elected to the 
legislature. Fie was distinguished for his patri- 
otism, intelligence and religious devotion, as well 



as for the high value he always placed upon edu- 
cation. These qualities, with other strong New 
England characteristics, made him conspicuous 
in the early history of St. Lawrence County. 

The Doctor's father, Horace Goodridge, was 
born in Vermont and removed at the age of four- 
teen with his father to their home in northern 
New York. At this early age he luanifested a 
lively interest in educational matters, and grad- 
uated from Ft. Covington Academy, then the only 
available educational institution in that part of the 
state. After his graduation he was identified with 
educational interests, having been for many years 
a' teacher in the schools of northern New York. 
He married Levonia Colby, a native of Leb- 
anon, N. H., and who, through her mother, 
Sallie Page, was connected with the numerous 
family of that name conspicuous in the early colo- 
nial aflairs of New England, as well as in its later 
history. Levonia Colby's father, Jeremiah Colby, 
was a native of Maine, but was descended directly 
from Isaac Colby, who settled in Massachusetts 
about 1630. Ancestors of the Doctor's mother 
both in the Page and Colby Kne rendered con- 
spicuous service to the cause of the colonists dur- 
ing the Revolutionary period, having been repre- 
sented in most of the important military organi- 
zations of New England during that time. 

Dr. Goodridge received his preparatory educa- 
tion in the schools of St. Lawrence County, teach- 
ing and attending school alternately as was the 
custom in those New England communities. 
About the time he was prepared for college the 
War of the RebelHon broke out, and he respond- 
ed to the call for volunteers, enlisting in the One 
Hundred and Sixth New York Infantry. He 
participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Harper's 
Ferry and other important engagements. In the 
fall of 1863 he was wounded at the battle of Mine 
Run and transferred to the Wolfe Street Hos- 
pital, Alexandria, Va., where, under the direction 
of Dr. Stewart, of Erie, Pa., then surgeon in 
charge of that hospital, he began his medical stu- 
dies. Being discharged in the spring of 1864 at 
his own request, he again took up the work of 
teaching, pursuing in the intervals his college 
studies. He received the degree of A. M. from 
Princeton College in 1888 and of M. D. from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical 
department of Columbia College, where he grad- 
uated, valedictorian of his class, in the spring of 
1871. Immediately upon graduating he began 
his practice in Flushing, twenty-five years ago. 



946 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He has been at different times visiting physician 
to the New York Infant Asylum, consulting phy- 
sician to the same institution, counselor of the 
Alumni Association of the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, from which he graduated, a mem- 
ber of the Queens County Medical Society and 
visiting surgeon to the Flushing Hospital. In 
1866 he married Miss Anna M. Field, a native of 
New England, and they have two children, Lena, 
now the wife of Allen Wardner Harrington, and 
Malcolm, at present attending the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons. 

Almost from the time of his graduation Dr. 
Goodridge has enjoyed a large and lucrative prac- 
tice both' as a physician and surgeon. In politics, 
he is a Republican, and his views and sympathies 
have brought him into active co-operation with 
the best ideals of government and civil order. He 
is a member of the Society of the Sons of the 
Revolution and is also a Grand Army man, hold- 
ing membership in the George Huntsman Post, 
of which he is surgeon. For ten years he was a 
member of the board of education of Flushing, 
six years of which time he was president of that 
body 
gregational Church 



His religious affiliation is with the Con- 



EDWARD SPRINGMANN, a successful 
cigar manufacturer and dealer in tobacco 
at Glencove, was born in Paris, France, 
October 23, 1842. His parents were Edward and 
Louise (Brauner) Springmann, the former of 
whom was a native of Germany, born in July, 
1812. He was left a widower when the subject 
of this sketch was quite young, and when the 
latter was about nine years of age he came to the 
United States, but left young Edward and his 
brother in Paris under the care of an uncle. After 
coming to this country the father plied his trade, 
that of a piano maker. 

About one _vear later the children came to this 
country with their uncle, and in New York City 
the subject of this sketch made his home until the 
opening of the Civil War. Fie espoused the 
cause of his adopted country and in 1862 enlisted 
in Company I, Forty-fifth New York Infantry, 
in which he remained a little over a year, par- 
ticipating in the battle of Cross Keys and several 
sharp skirmishes. Owing to disabilities he re- 
ceived honorable discharge in 1863, and in the 
early part of 1865 he enlisted in the navy. He 
was transferred from the receiving ship "Ver- 



mont" to the "Susquehanna," the flagship of the 
Brazilian squadron, and sent to Brazil. During 
the two years he was in the navy he was on va- 
rious vessels and touched at Havana and other 
foreign ports. Before entering the army he had 
worked at wood carving, and while at home, after 
his discharge from the army he learned cigar- 
making. After his naval service was concluded 
the followed the latter calling in various states 
of the East, particularly Massachusetts. 

Subsequently Mr. Springmann returned to 
New York, and while there he was married, No- 
vember 20, 1870, to Miss Augusta Peter, a native 
of Prussia and a daughter of Frederick and Fred- 
ericka (Fenner) Peter. In 1874 he removed to 
Hicksville, N. Y., and there he began manufac- 
turing cigars on a small scale. This occupation 
he has since continued, and after his removal to 
Glencove in 1884, began dealing in all kinds of 
tobacco. He is one of the substantial business 
men of the place, his trade is firmly established 
and he is doing well financially. His marriage 
resulted in the birth of three children. Edward, 
a resident of Glencove, is married and has one 
child: Carrie is the next in order, and Henry is 
now .in San Francisco, CaL, with his paternal 
grandfather, who has reached the advanced age 
of four-score and three years. 

The political proclivities of Mr. Springmann 
have always been Republican and his first presi- 
dential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 
1864. He was reared in the faith of the German 
Lutheran Church and has served as trustee of the 
same at Hicksville. Fraternally he belongs to 
the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, Seawanhaka Lodge of 
the Royal Arcanum and is also identified with 
Daniel L. Downing Post, G. A. R. He attended 
the national reunion at Washington, D. C. 



J 



OHN A. GRAY, one of the most popular and 
enterprising young business men of Long 
Island City, is the senior member of the 
firm of Sweeney & Gray, general machinists and 
manufacturers of artesian and oil well supplies. 
They command a fine trade, the result of their per- 
severance and business activity. Mr. Gray was 
born in New York City, March 4. 1866. His fath- 
er, John Gray, was a native of England, as was 
also the grandfather, James Gray, a member of 
an old and aristocratic English family. The lat- 
ter came to America many years ago and depart- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



947 



ed this life in New York. Plis son, Jolnn, was 
reared in Ireland, whither his parents had re- 
moved when he was a child, and where he re- 
ceived a good education. When a young man he 
crossed the Atlantic, and after reaching the me- 
tropolis of the United States was hired by John 
Mathews, a manufacturer of soda fountains. Pie 
remained with that gentleman for many years 
and was promoted from one position to another 
until he became manager of the business. 

About 1878 the father of our subject located in 
Long Island Cit}% which was his home until his 
death in March, 1895, when fifty-six )'ears of age. 
He married Ellen Pendergast, a native of Ireland, 
who was at that time residing in New York City, 
but now makes her home in Long Island City. 
Their family included a son and two daughters, 
of whom John was the eldest. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in New 
York City and there obtained a good education 
in Grammar School No. 14, which was located 
in Twenty-seventh Street. At the time of the re- 
moval of his parents to this city he accompanied 
them hither and for six months following went 
to school. The summer months during his school 
life had been spent with his father in Mr. Mathews' 
business in New York, principally in the machin- 
ist's department, which kind of work he liked 
very much. After acquiring his edtication he was 
regularly apprenticed to a machinist and worked 
for Mr. Mathews for six years. He next ob- 
tained the position of engineer and machinist in 
the Schermerhorn building on Broadway, and 
after six months resigned and accepted work in 
the Eagle Pencil Works. He remained here but 
six months, when we find him working in the 
Pierce Artesian and Oil Well Supply Company 
in Long Island City. He continued with this 
company for a period of seven years, and in 1892 
formed a partnership with George J. Sweeney. 
They have been remarkably successful in this 
venture and occupy a building located at No. 29 
Sixth Street, which is 50x70 feet in dimensions. 
It is fitted out with a forty horse-power engine 
and all the machinery necessary for the manu- 
facture of the goods of which they make a special- 
ty. This firm is known all over the United States 
and they have also made many shipments to Aus- 
tralia and other foreign lands. Although they 
are engaged as general machinists they devote 
the greater part of their time and attention to the 
manufacture of artesian and oil well tools. 

Mr. Gray was married in Long Island City to 



Miss Annie Rooney, a native of this place, and 
the daughter of Patrick Rooney, one of the old 
residents of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Gray 
have three children: Mabel, John and Raymond. 
The elder son has been president of the Star Ath- 
letic Club, which he also represented as captain 
for four years. He is very fond of outdoor sports, 
and as the captain of the Ravenswood Boat Club 
has plenty of opportunities during the summer 
season for enjoying this pastime. 

Our subject is president of Board No. 42 of the 
National Association of Stationary Engineers of 
Long Island City and was the principal organizer 
of this body and one of its most active members. 
He is a devout Catholic and a member of St. 
Marv's Church. 



ANTHONY GOLDNER is the proprietor 
of the oldest and largest granite works on 
Long Island. He has been blessed with 
prosperity ever since establishing his works in 
Long Island City, in the year 1866. He employs 
the best of workmen and has one of the finest 
equipped marble works in the east. 

A native of Germany, Mr. Goldner was born on 
the Rhine, near Metz, Prussia, in 1834. His 
father was Nicholas Goldner, a sculptor by trade. 
Our subject was a lad of fifteen years when he 
left school and began to learn the business in 
which his father was engaged, remaining with 
him for five years, when he determined to try his 
fortunes in America. In 1854 he came hither 
and worked at his trade in New York City until 
1866, the year of his starting in business in Long 
Island City. His works occupy ten building lots 
and the plant has been fitted out with all the latest 
appliances for cutting, drilling and polishing. Mr. 
Goldner handles marble in the rough, which he 
has shipped to him from foreign countries, as 
well as granite from Maine and Massachusetts. 
When he first began for himself he worked from 
marble only, but now he fills a large number of 
orders which are made up from granite. He has 
a twenty-five horse-power engine and gives em- 
ployment to from thirty to forty men. He has 
telephone connections in his office and all the 
modern conveniences which are used by pro- 
eressive business men. The marble works are 
located in Bradley Avenue, and adjoining the 
same Mr. Goldner has erected a large, handsome 
residence, which is occupied by his family. 

Politically Mr. Goldner is a stanch Democrat, 



948 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



taking an active part in politics. In 1872 lie 
was elected alderman from the second ward, ren- 
dering ver_v efficient service for one term. He 
always took an active part in all questions com- 
ing before the council and was well posted on the 
issues of the day. While a member of the body 
he served as chairman of the police, fire and water 
committees and it was at this time the building 
of the water works was commenced, although it 
•was not completed during his term. Although 
he was earnestly solicited by his friends to run 
for a second term, he refused to do so "and since 
•that time has declined all official honors. Prior 
to the incorporation of Long Island City Mr. 
Goldner was school trustee, and later, when made 
a commissioner, resigned his position in order to 
run for alderman. Religiously he is a devout 
Catholic. 

Our subject is a progressive and public-spirited 
citizen, ever ready to do his full share in matters 
of public welfare, and is therefore numbered 
among the leading men of Queens County. He 
is descended from a family of sculptors and so 
wide a reputation has he won in his line that he 
receives orders from the states of New York, 
Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey, and. 
indeed, is well known all over the countrv. 



CLARENCE N. PLATT, A. B., M. D., an 
al)le physician of Astoria, received a fine 
general and medical education and is a 
student of his profession, having also contributed 
articles of great value to the various medical jour- 
nals. He resides in a beautiful residence at No. 
152 Franklin Street. As he is the only homeo- 
pathic physician in Long Island City he com- 
mands an extensive practice. 

Mr. Piatt was born iii New Haven, Conn., and 
is the son of Charles N. Piatt. The grandfather 
was a substantial farmer of Westhaven, Conn., 
where his death occurred. For several genera- 
tions the Piatt family have been prominent mem- 
bers of whatever community they have resided 
in, and although they are of English origin, noth- 
ing definite is known of the first to come to Ameri- 
ca, when settlement was made in Milford, Conn. 

Charles N. Piatt was for many years a carriage 
manufacturer of New Haven, Conn., where he 
is now living retired from business of any kind. 
Fie took an active part during his younger years 
in the affairs of his comnuuiity, rendering accep- 
talile service as alderman of his ward. Relisr- 



iously he is a devoted member of the Episcopal 
Church, with which he has been connected for 
many years as an active worker, and personally is 
a man of strict integrity and true worth. He 
married Abigail Prindle, a native of Westhaven, 
Conn., and the daughter of Samuel Prindle, a 
farmer of that locality. This family is of Scotch 
descent and was first represented in America by 
two brothers, who, on coming hither, settled in 
Connecticut, the locality being known then as 
Pringle Flill, as the name was originally spelled. 
Now, however, it is called Prindle Hill. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Piatt there were 
born three children, of whom our subject was the 
second child and only son. He spent his boy- 
hood days in attendance at the public schools of 
his native city preparing for college. In 1880 he 
entered Yale and four years later was graduated 
from that institution with the degree of Bachelor 
of Arts. He was very prominent in musical cir- 
cles of New Haven, and from his earliest years 
had been noted for his talent in this art. After 
completing his college course he desired to per- 
fect himself in vocal music, and going to New 
York City, studied under some of the best teach- 
ers there. 

In 1885 Mr. Piatt became a student in the 
Homeopathic Medical College in New York and 
after completing, the course in 1888 had con- 
ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
cine. He spent a short time thereafter engaged 
in practice in Brooklyn, but in the spring of 1889 
we find him located in Astoria, where he suc- 
ceeded to the practice of Dr. A'andenberg, and 
where his success was assured from the first. 
During the years that have since elapsed he has 
acquired an enviable reputation as a man of abili- 
ty in his line, and his practice, which is large and . 
lucrative, is constantly increasing. His office 
is at his residence, to which he built an addition 
for this purpose. The Doctor is a skilled surgeon 
as well as general practitioner and his services in 
this line are greatly in demand. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
Bridgeport, Conn., was Miss Catherine Sleeker, 
a native of that place, and the daughter of Capt. 
Benjamin Meeker, who met his death during the 
late war while engaged in the battle of Cold Har- 
bor. The Doctor is a member of the Royal Ar- 
canum and is examining physician of Astoria 
Council. He is a devoted member of St. 
George's Episcopal Church, in which he is ves- 
tryman, and has had charge of the nuisic for the 




CORNELIUS RAPELVE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



951 



past three years. In political affairs he casts his 
vote in favor of the candidates of the Democratic 
party. He belongs to the New York Plomeo- 
pathic Medical Society and has been visiting sur- 
geon to the Astoria Hospital since its establish- 
ment. The Doctor and his wife have many 
friends in this locality and are very popular in 
social circles. 



CORNELIUS RAPELYE. A volume of 
the biographies of representative citizens 
of Queens County would be incomplete 
without a sketch of Mr. Rapelye, whose career 
strikingly illustrates the force of well-directed 
energy, steadfast purpose and never-ceasing ef- 
fort for the accomplishment of noble results. He 
departed this life November 20, 1890, but for 
several years previous to that time lived retired 
from business of any kind. 

A native of New York City, Mr. Rapelye was 
born November 16, 1833, and was the son of 
George Rapelye, a native of Newtown. Grand- 
father Cornelius Rapelye, who was the original 
owner of the beautiful home on the boulevard 
which the widow of our subject now occupies, 
was an agriculturist by occupation and for many 
years kept an inn on this place. He was one of 
the prominent men of the community and was 
respected by all who knew him. Two sons and 
one daughter comprise his family, George, James 
and Grace, of whom the former two served as sol- 
diers in the War of 1812. 

During the early settlement of Long Island the 
Rapelyes, who were French Huguenots, came 
hither from their native land. Its various mem- 
bers have been prominent in the upbuilding of 
this portion of the island and rank among its 
best residents. George, the father of our sub- 
ject, became a wholesale grocer in New York 
City, where he lived during the winter months, 
but in the summer season moved with his family 
to their beautiful home in Astoria. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Jane M. Suydam, was 
born in Newtown and was the daughter of Adrian 
Suydam, who was classed among the oldest resi- 
dents and most substantial farmers of this place. 
On the death of Mrs. Rapelye, which occurred 
August 13, 1835, Cornelius, of this sketch, 
was cared for by his aunt, Mrs. Grace (Rapelye) 
Trafford, a most excellent lady and a 
worthy member of the Reformed Church. This 
congregation now meets in a beautiful church on 



Remsen Street, in which our subject has placed 
a memorial window in honor of Mrs. Trafford 
and his father, George. 

Mrs. TrafTord was the only sister of George 
Rapelye; she became the wife of John TrafTord, 
and to them was born a son, Cornelius R., who 
was one of the foremost men in advancing the 
interests of Astoria, where he lived. He depart- 
ed this life in 1872 and was buried in the ceme- 
tery of the Church of the Redeemer, which he pre- 
sented with its beautiful chimes. 

Cornelius, of this sketch, was the only child of 
his parents, and he was given an excellent educa- 
tion, attending the private schools of New York 
until the death of his father, in 1853. That year 
he began to make his home in Long Island City 
with Cornelius R. Trafford, who was largely in- 
terested in what afterward became known as the 
East River Ferry Company. Mr. Trafford was 
a member of the board of directors until the time 
of his death, and Mr. Rapelye was president for 
many years, or until he too was called 
to the land beyond. Tliey developed this port 
very largely and made the change from Eighty- 
sixth to Ninety-second Streets, New York. 

Mr. Rapelye was a devoted member of the 
Reformed Church and was for many years elder 
of this church. He contributed large sums of 
money to the support of church work and in a 
business arid financial way he was recognized as 
a citizen having much weight, and was held in 
high esteem. In 1870 he purchased a farm at 
Kidders, beautifully located on the banks of Ca- 
yuga Lake, in Seneca County, N. Y., and each 
summer the family made their home there. Being 
very fond of horses, he kept several fine-blooded 
animals on this place, also a number of the best 
breeds of cattle. Socially he was a member of 
the Holland Society. 

In Newtown, December 14, 1857, our subject 
married Miss Lydia L. Hyatt, who was born in 
that place and was the daughter of John B. Hy- 
att. Her grandfather, Cornelius Hyatt, was a 
well-to-do farmer of Newtown, in which occupa- 
tion the great-grandfather was also engaged dur- 
ing his lifetime. The latter came to America 
from England and almost immediately took up 
land in the vicinity of Newtown, which was hand- 
ed down from father to son for several genera- 
tions. John B. Hyatt farmed the old homestead, 
which is now part of Winfield Junction, until his 
decease, which occurred when he was sixty-seven 
vears of age. With his family he attended 



952 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



St. James Episcopal Church. His wife was 
Miss Ann Burroughs, who was also born in 
Newtown, and whose parents were Thomas 
and Sarah (Wyckoff) Burroughs, from Flat- 
lands. The great-grandfather on the mother's 
side was also of English birth and parentage, and 
after coming to America continued his occupa- 
tion, which was that of a farmer. Mrs. Ann 
(Burroughs) Hyatt died when seventy-two years 
of age at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rapelye. 
Her family included five children, all of whom 
are living and named respectively: Cornelius, 
who resides on the Terrace in Newtown; Har- 
riet, now Mrs. F. D. Kouwenhoven, of Long 
Island City; Lydia L., the wife of our subject; 
Sarah B., who married James S. Burroughs, of 
Long Island City, and Thomas Burroughs, who 
is residing on the old homestead in Winfield 
Junction. 

Although a native of Newtown, Mrs. Rapelye 
was educated in the excellent schools of New- 
York City. She is the owner of much valuable 
property in the county and also retains posses- 
sion of her summer home on Cayuga Lake, which 
she continues to visit once a year. The place on 
which she makes her home in this county has 
been in the family for over a century and is one 
of the best located and most valuable in the place. 
She is a devoted member of the Reformed Church 
and her name will always be found at the head 
of every charitable enterprise, to which she con- 
tributes cheerfuUv and liberallv. 



NICHOLAS RYDER is a representative 
of an old family in Queens County, and is 
numbered among its well-to-do farmers. 
He was born in the town of Jamaica, near Aque- 
duct Station, on the place which he now occupies, 
November i6, 1825. His father, James Ryder, 
was born on this place in 1802 and here spent 
his entire Hfe, dying in 1858 or '59. He was 
prominent in affairs of a public nature and at one 
time was assessor of the town. He had two 
brothers, Jacob and Stephen, the latter of whom 
resided on a farm in this town until his death, 
and Jacob went to the town of Hempstead, and 
departed this life at Farmingdale. There were 
two daughters in the family: Mary, who became 
the wife of Eldert Eldert, and lived to the rciuark- 
able age of ninety-two years, and Susan, who 
married Smith Hendrickson, and died in the town 
of licmpstead. The grandfather, whose birth 



also occurred on the old place where our subject 
now resides, was of Holland-Dutch extraction, 
the family being first represented on Long Island 
many years ago. The Dutch Reformed Church 
embodies the religious principles to which both 
the father and grandfather of our subject adhered. 

Mrs. Margaret (Smith) Ryder, the mother of 
Nicholas, of this history, was born at Springfield, 
L. I., in the year 1803. She is still living at the 
remarkable age of ninety-two years, making her 
home at Jamaica. She had three brothers, Dan- 
iel, John and Samuel, all of whom lived and died 
at Springfield. By her union with James Ryder 
she became the mother of seven children, of whom 
the eldest, Daniel, was a book binder by trade. 
Fle was of a roving disposition and at one time 
went to California. After several years he re- 
turned and at the time of his decease was living 
in Jersey City. James Ryder, who during the 
active years of his life followed farming, is now 
a resident of the village of Jamaica. Hannah ]\I. 
married Isaac Duryea, who is now deceased, and 
she makes her home in Jamaica. Stephen was 
formerly engaged with the Bank of Jamaica. 
John was for a number of years tax receiver of 
this town, but now makes his home in New Jer- 
sey. Almira married Nicholas Emmans and 
their place of residence is in one of the beautiful 
villages on the bank of the Hudson River. 

Nicholas Ryder was married to Catherine Lott, 
of Flatlands, in 1847. Several years later she 
died, and he chose for his second companion 
Sarah E. Hulett, of Far Rockaway. To them 
has been born a son, William J., who is now a 
resident of Flillsdale, Columbia County, N. Y. : 
he married Sarah L. Wyckoff, of Flatlands, and 
they are the parents of two children, Sarah Eliza- 
beth and Nicholas. Both our subject and his 
wife are members in excellent standing of the 
Presbvterian Church. 



PROF. PAUL KYLE. This gentleman, dis- 
tinguished in the educational annals of 
Queens County and professor in the JNIili- 
tary Institute of Flushing, was born in Sonders- 
hausen, Thiiringen, Germany, May 13, 1854. His 
father, Giinther Kyle, a native of the same place 
as himself, served in the German army with the 
rank of lieutenant-colonel and later was appoint- 
ed inspector of government railroads, continu- 
ing thus engaged until 1805, when he resigned. 
ITc participated in the Revolution of 1848, and in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



953 



the war of 1866. Although now sixty-eight years 
of age, he is well preserved for one of his years. 
In his religious views he has long been an earnest 
Lutheran. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Mina Braun, was born in Germany. Their fam- 
ily consists of one son and three daughters, a)l 
living, but our subject the only one in America. 

Professor Kyle's paternal grandfather, Fritz 
Kyle, was forester throughout his entire Hfe for 
the Prince of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, and 
died in 1893, when ninety years old. The great- 
grandfather, Giinther Kyle, was chief forester and 
lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight. In 
boyhood Paul Kyle received his education in the 
gymnasium of Sondershausen, from which he 
graduated in 1871. Subsequently he enlisted in 
the Nineteenth Artillery, Flying Battery, German 
army, and served for three months in the Franco- 
Prussian War, but after that he entered the Uni- 
versity of Leipsic. After graduating in the philo- 
sophical course he again entered the Prussian 
army and was appointed a corporal in the Garde 
Artillery, later being promoted to the rank of sec- 
ond lieutenant. He was stationed pi-incipally at 
Magdeburg and Erfurt, and served for four years. 

About 1880 Professor Kyle came to America 
and settled in New York City. Soon afterward 
he began teaching in the English and Classical 
School at Providence, R. I., where he remained 
for three years. Later he started a school of 
languages in Newport, but after a time he went 
back to New York City, and taught there and in 
Brooklyn, in different schools and private fam- 
ilies (including the Vanderbilts, Sloanes and Liv- 
ingstons) until i8go. In that year he established 
tlie Kyle Institute at College Point, but after fif- 
teen months came to Flushing, where he bought 
out the Hicks estate, the former site of the Flush- 
ing Female Institute, and shortly afterward 
opened his school. 

The Mditary Institute is situated at the cor- 
ner of State and Farrington Streets, the grounds 
comprising about four acres and containing the 
school building and teachers' residence. Forty- 
four pupils can be accommodated. From the 
opening of his institute to the present time Pro- 
fessor Kyle's popularity as a conscientious and 
faithful instructor has steadily increased, and in 
consequence of his judicious management of the 
institution in all its departments, it now enjoys 
the confidence of the people to an unusual extent. 
Five instructors are employed, three in English, 
the others in German and music, and annually a 



large number of young people are sent forth well 
instructed in all the branches. 

Professor Kyle is a member of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church, fraternally is identified with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen and socially 
is a member of the Knickerbocker Yacht Club. 
He married Miss Annie Hertgen, of Newport, 
R. I., and they have had two children, but both 
are now deceased. In 1895 the Professor and his 
wife made a visit to Germany to visit their rela- 
tives. 



NICHOLAS NEHRBAUER,a well known 
master plumber of Steinway, Long Island 
City, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 
1847. His father, George, who was a native of 
the same place, brought the family to America 
in 1850 and settled in New York, where he re- 
mained for a number of years, but at an advanced 
age he came to Steinway to make his home with 
his son, and here died in 1892. The wife and 
mother, who bore the maiden name of Magda- 
lina Starklauf, died a week after the demise of her 
husband. Both were devoted Catholics, with 
which church they were identified from an early 
age. 

Nicholas, who was the only child of his parents, 
was reared in New York City from the age of 
three years and received his education in the 
Fcrtieth Street grammar school. When four- 
teen years old he began to work at the plumber's 
trade under Jean P. Rogers, with whom he spent 
the seven ensuing years, and afterward was in the 
employ of different parties. Having gained a 
thorough knowledge of the business, he started 
a shop of his own in First Avenue, between Fif- 
tieth and Fifty-first Streets. In 1870 he moved 
his residence to Steinway, and this has since been 
his home. In 1878 he became a plumber for 
Steinway & Sons' piano factory, having charge of 
the plumbing and gas work there for seven years. 
He then turned his attention to another line of 
business, and for four years kept a tavern in Stein- 
wav. On retiring from that occupation he opened 
a plumbing shop at No. 683 Steinway Avenue, 
where he erected a two-story building, 20x56 feet, 
and here he has since made his business head- 
quarters. He has had the contract for a num- 
ber of important jobs and has gained a reputa- 
tion as a reliable plumber. He owns some prop- 
erty here, including a residence, and the old 
home adjoining the shop. 



954 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In New York City Mr. Nehrbauer married Miss 
Augusta Gusse, a native of Germany. They have 
four children, namely: Nicholas, Jr., who is in 
the plumbing business with his father; Henry, 
Augusta and Matilda. Politically a Democrat, 
Mr. Nehrbauer is interested in party matters and 
well informed regarding party principles. For 
four years he represented the fifth ward on the 
board of aldermen, having been elected on the 
Democratic ticket, and during one term of his 
service was overseer of the poor. In 1893 he was 
appointed, for three years, a member of the ex- 
amining board of plumbers of Long Island City. 
He is a member of the Steinway Hose Company 
No. 7, in which he held every office. Socially 
he is connected with Eintracht Council No. 12, 
Order of Chosen Friends, the Catholic Benevo- 
lent Legion and Tohn Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. 
U. W. 



PIERRE C. HOAG, M. D. During the 
years that Dr. Hoag has resided in Man- 
hasset he has built up a good practice and 
gained a reputation as a skillful, well informed 
and painstaking physician, one who keeps abreast 
with the latest discoveries in the science of medi- 
cine and gives to his practice the benefit of broad 
knowledge and ripened experience. He was born 
in Schenectady, N. Y., November 26, 1853, and is 
a son of Casper F. and Anna M. (Clute) Hoag. 
In boyhood he attended the high school and in- 
stitute of his native place, and later was a student 
in LTnion College until reaching the junior year. 
At the age of nineteen our subject began the 
study of medicine with Dr. A. M. Vedder as pre- 
ceptor, having previously taken a special course 
in chemistry. After three years under the in- 
struction of Dr. Vedder, he entered the Albany 
Medical College and completed the course there 
in three years, later taking a post-graduate course 
in Bellevue Hospital College, New York City, 
and special instruction under the most thorough 
teachers. He also took a special course with 
Dr. Janeway, in the New York College of Phy- 
sicions and Surgeons, and a special course with 
Dr. Castle in the diseases of women at Bellevue. 
His position as attending physician of the out- 
door department for two years gave him the ben- 
efit of excellent practical knowledge. In addi- 
tion to this, he was assistant to Dr. William Lusk, 
professor of diseases of women, and for one year 
filled flic position of visiting physician to Belle- 



vue Hospital. He took a course on diseases of 
the eye and ear at Essex Street Dispensary. His 
work as a member of the board of health of New 
York was well and accurately done, giving proof 
of his painstaking skill and thorough efficiency 
in every department. During the period of his 
residence in New York he was a member of 
county and state medical societies and the Len- 
nox Medical and Surgical Society. 

When Dr. Hoag came to Manhasset in 1891, 
he was fitted for his professional career by a 
thorough course of training. In fact, few phy- 
sicians have such opportunities as had he in the 
preparation for his life work. No pains were 
spared to gain a thorough experimental knowl- 
edge of every department of the science. So well 
has he succeeded that he is recognized as a phy- 
sician and surgeon of superior afeility, one who in 
the diagnosis of disease and its treatment has 
proved to be accurate. Though never having had 
much time for political matters, he alwavs votes 
the Republican ticket. He is a member of the 
Reformed Church and a gentleman of large phi- 
lanthropic spirit. By his marriage to Miss Laura 
Warner of New York City he has three chil- 
dren, Alice Warner, Lurana Blair and Margaret. 



ELBERT DECKER, D. \^ S. The prac- 
tice of veterinary surgery is even more in- 
tricate than that of medicine as applied 
to the human family, demanding in addition to a 
perfect knowledge of the anatomy of the horse 
and a thorough practical knowledge of drugs and 
medicines, also an intimate knowledge of equine 
habits under varying conditions, coupled with 
a quick, intuitive perception to grasp the seat 
and nature of the disease, since the patients can 
never tell their symptoms. The possession of 
these qualifications and endowments satisfactorily 
accounts for the success of Elbert Decker, the 
well known veterinary surgeon of Far Rock- 
away. 

Lucas E. Decker, the father of our subject, was 
a resident and merchant of Springfield for manv 
years. He married Miss Abigail Nostrand, who 
died when sixty-two years old, leaving three chil- 
dren, Lucas E., of Springfield; Smith N.. and our 
subject. The latter was born in Springfield, Oc- 
tober 14, 1864. Fle received his education in the 
common schools and in Bryant & Stratton's Busi- 
ness College, and when nineteen years old en- 
tered a wholesale grocery house in New York 




WAIJ.ACE H. CORNWELL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



957 



City. He began the study of his profession un- 
der an uncle who understood the business in all 
its details, and from him he gained a thorough 
knowledge of it. From the first he had a natural 
taste for the study and it did not take him long 
to master it. 

Dr. Decker attended the American Veteri- 
nary College of New York, taking a regular 
course, and with the thorough training he had 
received with his uncle, he was enabled to finish 
the course in two years, graduating with honors. 
After practicing at Springfield for one year he 
came to Far Rockaway and for a. time had his 
office in Wynn Brothers' livery stable. Later he 
built a place of his own, one well adapted for his 
business, and has met with unusual success. He 
thoroughly understands his occupation, and is 
well qualified in every particular. A genial, 
pleasant man, he is very popular and has a host 
of warm friends. November 20, 1895, he mar- 
ried Miss Helen R. Goodman of South Orange, 
N.J. 

Politically Dr. Decker believes in the princi- 
ples of protection, but will not be bound by any 
party, and may be considered independent. 
However, he uses care in exercising his right of 
suffrage and insists on good men. Fraternally he 
is a Mason, belonging to Olympia Lodge, and is 
also a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. 



WALLACE H. CORNWELL. Among 
the native-born citizens of Queens 
County who have accumulated a com- 
petence in the oyster business and as a farmer, 
prominent mention belongs to Mr. Cornwell, who 
has followed these lines of work for many years. 
He was born in Baldwin, in the year 1854, and is 
the son of Charles B. and Sarah E. (Carman) 
Cornwell. The father was also a native of Bald- 
win and the mother's birth occurred in Canada. 

Tlie father of our subject was for many years 
actively engaged in farming. in this community, 
making a specialty of market gardening, in the 
early days conveying the products to market. 
Later he became interested in the oyster business 
here, and for ten j'ears met with success in this 
calling. For several years prior to his decease he 
spent his summers in retirement froi^ work of any 
kind in a pleasant home and enjoyed many com- 
forts, which had been secured by his intelligent 
labors in the past. He was a true Christian gen- 



tleman and thoroughly devoted to the Methodist 
Church, with which he had been connected for 
many years. He died very suddenly in 1895 of 
heart disease. His estimable wife is still living 
and is in the enjoyment of excellent health, al- 
though advanced in years. 

The subject of this sketch first attended the 
schools taught in his district and sometime in his 
teens was sent as a pupil to the Freeport 
Academy, where he conducted his studies for 
several years. On completing his education he 
turned his attention to farming and has ever since 
been interested in the growing of potatoes, lima 
beans, cabbage, etc., for which products he f^nds 
a ready market in New York and Brooklyn. His 
farm is one hundred and fifty acres in extent, and 
is one of the largest in Queens County. It is 
cultivated in an intelligent and profitable manner 
and is the source of a handsome income to its 
owner. His home is one of the finest farm resi- 
dences in the county, situated on rising ground 
and surrounded by lawns, gardens and an 
orchard. Near by is a pleasant lake, which Mr. 
Cornwell has recently constructed at considerable 
expense. Taken as a whole, the place forms an 
ideal country home. 

For the past eight or ten years iMr. Cornwell 
has given considerable attention to the oyster busi- 
ness, giving employment during the busy season 
to some twenty or twenty-five men. There are 
very few men in the county more familiar with 
this business than Mr. Cornwell. Not a sino-k de- 
tail connected with the work ever escapes his at- 
tention,. and there is nothing pertaining to it that 
he has not thoroughly mastered. Such has been 
his devotion to his various interests that he has 
accumulated a handsome competence and is verv 
justly regarded as one of the substantial men of 
the county. 

Mr. Cornwell was married in 1876 to Miss 
Isabel Raynor, the daughter of John C. Raynor, 
whose family is one of the oldest and most promi- 
nent in ttie vicinity of Freeport. Of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell three children survive, 
Nettie M., Arthur B. and James T. Both our 
subject and his estimable wife are worthy mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal L-hurch, in which 
he is steward, trustee and treasurer. Fraternally, 
he belongs to the Odd Fellows, and in politics 
gives his support to the Republican party, in 
whose purity and teachings he has an abiding 
faith. While an active worker in the ranks of his 
party he has never desired or sought political 



958 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



preferment, although he would doubtless have 
made an excellent official. He is treasurer of 
School District No. lo and enjoys the respect and 
esteem of all with whom he has become ac- 
quainted. Mr. Cornwell is director in tne Free- 
port Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, 
and is also director of the Freeport Land 
Company. 



FOSTER L. OAKLEY, dealer in carriages, 
wagons and agricultural implement.^ of all 
kinds, and manufacturer of cart special- 
ties, was born at West Hills, near Huntington, L. 
I,, December 15, 1862, to Charles and Lydia A. 
(Ludlum) Oakley. His grandfather, Israel Oak- 
ley, was born in the town of Huntington, where 
he resided until 1879, meantime engaged in farm- 
ing upon a large estate which he still owns. In 
that year, being disabled by rheumatism, he re- 
tired from active labors and moved to East Wil- 
hston, where he and his wife have since made 
their home wath their only son, Charles. He was 
born on New Year's Day of 181 1, and is there- 
fore quite advanced in years, but is still in full 
possession of his mental faculties. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Phoebe Bennett and was 
born in Huntington, L. I. 

The father of our subject was reared on the old 
homestead, where he remained until twenty-four 
years of age. He then, in 1864, settled at Roslyn, 
where for fifteen years he leased the Samuel Ta- 
ber farm. In 1879 he bought the Cornell farm 
near East Williston, which has since been his 
home. Politically he is a Republican and in re- 
ligious affairs holds membership in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. His children are named 
as follows : Foster L. ; Martha J. ; Phoebe L., wife 
of William H. Griffin, formerly of the firm of 
Oakley & Griffin; Charles, Jr., and George I. 

Educated in the public schools and Union Hall 
Academy, our subject at the age of twenty-two 
took a position as chief clerk with H. M. Willis, 
who was engaged in the business now conducted 
by Mr. Oakley. After a few months he took a 
position as superintendent and manager of the 
sash and blind department for John S. Loomis of 
Brooklyn, with whom he remained for several 
months. Returning to his old position he re- 
mained in that connection until 1889, when he 
formed a partnership with William FI. Griffin and 
bought the business, the two continuing together 
until January, 1896, when Mr. Griffin retired on 



account of his health. He manufactures several 
styles of road carts, filHng special orders from 
customers, and his carts are well known to the 
best trade. Besides filling special orders, he sup- 
plies dealers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia 
and elsewhere. 

In political sentiments Mr. Oakley is a pro- 
nounced Republican. Socially he is identified 
with Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F. at 
Roslyn, of which he is now past grand. He is 
also a member of Mineola Encampment No. 121, 
of which he is a charter member and is past chief 
patriarch. 

In July, 1892, Mr. Oakley was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Clara Van Orden, an educated 
and refined lady, and a graduate of Cortland Nor- 
mal School. She was born in Cayuga County, 
N. Y., and by her marriage has a daughter, Lvdia 
Marie. Since 1891 Mr. Oakley has been con- 
nected with the East Williston Hook and Lad- 
der Company No. i, of which he was secretary 
for a number of years, and in 1891 he was elected 
the president. He is one of the young and en- 
ergetic business men of East Williston and holds 
a high position in the regard of his associates in 
business and society. 



BL. CARROLL. The evolutions in the 
industrial world have been marvelous in 
• the past half centun,-, and scarcely an 
industry exists that has been left untouched by 
the spirit of reform. This is true in regard to the 
bottling business, to which B. L. Carroll has for 
some time given his attention. He is a native of 
Far Rockaway, and here he has always made his 
home, with the exception of three years spent in 
South Brooklyn and two years in Long Island 
City. His father, J. L. Norton Carroll, was born 
in the city of New York, and upon reaching 
manhood was united in marriage with Mrs. Eliz- 
abeth (Jennings) Lockwood, widow of Benjamin 
Lockwood, and daughter of David Jennings. The 
latter was called from this life at the age of seven- 
ty-three years, after a well spent life; his widow, 
who is still living, makes her home in Far Rock- 
away. 

Our subject was born January 0, 1847. While 
growing up he received such educational ad- 
vantages as oould be obtained near his home, but 
it must be confessed they were by no means as 
good as the youths of the present day enjoy, for 
the nearest place of learning was two miles dis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



959 



tant from his home and thither he had to walk. 
The education obtained under these adverse cir- 
cumstances has since been supplemented by prac- 
tical experience and contact with the business af- 
fairs of hfe, and he is an unusually well informed 
man. He early showed a mechanical bent of 
mind and his first work was done in South 
Brooklyn, where he was apprenticed to learn the 
trade of a machinist in steam engine works. After 
three years' service he spent one year in the 
Long Island Railroad shops, after which he spent 
nearly two years in Lockwood's hardware store 
in Long Island City. Following this he clerked 
for two years in the Atlantic hotel at Far Rock- 
away for Benjamin C. Mott, during which time 
he made many acquaintances and friends. Later 
he engaged in bottling mineral water, in which 
business he has met with a fair degree of success, 
notwithstanding the fact that he was at one time 
burned out. 

Mr. Carroll was united in marriage with Miss 
Johanna Dwyer of New York City, and their 
union has resulted in the birth of five children: 
Johanna, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Kate E. and 
Grace. Mr. Carroll has always been a Democrat 
and has been quite active in local politics. He has 
been continuously a member of the board of ex- 
cise commissioners for twenty-one years, with the 
exception of one year. He has been treasurer of 
the board for the past nine years, and is also 
treasurer of the village. In educational matters 
lie has taken a deep interest and has been a mem- 
ber of the school board. In local public affairs 
he keeps thoroughly posted and can always be re- 
lied upon to work for the best interests of the 
place, as he sees it. He is decidedly enterprising, 
beheves in improvement and progress, and is one 
of the best known and most highly esteemed resi- 
dents of the town. Fraternally he is a member of 
Jamaica Lodge No. 546, F. & A. M. 



HON. SAMUEL V. SEARING. By his 
able public services this gentleman is en- 
titled to conspicuous mention among the 
progressive citizens of Mineola and Queens 
County. He was born January 20, 1836, within 
one mile of the village of Mineola, town of North 
Hempstead, and is a son of Hon. John A. and 
Susan E. (Valentine) Searing. His father, who 
in former years was one of the most distinguished 
men of this locality, was born in Searingtown, 
North Hempstead, September 15, 1812, and was 



reared to manhood upon the old homestead 
owned by his father. Colonel Searing. 

The first position to which John A. Searing 
was elected was that of justice of the peace, in 
which capacity he served for eighteen months. 
Later he was sheriff of Queens County for one 
term and then was chosen to represent his dis- 
trict in the legislature. In recognition of his abil- 
ity he was in 1856 elected to Congress, and dur- 
ing the term in which he held that responsible 
position he devoted himself assiduously to the 
interests of his constituents, whom he represent- 
ed with honor to himself as well as satisfaction to 
them. On the close of his term as Congress- 
man, he retired from public life, though he still 
maintained a warm interest in politics and con- 
tinued an ardent supporter, as he had been 
through his entire life, of the principles enunci- 
ated by Thomas Jefferson. His last days were 
spent quietly in retirement and he passed away 
at his home in May, 1876. It is worthy of note 
that he was born in the year of the second war 
with Great Britain and died in the year of the 
Centennial. 

The only survivors of the parental family are 
our subject and his sister, Susan, wife of George 
W. Emory, a resident of Mineola, and identified 
with the Long Island Railroad as station agent 
for many years. Our subject was educated in the 
district schools and Union Hall Academy at Ja- 
maica. At the age of sixteen he entered the 
clothing store of P. C. Barnum & Co., where he 
remained for four years, and then became a 
salesman in Booth & Tuttle's dry goods jobbing 
house. 

In 1858 Mr. Searing was appointed chief clerk 
in the appraiser's office in the custom house, in 
which capacity he served for three years. In 
1862 he accepted a position in the shipping house 
of Charles L. Colby & Co., where he remained 
until 1866. That year he established a shipping 
business on his own account to Southern ports, 
but the Civil War had impoverished that country 
to such an extent that it did not prove very re- 
munerative, and he abandoned the business after 
one year. His next venture was in the insur- 
ance business at his native place, Mineola, where 
he represented some of the leading companies 
of the country; and the enterprise proving prof- 
itable, he has remained in it to the present. In 
1890 he added a real estate business and plotted 
a portion of his property near the village, which 
he has sold off in plots. 



960 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



One of the first public or political positions 
held by Mr. Searing was that of town clerk in 
1867 and 1868, which he was elected to and which 
he held for two terms in succession. In 1871 he 
was elected and served a term of four years as 
justice of the peace. In the spring of 1891 he 
was appointed to fill an unexpired term as jus- 
tice, and was afterward duly elected, serving for 
another term of four years, and in 1895 was re- 
elected for the third term. In 1892 he was 
chosen to represent the second (now the third'i 
district in the legislature, receiving a majority 
of over thirteen hundred votes, the largest ma- 
jority ever given in the district. In the prose- 
cution of his duties he received the commenda- 
tion of both Republicans and Democrats. He 
succeeded in having a number of bills enacted 
into laws for the benefit of his district. One of 
the acts which distinguished his public service 
was his opposition to the Tammany candidate 
for Senator. Although a Democrat he had the 
independence to oppose any measure of his party 
he did not deem worthy. His office was well and 
faithfully administered, and his constituents had 
in him one able and anxious to serve them in 
every possible way. In December, 1894, he was 
appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for 
the first district of New York. In every posi- 
tion to which he has been called, his talents have 
been at the service of the people and his efforts 
have been put forth to advance the welfare of 
the community. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Searing have been mem- 
bers of St. George's Episcopal Church of Hemp- 
stead for thirty years, but since the completion of 
the Cathedral of Incarnation at Garden City they 
have attended services there, and for the past two 
years he has acted as usher. May 6, i860, he 
married Annie A. Searing, a distant relative, and 
daughter of Alfred L. Searing, of Brooklyn. She 
was born in Jamaica, where her father was at 
that time engaged in business. One son blesses 
tliis union, P'rank A. 



GEORGE H. SMYTH. This resident of 
Long Island City has been active in all 
public ai^airs, but especially in the fire 
department, with which he has been connected 
for some time and which is now recognized as 
one of the best in the state. He is a native of 
Ireland, born in Ballymoney, County Antrim, 
Tunc Ti), i860. His fatlver. Tames, whose place 



of birth was the same as his own, was engaged 
in the manufacture of shoes throughout his entire 
active life. May i, 1862, he came with his fam- 
ily to America and at once located in Astoria, 
where he carried on a retail shoe business. He 
continued in that occupation until his death, 
which occurred July 29, 1885. Socially he was 
identified with Astoria Lodge No. 155, I. O. O. 
F., in which he had passed all the chairs and 
which he represented in the Grand Lodge. 

By his marriage to Annie Blair, a native of 
County Antrim, who died in 1873, James Smyth 
became the father of six children, of whom five 
attained years of maturity. Hugh Alexander, 
who is a teamster in Long Island City, was for 
five years a member of the old Truck No. i, be- 
ing its assistant foreman; Jennie B. is head sales- 
woman in the shoe department of Wanamakers 
store in Philadelphia; George H. is the subject of 
this article; James is connected \Aith a publish- 
ing house in Philadelphia: John died in boyhood; 
and Robert is a teamster in Long Island City. 

Llaving completed the course in the Fourth 
Ward school of Astoria, our subject at the ago 
of thirteen began to clerk for Rapelye & Wright, 
with whom he remained for eighteen months. He 
was afterward clerk for Alderman John Mackie 
for twelve years, and then embarked in business 
for himself as a member of the firm of Smyth 
&; Hollingsworth, located on the corner of Ful- 
ton and Main Streets. Two years later the part- 
nership was dissolved, and he entei'ed the em- 
ploy of his brother, who was a partner in the 
hardware firm of Smyth & Hannigan. One year 
was spent there, then a similar period in Moore's 
bakery, Astoria, after which he was in Tvcden- 
hurg's bakery for fifteen months. 

June 7, 1893, Mr. Smyth was appointed as- 
sistant sanitary inspector, which position he held 
for three months. February 28, 1894, he was ap- 
pointed fireman on the paid fire department, and 
assigned to duty as driver of the truck in the 
first ward house. One month later he was 
transferred and made driver of the truck in the 
fourth ward house. In June, 1894, he became 
foreman of this truck, which on the 8th of De- 
cember following was transferred to No. 5 house, 
and is now designated Truck No. 5. Of this he 
was made foreman December 8, 1894, being the 
first to occupy this position. 

The marriage of Mr. Smyth took place in As- 
litria. November 14, 1880, and united him with 
Miss ^^'illlelnlina lUirkart, who was born in New 




JOHN H. CORNWALL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



963 



York City. Her father, who was a soldier of the 
Civil War, was killed in a railroad accident in 
Long Island City many years ago, leaving her 
an orphan when very young. Four children 
complete the family circle, namely: Minnie Jean- 
nette, George Francis, Florence Washington and 
Walter Alexander. 

For five years Mr. Smyth was connected with 
Mohawk Hose Company No. i, and a year after 
his retirement from that company joined the old 
Truck No. i, of which he was assistant foreman 
when it was disbanded five years later. Socially 
he is identified as a charter member with Long 
Island City Council No. 17, O. A. F., and has 
passed all the chairs in Astoria Lodge No. 155, 
I. O. O. F. In religious belief he is a Presby- 
terian. Politically he gives his allegiance to Re- 
pubHcan principles, but is not radical in his 
opinions, conceding to others the freedom of be- 
lief which he claims for himself. 



JOHN HEWLETT CORNWALL, a mem- 
ber of one of the oldest famihes of Long 
Island, makes his home at Cornwallton, on 
the north shore of Manhasset Bay, where he was 
bcrn December 10, i860. He is descended from 
Thomas Cornell, born about 1595, emigrated 
from Essex, England, to Boston, Mass., about 
1636, bringing with him his wife, Rebecca Briggs, 
and several children. He settled on a neck of 
land fronting about two miles on Long Island 
Sound, from the Bronx River to Westchester 
Creek, known as Cornell's Neck, for which the 
patent was granted by Gov. William Keift July 
26, 1646. Four years prior to this he had settled 
in what is now Westchester County, taking up 
his residence among the Dutch of New Amster- 
dam after having spent six years in Massachu- 
setts and Rhode Island. March 16, 1641, he was 
nu;de a freeman of the town of Boston, and soon 
afterward became constable, an office of greater 
dignity then than now, the constable being mag- 
istrate and chief officer of the town. He and 
another pioneer made the first improvements at- 
tempted by white settlers in what is now the 
town of Westchester or Pelham, the first settle- 
ment after those of Bronck in 1638. 

The marriage record of the Dutch Church of 
New Amsterdam, the only church in the city in 
1643, contains eight entries, the sixth of which, 
39 



translated into English, reads that "On the ist 
of September, 1643, were married Thomas Wil- 
lett, previously unmarried, of Bristol, England, 
and Sarah Cornell, not before married, of Essex, 
England." This Sarah Cornell was the eldest 
daughter of Thomas Cornell. His other children 
were Thomas; Richard, of Rockaway; William; 
Samuel; John, of Cow Neck; Joshua; Ann; Re- 
becca; Elizabeth and Mary. He died in Ports- 
mouth, R. I., in 1655. Of his children, the fol- 
lowing is noted: Thomas resided in Portsmouth, 
R. I.; Richard maintained an honorable position 
in Rockaway, L. j or many years; was in Flush- 
ing before 1655; was deputy to the convention of 
1655; served as justice of the peace in Flushing 
as early as 1666, and had an estate at Little Neck. 
In 1685 he removed to Rockaway, where he died 
in 1694. Joshua settled in Dartmouth, where 
his mother deeded him land in 1663; Samuel 
was also deeded land in Dartmouth by his mother 
in 1669; John settled first in Dartmouth, but to 
escape the dangers of King Philip's War he re- 
moved to Cow Neck, L. I., where Governor An- 
dros granted him land, in 1676, near the bottom 
of Cow Neck, adjoining Cow Bay (now Port 
Washington), where some of his descendants still 
reside on the ancestral acres; William, also of 
Dartmouth, came to Cow Neck with his brother 
John, and later settled at Rockaway; Sarah, after 
the dea+h of her first husband, Thomas Willett, 
in 1645 was married in 1647 to Charles Bridges; 
her children and grandchildren occupied her 
father'^ estate at Cornell's Neck, Westchester 
County, for more than one hundred years; Re- 
becca was married to George Woolsey in 1647, 
at New Amsterdam; Ann married Thomas Kent 
and her mother deeded them ten acres of land in 
1659; Elizabeth married, in 1661, Christopher 
Almy, son of William Almy, the founder of the 
numerous family of that name in Rhode Island. 
John Cornwall, who was born about 1637 in 
Rhode Island, married Mary Russell, whose birth 
occurred in 1645, ^^id their children were: Rich- 
ard, of Soarsdale, who married Hannah Thorne; 
Joshua, who married Sarah, sister of Hannah 
Thorne; Mary, born in 1679, wife of James 
Sands; John, born in 1681, married to Mary Star: 
Caleb, born in 1683, married Elizabeth Hag- 
ner; and Rebecca, who was married to a Mr. 
Star. Early in the autumn of 1676 John Corn- 
wall, with his wife, Mary Russell, and five small 
children, being driven from Plymouth, R. I., by 



964 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Indians, came to Hempstead under protection 
of Governor Andros, from whom he obtained 
grants for one hundred acres of land on the west 
side of Cow Neck. Here he proceeded to build. 
The people of Hempstead, becoming indignant 
at the supposed intrusion, held a meeting and 
voted that all holders of rights, of Cow Neck, 
should pull down the buildings of John Cornwall, 
which they proceeded to do. He secured a war- 
ram to bring the "rioters" with civil and military 
force before the governor. At a special court of 
assize the indictment was read, the jury called, 
and the prisoners tried and found guilty and fined 
various sums. It was the judgment of the court 
tliat Mr. Cornwall had liberty to settle at Cow 
Neck again, and if the land should appear to be- 
long to the Hempstead men, they were to be paid 
for it as much as they could prove it to be worth. 
Later, in the year 1676, Hempstead was cited be- 
fore the governor to show a particular survey oi 
all their purchases from the Indians, and it was 
proved that the lands were not theirs and that 
John Cornwall had as much right to settle there 
as they, the land being owned by the Indians and 
part of Tackapousha's country. Although that 
question was settled Mr. Cornwall did not have 
peace, for the Indians, the rightful owners of the 
land, were from 1676 to 1684 continually com- 
mitting various depredations, burning his house 
and barns, stealing and killing cattle, etc. Rec- 
ognizing no rights but those of the colony, he 
protected his home as long as possible, but being 
surrounded by a portion of these tribes, was at 
last forced to acknowledge the Indians' rightful 
ownership and make settlements. They sold the 
land to him for a barrel of whiskey, which they 
soon consumed. When they recovered from the 
effects of their over-indulgence and realized what 
they had done, they demanded the land again. 
The great sachem, Tackapousha, then placed 
their claim so forcibly before the governor that 
the property was sold in a business transaction 
to John and Richard Cornwall. 

The following is a partial copy of the deed, 
dated 1684: "Tackapousha, sachem of Cow- 
Neck; Jonas, Sanceke, Saummaunk, Cungama- 
kena, owners of tracts of lands on the east side of 
Cow Neck; the first bound beginning at the east 
side of the neck at a white oak tree, etc., to Richard 
and John Cornwall, Thomas Willet, Thomas 
Hicks, Elias Doughty, for a consideration of a 
valuable sum, already in hand, received to our 



full conformance, whereof we, ye above named 
Indians, have set our hand and affixed our seals. 

Tackapousha, 

Opson, son of Tackapousha, 

Jonas, 

Saummaunk, 

Cungamakena. 

Signed and witnessed by the Indians, 
Werak, 
Skungie." 

The Indians reserved a hfe right on the land 
extending from Cornwall's farm, on the shores of 
Cow Bay, around the point known as Sand's 
Point to Hempstead Bay, and on this small tract 
the remnants of the once powerful tribes lived 
out their days. 

September 13, 1686, John Cornwall obtained 
one other patent from Governor Donagan for one 
hundred acres more, adjoining on the north of 
his first grant extending to the sound. On the 
first tract he gave a piece of ground for a family 
Inu'ial place, and there he and his wife and many 
of their descendants were interred. With his 
sons, Richard and Joshua, in 1702 he purchased 
of Tom Willets, for six hundred pounds, the 
farm that John, William and Caleb lived on and 
where they had shipyards. A contract for the 
ship "Snow," to be built by John Cornwall for 
John Pintard, signed and sealed in the presence 
of Louis Pintard and John Matthew Hutchins, 
is still in the possession of his descendant, John 
H. Cornwall, as are also many old deeds and 
papers of his ancestors. 

Caleb Cornwall, son of John Cornwall, was 
married October 31, 1705, to Elizabeth Ha.gner, 
and had ten children: Richardson, born July 16, 
1706, died June 10, 1732; Caleb, bom jNIarch 28, 
1709, died December 16, 1784; Elizabeth, born 
September 27, 171 1, died May 10, 1793; iMar}^ 
born June 19, 1714, died December 23, 1780; 
John, born October 26, 1716, died Januarj^ 8, 
1790; Susannah, who died young; Richard, born 
May 10, 1720, died in 1772; William, born in 
1723, died November 5, 1797; Joshua, born May 
10, 1726, died June 20, 1800; and Margaret, born 
February 28, 1728, died December 16, 1808. 

John, son of Caleb, first married jNIartha Hew- 
lett, and after her death was united with her sis- 
ter, Phebe Hewlett, by whom he had two sons, 
Charles, who died young; and Hewlett, born Jan- 
uary I, 1751, died June 3, 182S. The last named 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



965 



succeeded to the property and was the first man 
ill this part of the country to lift the bond of servi- 
tude from the descendants of the Indians, who by 
intermarrying with the negroes had eventually be- 
come slaves. He was a fine mathematician, hav- 
ing a method of his own to solve the most intri- 
cate problems, many of which were brought him 
by business men. He never sought the honors of 
public life and never held an office, except such 
as his native town called upon him to fill. Fie 
and the other descendants of the Cornwall family 
have always been conservative Democrats of the 
old school. His wife, Elizabeth Willis, was born 
in 1759, and died May 22, 1844, having had six 
children: John, born September 22, 1783, died 
February 6, 1873; Margaret, born December 16, 
1785, died March 27, 1865; Martha, born Octo- 
ber 16, 1788; Charles, born January i, 1791, died 
April 7, 1814; Walter J., born April 27, 1795, died 
March 3, 1865; and Phebe, born February 18, 
1799, died December 2, 1867. 

John, son of Hewlett, married March 18, 181 2, 
Miss Mariam W. Tredwell, who was born No- 
vember 5, 1792, and died September 26, 1868. 
Of their union two children were born, namely: 
John Hewlett, born March 30, 1816, married to 
Susan Reynolds November 20, 1844, and died 
December 27, 1887; and Mary T., born January 
26, 1820, and married to J. L. Hewlett January 
20, 1836. From 1835 to 1844 John Hewlett Corn- 
wall was paymaster and captain of the Twentv- 
second Brigade and First Division of the New 
York Militia. By his marriage to Susan Rey- 
no'ds, who was born May i, 1828, and died April 
4, 1892, he had three children: Mariam W., born 
September 17, 1845, married to R. B. Parker, and 
died September 16, 1887; Mary M., who was born 
May 26, 1853, and who married H. R. Searing; 
and John Hewlett, the subject of this sketch. 

The first fifteen years of our subject's life were 
passed in the home neighborhood, after which 
he was a student in the Weston Military Institute 
of Fairfield County, Conn., for two years. H'av- 
ing a natural taste for boat building, on his return 
from school he turned his attention to this busi- 
ness. "Happy Thought" was the first boat he 
completed, and with it he won seven races. He 
then built the "Phyllis" that has won nineteen 
races, never having been beaten, and is now run- 
ning on Lake La Belle in Wisconsin. He also 
built "Expert," now sailing the waters of Lake 
Geneva, Wis. The "Tattler," now owned by O. 
W. Norton, also plies the waters of Lake Geneva, 



and has a splendid record, and "Precept," owned 
by J. Hodgkins, is on the same lake. "Possum," 
owned by Kellogg Fairbanks, was victorious in 
the race with the famous Bridgeport "Rival," and 
was the only boat that ever succeeded in winning 
the race from that noted vessel. It was planned 
by our subject in a dream, and the following 
morning he arose and whittled out a model from 
which it was constructed. Among the other 
boats that he planned and built are the "Puck- 
shee," "Tippecanoe," "Gretchen," "Josephine," 
"Tyra," "Vanadis," "Corsair" and many others. 
Flis father, who was a farmer by occupation, ran 
a packet boat to and from New York, and as there 
were great quantities of sand on his place, he 
shipped this article to the city, digging from 
about fourteen acres. His later days, however, 
were spent in retirement on his estate. 

Mr. Cornwall's wife was formerly Miss Mary 
E., daughter of William and M'ary E. (Burr) 
Howatt, of Coldspring, L. I., where she was 
born July 7, 1867. She is the mother of five chil- 
dren, namely: John Willard, born July 27, 1884; 
Selemna, born April 16, 1886, died July 2, 1886; 
Audrey, born May 16, 1887; Hewlett, September 
28, 1889; and William Howatt, born October 3, 
1894, and died October 9 of the same year. Po- 
litically Mr. Cornwall is a Democrat, and in re- 
ligious matters is connected with the Episcopal 
Church. Socially he is a member of the Indian 
Harbor Yacht Club. The land which he occupies 
is thirty acres in extent, while the remaining tract 
of two hundred is still included in the estate. 



M' 



ICHAEL J. CARTER. Though a na- 
tive of Ireland, the subject of this sketch 
has spent his life principally in the United 
States and is in every respect a loyal citizen. His 
patriotic spirit is abundantly attested by his serv- 
ice in defense of the Union during the Rebellion, 
as well as by his support of American institutions 
at all times. He makes his home in Jamaica, 
where he owns considerable property and is well 
known among his fellow-citizens. 

Born May 15, 1S43, ^^''- Carter was brought to 
America at the age of two years, his parents set- 
tling in New York City, where his father died a 
year later; his mother attained the advanced age 
of eighty-two. There were four sons and one 
daughter in the family, of whom Robert is an 
electrician in Brooklyn, and Jane is the widow 
of Charles Morgan, and lives in New York City. 



966 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John and Martin are deceased. While our sub- 
ject was residing in New York City, the great 
Civil War broke out. April 22, 1861, while still 
a lad in his teens, he responded to the first call 
for volunteers and was enrolled in Company F, 
Fourth New York Infantry (the First Scott Life 
Guard). Among the battles in which he par- 
ticipated were those at Fredericksburg, Antie- 
tam and Chancellorsville. 

After the war, Mr. Carter became connected 
with the construction of telegraph lines from 
New York to Boston, New York to Philadel- 
phia and New York to Hartford, for the Inde- 
pendent Telegraph Company, the Franklin Tele- 
graph Company; also the Bankers' and Brok- 
ers' Telegraph Company, with which he was con- 
nected until it was absorbed by the Western 
Union Telegraph Company. He put up the first 
stock indicator (now called "ticker") in the city 
of New York and the first telegraph cable on 
poles, the latter being from the corner of Pearl 
and Elm Streets to the corner of Nassau and 
Cedar Streets. He also had charge of the con- 
struction of the fire alarm lines in New York, and 
put up the first telephone on Long Island, this 
being during the period of his fifteen years' serv- 
ice with the Western Union Telegraph Company, 
his headquarters being at Jamaica. In 1889 he 
entered the employ of the United States govern- 
ment as lineman, in charge of the Long Island 
lines to connect the various life-saving stations, 
which position he has since filled. 

Since coming to Jamaica, Mr. Carter has taken 
an active interest in local affairs. In 1884 he 
was elected village trustee, in which capacity he 
served six years altogether. While a member 
of the board he was influential in promoting the 
welfare of the village. Always frank and out- 
spoken in the declaration of his opinions, always 
fighting the enemy face to face, and never behind 
his back, these qualities brought him the admira- 
tion of some who had opposed his election. In 
the spring of 1895 he was again elected to the 
board, but it was discovered that, being an em- 
ploye of the government, he was not eligible to 
the office, therefore he resigned, much to the re- 
gret of his many friends. It is a rather peculiar 
fact that he was first elected on the Democratic 
ticket, next on the Republican ticket, and the 
last two times on the Citizens' ticket, being him- 
self independent in national as well as local 
politics. At the presidential election of 1892 
he cast his ballot for Benjamin Harrison, and has 



always made it his aim to support those men and 
measures best calculated to promote the welfare 
of the people. 

^Ir. Carter is a member of the Monumental 
Association of this city and one of the committee 
of twelve selected by the subscribers of the monu- 
mental fund for the erection of the Soldiers' 
and Sailors' monument to be erected in the 
village. 

In 1874 he married Miss Philomene Ellis, a 
native of Quebec, Canada. In religious belief 
he is a Catholic, and socially takes an interest in 
the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to 
the post at Jamaica. 



SAMUEL J. HORTON, one of the most re- 
liable business men of the village of Far 
Rockaway, is an extensive wholesale and 
retail dealer in feed, hay, grain, coal and wood 
in this community and is also engaged in deal- 
ing in brick and mason's materials, horses, car- 
riages and harness. His home has been at this 
point for many years, and he has witnessed its 
growth and improvement, taking an active part 
in the latter. Mr. Horton was born at Valley 
Stream, Queens County, in 1843, a- son of 
David and Laura (Pearsall) Horton, both of 
whom were born on Long Island. They made 
their home at Pearsalls, where the father died 
at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother 
when seventy years of age. Their union re- 
sulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: 
Rebecca, of Lynbrook; Mary, wife of Alexander 
Davidson of Rockville Center; Louisa, deceased; 
Samuel J.; David B., of Valley Stream; Ben- 
jamin F., of Penhurst; Julia, wife of Abram Fir- 
man of Pearsalls; and William, keeper of the Bar- 
num Island Queens County Almshouse. 

The early days of Samuel J. Horton were 
spent in farm labor and in acquiring such edu- 
cation as could be obtained near his home at that 
time. These advantages, however, were quite 
limited and the most of his education has been 
acquired through self-application, observation 
and contact with the business world. When about 
twenty-five years old he embarked in the grocery 
business at Hewlett, which calling he continued 
to follow for about five years, then came to his 
present location and established himself in busi- 
ness. He commenced in a small and modest 
way, but through good management and busi- 
ness foresight he has accumulated means and 




WATKIN W. JONRS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



969 



won an enviable reputation in commercial cir- 
cles, which he fully deserves. His life has by 
no means been one continuous round of suc- 
cesses, on the contrary his experience has been 
much like that of thousands of others, and he 
has seen both ups and downs, but he has ever 
carried himself in a strictly upright manner and 
has truly verified the old adage that "honesty is 
the best policy." 

Mr. Horton was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Lavina Fowler of Norwood, by whom 
he has three children: Lula, wife of Charles 
Smith of Lawrence ; Viola and Gilbert. Mr. Hor- 
ton has always supported the men and measures 
of the Democratic party and socially belongs to 
Jamaica Lodge No. 546, F. & A. M. His wife 
is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



WATKIN W. JONES. This gentleman 
needs no formal introduction to the 
people of Queens County, as he is well 
known to a large proportion of them through bus- 
iness and social relations, which have extended 
over a long period of years. In -Far Rockaway 
especially, where he has made his home since 
1883, engaged mainly in the real estate and in- 
siirance business, he has been constantly and ac- 
tively identified with enterprises looking to the 
welfare of the people through the development 
of the village and neighborhood, the latter includ- 
ing, of course, the famous and time-honored 
Rockaway Beach. To this work he has broughf 
ability that has forced recognition even from 
those who have sought to throw obstacles in his 
way, and a strength of character and firmness of 
purpose which have won the confidence of those 
v/ith whom he has had business dealings. 

Mr. Jones is of Welsh extraction, and his 
parents were David and Elizabeth (Hilliard") 
Jones. The former was for a brief period a resi- 
dent of New York, and subsequently, until his 
death, a Brooklynite. He was for some time a 
member of the Brooklyn police force and to some 
extent was interested in municipal affairs. He 
died at the age of sixty-two, and his wife at the 
age of seventy-six. Eight children were born to 
them, of whom four are now living. . Watkin W. 
was born in Brooklyn on the loth of August, 
1844, and received his boyhood education in th'? 
public schools. On leaving school he spent a 
year in the printing business, and subsequently 



learned the trade of showcase maker under John 
H. Eraser in New York City, where he remained 
until May 28, 1862. 

Meantime the war of the Rebellion had broken 
out, and Mr. Jones became imbued with the mili- 
tary spirit. In 1861 he organized a company of 
young men known as the "Brooklyn Spahis," for 
which he managed to secure uniforms and equip- 
ment, and which was well drilled preparatory to 
active service in the field. Though ambitious to 
lead the company to the front he concluded that 
he might be too youthful to assume such a re- 
sponsibility, and he persuaded a Mr. Walsn to ac- 
cept the captaincy and Thomas E. Pearsall to be 
first lieutenant, Mr. Jones consenting to be sec- 
ond lieutenant. The company was to be assigned 
to the Twenty-third Regiment of Brooklyn, 
which was then being organized, but circum- 
stances prevented that regiment from going to 
the front, and consequently the company, as such, 
did not enter the service. This, however, did not 
change Mr. Jones' determination to enter the 
service of his country. On the 28th of May, 1862, 
the "old Thirteenth" of Brooklyn, under com- 
mand of Col. Robert B. Clark, went to the front. 
Mr. Jones learned that Capt. William W. Meade, 
commander of Company A of that regiment, was 
still in the city and would join the regiment in the 
field in a few days, and he obtained the captain's 
consent to take him along. He enlisted and 
donned the uniform, and a week later they over- 
took the regiment in the field at Suffolk, Va.. 
where Mr. Jones was duly enrolled as a member 
of Company A, Thirteenth Regiment New York 
Infantry. Although he did not participate in any 
of the great battles of the war, he saw a good deal 
of hard service in eastern Virginia in 1862, and in 
the Maryland and Pennsylvania campaign in 
1863, at the time when the Union and Confeder- 
ate armies met and the historic battle of Gettys- 
burg was fought. He also did duty in the city 
during the draft riots. After the war he continued 
his membership in the Thirteenth Regiment, serv- 
ing in all a little over twenty-six years, and he 
holds a medal for a continuous service of twenty- 
five years. He was besides the "crack shot'' of the 
Thirteenth Regiment, and in 1876 was the first 
winner of the trophy put up for competition by 
Inspector-General Briggs, commonly known as 
the Briggs medal. He also wears the veteran 
marksman medal, presented by the state of New 
York. 

'Mr. Jones commenced in the insurance business 



970 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in New York, operating under William H. Ross, 
general agent, at the branch office of the Liver- 
pool and London and Globe Insurance Company 
at No. 704 Broadway, New York. Mr. Ross sub- 
sequently became secretaiy, and afterward mana- 
ger of the Queen Insurance Company, and Mr. 
Jones also became interested in that company, 
holding all the places of trust in its employ during 
a connection of seventeen years. He had mean- 
time established his home in Jamaica, and there 
he afterward commenced the insurance business 
for himself. After the lapse of a year, desiring to 
add the real estate feature, he decided to go to 
Far Rockawa}', where he opened an office in 
January, 1883. From that time dates his en- 
deavor to secure improvements in the village and 
neighborhood which he at once saw were impera- 
tively needed if the place was to hold its own in 
the struggle for supremacy among the Atlantic 
coast watering places. Probably no man in simi- 
lar circumstances ever encountered more strenu- 
ous opposition, but he never became discouraged 
or for one moment ceased his efforts. The town, 
of Hempstead was populous and rich, but it 
doubtless had one of the worst systems of roads 
to be found in any town in the state. Now it has 
one of the best systems of macadamized roads to 
be found an3^vhere. Throug-h his personal efforts 
Mr. Jones secured the passage of a bill through 
the Legislature for the construction of a highwa\' 
on Rockaway Beach, and, though it was lost by 
the veto of the governor, the movement has since 
proved most beneficial. 

Realizing the advantage of a newspaper de- 
voted to his real estate business, Mr. Jones es- 
tablished the "Real Estate Bulletin." Its effect 
was so good that he soon saw the field opened for 
a paper of more extended purpose, and he 
founded the "Rockaway Journal." This he 
edited and controlled for ten years and finally or- 
ganized the corporation that now controls it. 
He worked hard to secure a system of water 
works and a fire department. The files of the 
"Journal" reveal his plans for improvements, with, 
discussion pro and con. To show the fierceness 
of the opposition against some of his plans for 
the public good, it may be stated that he has been 
both hung and shot in effigy, but he has never 
been molested in person. 

As school trustee Mr. Jones lias wielded an im- 
portant influence in educational matters, and has 
been instrumental in securhig needed reforms. 
J-Ie is also a member of the board of village trus- 



tees, to which office he was elected in 1895. He 
was mainly instrumental in the formation of the 
board of sewer commissioners, and was president 
of the board for five years, but resigned for per- 
sonal reasons when there seemed to be a reason- 
able probability that an acceptable system of sew- 
erage would be established. His fire insurance 
business is the largest on Long Island outside of 
Brooklyn, and his real estate business has always 
been considerable. His enterprises have been 
markedly successful: in many instances he has 
handled the property of others in such manner 
as to make thousands of dollars for them when 
they probably would not have been measurably 
successful. 

Socially Mr. Jones is connected with the 
Masonic fraternity, the Legion of Honor, and the 
x^ncient Order of United Workmen. In July, 
1867, he was married to Miss Harriet E. Joyce, 
of Brooklyn. They became the parents of six 
daughters, namely: 3vlrs. John T. Forrest, Alr.s. 
Lewis B. Sharp, Sarah L., Annie V., JNIary H. and 
Elsie R., the latter deceased. Mrs. Harriet E. 
Jones died May 22, 1879. In October, 1885, Mi: 
Jones was married to Miss Carrie C. T. Richard- 
son, a native of Mt. Desert, Ue. He and his 
familv are members of the Presbyterian Church. 



CHAUNCEY BEDELL, vice-president of 
the First National Bank of Hempstead, 
was born November 7, 1833, on a farm 
south of this village, in the town of Hempstead. 
The family of which he is a member ranks among 
the oldest in the town of Hempstead, the first of 
the name to settle here being Daniel Bedell, who 
came hither in 1665. Since that time the family 
have taken an active part in affairs of the town 
and have been known as honorable, enterpris- 
ing men, largely mariners by occupation. 

Gen. Daniel Bedell, our subject's grandfather, 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, where he gained 
the title by which he was known. The parents 
of our subject were Elisha and Lydia (Bedell) 
Bedell, the latter being a daughter of Stephen Be- 
dell of Freeport. The father, who was born Feb- 
ruary 16, 1803, was a seafaring man and for 
some rears was captain of a coasting vessel. He 
died December 2, 1885, having long survived his 
wife, who passed away May 20, 1854. 

The familv of which our subject is a member 
consisted of nine children, but only four are now 
living. The others besides himself are Gilson. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



971 



a seafaring man who lives in Brooklyn; John, 
a bookkeeper in Brooklj'n; and Eugene F., who 
is with the Edison Electric Light and Power 
Company of New York. Educated in the schools 
of Hempstead, our subject added to the informa- 
tion gained in text books by thoughtful reading 
and by close observation. At an early age he 
became interested in the insurance business in 
New York, where he carried on the work con- 
nected with his office, although his home was in 
Brooklyn for t^venty-four years. In 1875 ^'^^ 
purchased his present home in Hempstead, and 
here he has since resided. When the First Na- 
tional Bank was organized, he was made its vice- 
president, and has since held that position, Au- 
gust Belmont being president of the institution. 
The influence of his name, standing as it does for 
..substantial worth and sound financial dealings, 
has added prestige to the bank, which ranks 
among the important moneyed concerns of the 
county. 

The first wife of Mr. Bedell was Phebe Cortel- 
you of Brooklyn, a descendant of Dutch fore- 
fathers, who were represented among the first 
settlers of New Utrecht, N. Y., one of them be- 
ing surveyor-general of New York from 1657 to 
1 67 1. This lady died June 7, 1865, leaving one 
child, Susan C, wife of J. S. Allen, one of the at- 
torneys for the Erie Railroad, with office in New 
York and residence in Garden City. In 1874 Mr. 
Bedell married Emma J. Howell, who was born 
in Trenton, N. J. Her father, Charles, was a 
prominent business man of that cit)', and her 
grandfather, John Howell, was a physician of 
note there for man)? years. She has a brother, 
John, who is retired from active business and 
makes his home in Virginia. In religious belief 
she is idlntified with the Presbyterian Church, 
and, having no children, she gives much of her 
time to aiding benevolent and religious projects, 
originated for the betterment of the people. 

With most successful business men their own 
affairs engross them so entirely that they have 
little time and less inclination for public affairs. 
The duties of citizenship they neglect for per- 
sonal matters. It is to the credit of Mr. Bedell 
that in the midst of the gravest business respon- 
sibilities he has always shown an intelligent in- 
terest in public affairs and has sought to perform 
his duties as a citizen. He has always been in- 
terested in political affairs, but it has been the in- 
terest of a citizen, not that of an office-seeker or 
an officeholder. In the Democratic party he finds 



embodied the principles most nearly in accord 
with his own opinions, and he therefore gives his 
support to its men and measures, believing that 
if carried out in their entirety they would prove 
the foe of gigantic monopolies and the friend of 
the workingman. 



THOMAS SKEUSE. Ice has come to be 
regarded not only as a luxury, but al- 
most a necessity during the long and sul- 
try summer months, and naturally he receives 
the most liberal patronage who deals in the pure 
article and has been tried and not found want- 
ing. The gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch, makes a specialty of hygienic ice and 
supplies his patrons promptly and at reasonable 
rates. He was born in Ireland in 1846 to Thomas 
and Mary Skeuse, also natives of the Isle of 
Erin, the former of whom was a soldier in the 
British army, as were also other members of his 
family. In 1846 the family immigrated to Amer- 
ica and located in Flushing, where the father se- 
cured employment as a landscape gardener,, 
which he had learned in his native land, but later 
he began devoting his attention to the milk busi- 
ness, then retired and finally passed from life at 
College Point at the age of fifty-four years. His 
widow reached the age of seventy-two years. The 
seven children born to them reached mature 
years, but only three are living at the present 
time. William was a soldier during the war and 
was killed in battle. Richard was a contractor 
and died in 1879. 

Thomas Skeuse has been a resident of the 
United States since he was nine months old, and 
with the exception of five years spent in Connecti- 
cut in childhood, has lived in Flushing, in the 
schools of which place he received a practical 
education. He began working when very small 
and was obliged to stand on a box to wash India 
rubber combs at College Point, at which time 
there were .but seventeen houses in the place. 
The remuneration which he received for this 
work was $4 per month and board, but ere long 
he was compelled to give it up on account of sick- 
ness, after which for five years he assisted his 
father and brothers in farming and gardening, 
and in selling milk, continuing this occupation 
until his marriage March 3, 1865. He then en- 
gaged in general contracting in Flushing and al- 
though he met with some reverses he contin- 
ued to persevere and his efforts were eventually 



972 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



crowned with success. In 187Q he became a 
wholesale dealer in ice and has followed this 
calling up to the present time with marked suc- 
cess. Much of his product comes from ]\Iaine 
in barges, but since 1895 he has done a retail 
business in hygienic ice, and four delivery 
wagons are kept constantly employed. While 
engaged in contracting he built eleven miles of 
the best macadamized road between Flushing 
and Jamaica and also did some fine work on the 
dykes and put up a number of beautiful resi- 
dences. 

Mr. Skeuse was married in College Point to 
Miss Mary Vaughn, a native of Ireland, and their 
children are as follows: Jane (Mrs. Hanson of 
College Point); William, who is associated in 
business with his father and is an Odd Fellow and 
Red Man; Eliza; Richard, also with his father; 
Mary, Thomas, George, Maude and Harrison. 
Mr. Skeuse is a Royal Arch Mason, was the 
original commander of the Odd Fellows' lodge at 
HolHs, L. I., belongs to the United Workmen, 
the Foresters and the Daughters of Rebecca. 
He and his family are attendants of the Episcopal 
Church and politically he has always been a Re- 
publican and a member of various committees. 



w 



ILLIAM BURGHOFF, who has been 
engaged in the building and contract- 
ing business at College Point since 
1871, is a German by birth, though since man- 
hood he has been a resident of the United States. 
He was born in Olsberg, Westphalia, on Christ- 
mas Day of 1842, being a son of Peter and Eliz- 
abeth (Neder) Burghoff, natives of the same 
province as himself. His father, who spent his 
entire life in his native land, served for a time 
in the German army. 

Of the parental family of six children, Wil- 
liam was next to the oldest and is the only one in 
America. He was reared and educated in Ols- 
berg, and at the age of seventeen was apprenticed 
to the carpenter's and joiner's trade, at which he 
served until he had gained a thorough knowledge 
of the business. In 1867 he took passage on a 
steamer at Hamburg, which anchored in the 
harbor of New York after an uneventful voyage. 
Immediately after landing, he secured work at 
his trade in Melrose, New York City, where he 
remained until, the time of his removal to Col- 
lege Point, in the spring of 1871. 

After working at his trade for a while in tliis 



village, Mr. Burghoff in 1874 began to take con- 
tracts for the erection of buildings, and in this 
capacity he has since gained a noteworthy suc- 
cess. Among the buildings for which he had the 
contract may be mentioned the Boulevard Hotel, 
of which J. M. Donnelly is the proprietor. Be- 
sides erecting houses, he has done considerable 
business in the line of house-moving, in which 
work he has rendered satisfactory service in a 
number of contracts. He erected the house in 
which he resides and which is situated in Fifth 
Avenue and Sixteenth Street. In College Point 
he married Miss Catherine Wienklier, who be- 
came the mother of five children, two of whom 
are now living. Bertha and William, Jr. Upon 
the death of his first wife he married Miss Cather- 
ine Abeling, who was born in Germany, and they 
have one child, Annie. Mr. Burghoff is a mem- 
ber of St. Fidelis' Catholic Church and the Catho- 
lic Benevolent Legion. He is a member of the 
board of health of College Point and served 
from 1 87 1 to 1885 in Hose Company No. i. 



JOHN L. WYCKOFF, who is a practical 
and wide-awake business man living in Ja- 
maica, is the head of a real estate firm in- 
terested in Woodhaven property. His career up 
to the present time has been a most successful 
and deserving one, and his prospects for the fu- 
ture are indeed promising. 

Mr. Wyckoff was born in IMonmouth County, 
N. J., in 1861, and was one in a family of three 
sons and one daughter born to Jacob S. and 
Sarah (Forman) Wyckoff. William F., a promi- 
nent attorney, having offices in Brooklyn and Ja- 
maica, makes his home in the latter place; he is 
also president of the Woodhaven Banl*and is the 
owner of much valuable property in Queens 
County. Charles S. is pursuing his studies in 
Yale College; Anne S. is a highly educated and 
accomplished lady, and at the present time is 
traveling in Europe with her mother. 

In 1869, John L. came to Queens County with 
his parents. He was given every opportunity for 
acquiring a good practical education and after 
leaving school he continued to live on the farm 
which his father owned and occupied until his 
death, in 1884, cultivating the same until 1S90. 
That year he became interested in real estate in 
Woodhaven and abandoned agriculture in order 
that he might give his undivided attention to 
this branch of lousiness. He is also director and 




DAVin SPRINGSTEEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



975 



cashier in the Woodhaven Bank, one of the re- 
liable institutions of the county, and does all 
that he can to further the advancement of his 
community in an educational and financial way. 
Mr. Wyckoff and Miss Jennie H. Spader, 
daughter of Stephen L. and Serena L. (Smith) 
Spader, were united in marriage in 1886. Her 
father, who departed this life many years ago, 
was one of the prominent and leading citizens of 
Queens County and for several terms filled the 
responsible position of county clerk. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wyckofif have two children, Jeanette and 
Margery. The family occupy a beautiful home 
in Clinton Avenue, Jamaica. 



DAVID SPRINGSTEEN. The world is 
crowded with men and women, each try- 
ing to gain success through the different 
avenues of money-making, and day after day the 
ceaseless round of duty goes on; some giving at- 
tention to professional callings, some buying and 
selling in commercial headquarters, and others 
cultivating the soil. It is generally conceded that 
of all men the agriculturists lead the most inde- 
pendent life, and certainly to no class of bread- 
winners are we indebted for more beneficial re- 
sults than to the farmer. 

Among those who are identified with the latter- 
named class may be mentioned David Spring- 
steen, a life-long resident of the town of Newtown 
and one of the stirring, energetic men of his local- 
ity. The farm upon which he now resides and 
where he was born February 23, 1849, ^i^s two 
miles southeast of the village of Newtown on the 
White Pot road and has been occupied by six 
succeeding generations of the Springsteen family. 
The first of the name to come here were Joost 
Casper and Johannes Springsteen, with their 
widowed mother, who arrived at New Amsterdam 
in 1652 from Groningen, Holland, and in 1660 
joined in the settlement of Bushwick. From 
them have descended all of the name in the 
country. June 10, 1663, Joost married Cathar- 
ine, daughter of Abraham Lothie and widow of 
Peter Praa; as his second wife he married Mag- 
dalena Jansen. His son Casper married Maria, 
daughter of Derrick Storm, and after residing for 
a time in Westchester County, came to New- 
tovi'n in 1700, and here died May 21, 1729. His 
son Joost Derrick settled in Kent County, on 
the Delaware, and became the father of jacobus 



S[iringsteen, who gave the site for the White Pot 
schoolhouse. Another son of Casper was David, 
who served as a deacon and kirkmaster of the 
Dutch Church and died October 14, 1763, 
leaving among other children a son Casper. 
The latter, who was born September i, 1725, in- 
herited the paternal estate at Hempsteqd swamp 
and died May 29, 1803. By his marriage to Bar- 
bara Bloom of the Wallabout, he had an only son, 
David, who fell heir to a new house erected by 
his father and there resided until his death, April 
6, 1840. David married Phebe Striker, of Flat- 
bush, and their only son, Michael S., inherited the 
old homestead and died there September 15, 1886. 
David, the only son of Michael S., fell heir to the 
estate upon which a new residence had been built 
in 1859 by his father. 

Born on the old homestead November 3, 1804, 
Michael S. Springsteen grew to manhood here 
and adopted as his life calling the occupation of a 
farmer, which he followed until his death. A 
public-spirited citizen, he aided all local move- 
ments and held a number of offices. In religious 
faith he followed the belief of his forefathers, and 
held membership in the Dutch Reformed Church 
of Newtown. December 12, 1844, he married Al- 
letta B. Duryea, of Jamaica, L. I., who was born 
September 2, 1807, and died December 11, 1873. 
Unto them were born three children, of whom 
David alone survives. The other son, John D., 
was born August 7, 1847, and died June 14, 1857; 
the daughter, Phebe H., whose birth occurred 
February 2, 1846, passed from earth October 7, 
1888. 

Assisting his father in the management of the 
home farm, our subject gained a thorough knowl- 
edge of the occupation which he adopted as his 
own upon reaching manhood. At the death of his 
father the home place reverted to him, and here 
he has since lived, maintaining the high class of 
improvements that have characterized the farm, 
from the first. Interested in educational matters 
and in everything that pertains to the welfare ot 
children, he was elected trustee of the school 
board in 1887, and is still serving in that capacity. 
In the Dutch Reformed Church he filled the of- 
fices of deacon, elder and treasurer for a number 
of years. He supports the Republican party by 
his vote, but is liberal in his views, believing that 
in local matters it is of the utmost importance to 
secure for every office men of probity, honor and 
energy, whatever may be their politics. With 
true public spirit and characteristic liberality, he 



976 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has aided every enterprise that would in any way 
advance the welfare of the community. 

April II, 1888, Mr. Springsteen was united in 
marriage with Miss Annie W. Monfort, daughter 
of Azariah Monfort, of the city of Brooklyn. 
To this marriage were born four sons and one 
daughter, of whom the sons still survive, namely: 
Azariah M., born January 3, 1889; David, August 
6, 1890; Howard D., January i, 1893; and George 
S., June 23, 1895. 



L 



ORENZO BURDETTE SMULL, of Port 
Washington, is a member of a family 
honorably associated with the history of 
the United States for several generations and 
descended from distinguished ancestors in the 
Old World. The first of the name to establish 
his home in America was John Smull, who was 
born in Castle De Paltz on the Rhine in Germany, 
an ancient and historic building, one of many 
famous structures that dotted the shores of that 
picturesque river. An oil painting formerly in 
the castle is now in our subject's possession and 
gives indication of the prominence of the family. 
On coming to this country John Smull settled 
in Pennsylvania and it is thought that he was the 
owner of a tannery there. His son, Thomas, who 
was born in Egypt, Pa., moved thence to New 
York and for some time was enaged in business 
as a wholesale leather dealer, meeting with fair 
success as a result of his judicious investments 
and untiring energy. Among his children was 
Charles Oilman, our subject's father, who was 
born in Clifif Street, New York, February 13, 
1838, and died March 22, 1873, at the age of 
thirty-five. Reared to a knowledge of his father's 
business, he selected it for his life calling, and 
was known as a man of good education and 
excellent business qualifications. Politically a 
Democrat, he was an intimate friend of Hamilton 
Fish and other well known politicians, but was 
not himself an oflice seeker, preferring to give 
his attention unreservedly to his business inter- 
ests. Socially he was a Mason of the thirty- 
second degi-ee, and belonged to other fraternal 
organizations. 

The death of Charles G. Smyll was caused by 
an accidental, and apparently trivial, injury to 
one of his fingers, which resulted in blood poison- 
ing and terminated fatally. In personal appear- 
ance he was prepossessing, being about five feet, 
eight inches in licight, and one hundred and 



seventy-five pounds in weight, with blue eyes, 
light hair and fair complexion — a man who easily 
won friends and as easily retained their friendship 
through the magnetism of his genial manners 
and unfailing cordiality. 

By his marriage to Eleanor Burdette, who was 
born in Eldridge Street, New York, Charles G. 
Smull had two children. Thomas, the elder, was 
born in New York, November 11, i860, gradu- 
ated from Yale College in 1885, and is unmarried, 
making his home at the family residence in Port 
Washington. The subject of this sketch, who is 
the younger son, was born in Twelfth Street, 
New York City, January 25, 1863, and received 
excellent educational advantages, being a gradu- 
ate of Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 
the class of '85. In 1875 the family moved to 
their present place, where they have a substantial 
and commodious residence. 

At Sea Cliff, L. I., August 14, 1887, ^Ir. Smull 
married Miss Emma O. Davis, who was born in 
Brooklyn, but at the time of her marriage was a 
resident of Port Washington, this place being 
still the home of her parents, William J. and 
Susan C. (Osborne) Davis. Three children bless 
their union, namely: Irma, who was born at the 
family residence July 28, 1891 ; Nita, born Feb- 
ruary 14, 1893, and Lorenzo Burdette, Jr., 
October 23, 1895. In political views ]Mr. Smull is 
a Democrat, and upon that ticket was a candidate 
for the office of commissioner of highwavs in 
1893, but was defeated. Socially he is a charter 
member of Seawanhaka Lodge No. 670, I. O. 
O. F., in which he is now past grand. 



REV. WILLIAT^I THOMAS WILSON, 
who was born in New York City, in the 
year 1834. was a son of James L. W'ilson. 
His primary education was received in his na- 
tive city and later he entered Yale College, from 
which he was graduated with the class of '55. 
LTpon leaving that institution he returned home 
and about a year later entered the general theo- 
logical seminary of New York, where he pre- 
pared himself for the Episcopal ministry. After 
four years spent in that school he was ordained 
and entered upon his ministerial duties. For five 
years following he was rector of St. Peter's 
Church at Albany, N. Y., and twenty-five years 
held a pastorate in New York City. His death 
occurred in 1890. He possessed a fine and orig- 
inal mind, was a fluent, forcible and eloquent 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



977 



speaker and was one of the most prominent cler- 
gymen in the city. 

In the year 1865 Mr. Wilson married Miss 
Caroline Bleecker, daughter of William Edward 
and Elizabeth (Russell) Bleecker, both of Al- 
bany, N. Y. Five children were the fruits of this 
union, as follows: Ethel, wife of Augustus Van 
Courtland of Tuxedo, N. Y. ; Ralph L., Mary H., 
Caroline R. and Catherine B. Mrs. Wilson ha? 
a lovely home in the north side of Rockville 
Center and has occupied this fine residence for 
the past three years. For many years of his life 
Mr. Wilson was very delicate, but carried on 
his ministerial duties, and his death was keenly 
felt in the church and by all who were favored 
with his acquaintance. 



HENRY A. BOGERT. The legal profes- 
sion has many able representatives in 
New York, men who have combined na- 
tive gifts of a superior order with thorough 
study of the best authorities in the law, and 
who, by reason of these two qualifications, 
have gained a large measure of success. In 
the list of well known attorneys we place the 
name of Henry A. Bogert, of Flushing, with 
office in the Bennett Building, Nassau Street, 
New York. A man of liberal education and 
scholarly attainments, he is a concise, logical 
reasoner, and always has his cases and the law 
governing the points well in hand. In his profes- 
sional transactions he is methodical and exact. 
Method is the governing principle, and he carries 
that trait of character into his practice as well as 
in private affairs. An illustration of this may 
be seen in the fact that upon the two occasions 
when, as attorney for the New York Life Insur- 
ance Company, his papers were carefully and 
thoroughly examined, even in minute details, not 
a single flaw was to be found in them, which 
shows the care he exercised in every matter per- 
taining to his profession. 

New York City is Mr. Bogert's native place, 
his birth having occurred there May 9, 1827. The 
family of which he is a member originated in 
Holland, and its first representative in America 
was John Loweson Bogert, of Harlem, concern- 
ing whom mention is made in the "Annals of 
Harlem," by Riker. The great-grandfather, John 
Bogert, was a large land owner in Harlem and a 
prominent business man in the early days of 
New York Citv. Next in line of descent was Peter 



Bogert, who, in partnership with Henry Knee- 
land, some time between 1780 and 1790, founded 
the wholesale commission house of Bogert & 
Kneeland, in which they were succeeded by their 
sons. At one time he owned all of Whitestone 
Point, and his country seat comprised two hun- 
dred and twenty acres; he married Mary Law- 
rence, a member of an old Long Island family 
that took a prominent part in the Revolution. 

Henry K. Bogert, father of our subject, was 
born in New York City, and succeeded his father 
as a member of the firm of Bogert & Kneeland, 
wholesale cotton commission merchants and the 
oldest house in New York at that time. Success- 
ful in business, he was enabled to surround his 
family with every comfort and give to his children 
the advantages that fitted them for careers of 
usefulness in business or professional circles. 
In religious behef he was an Episcopalian and 
served as vestryman and warden of his church. 
He continued to make his home in New York 
until his death at seventy-five years. His wife, 
who died at the age of eighty-three, was in maiden- 
hood Mary E. Bogert and was born in New York 
City. Her father, John G. Bogert, a prominent 
attorney, was consul general to Russia, and held 
the position of grand master of the Masonic 
■fraternity in New York state; while yet in the 
prime of his manly vigor, he was called from 
earth. The family was one that inclined to pro- 
fessional hfe, having tastes and ambitions in that 
direction, and tracing the lineage back one more 
generation we see this fact evidenced in the 
career of Cornelius Bogert, a successful attorney 
of New York, who died in 1832. 

In the family of Henry K. Bogert there were 
three sons and one daughter, all of whom are 
living but Charles, who served in the Seventh 
New York National Guard during the Civil War 
and afterward died in New York. Of the children 
Henry A. was the only one who established his 
home in Queens County. He was educated in 
New York, graduating from Columbia College 
in 1846 with the degree of A. B., and three years 
later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon 
him. At once, after completing his literary educa- 
tion, he began the study of law and in 1848 was 
admitted to the bar in New York, where he began 
his practice in the central part of the city. He 
has since carried on an active professional busi- 
ness, and it is said of him that he has examined 
more titles than any other attorney in the city, he 
having made a specialty of this line for years. 



978 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In .1866 Mr. Bogert became attorney for the 
New York Life Insurance Company and had 
charge of all their real estate business in New 
York and vicinity until 1893, a period of twenty- 
seven years, when he retired at a change of ad- 
ministration. Assisting in the organization of 
the Queens County Savings Bank in 1859, he has 
since held the position of treasurer of the institu- 
tion and has also had entire charge of its legal 
matters. Since 1854 he has made his home in 
Flushing. The preceding year he was married, 
in the Episcopal Church at this place, to Miss 
Mary Lawrence, who was born here, being a 
daughter of John and Mary (Bowne) Lawrence. 
Her father, who, for many years was a successful 
merchant in New York City and held the position 
of president of the Seventh Ward Bank of New 
York, was one of the leading citizens of Flushing 
and had many warm friends throughout Long 
Island, whose friendship he gained by his able 
representation of his constituency while in the 
United States Congress. His father-in-law, 
Walter Bowne, was a member of an old Quaker 
family, and for a long time engaged in the mer- 
cantile business in New York City, of which 
he was once the mayor. 

The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Bogert is situ- 
ated in Lawrence Avenue and is a commodious 
and attractive dwelling, the centre of a refined 
hospitality. They are the parents of six children, 
and it is a notable fact that all of their five son? 
are graduates, like their father, of Columbia Col- 
lege, and three are attorneys by profession. 
Henry L., the eldest, has a law oflce in New 
York City: John L. is regarded as the finest 
manufacturer of machine tools in the LTnited 
States, and has already achieved noteworthy suc- 
cess in this business; Walter L., an attorney, 
resides with his parents: Marston T. is an in- 
structor in Columbia College and president of the 
Y. M. C. A. of Flushing; Theo. L. is a student 
in the School of Arts of Columbia College; 
Fannie, the only daughter, is the wife of R. H. E. 
Elliott, of this village. 

Prior to his removal to Flushing in 1854, Mr. 
Bogert was school trustee of the seventeenth 
ward for some years, and he has held a similar 
position with the schools here. He is a member 
of the Holland Society and vice-president for 
Queens. A Congregationalist in religious belief, 
. he has been a Sunday-school teacher since 
November i, 1845, a"cl at different times has had 
charge of seven Sunday-schools, being superin- 



tendent of two at the same time. At present he 
is superintendent of the Union Bible School and 
teacher of two Bible classes. In 1852, when the 
first Y. M. C. A. of America was organized in 
New York City, he became identified with the 
work, attended the meetings held in a back parlor 
at Stewart's and held an official position from the 
first. On coming to Flushing he assisted in the 
organization of the association here and has since 
been a trustee. 

We have thus briefly sketched the outline of a 
busy and active career. As intimated above, Islr. 
Bogert comes from an ancestry that have been 
noted for their prominence in the professions, 
notably the law. At no time in his life has he 
sought political prominence, although he has 
always adhered to the policy of the Republican 
party and aided in organizing the Republican 
Club. Learned in law and general literature, he 
is capable of sound reasoning, and in this respect 
is eminently well equipped for his profession. He 
is emphatically a man of the times, and helpful 
to his community, filling a place few others could 
fill. Possessing an analytical mind, he excels in 
equity and real estate cases, though by no means 
deficient in knowledge of other departments of 
the law. During his long life, actively engaged 
in professional and other business, he has merited 
and enjoyed the reputation of an honest and 
honorable man. 



E'^ DWARD COOPER, vice-president of the 
^ Hempstead Bank and the leading mer- 
•^ chant of this village, was born in Babylon, 
December i, 1839. He is the son of Samuel and 
Maria (Cornwell) Cooper, the former of whom, a 
tanner by trade, died in 1841 ; the latter, who was 
a native of Hempstead, departed this life when 
over sixty years of age. In the parental family 
there were five children, those besides Edward 
being Michael and Samuel, who took part in the 
Civil War and are now deceased; Elbert, de- 
ceased, formerly for several years a partner in the 
mercantile business with our subject, and ]\Iary. 
wife of Samuel Mott, of Jamaica. 

Educated in the schools of Babylon and Hemp- 
stead, Mr. Cooper, at the age of sixteen, entered 
the store of S. C. & I. Snediker, with whom he 
remained for three years. Later he became a 
clerk for L. D. Rushmore & Son and after three 
years he and"his brother, Elbert, bought the busi- 
ness. This was in 1861, and his brother remained 




RICHARD DOWNING. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



981 



in partnership with him until his death, when his 
interest was purchased by Henry Powell, and the 
present firm of Cooper & Powell was formed. 
When Mr. Cooper first secured a clerkship, his 
wages were only $40 a year, but he was 
economical and saved his earnings until he had 
$400. Though this amount was small, yet from 
it, as a nucleus, he has built up the largest general 
mercantile business in Hempstead. 

Aside from his mercantile business, Mr. Cooper 
has had other important interests. He was one 
of the founders of the Bank of Hempstead and 
has been its vice-president from the start. During 
the Civil War he was a member of the Eighty- 
ninth New York Regiment of militia and was an 
orderly sergeant, but saw no active service. In 
politics a Republican, his first presidential vote 
was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has voted 
for every Republican candidate since that time. 
For six years he has held the office of treasurer of 
the village. For three years he was vice-president 
and for three years president of the Queens 
County Agricultural Society, serving longer than 
any other official of that organization. The 
society was nearly bankrupt when he became its 
head and its treasury was empty, but at the 
expiration of his term of office, it was in good 
financial condition with all bills paid and $17,000 
in the treasury. Into this work he put the same 
energy that has made his private business a suc- 
cess. He has always taken an active interest in 
local afifairs and has held nearly all of the local 
offices. At the present time he is chief of the 
Hempstead fire department. 

The first wife of Mr. Cooper was Lydia 
Thomas, of Hempstead, who died, leaving a 
daughter, Ida L. In 1876 he was united in mar- 
riage with Addie H. Hendrickson, of Hempstead, 
and one child, Ethel May, blesses their union. 
He owns and occupies a pleasant residence in 
Washington Street. For several years he was a 
trustee in the Presbyterian Church. He is num- 
bered among the progressive men who have con- 
tributed to the growth and prosperity of Hemp- 
stead. 



RICHARD DOWNING. This prominent 
resident of East Norwich has a variety of 
occupations, being farmer, auctioneer, and 
dealer in agricultural implements, fertilizers and 
real estate. He is the son of George S. Downing, 



one of the well known and highly respected resi- 
dents of this county, and the brother of Charles 
Downing, who for fifteen years has been deputy 
county clerk of Queens County. His sketch will 
appear in full on another page in this volume. 

When three years of age the parents of our 
subject removed to Mineola, where the father had 
his office while acting sheriff of the county, and 
with the exception of six 3rears spent there he 
has always made his home in East Norwich. He 
attended the common schools for a time, but his 
education was completed in the private academv 
conducted by Lott Cornelius, at Locust Valley. 
Soon thereafter he assumed the management of 
the home place, being interested in general farm- 
ing until within the last few years, since which 
time he has devoted the place to market gar- 
dening. In 1873 he formed a partnership with 
Halstead H. Frost, with whom he has successfully 
operated since that time. They are well known 
throughout this and Suffolk counties and are 
called long distances from home to attend to the 
selling of both real and personal property. In 
1895 Mr. Downing began handling real estate, in 
which line he has met with signal success. For 
the past fifteen years he has acted as administra- 
tor and executor for various large estates in 
the county, this confidence being reposed in him 
not only on account of his honesty and integrity 
as a gentleman, but on account of his ability as 
a business man. He is the local agent for the 
Glencove Mutual Insurance Company and in 
this, as in everything else which he undertakes, 
has been successful. 

Mr. Downing has done much to advance the 
cause of education in his district during the ten 
years in which he has been trustee. He believes 
in good schools, and his untiring efforts have 
been to give to his locality the best facilities pos- 
sible in the way of good buildings, good teachers 
and interest in school matters in general. He is 
very liberal in politics and gives to others the 
right which he reserves for himself, to vote for 
tlie best man regardless of party lines. In fra- 
ternal affairs, he is a Master Mason, belonging to 
Matinecock Lodge No. 806 of Oyster Bay. He 
is likewise a member of the Royal Arcanum, and 
when convenient meets with Arbutus Council No. 
1362, of the same place. Mr. Downing is an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and for a period of twenty years has 
served his congregation as trustee and steward. 
Fle has also taken great interest in the work of 



982 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Sunday-school, and during his more active 
vears was superintendent. 

In 1873 our subject married Miss Mariana Ver- 
non, the daughter of John Vernon, of East Nor- 
wich, which ivas also the birthplace of Mrs. 
Downing. Of the children born to them a daugh- 
ter and two sons are yet living: Mabel, the wife 
of Harry G. Haywood, bookkeeper in the Oyster 
Bay Bank; Tames E., a student in the Friends' 
Academy of Locust Valley; and Richard, Jr., at 
home with his parents. In 1893 our subject ac- 
companied by his daughter, attended the World's 
Fair held in Chicago, and during the progress of 
the Atlanta Exposition went South with his wife. 
They spent several weeks in visiting the many 
points of interest in that portion of the country. 
On the journey down they spent a few days m 
Washington, D. C, and then traveled by way of 
the Shenandoah Valley. They also stopped at 
Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and Chicka- 
mauga, where they secured numerous relics of 
battlefields. 



CHARLES H. SEBALD, who is engaged 
in the grocery business at Jamaica, was 
born in Paterson, N. J., March 7, 1862. 
His father, George Sebald, was a native of Ba- 
varia, Germany, and early in Hfe displayed re- 
markable musical talent, which, being cultivated, 
brought him into prominence in his own coun- 
try. For some years he taught music, but after 
coming to America gave his attention principally 
to the management of a private German school 
in New York City for a time. In 1869 he removed 
to Jamaica, where he had charge of a private 
school in Union Hall Street and also was organ- 
ist at the Episcopal Church. Later he turned his 
attention to the grocery business, in which he 
was engaged at the time of his death. 

In his life George Sebald furnished an illustra- 
tion of what persistent industry and application 
will do for a man in securing his success, for the 
exercise of these qualities was the potent factor 
in raising him from poverty to prosperity, and 
from a position of obscurity to one of influ- 
ence. His death, which occurred January 15, 
1888, was a loss to the village, for he was one of 
the best representatives of the German-American 
element resident here. He was loyal to his 
adopted country, interested in every enterprise 
for the growth of his place of residence, and true 
to every duty, public or private. 



In the parental family there were five sons, 
the others besides Charles H. being Fred, John, 
George and Henry, and it is a noteworthy fact 
that all are engaged in the grocery or gardening 
business. Our subject was associated with the 
others until 1892, when he started out for him- 
self and has since been in charge of an increas- 
ing business. From his father he inherits a love 
of music, and for fifteen years he has played the 
organ in the Lutheran Church, of which he is a 
member. In March, 1892, he married Miss Bar- 
bara Elflein of Flushing, and they are the par- 
ents of two children, Magdalena and George C. 



J 



OHN R. BEDELL. The name borne by 
this well-known resident of Hempstead is 
one that is honored throughout the entire 
extent of Queens County. The family is one of 
the oldest on Long Island, where successive gen- 
erations have resided, each contributing to the 
growth and development of local interests, and 
giving to the world men of energy, industry and 
wise judgment. Alike in times of tN-ar and peace 
they have borne their part as loyal, law-abiding 
citizens, whose aim it has been to promote the 
welfare of state and nation. 

Sylvanus Bedell, father of our subject, was an 
only son and followed farming as his life calling. 
During the War of 1812 his father, Stephen 
Bedell, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier 
in the American army and was stationed at Ft. 
Green. Sylvanus had t\vo sisters, namely: Eliza- 
beth, widow of Benjamin Burt, of North Hemp- 
stead, and now living near Mineola; and Lydia, 
whose son, Chauncey Bedell, is vice-president of 
the First National Bank of Hempstead. Our 
subject's mother, Fannie, was born in the town 
of Hempstead, near what is now the village of 
Greenwich Point. She was a daughter of Micajah 
Raynor and also had a brother bearing that name. 
In religious belief she was a Presbyterian, adher- 
ing to that doctrine before the denomination had 
a church in Freeport, and when the few members 
met in private houses and school buildings. 

In the family of Sylvanus and Fannie Bedell 
there were two sons and one daughter. The 
latter, Jane Ann, married Elisha B. Baldwin, 
formerly a merchant at Baldwinsville, two miles 
from Freeport, and also for two terms clerk of 
Queens County; at their death they left a 
daughter, Sarah F., who first married Edwin 
Ravnor and after his death became the wife of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



983 



Mr. Drake, her present home being in Glens 
Falls, N. Y. Elbert A. was for many years a 
farmer and store keeper at Freeport, where he 
is now the owner of a sash and blind factory, and 
is also engaged in the real estate business. 

On the old Bedell homestead at Freeport, the 
subject of this sketch was born March 7, 1828. 
He remained on the farm until seventeen years 
of age, receiving his education in the local 
schools. At that age he came to Plempstead, 
where he secured a clerkship in a grocery. Later 
he was for three years employed as a grocery 
clerk in New York City. On his return to Hemp- 
stead, he embarked in the business of a butcher, 
which he followed until 1889. He then retired 
and was succeeded by his son, John F. In social 
affairs he is identified with the Odd Fellows and 
has been past grand of his lodge. Politically he 
is a Democrat, and upon that ticket was elected 
town collector, which he filled for two years. 

The marriage of Mr. Bedell, October 25, 1854, 
united him with Mary L., daughter of Richard 
Place, of Amityville. Their family consists of five 
children, namely: Sylvanus; William K., member 
of the real estate firm of Whitaker & Bedell, of 
Hempstead; John F., who succeeded his father 
in the meat business ; Chauncey, who is employed 
in his brother's butcher shop; and Ida N., wife 
of William J. Minshull and mother of one child, 
Frances. The son, John F., married Carrie 
Davidson, of Hempstead, and two children bless 
their union, Madeline and John F. 

While Mr. Bedell has led a comparatively un- 
eventful life, it has not been an idle or useless 
existence. The village has felt the impetus he 
has given to progressive enterprises; the poor 
have had the advantage of his practical assistance, 
and his wife and family have been blessed by 
his counsel and affection. His business life was 
characterized by integrity of action and sound- 
ness of judgment, and the comforts which now 
surround him represent the hard and judicious 
labor of former years. 



CHARLES AUGUSTUS POST. Among 
prominent railroad men of Long Island 
stands the name of Mr. Post, who is a 
very efficient freight agent on the island. He was 
born in Ravenswood, December 20, 1867, and is 
the son of William and Sarah A. (Areson) Post, 
both natives of Flushing. The paternal grand- 
father, William Post, was born on Long Island 



and for years was a contractor and builder 
on a large scale, under the firm name of William 
Post & Co., his sons comprising the company. 
He died when seventy-three years old. The Post 
family is of Holland-Dutch origin and its mem- 
bers were early settlers of the island. The father 
of our subject was also a builder by occupation 
and died in 1883, when forty-seven years old. His 
wife now lives with her son, our subject. 

Mr. Post's maternal grandfather, James li. 
Areson, was born in Brooklyn in 1817. His 
father, John Areson, was a native of Flushing, as 
was also the grandfather, William, who was a 
successful farmer in the vicinity of that village. 
The Areson family came originally from Holland. 
When James H. Areson was about six months 
old he was left fatherless. Flis mother, whose 
maiden name was Ann Tallman, was the 
daughter of John Tallman, who was of English 
extraction. She was the mother of four children 
who were named in the order of their birth as 
follows; William, John, Benjamin and James 
Hendrickson. The latter was named after his 
maternal grandmother's family. Mrs. Areson 
died in 1835. 

James H. Areson grew to manhood in Flush- 
ing, received his education in the subscription 
schools, and in 1830, when a litttle over twelve 
years old, entered the employ of William Prince, 
in the nursery business. This was the first 
nursery in the United States and was established 
in 1780. Mr. Areson was engaged in this busi- 
ness until 1837, and then went to Smithtown, Suf- 
folk County, where he followed the same industry 
from 1839 to 1843. He then returned to Flushing 
and here he has since made his home. He is now 
retired from the active duties of life and has a 
comfortable residence at No. 68 Lincoln Street. 
He was married in Newtown to Miss Matilda 
Van Wicklen, a native of that place, and 
the daughter of Garrett Van Wicklen. She 
died in 1878. Their six children were as 
follows: Sarah, now Mrs. Post, of Flushing; 
Josephine and Imogene, both of whom are at 
home, and Augustus, Mary and William F., who 
are dead. In politics Mr. Areson is a stanch 
Republican and an ardent supporter of his 
party. His first presidential vote was cast 
for W. H. Harrison. Although well along in 
years, Mr. Areson is well preserved, time having 
dealt very leniently with him, and his memory is 
extraordinary. He is one of the county's repre- 
sentative and esteemed citizens. 



984 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Charles A. Post, the only one of the two chil- 
dren born to his parents now living, spent his 
boyhood in Flushing, attended the grammar and 
high school, and in 1883 entered the freight office 
of the Long Island Railroad, at Long Island City, 
as clerk. After that he was in the auditing 
department, later in the express and passenger 
departments, and then in the freight department 
as chief clerk, a position he held for six months. 
On the 15th of June, 1889, he was appointed 
terminal freight agent of the company and has 
since held that position. There are one hundred 
and fifteen men in the department, twenty of 
whom are clerks, and he has charge of the move- 
ments of all the float freight of the Long Island 
Railroad. In politics Mr. Post advocates the 
principles and policy of the Republican party and 
is an earnest worker for the same. He is a mem- 
ber of the Flushing Republican Club, has been 
its secretary and has been on the general house 
committee. Until 1895 he was a member of the 
boat club, of which he was one of the organiz- 
ers. He is one of the original members of the 
Long Island Railroad Mutual Relief Association, 
is a member of the New Manhattan Athletic Club, 
the Young Men's Christian Association and is 
treasurer of the New York branch of National 
Freight Agents' Association of the United States. 
He has been delegate to various conventions at 
St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburg and Louisville, 
and is a young man who commands the respect 
of all. 



ROBERT WILSON. We do not measure 
a man's life by years, but by intensity. If 
we measure the life of Mr. Wilson by the 
work he has accomplished then he is the most 
venerable of men, although his birth occurred 
October 17, 1835. Editor of the "Long Island 
News" of the flourishing village of Roslyn, and 
one who has done much for its growth and ad- 
vancement, it gives us pleasure to present the 
main facts of his life to the public. Mr. Wilson 
is a native of Roslyn, and the son of William and 
Mary E. Wilson, the former born in Scotland, 
and the Matter in New York City. The father 
came to this country when a young man, settled 
in New York City and followed the occupation 
of a glass cutter. Later he moved to Roslyn, and 
died there when about fifty years old. His wife 
died in the same village. Of their seven children 
but three arc living at the present tiiue. One son. 



Charles C, resides in California, and a daughter, 
Emma S., is on the island. 

Robert Wilson passed his boyhood and youth 
in his native village and at an early age began 
learning the printer's trade on the "Roslyn Plain- 
dealer." In 1854 he came to Flushing and was 
on the "Journal" for a number of years, then on 
the "Times" as foreman, etc. On Christmas Day, 
1883, he started the "Long Island News," a 
weekly eight-column quarto, devoted to news of 
Long Island and Flushing. This bright, newsy 
sheet is independent in politics. His office is at 
No. 112 Broadway, where he carries on job print- 
ing as well. 

Mr. Wilson selected his wife in the person of 
Miss Hannah Young, a native of the village of 
Flushing, and daughter of John Young, who was 
one of the old settlers here. Three children were 
born to this union: Fred, who died when twenty- 
one years old; Charles C, who is with his father 
and is sexton of St. George's Episcopal Church, 
and Ella L., at home. 



JAMES P. CLARK, who is busily and profit- 
ably engaged in carrying dn a grocerx- in 
the village of Jamaica, is also the efficient 
excise commissioner of the place. He was born in 
Jamaica March i, 1862, and is the son of Patrick 
Clark, whose birth occurred in County IMeath, 
Ireland. The latter made his home in his native 
land until some time in 1848, when he boarded a 
vessel bound for American shores and, on being 
landed in New York, made his way almost directly 
to Jamaica. Here for more than twenty years he 
was in the employ of the Long Island Railroad 
Company. Now, however, he is retired from 
the active duties of life and makes liis home in a 
pleasant residence in this village. 

The lady to whom Patrick Clark was married 
was Miss Eliza Boland, also a native of Ireland. 
She came to the United States about 184S and 
soon after meeting i\Ir. Clark they were married. 
The parents now make their home in Prospect 
Street. Their family originally included seven 
sons, but three died when young. Of those now 
living our subject is the eldest. His brother, 
Michael, is a resident of Brooklyn and is foreman 
of the Edwin Flower Electric Type Foundry in 
New York; Edward R. assists our subject in the 
store, and John resides in Jamaica. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
schools of Jamaica, completing hi?, studies in the 




OSCAR J. SEAMAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



987 



high school, which was then, as now, presided 
over by W. J. Ballard. For one season there- 
after he was engaged as baggage master at Long- 
beach, but resigned at the end of that time in 
order to enter the large grocer}^ house of J. & 
T. Adikes, of Jamaica. He was in their employ 
for a period of eight years and then embarked 
in the same line of business for himself, in i8go. 
He has a well-stocked store and commands a good 
trade among the best people of the place. 

Mr. Clark has always taken an active interest 
in politics and in 1890 was the successful candi- 
date for the office of excise commissioner. So well 
and faithfully did he transact the duties of this 
position that he was retained in office for the 
ensuing term. In 1894 he was the Democratic 
nominee for the General Assembly, but went down 
with his party in the great land slide of that year, 
which resulted in making of Queens a Republican 
county, although it had heretofore been largely 
Democratic. 

The marriage of Mr. Clark and Miss Anna 
M. Bourke occurred in this village in 1893. Mrs. 
Clark is the sister of, Edward Bourke, a well 
known contractor of this section and assessor of 
the town of Jamaica. Their union has resulted in 
the birth of two children, Mary and Joseph. 



OSCAR J. SEAMAN, a prosperous and 
enterprising merchant of Glenwood, was 
born February 23, 1848, in Jericho. His 
parents were Jeremiah and Marilda (Stockings) 
Seaman, the former born in the city of New 
York, while the latter's birth occurred in Jericho ; 
she was the daughter of Benjamin Stockings, 
well known to the old time residents of this 
county. 

The boyhood days of our subject were passed 
at the old home in his native place and as soon as 
old enough he was sent to the common schools, 
acquiring a good education. He began in life 
for himself first as a farmer, cultivating the tract 
of land owned by Benjamin Stockings. Novem- 
ber 30, 1871, he was married in the city of Brook- 
lyn to Miss Cory, daughter of WilHam Cory, a 
well-to-do business man of that city. They com- 
menced Hfe together on the old Stockings farm, 
where they made their home until 1873, when they 
moved to Freeport, and there Mr. Seaman en- 
gaged in shipping oysters to New York. Two 
years later we find them making their home in 
Roslyn, where our subject was given a position 
40 



in the grocery and dry goods store of William 
U. Nostrand, for whom he worked for a period 
of five years. 

In 1881 Mr. Seaman moved to his present loca- 
tion in Glenwood and embarked in the general 
merchandise business. His trade increased from 
year to year, and in order that he might displav 
his goods to better advantage he erected a new 
building in 1891, and now has one of the best 
equipped establishments of the kind in the place. 
In connection with this business he is proprietor 
of a flour and feed store and is also largely in- 
terested in real estate in this vicinity and near his 
old home in Jericho. Without doubt he is one 
of the most substantial men of Glenwood and is 
honored with the confidence and good will of all 
v/ho know him. 

In politics Mr. Seaman is a stalwart Repub- 
lican. He is a member of Pembroke Lodge No. 
73, I. O. O. F., and is at all times loyal to the 
interests of this order. He is a member of the 
board of education in District No. i, and uses 
his influence at all times toward securing everv 
advantage for the schools of this neighborhood. 
Together with his excellent wife he is a devote-I 
member of the Presbyterian Church of Glen- 
wood, and for many years past has been elder 
of his congregation, also trustee and clerk of the 
board. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman became the par- 
ents of four sons and three daughters. Howard 
departed this life November 30, 1875, when three 
years of age; Herbert B., after completing his 
education in the private schools of Jamaica, en- 
tered the West Farmington College, where he 
is now a student; William E. is attending school 
at Farmingdale; Warren C. is carrying on his 
studies in Blaii-'s Presbyterian Academy at Blairs- 
town, N. J.; Cora M., Edith and Florence are ai 
home with their parents. 



JOSHUA W. BARNUM. Whatever the 
natural resources of a country, or its busi- 
ness facilities, still the history must depend 
chiefly upon the men who have resided there, 
and who by their energy and ability have added to 
the natural attractions and wealth. The subject 
of this biography figures prominently among such 
men. He is a resident of the town of Hempstead, 
where he has passed the greater part of his life, 
and has one of the finest country seats on Long 
Island. 

Mr. Barnum was born in 1847, '''''d is the son 



988 



PORTR.\IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Peter Crosby and Sarah Ann (Baldwin) Bar- 
num. The father was born in Putnam County, 
this state, and there continued to make his home 
until about eighteen years of age. He then went 
to the metropolis, and there established a business 
in which he was interested until 1878. Quiet and 
unassuming in manner, he was thoroughly 
devoted to the interests of his family, and at the 
time of his death, which occurred March 14, 1889, 
was deeply lamented. For a time he served as 
president of the Queens County Agricultural 
Society. Although the father of our subject was 
engaged in business in New York City he made 
his home in this town, locating here in 1846, and 
here continued to reside until his decease. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in New 
York and when a young man of nineteen years 
engaged in the clothing business in that city. He 
carried on a profitable trade in this line until 1878, 
when, with his father, he decided to dispose of his 
interests and locate in this town. The handsome 
country seat is about two and one-half miles from 
the village of Hempstead and twenty-four miles 
distant from New York. 

The mother of our subject was the daughter of 
Thomas Baldwin, one of the most prominent 
residents of Queens County, who figures in the 
early part of the nineteenth century. Mrs. Bar- 
nutn fell heir to one of the largest estates on the 
island, owning and managing a farm of over two 
thousand five hundred acres. It was mainly 
through her efforts that the present poor farm, 
which was named Barnum's island, was secured 
to Queens County, and the penurious system of 
farming out the labor of the dependent poor was 
abolished. Learning that a syndicate was about 
to purchase the island for a summer resort, Mrs. 
Barnum drove several miles in the face of a 
severe storm, saw all the owners of the property 
and purchased it for $13,000. A few days there- 
after the syndicate offered $75,000 for the 
property, but she refused the offer and turned it 
over to the county at the same figure which she 
had paid for it. The place is now valued at 
$150,000. It was also owing to the energy of 
activity of Mrs. Barnum that the sale of the com- 
mon lands of the town of Hempstead to the late 
A. T. Stewart for $400,000 was made possible. 
The taxpayers of the town were intensely opposed 
to the proposition to sell the lands, but Mrs. Bar- 
num made a house to house canvass, and after 
explaining to the farmers that the interest on the 
money would reduce their taxes, they readily con- 



sented, and when the election to decide the ques- 
tion was held, the proposition was carried almost 
unanimously. Mrs. Barnum was one of the most 
earnest advocates of the County Agricultural 
Society, which was organized over fifty years ago. 
She was made president of the Ladies' Aid 
Society and the local visiting committee of 
Queens County, and in this manner proved of 
great assistance to the organization. Her estate 
was valued at a half million dollars. 

The lady to whom Joshua W. Barnum was 
married in 1879 was Mary Richmond Taylor, 
daughter of Joseph B. Taylor, a native of Albany, 
but who for many years was engaged in business 
in New York. The latter was the son of John 
Taylor, at one time mayor of Albany and a 
wealthy and prominent resident of that city. One 
daughter survives of the union of our subject 
and his wife, Mary Richmond. They are members 
in excellent standing of the Episcopal Church, 
having been reared in that faith. 

In politics Mr. Barnum is independent, reserv- 
ing his right to vote for the man whom he con- 
siders the best qualified to hold the office. He is 
both liberal and public-spirited and is always 
ready to contribute of his time and means for the 
advancement of enterprises calculated to promote 
the general welfare. 

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, 
Joshua Barnum, was in turn the son of Dr. 
Stephen Barnum, born in Putnam County, N. Y. 
The latter was the son of one Joshua Barnum, of 
Revolutionary fame, in which conflict he won the 
commendation of those in command by his brave 
and fearless discharge of duty. He was captured 
by the British soldiers and was for a time a 
prisoner in the famous sugar house in New York 
Citv. 



RICHARD MOTT, SR. Ha\ang spent his 
entire life in Far Rockaway, the subject of 
our sketch has an extensive acquaintance 
through this portion of the county. His long 
residence here, together with his active participa- 
tion in all worthy measures for the development 
of the resources of the community, has made him 
prominent in social and business circles. It may 
truly be said that few residents of the village have 
been more closely identified with its histon' than 
has he, and certainly none have resided here for 
a longer period. It is to the efforts of such men 
as he that the conmumity owes a debt that can 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



989 



never be repaid. Through their labors, continued 
unweariedly for a long period of years, is due the 
present high standing of this section alike in com- 
mercial and agricultural affairs. Having borne 
the heat of the conflict, many of his co-laborers 
have passed to their final reward, but a few re- 
main to witness and enjoy the fruition of their 
early hopes and aspirations. 

The Mott family is one of th? oldest on the 
island, where our subject's grandfather, Henry 
Mott, was a large landholder a hundred or more 
years ago. The father of our subject, John, was 
born on Long Island, where he engaged in farm 
pursuits until his death. His wife, Lucy, was a 
daughter of William Nicols, of Islip, who owned 
much of the land formerly known as the Nicols 
patent and which originally comprised many 
thousands of acres. They were the parents of 
eight children, one of whom died in infancy. 
William, the eldest, resides at Inwood and is now 
eighty-seven. Richard was the second born. 
Calvin, John and Luciiida have passed away. 
Benjamin B. is represented elsewhere in this 
volume; and Samuel W., the youngest, is de- 
ceased. 

At Far Rockaway, where his life has been 
spent, the subject of this notice was born October 
15, 1810. He has always followed farming and is 
almost the only one left in this vicinity who is 
thus engaged. Early in life he began to assist his 
father, who was an extensive, farmer and stock 
raiser, owning about one thousand acres, and 
usually having forty or fifty calves on hand each 
spring. To each of the boys he gave a farm, thus 
ensuring for them a satisfactory start in life. 
Richard is the next to the eldest of the three sons 
still living. He never married, but in his declining 
years is the recipient of kindly and affectionate 
attention from his brothers' families. In earlier 
years he was a great reader and still keeps well 
posted upon events of the day, being especially 
familiar with the history of this part of the 
country. 



GEORGE STELZ, the well known jewel- 
er, optician and watchmaker of College 
Point, was born in Germany, April 27, 
1839, and was educated in his native land, where 
he learned the trade of a watchmaker under his 
father's instructions. He is the sole survivor of 
the family, which originally consisted of four 
children. At the age of fifteen, accompanying 



his parents, he crossed the Atlantic and settled in 
New York City, where his father, Martin, died at 
the age of fifty-six, and his mother, Mary (Deal) 
Stelz, when sixty-two. 

After coming to the United States our subject 
was employed in a jewelry store in Essex Street, 
New York, for one and one-half years, and while 
there learned the jeweler's trade, at which he 
subsequently worked until 1863. Having con- 
siderable natural and cultivated talent in music, 
in 1863 he enlisted as a musician in the Fourth 
Regiment of New York State and remained for 
five years in the service, meantime being called to 
many places during and after the Civil War and 
having a varied experience. 

On the expiration of his period of service in the 
army, Mr. Stelz went back to New York and in 
1869 came to College Point. Here he embarked 
in his chosen occupation and has since built up a 
large trade, his place of business being situated 
in Fourth Avenue, between Fourteenth and Fif- 
teenth Streets. During the many years that he 
has resided here, he has come to he known as an 
industrious, painstaking man, anxious to please 
his customers and reliable in his dealings with all. 
Prior to his enlistment in the army he married 
Louisa Kost, who died after having become the 
mother of four children, of whom two survive, 
Louisa, of Flushing, and George, of College 
Point. His second marriage united him with 
Maggie G. Flanigan, who is of Irish descent and 
a member of the Catholic Church. Of this mar- 
riage a son was born, Robert William, now a 
student in school. In poHtics Mr. Stelz is a Re- 
publican and never fails to support the principles 
of that party. 



DAVID JARVIS, a man of influence in his 
community, is engaged as a general mer- 
chant at Flower Hill, which is within two 
and one-half miles of the postoffice of Roslyn. 
He was born in this vicinity September 20, 1820, 
his parents being Daniel and Mary (West) Jarvis, 
whose household included eight children. They 
were people of moderate circumstances and were 
able to give their children only meager opportu- 
nities for gaining an education. 

David, of this sketch, was reared in the town 
of North Hempstead, and after leaving school 
worked at whatever he could find to do. As he 
was industrious and economical, as soon as he 
had saved a sufficient sum of money, he purchased 



990 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a horse and wagon, and a varied assortment of 
household goods, sehing the latter through the 
country. He was prospered in this undertaking 
and shortly after his marriage with Miss Mary 
Newton, which occurred April i, 1845, he erected 
a small building on the site which is now occupied 
by his large and substantial store. In this he 
placed a stock of goods, and while he was making 
trips through the country, his wife attended the 
store. In 1858 he built his present building, 
which is a store and residence combined. 

The Newton family, of which Mrs. Jarvis was a 
member, is one of the oldest on the island, yet 
the information concerning former generations is 
very meager. Mrs. Jarvis was born at Middle 
Island, Suffolk County, and was the daughter of 
Isaac and Maria (Furman) Newton. Her union 
with our subject resulted in the birth of four 
children. Leverett N.. after graduating from the 
schools of Homer, N. Y., took a course in East- 
man's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, and 
was later made cashier of the wholesale dry goods 
.store of Mills & Gibbs, of New^ York City, which 
responsible position he held for twelve years. He 
married Miss Fannie C. Hewett, and his death 
.occurred in July, 1892. Adelaide Jarvis died 
when five years of age. Mary Emma, who assists 
her father in conducting the store, is a graduate 
of the Friends' School at Sands Point, which is 
presided over by Adam and Mary Mott. Ida 
Maria married Clifford Woodnutts and makes 
her home at Norwood, N. J.; they have two chil- 
dren, Howard David and Mary Elizabeth. 

Although not actively identified with political 
affairs, Mr. Jarvis is a straightforward Repub- 
lican. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay. 
Together with his family he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Although now 
well advanced in years he is still an enterprising 
and useful citizen, taking a deep interest in move- 
ments of public importance. 



EA. PERPALL. The manufacture of 
stoves has grown to be a great industry 
• which naturally must be nearly equalled 
by the indtistry connected with their sale. An 
extensive dealer in, this line is E. A. Perpall, of 
Flushing, who has been established in business 
here since June, 1891. He was born in Nassau, 
New Providence, Bahama Islands, to John H. 
and Elizabeth (Johnson) Perpall, natives respec- 
tively of England and New Providence. 



The childhood days of E. A. Perpall were spent 
in acquiring an education in private schools, but 
in August, 1865, he left home and came to New 
York City, and in January of the following year 
he became a clerk in a retail hardware store, 
where he remained until January, 1871. At that 
time he took up his residence in Flushing and 
became a clerk in the hardware store owned by 
Thomas Elliott at that time, and for sixteen years 
he had charge of the business. Upon the death 
of Mr. Elliott in June, 1891, the firm of E. A. 
Perpall was established. ^Nlr. Elliott's stock was 
purchased, and since that time business has been 
successfully conducted at the old stand, at the 
corner of Main and Washington Streets. A gen- 
eral line of hardware and house furnishing goods 
is kept, and they are at all times prepared to do 
rooling and furnace work. He has done work 
on the high school building, the residence of G. 
H. Clements, that of Mrs. A. E. Leavitt and G. 
Howland, the Gas Company's works and the 
residences of C. A. Willets, C. A. Willets. Jr., 
Robert B. Parsons, S. B. Parsons, Henry A. 
Bogert, William Ellimon, George Pope and 
scores of others, beside St. George's Episcopal 
Church and various other buildings. 

Mr. Perpall was married in New York City to 
Miss Mary E. Affleck, a native of that city, and to 
them four children have been given: ^lary F., 
Laura L., Albert E. and Elizabeth B. Mr. Per- 
pall is a member of the Royal Arcanum, in which 
he has been vice-regent and is now orator, and 
belongs to the Flushing Business :\Ien's Associa- 
tion. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church and 
his wife is also a member of this church. 



GEORGE W. PINKHA^I. For the past 
twenty years and upward George ^\ . 
Pinkham has been engaged in the gro- 
cery business in Flushing, and during the entire 
period intervening to the present has been stead- 
ily increasing his hold on public favor and patron- 
age. Flis grocery establishment is one of the 
most popular and well patronized of its type in 
this section of the village, and commands a large 
and lucrative local trade. 

Mr. Pinkham was born in Flushing in 1S50. 
and is a son of John L. and Ann (^Farrington) 
Pinkham. The Pinkham family is an old and 
influential one on Long Island, and the original 
members came from Scotland. They settled in 
New York, but some of the descendants came to 




ELBERT H. BOGART. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



993 



Long Island, and there the grandfather of our 
subject, Obed Pinkham, commanded a vessel on 
the sound. The Pinkhams were Quakers in their 
religious views. John L. Pinkham was a carpen- 
ter and builder by trade and followed that many 
years, although the latter part of his life was 
passed on a farm adjoining the village. He died 
in Flushing when sixty-seven years old. His wife 
had passed away five weeks before this, when 
sixty-four years old. 

Of the children born to this worthy couple, 
two daughters and four sons survive. Of these, 
our subject is the eldest. He grew to manhood 
here, received his education in the public schools, 
and at an early age displayed unusual musical 
ability. He began studying music, first violin, 
under Professor Woolley, of Brooklyn, and later 
received instruction from Professor Holbrook, in 
New York City. In the springof 1869 he began 
earning a living by his bow, and was on a concert 
tour through the United States. In March, 1870, 
he went abroad and traveled over the United 
Kingdom, visiting all cities of more than five 
thousand inhabitants. He was in partnership 
with the Charles Dawson Concert Company, and 
this was a successful venture. 

In March, 1873, Mr. Pinkham returned to New 
York, and in 1875 engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness, and also has engaged in the practice of his 
profession, which he has followed ever since. 
Pinkham's Orchestra is well known and furnishes 
music for dances, parlor recitals, etc., and is sure 
to give the best of satisfaction. He furnishes 
music to all the surrounding cities, has gained a 
widespread reputation, and is worthy of all praise. 
Mr. Pinkham was married in Flushing to Miss 
Mary E. Wright, a native of Queens County, N. 
Y. Four children have been given them : George 
L., Arthur M., Richard H. and Selah Clinton. 



ELBERT H. BOGART, who still makes his 
home on the farm in the town of North 
Hempstead, where his birth occurred May 
18, 181 1, is one of the oldest and most highly re- 
spected residents of the county. During the more 
active years of his life he prosecuted farming and 
was also engaged as a winemakei 

Mr. Bogart is the son of Isaac and Catherine 
(Hegerman) Bogart, the former of whom was 
born at Brookville, formerly called Wolver Hol- 
low, December 3, 1775, and died July 3, 1858. He 



in turn was the son of one Tunis Bogart, whose 
birth also occurred at Brookville, January 12, 
1752. The great-grandfather of our subject, 
Isaac Bogart, was born at Wolver Hollow Octo- 
ber 13, 1718, while the great-great-grandfather 
came hither from the western end of the island, 
where one of two brothers, natives of Holland, 
and the first representatives of the family in 
America, first settled. The other brother made 
his home in New Jersey. They were engaged as 
market gardeners in those early 'days and became 
well-to-do. The descendants of these brothers 
became very numerous, and it was very often the 
case that their letters were dehvered to the wrong 
person, causing much dissatisfaction. Finally 
they appointed a date when they all met together 
and agreed that those living in New Jersey should 
spell their name with an "e'' instead of an "a," 
while the descendants of the brother who located 
on the island should be known as Bogarts. 

Isaac, the great-grandfather of our subject, 
when asked to choose between Long Island and 
New Jersey, decided to make his future home in 
Wolver Hollow, where he was given a farm by 
his father about the year 1732. This property 
was inherited by his son. Grandfather Tunis Bo- 
gart, who sold the estate in 1784, when Isaac was 
a lad of eight years. He then purchased the farm 
on which our subject now lives, and which is one 
of the best improved in the county. 

The father of Elbert H., of this sketch, served 
a short time as a soldier in the War of 1812. He 
was an old-line Whig in politics, but, like his 
father and grandfather before him, never sought 
public office, and in fact no member of the family 
ever served in a public capacity. The parental 
family included four children, of whom Elbert 
H. is the only survivor. The eldest daughter, 
Phebe, married Daniel Brinkerhoff, and at her 
death left two children. Phebe Ann Bogart be- 
came the wife of Hobart Wooley, and at the time 
of her decease, in 1875, left a family of nine sons 
and daughters, of whom seven still survive. 

Elbert H. Bogart was not permitted to attend 
school regularly, for as soon as he was old enough 
to be of any use to his father in conducting the 
homestead, he was kept out of school and com- 
pelled to work early and late. He was anxious, 
however, to become well informed and every leis- 
ure moment was employed in reading good books 
and in studying such text books as he possessed. 
Although he had received very little instruction 
in mathematics, he opened an account book and 



994 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in this manner gained much valuable information 
regarding bookkeeping. 

Our subject remained with his father until at- 
taining his thirty-sixth year, when, having accu- 
mulated $ioo, he decided to engage in farming 
on his own account. He accordingly took posses- 
sion of a forty-five acre farm, for which he went 
in debt $2,000. This was located near his father's 
place and was cultivated by him in a most thor- 
ough and profitable manner, so that at the end 
of eight years he found that he had not only been 
able to free the place from debt, but had saved 
something besides. He later sold the place for 
$8,000. In the various enterprises in which Mr. 
Bogart has been engaged he has met with very 
flattering results and is now the proprietor of one 
hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land. 
His possessions formerly included a much larger 
amount, but as his real estate increased in value 
he disposed of it at a handsome profit. At one 
time he paid a great deal of attention to the rais- 
ing of potatoes, and during the progress of the 
Queens County Fair placed on exhibition one 
hundred and sixty varieties of this vegetable. 

Mr. Bogart cast his first presidential vote in 
1832 for a Whig candidate, but on the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party joined its ranks and 
has ever since supported its candidates. He was 
elected one of the trustees of the Jones Institute 
much against his will, and when, on the expira- 
tion of his term, he was urged to remain in this 
capacity, he positively refused, as it was never his 
desire to hold office of any kind. Like his father 
and grandfather before him, he is a devoted mem- 
ber of the Dutch Reformed Church, holding 
membership with the congregation at Manhasset, 
in which he served as deacon. Mr. Bogart has 
never married. 



WILLIAM G. DE BEVOISE. One of 
those business men whose probity is 
well known and whose career has been 
distinguished for 'enterprise is William G. De Be- 
voise, who is engaged in a most important and 
lucrative calling, that of market gardening. His 
grandfather, Charles G. De Bevoise, was born in 
what is now Hill Street, Long Island City, and 
traced his ancestry back to the French Plugue- 
nots, who, in defense of their religious principles, 
first removed to Holland and then to the United 
States. In early days the family was well known 
in Beauvais, France, near the city of Paris. 



Charles G. was the only child of Joris and Anna 
De Bevoise, the former of whom was married 
three times. He was born in Newtown, became 
a tiller of the soil, and was a member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church. His father, Jan De Bevoise, 
was born in Brooklyn in 1704 and was married 
to Jane, daughter of Lieut. Joris Rapelje, of New- 
town, and in this village he made his home until 
his death, April 26, 1777. His father, Carel De 
Bevoise, was born in Brooklyn, where he became 
prominent and held the position of county judge 
from 1752 to 1761. His father, Jacobus De Be- 
voise, was the only son of Carel De Bevoise, who 
was the founder of the family in this country, 
coming thither with his wife and three children. 
He went to New Amsterdam from Leyden, 
Holland, February 17, 1659. His wife's maiden 
name was Sophia Van Lodenstein. He possessed 
decided literary tastes and wai a teacher of the 
Dutch language, and later became a reader and 
schoolmaster in Brooklyn. He also filled the 
positions of secretary and town clerk. Jacobus 
was his only son and was married to Maria, 
daughter of Joost Carelsz. 

George C. De Bevoise, father of the subject of 
this sketch, and son of Charles G, was born on 
the old home place in Long Island City, and be- 
came a tiller of the soil. He inherited thirty-two 
acres of land near the boundary line of Newtown 
and Long Island City from his father, who 
bought it after his marriage. He built a house 
thereon and turned his attention to agricultural 
pursuits, following the same until his death in 
1861, in the forty-sixth year of his age. He was 
commissioner of highways, was captain in the 
state militia of the Light Guards of Newtown, 
and also held other positions. His wife, Joanna 
Wyckoff Kouwenhoven, was born in Newtown 
in March, 1818, a daughter of Garrett Kouwen- 
hoven, who was a native of Holland and a far- 
mer bv occupation. He died in the vicinity of 
Newtown. His father, ^^'i^iam Kouwenhoven, 
who was born at Flatlands, was a far- 
mer and was married in 1798 to Joanna, daughter 
of Johannes W. WyckofT. He was a son of Gar- 
rett, son of William, son of William, who was a 
son of James. (For a detailed history of this fam- 
ily see the sketch of Frederick Kouwenhoven.) 
To the marriage of George C. and Joanna 
(Kouwenhoven) De Bevoise the following chil- 
dren were born: Cornelia, Mrs. Lott, of New- 
town; Charles, who died at the age of four years; 
Sarah E., Mrs. Cutter, of Flushing; William G. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



995 



and George C. William G. De Bevoise, who was 
born October 14, 185 1, was reared on a farm and 
received a good education in the old Dutch Kills 
schools and the New York City grammar schools. 
From early boyhood he has been familiar with 
farming and market gardening and at the early 
age of sixteen years he assumed the management 
of the old home place. Assisted by his brother, 
George C, who is unmarried, he has successfully 
devoted it to market gardening ever since. He 
stands among the leaders of this work on Long 
Island, and finds a ready and profitable market 
for his products in Brooklyn and New York City, 
besides various places nearer home. The land 
is within the corporate limits of Long Island 
City and all of it is being tilled. 

Mr. De Bevoise was married in Newtown to 
Miss Cornelia Rapalje, a daughter of John Rap- 
alje, a farmer. Their marriage resulted in the 
birth of two children : Joanna Wyckoff , now liv- 
ing at home with her parents ; and Van Antwerp 
Rapalje, who died in infancy. Mrs. De Bevoise 
is a member of the Reformed Church of New- 
town. 



FREDERICK J. DE BEVOISE, of Ever- 
green, is a member of one of the most 
ancient and influential families of Long 
Island, the origin of which is traced, by careful 
examination of records, to the old city of Beau- 
vais, on the River Therin, northwest of Paris, 
France, it being supposed that the family name is 
derived from the name of this city. The first of the 
name to settle in America was Carel de Beauvois, 
a native of France, who left his native counfrjr and 
went to Leyden, Holland, at the time of the mas- 
sacre of St. Bartholomew. There he settled and 
married. He arrived at New Amsterdam in the 
ship "Otter" February 17, 1659. He was an edu- 
cated French Protestant, and his literary merits, to- 
gether with his knowledge of the Dutch language 
soon gained for him the position of a school 
teacher. In 1661 he became chorister, reader and 
schoolmaster for the people of Brooklyn at a 
salary of twenty-five guilders and free house rent. 
Later he held the office of public secretary or 
town clerk until 1669. Among his descendants 
there have been men who have gained promi- 
nence in public life and in the Dutch Reformed 
Church. 

The father of our subject, John de Bevoise, 
was born in the family homestead October 26, 



1820, and was the son of John, Sr.. who at one 
time held the position of supervisor of the town, 
and the grandson of John C, the original pur- 
chaser of the family homestead. In youth he went 
to Brooklyn, N. Y., to accept a clerkship with 
Benjamin H. Field, a prominent commission mer- 
chant, where his services were so satisfactory that 
after some seven years his employer ofifered him 
an open credit of $50,000 to start a house in St. 
Louis, but he declined the flattering offer. For 
about seven years he held a clerkship with M. 
Morgan's Sons, bankers of New York, finally 
resigning this position to engage in the lumber 
business in Williamsburg, where he remained five 
years. His next position, which he held about 
ten years, was in the Bank of America in Wall 
Street, New York, where he remained until, at 
his father's death, it became necessary for him to 
attend to the settlement of the estate. 

Since returning to the old homestead Mr. de 
Bevoise has made many improvements that have 
increased the value of the place, including the 
macadamizing of Myrtle Avenue and the intro- 
ducing of the car line. For more than forty years 
he has been a member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, and during twenty-five years of this time 
he has been superintendent of Sunday-schools at 
Brooklyn, East Williamsburg and Newtown. Four 
times he represented his church in the General 
Synod and for a number of years he served as 
deacon and elder of the congregation. 

By his marriage to Gertrude Jane Suydam, 
John de Bevoise became the father of eleven 
chi'dren, of whom six survive, namely: John H. ; 
Frederick J.; Cornelia G., wife of John Vandei-- 
veer; Gertrude S., Mrs. Howard L'Hommedieu; 
Abraham B., and Marietta, who married Howard 
Hayden. The eldest of the family, John H., was 
born at the old homestead, near Fresh Pond, 
June 4, 1845, ^"d '^''^s educated in private sub- 
scription schools of Brooklyn. At the age of 
eighteen he entered the broker's office of Davis, 
Morris & Co., on the corner of Wall and Water 
Streets, New York, where he remained for six 
years. Afterward he entered the banking house 
of M. Morgan's Sons, where he remained until 
the failure of the firm twenty years later. Mr. 
Dixon, of the firm of Miller, Peckham & Dixon, 
attorneys and counsellors at law, was appointed 
receiver to settle up the estate, and he retained 
Mr. de Bevoise to assist in the work, in which 
capacity he is now employed. He was married 
in 1882. 



996 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The subject of this sketch was born March 
9, 1854, in Clossen Avenue, Brooklyn, and was 
about one year old when his parents moved to 
his present place of residence. Here he grew to 
manhood, acquiring his education in the common 
schools. When about fourteen years old he 
worked in the Nassau Cordage Company, in 
which his father was interested. At nineteen years 
he went to Pittsburg and was employed by an 
uncle in an oil mill, where he did office work 
some three years. Going from there to New 
York, he secured a position with George F. Bas- 
sett & Co., a wholesale crockery firm. There, by 
successive promotions, he was given charge of 
the fancy goods department, was made shipping 
clerk, and finally became foreman of the house. 
Giving his attention closely to the details of the 
business, his arduous labors undermined his 
health and after six years he was obliged to resign 
his position. Returning home he and a brother 
became managers of the farm, which he has since 
superintended. 

In 1893 our subject was elected to the office of 
justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket and 
took his seat January i, 1894, He is chairman of 
the board of education and to his assiduous 
efforts in a great measure is due the high standing 
of the Evergreen school among the graded 
schools of the county. In religious views he is 
identified with the Dutch Reformed Church, and 
since 1893 has served as a deacon in the con- 
sistory. By his upright and active life, he is 
adding lustre to the distinguished name he bears, 
a name that has been associated with every 
worthy project for the advancement of the county 
since an early period in its settlement. 



CAPT. FRANK N. BELL, one of the most 
popular men of Flushing, is a native of 
Darien, Conn., born January 30, 1S52, 
and a son of George S. and Esther M. (Weed) 
Bell, both natives of the Nutmeg State. This 
family is an old and prominent one in America 
and came originally from England with the "May- 
flower." Some time after the landing of the Pil- 
grims the family settled in Connecticut, and the 
first white child born in Stamford, that state, was 
Francis Bell, one of our subject's ancestors. Mr. 
Bell comes of good old fighting stock, his great- 
grandfallicr. Thaddeus Bell, having been with 
Putnam in llie Revolutionary War at the battle 
of Horse Neck. Mis grandfather, Hon. Hollv 



Bell, served as corporal in the War of 1812, and 
later passed through the various grades up to the 
rank of colonel. For )^ears he was also a member 
of the assembly. 

George S. Bell, father of our subject, was a ship- 
builder and contractor, and still follows that busi- 
ness in South Norwalk, Conn. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics and was elected to the assembly 
two terms. His wife was a daughter of Eben- 
ezer Weed and a descendant of the Slawson and 
Hoyt families of Connecticut, both of which were 
prominently identified with the Revolution and 
War of 1812. Mrs. Bell died at an early age, 
leaving three sons, John W., our subject and 
Charles S. Mr. Bell was married again and four 
daughters and a son were the fruits of this union. 

From the age of four years our subject resided 
in South Norwalk and he received his education 
in the public and high schools. In 1868 he came 
to New York City and became clerk in a whole- 
sale hardware house and was thus occupied until 
1874. That year he came to Flushing, and has 
made his home here since. For three years he 
had charge of the hardware department of Cle- 
ment & Bloodgood, and then went to New York 
City, where he became bookkeeper for the First 
National Bank, and is head bookkeeper there 
at the present time. He is a director in the Flush- 
ing Cooper Building and Loan Association. 

Mr. Bell was married in Flushing to Miss 
Louise Waters, a native of this village and daugh- 
ter of David T. Waters, who was a contractor and 
builder. Her mother, formerly Esther Layton, 
came of an old and prominent Long Island fam- 
ily, and was of English origin. Mr. and Mrs. Bell 
have two children, Ernest Layton and Esther. 
Mr. Bell is a member of the Royal Arcanum and 
has been an officer in the same. In 1879 ^^ 
joined the National Guard of the State of New 
York, served as private three months, but was 
elected first sergeant and served in that capacity 
for eight years. He was then elected first lieu- 
tenant, and aftenvards became captain, but re- 
signed the position in 1896. He is a member of 
the veteran association. 



GEORGE HEANY, who has been engaged 
in the plumbing and steam heating busi- 
ness in Flushing since 1893, was born in 
Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, in 1858, being 
a son of James and Sarah (Findley) Heany, na- 
tives respectively of New Orleans, La., and Gait. 




JACOB VALENTINE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



999 



Canada, the latter being of Scotch descent. The 
paternal grandfather, who was a native of Ireland, 
was a soldier in the English army and was pressed 
into service during the War of 1812. Sent to 
New Orleans with his regiment, he was taken 
prisoner by General Jackson, and afterward re- 
mained in this country, residing for a time in 
New Orleans, but later going to New York City. 

James Heany, who was a mason and brick- 
layer, removed from New York to Iowa, but after 
eight years returned to the Empire State, where 
he died at the age of forty years. Of his six 
children, three are living, George being the next 
to the eldest. He was two years of age when the 
family returned to New York City, and his edu- 
cation was obtained principally in the grammar 
school at No. 40 East Twenty-third Street. Later 
he spent two years in a college in that city. At 
the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the 
plumber's trade under James Muir, and was thus 
engaged for eight years, after which he was em- 
ployed in Washington, Baltimore, Chicago, 
Omaha and other cities of the United States. 

In the fall of 1893 Mr. Heany came to Flush- 
ing, purchased a residence in Ash Street, and 
worked at his trade until September, 1895, when 
he opened a shop in Boerum Avenue. Here he 
has since engaged in a general plumbing and 
heating business, having had some of the princi- 
pal contracts in this vicinity. In New York in 
1881 he married Miss Carrie Heinzer, a native 
of that city, and they are the parents of two chil- 
dren, Arthur and Caroline. Socially our subject 
is connected with Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, 
F. & A. M., and the Royal Arcanum. He is a 
member of Murray Hill Hose Companv No. 4 
and the Journeyman Plumbers' Association of 
New York, and in his political views is a Demo- 
crat. 



JACOB VALENTINE. The family repre- 
sented by this well known citizen of Hemp- 
stead is one of the oldest on Long Island. 
The first of the name to cross the ocean was 
Richard Valentine, who removed from the parish 
of Eckles in Lancashire, England, in 1645, ^^^''d 
the following year became one of the first set- 
tlers and original land owners of Hempstead, 
where he was prominent in the affairs of the 
town in its early days. His five sons were Rich- 
ard, William, Ephraim, Obadiah and Jonah. He 



was a Quaker, and all the succeeding generations 
have been reared in that faith. 

This branch of the family descended from Oba- 
diah. One of his sons, Jacob, who was the father 
of the great-grandfather of our subject, had a son 
named Richard, the latter being a brother of the 
Quaker preacher, William Valentine. Richard 
had a son named Jacob, wdio was the grandfather 
of the present Jacob, the latter being a member 
of the seventh generation from Richard Valen- 
tine, the first representative in America. The 
town records show that Jacob Valentine, grand- 
son of the original Richard, was for several years 
assessor of Hempstead. This was in 1751. 

Jacob Valentine, our subject's grandfather, was 
born in 1773 and devoted his Ufe to farm pur- 
suits. Like all Quakers, he was a lover of peace 
and refused to enlist in any active conflict, but 
during the War of 1812 he and his team were 
pressed into service. His two half-brothers, 
Ezekiel and William, went to Dutchess County, 
where they resided with an uncle, William Valen- 
tine, a Quaker preacher, and the grandfather of 
Stephen Treadwell, the noted minister in the 
Friends' Church. 

The old family homestead on which our subject 
and his father were born was sold to A. T. Stew- 
art and forms a part of the great estate left by 
the merchant prince. The father of our subject 
had one brother and three sisters, John, Ann, 
Eliza and Ruth. John, who was a farmer in his 
early years, later was employed as a truckman in 
New York City, and died at Mt. Vernon; his son, 
Vandewater Valentine, is engaged in the mercan- 
tile business in Brooklyn, Ann married Daniel 
Lewis and they resided in the town of North 
Hempstead until death. Eliza died in young 
womanhood. Ruth married Daniel Searing. 

William Valentine, our subject's father, was 
born August 17, 1806, and followed farming 
throughout his active hfe, but now lives retired, 
making his home with his son, Jacob. He mar- 
ried Mary Ann Bedell, who was born in 1810, 
and whose father, Benjamin, a native of Beth- 
page, was a son of Isaac Bedell. This family was 
also of the Quaker belief. She had two brothers, 
William, a resident of Sayville, and Isaac, who 
lived in Amityville. A daughter of Isaac is the 
wife of ex-Sherifif George S. Downing; and a 
son, Valentine Bedell, lives in Jamaica. 

The two sons of William Valentine were Jacob, 
born June 11, 1828; and John B., born in De- 
cember, 1829. The latter was a farmer in early 



lOOO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



life, but is now engaged as a carpenter and 
builder at Flushing. Our subject grew to man- 
hood on the old homestead, situated in the town 
of Hempstead, northeast of the village. In De- 
cember, 1848, he married Miss Martha Powell, 
who was born at Bayside, L. I., in 1829. Her 
father, John Powell, who was a native and farmer 
of the town of Flushing, was born October 17, 
1787, and died at Bayside September 13. 1838. 
The family were Quakers in religious belief. Mrs. 
Valentine was one of four sisters, of whom one 
died in girlhood; Harriet married Rev. H. B. R. 
Abbott, a Methodist minister; and Adeline makes 
her home with her sister, Martha. 

After his marriage Mr. Valentine spent seven 
years on his wife's homestead at Bayside, and 
then returned to the old Valentine homestead, 
where he continued to reside until it was sold to 
A. T. Stewart. Since then he has made his home 
in or near the village of Hempstead, where he 
has a small farm. As a Republican he has al- 
ways taken an active part in local as well as na- 
tional politics. For six years he was one of the 
assessors of the town, and it is said that he is one 
of the best judges of property and its value to 
be found on Long Island. While he and his 
family were reared in the Quaker faith, they now 
hold membership in St. George's Protestant Episr 
copal Church at Hempstead. 

Mr. and Mrs. Valentine have four living chil- 
dren. Their daughter, Sarah A., who married 
H. L. Weeks, is now deceased. John Powell, 
who is engaged in business in Brooklyn, married 
Ella, daughter of Charles Fowler, of that city; 
Martha married Henry E. Cornwell, of Hemp- 
stead, and they have three children, Henry E., 
Herbert V. and George; William Edgar married 
Rosamond Irish and has one child, Norman T. ; 
and Henry M., who married Elizabeth Smart, is 
a business man of New York. 



ADELBERT PL SAMMIS. Among the old 
families of Long Island none is more dis- 
tinguished for patriotic spirit and excellent 
business judgment than that represented by the 
gentleman named, a well known citizen of Hemp- 
stead. Both in Queens and Suffolk Counties 
there may now be found many of this name, and 
they always rank among the best and most pro- 
gressive citizens, having b)' natural gifts and cul- 
ture those qualities that render them conspicuous 
for good citizenship. The family genealogy shows 



that the first of them to come to America was a 
native of England, who, being the possessor of 
what in those days was considered a fortune, was 
able to purchase large tracts of land on making 
settlement here. He purchased much of the land 
covering the present site of the village of Hemp- 
stead, and this property is now largely in the 
possession of our subject. 

Successive generations of the family were born 
in the old Sammis Hotel, one of the historic 
buildings of this locality. It was erected prior to 
1700 by the father of Nehemiah Sammis, and dur- 
ing the Revolution, when the latter was the pro- 
prietor, it was used by the English officers as their 
headquarters while they were in possession of 
this portion of Long Island. The house, which 
is still standing and in good condition, has been 
run as a hotel constantly by the Sammis family 
down to the present time and is now the property 
of our subject, but under the management of his 
nephew. 

Nehemiah Sammis, who was born in the old 
hotel, had a son, Benjamin, born in the same 
house in 1763, whose son Henry, was the father 
of our subject. Henry was born in the old home- 
stead on Christmas Day of 1796 and spent his 
entire life in that historic place, where he died 
in 1881. He married Sarah Seaman, a member 
of one of the old families of the island and a lady 
of amiable disposition, a devoted member of St. 
George's Church in Hempstead; she died in 1874, 
some years prior to the decease of her husband. 
Of their nine children six attained mature years, 
namely: Adelbert H., Henry, LawTence Seaman, 
Charles A., who was at one time sheriff of Queens 
County, and held that position and the office of 
under sheriff for nine years; Benjamin F., and 
Ann Amelia, wife of George W. ]\Iayher, of 
Brooklyn. 

Born in the village of Hempstead, March 20, 
1842, the subject of this article has always made 
Long Island his home, though at intervals he has 
resided elsewhere, having spent several years in 
Chicago and other places. Appreciating the val- 
ue of travel, he has devoted considerable time to 
visiting points of interest in this country and 
through habits of observation has gained a broad 
knowledge of men and places that makes him a 
companionable and entertaining man. He owns 
considerable valuable property in and around 
Hempstead and his residence is one of the finest 
in the village. In it he and his accomplished 
wife, with whom he was united in 1S72, and who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ICMDI 



was formerly Miss Anna Sealey, of Brooklyn, 
delight to entertain their hosts of warm personal 
friends, extending a bounteous hospitality to all 
who come beneath their roof. 



WILLIAM C. HOLLAND, of Oceanus, 
is a member of the well-known grocery 
firm of W. C. Holland & Son, and is a 
live, progressive and go-ahead merchant. He 
deals principally with the large wholesale houses 
in procuring his stock, and is prepared to offer 
his patrons superior advantages over many of 
his competitors. William C. Holland was the 
fourth child born to his parents, Michael P. and 
Fannie R. (Brush) Holland, the former of whom 
was at one time a successful hotel keeper at Ja- 
maica, and is now in the real estate and insur- 
ance business at Rockaway Beach. 

Our subject was born February 5, 1848, at 
Jamaica, and remained there until nine years of 
age. He had but limited scholastic advantages, 
only attending school until twelve or fourteen 
years old, but possessing a naturally quick mind, 
and being observing, he has become well posted 
on all affairs of moment, and is as well educated 
as many men who have had better advantages. 
When but thirteen years old he went to the city 
of New York and worked for a sugar and tea 
house at No. 187 Bowery for three years. From 
there he went to Maiden Lane and ran a tea and 
coffee route for one year. Later he returned 
home and was engaged in steamboating in New 
York harbor for about six months. Again he 
returned to Rockaway Beach and engaged in 
boating on the bay, and during the summer took 
our pleasure parties. 

Later Mr. Holland went into the life saving ser- 
vice, and was stationed at Rockaway Point for 
four years under Captain Carman. Afterwards 
he was in the Rockaway life station, where he re- 
mained for seven years with Captain Rheinhart, 
later began planting oysters and finally estab- 
lished himself in the grocery business. The firm 
of Holland & Son has been conducting a success- 
ful business for five years, and the members are 
well known as highly respected tradesmen and 
command the esteem and confidence of all with 
whom they have dealings. 

When about twenty-one years old Mr. Holland 
married Miss Margaret Brower, of Woodsburg, 
L. I., and daughter of Charles and Mary (Doxee) 
Brower, both now deceased, the former dying at 



the age of seventy-two and the latter when sixty- 
five years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Holland were 
born fourteen children, twelve now living. Will- 
iam resides in Rockaway Beach and has one child, 
Willie; Dora, the wife of Charles Kespert, has 
three children, Charles, Edna and Isabella; 
Frank, a member of the firm, married Miss Rose 
Keenan and has one child, Frank ; Ella married 
Albert George and has three children, Willie, 
Ruth and Frank; Tliomas, who is at home, is 
clerking for his father; Charles is a boatman; 
Carrie is deceased; Maud is at home; Henry, Ar- 
thur, Martin, Hazel and May are attending 
school, and Clarence-is deceased. In politics Mr. 
Holland is a Repul^lican, and fraternally he is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, Seaside Lodge No. 260, and the Foresters. 



EDWARD H. RATH. A great percentage 
of the rapid development noticed in 
eligible Long Island real estate in the past 
was traced directly to the honorable and conser- 
vative methods of the cities' leading dealers, who 
did not aim at the illegitimate end of creating in- 
flated values, but rather strove to retain the 
market upon a firm basis of actual worth as re- 
gards income-producing capacity. Prominent 
among those who made this their life work and 
whose integrity and reliability were well known 
was Edward H. Rath, one of the most successful 
real estate dealers of any section. His reputation 
for veracity and square dealing was well known 
and unsurpassed by any member of his line of 
business, and his patrons number prominent capi- 
talists, investors and substantial commercial men. 
Mr. Rath was born in Brooklyn February 29, 
i860, -to the union of Henry and Augusta (Stob- 
esandt) Rath, natives of Germany. (See sketch 
of Henry C. Rath.) Our subject was educated in 
Brooklyn, graduated from the grammar school 
in Seventh Avenue, and subsequently became 
messenger boy with the Western Telegraph Com- 
pany at Newark, N. J., with his brother. Still 
later he became ticket agent and operator on 
Third Avenue Elevated, New York; held the po- 
sition for a number of years, and then embarked 
in the real estate business with Jere Johnson, Jr., 
and was his leading operator in real estate, hand- 
ling and making the large deals. About 1890 he 
and his brother, Henry C. Rath, developed more 
property in Queens County than any other local 
firm. 



1002 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Rath was the prime mover and opened and 
extended Lincoln .Street, and built the first resi- 
dence in the same. He was active also in other 
parts of the village, and became the owner of 
much valuable property here. On December 4, 
1891, while on a trip to Boston, he was in a rail- 
road wreck and there met his death. He was a 
great lover of flowers, and when he met his death 
was on his way to Boston to see a certain new 
plant, a yellow carnation, which he wished for his 
greenhouse. He was a Lutheran in his religious 
views. 

On the nth of May, 1888, Mr. Rath married 
Miss Bertha Schmidt, a native of Brooklyn, and 
daughter of Joseph Schmidt,'who was born near 
Bremen, Germany, and who was a merchant 
tailor, and the proprietor of Turn Hall in Brook- 
lyn. Mrs. Rath's mother, Dorothea Koch, was 
born in Germany and came to America with her 
parents when a mere child. By her marriage to 
Mr. Schmidt she became the mother of nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom are living at the present 
time. Of these, Mrs. Rath was fourth in order 
of birth. The latter, by her marriage to Mr. Rath, 
became the mother of two children. Bertha A. and 
Augusta M. Mrs. Rath is a worthy member of 
the Lutheran Church and the Ladies' Society. 
Since the death of her husband she has continued 
the florist business, merely for pastime and pleas- 
ure, and her large, fine greenhouse is filled with 
choice plants. 



W AUGUSTUS SHIPLEY, chief of the 
Jamaica Fire Department and sec- 
• retary of the board of health, was 
born in the village of Jamaica September 5, 1866, 
being the son of George A. and Margaret, (Lin- 
ton) Shipley, natives respectively of Germany and 
Great Neck, L. I. The family consists of four 
sons and four daughters, of whom W. Augustus 
is next to the youngest ; Jacob is engaged in the 
express business in this village; George A. fol- 
lows the carpenter's trade here; and Lewis L. is 
employed as clerk in the office of the county 
clerk at Jamaica. The father, who has made 
farming his life occupation, makes his home in 
this village and .still follows his chosen calling. 

In the public schools Mr. Shipley laid the foun- 
dation of the education he afterward acquired bv 
reading, experience and observation. While at- 
tending school he devoted his leisure hours to 
aiding in the work of the farm, and during the 



summer months worked hard as a tiller of the 
soil. But not caring to make agriculture his life 
work, at the age of seventeen he secured a posi- 
tion with J. R. Everett, the undertaker, with 
whom he remained for five years. Later, for two 
years, he was with J. Tyler Watts, and since that 
time he has had charge of the extensive coal and 
lumber business of S. W. Van Allen. 

For a number of years Mr. Shipley has been 
identified with the Jamaica fire department. In 
1889 he was elected foreman of the Woodhull 
Flose Company and was re-elected the following 
year. In 1891 he was chosen assistant chief of 
the fire department, and two years later became 
chief, which position he has since held, being, it 
is said, the youngest fire department chief in the 
state. For two years he has been secretary of the 
Jamaica board of health. Fond of all sports, he 
is especially enthusiastic in regard to base ball 
and is the manager of the Jamaica Club. Socially 
he is connected with the Royal Arcanum. 

The marriage of Mr. Shipley occurred Febru- 
ary 9, 1890, his wife being Sadie F., daughter of 
Charles E. Twombley, president of the Jamaica 
village board and a large contractor. They have 
two children, Bessie Fay and Leonard Charles. 
Among the boys of the fire department Mr. Ship- 
ley is very popular and deservedly so. It is 
largely through his influence that the two new 
engine stations have been built and the service 
put in excellent working order. In other public 
enterprises he is also interested, and his co-opera- 
tion may be relied upon in matters pertaining to 
the welfare of the people. 



GEORGE RIPPERGER. To follow out 
the lines of trade centering in a provision 
store would call for considerable experi- 
ence of one's mental powers. The dealer in the 
necessities of life must needs be a man of great 
discriniination and superior judgment, and these 
qualities are embodied in George Ripperger, 
wholesale provision dealer at Dutch Kills, Long- 
Island City, whose establishment has the distinc- 
tion of being standard and up to the times. ]Mr. 
Ripperger was born in Brooklyn February 6, 
1861, a son of John and Margaret E. (Seifert) 
Ripperger, natives of Germany. John Ripperger 
learned the trade of a shipsmith in his native land, 
came to the United States while still unmarried, 
and secured employment in a block factory in 
Brooklyn, at the foot of Freeman Street, of which 




MARTIN G. JOHNSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



loo; 



he finally became foreman. After a time he re- 
signed his position to embarlv in business for him- 
self, and from that time until his death in 1888, 
he was engaged as a shipsmith in Radde Street. 
He built up an extensive business and also con- 
tracted for a large wholesale house in New York 
City, with place of business on South and 
Front Streets. He and his wife were members of 
the Second Dutch Reformed Church of Astoria, 
and the latter now resides in the old family home 
at this place. Their family consists of eight chil- 
dren: Mrs. L. Walters, of Broadway, Long Is- 
land City; Mrs. Henry Van Alst, of Astoria, Long 
Island City; Christ, a cigarmaker of Long Island 
City; Mrs. Abbie Knell, of Paterson, N. J.; 
George; Mrs. Hewett, of Long Island City; John, 
who is a shipsmith in the navy yard; and Frank, 
a rope maker in Long Island City. 

George Ripperger has been a resident of Long 
Island City from the time he was three years of 
age, and in the schools of the third ward he re- 
ceived his education. At the early age of thirteen 
years he became clerk in a grocery store at Hun- 
ter's Point, remained thus occupied five years, and 
for eight months following was with Morris Metz- 
ger, a butcher. In 1879, at the age of nineteen 
years, he embarked in the wholesale provision 
business on his own account, and at the same 
time became a wholesale dealer in pork — a new 
venture. From a modest beginning the business 
has increased in magnitude and importance until 
it has reached its present proportions, and the 
result of this undertaking has been highly satis- 
factory to him, as the outlook for the first three 
months was very dubious. Although tempted to 
give it up several times, he still pushed on, and 
finally success crowned his efl^orts. He bought 
of Thomas Sager, of New York City, for thirteen 
years, since which time he has been buying of 
Charles Lindner, at the same place, Third Street 
and First Avenue. During the busy season he 
has a temporary office in Brooklyn and Long 
Island City. He is the only man engaged in the 
wholesale pork business in the latter place and 
deserves much credit for the energy and good 
judgment he has shown in his business affairs. 

Mr. Ripperger has a fine home at No. 207 
Academy Street, which he bought and has im- 
proved since 1891, and th-e grounds surrounding 
his residence are beautifully laid out and orna- 
mented with a large and handsome fountain. He 
owns other valuable property here, among which 
are two stores and several flat buildings. His 



marriage to Miss Mary E. Hann took place in 
Long Island City. She was born in Brooklyn, a 
daughter of Nicholas Hann, formerly a wholesale 
produce dealer of Long Island City, but now re- 
tired. Eight children were born of this union, 
five of whom survive: George, Alfred J., Ethel 
and Wesley (twins), and Howard. Christ and 
two children unnamed died in infancy. 

Mr. Ripperger has always been a Republican 
and was chairman of the general Republican 
committee in 1894, and the following year was 
manager of the Republican campaign committee. 
He has been a member of the county committee 
two terms, and both times was a member of the 
executive committee. In 1895 he was a delegate 
to the state convention, and has held other re- 
sponsible positions, but has never allowed his 
name to go before a committee for any office. 
He is a member of Island City Masonic Lodge, 
Lincoln Club and the German Order of Red Men, 
Pocahontas Tribe No. 14, of Long Island City. 
He has served his time as member of Flunter 
Engine Company No. 4, He and his wife are 
members of the Second Dutch Reformed Church 
of Astoria, Long Island City. 



M- 



ARTIN G JOHNSON, deceased, was 
born and always lived upon the farm 
which he inherited from his father, and 
which had descended through several genera- 
tions, having been bought in 1744 by his great- 
grandfather, John Johnson. Martin G. received 
his education at the district school and also at- 
tended the Union Hall Academy, at Jamaica, but 
his mathematical education was finished under 
Thomas Spofford, who at the time of his death 
was principal of the Yorkville Academy of New 
York City. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. Johnson was one of 
the assistants in making the preliminary surveys 
of the Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad. From 
1834 to 1837 he surveyed a great number of farms 
in the western part of Queens County and also in 
Kings County, nearly all of which were laid out 
into lots and mapped. He was engaged in sur- 
veying more or less from 1834 until his death, and 
made several surveys by authority of different 
acts of the Legislature. 

Politically a decided Democrat, Mr. Johnson 
was many times a delegate to county and state 
conventions. He was executor of several estates, 
which trusts he managed with the strictest fidel- 



ioo6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ity. For many years he was a director of the 
Wilhamsburg City Fire Insurance Company, also 
a director of the Brooklyn and Rockavvay Beach 
Railroad and filled a similar position in several 
other corporations. 

In his religious inclinations Mr. Johnson was 
a member of the Reformed Dutch Church at 
Jamaica and was for many years an elder in the 
same. He was a life member of the American 
Bible Society and of the American Tract Society. 
In all agricultural matters he was greatly inter- 
ested and was a life member of the Queens 
County Agricultural Society, and the roads of the 
town had been in his charge for many years. He 
was a friend to rehgious, benevolent and charit- 
able institutions and did not confine his gifts to 
the charities of his own church. The needy were 
always kindly remembered. 

Mr. Johnson died at his home in Liberty Ave- 
nue, near Jamaica, March 23, 1887. 



ALEXANDER D. BUCHANAN. Among 
those upon whom the talent for inventing 
has fallen in a marked degree is Alexan- 
der D. Buchanan, whose skill and energy have 
been the means of creating great factories and 
shops which are periTianent monuments to his 
inventive genius. He has grown up in the oil- 
cloth business, and when he first started in this 
it was in its infancy. There has been a wonderful 
revolution in it smce then. 

Mr. Buchanan invented the first practical ma- 
chine for color printing with copper rolls; also 
invented and used the first rubbing machine for 
polishing, besides numerous other inventions in 
the mills, so that his is one of the most complete 
of the kind in the world. A visit to the mills 
proves very enjoyable, and one is surprised at 
the superior work accomplished there. Mr. 
Buchanan, who is superintendent of the Sunswick 
Mills, is a native of the land of "thistles and oat- 
meal," born at Paisley in 1851. His father, A. F. 
Buchanan, was a manufacturer of prints in Pais- 
ley, Scotland, and was thus engaged there until 
1866, when he came to America. He first en- 
gaged in the oil-cloth business in Newark, N. J., 
but subsequently moved to Montrose, Westches- 
ter County, where he is manufacturing oil cloths 
at the present time. In the parental family were 
nine children, eight of whom are now living. 

Our subject, Avho is the second in order of 
liirth of the children, was reared in Avrshire, 



Scotland, and there remained until 1866, engaged 
in weaving and painting, when he came to this 
country. For over a year he clerked in the thread 
mills, and then went back to painting oil cloths 
for his father. In 1872 he went to Montrose, N. 
Y., with his father, and remained with him until 
1882, during which time the business improved 
and developed in a wonderful manner. Mr. 
Buchanan then came to Long Island City and 
became superintendent of the Sunswick Mills. 
This business was small at first and the mill was 
destroyed by fire at one time, but it has been 
built up since and is in a flourishing and prosper- 
ous condition. This mill has a capacity for ten 
miles of oil cloth per day, one hundred hands are 
employed, and hundreds of different patterns are 
turned out. The upper floors of three blocks of 
buildings are used for this industry, and four boil- 
ers of eighty horse-power each are used. Six 
engines make it equal one hundred and sixty 
horse-power, and all the machinery is the latest 
and best. The mills are conducted under the 
firm name of James Wild & Co., with whom our 
subject is interested. 

Mr. Buchanan was married to Miss A. C. Park, 
a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and their union 
has been blessed by the birth of three children, 
Alexander, Jr., Annie and Norman. In politics 
Mr. Buchanan is a Republican, and has served 
on general and county committees. 



JAMES I. WALDRON, a prominent resident 
of the village of East Norwich, is justly en- 
titled to space in this volume. He is the 
proprietor of a carriage factory, and in carrying 
on this branch of business has been eminently 
successful. He was born in Brookville. L. I., 
February 25, 1833, and is the son of James and 
Hannah (Moore) Waldron. The grandfather, 
who bore the name of Isaac, came hither from 
New Brunswick, N. J., when a boy, locating in 
the vicinity of Jericho, where he learned the 
trade of a carpenter. Later he gave his attention 
to farming, purchasing a tract of land near Jer- 
icho, in the town of Oyster Bay, whereon he 
resided until his decease. 

Tames Waldron, Sr., was reared in this locality 
and acquired his limited education in the schools 
which were carried on in the district. He learned 
the trade of a weaver wdien reaching mature 
years, and thereafter made his home in Brook- 
ville. One of his brothers. Jeremiah, during his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'007 



lifetime was very prominent as a public official, 
and for many years was constable and collector. 

Those included in the parental family besides 
our subject were: Alfred, who died when twenty- 
one years of age; John, who, with our subject, 
established the business which the latter is still 
carrying on, married Margaret Lewis, and died 
in July, 1890. Their daughter, Emma, is now the 
wife of Samuel Bayless. 

James I., who is the only survivor of this fam- 
ily, remained under the parental roof until a young 
man of twenty-one years. He had completed 
his education at the age of seventeen years and 
then entered the carriage factory which his 
brother had established in Brookville, and re- 
mained with him for about five years. He then 
came to East Norwich and began in this line of 
business for himself. Two years later his brother 
joined him here, when they formed a partnership 
and built the shop in which they were interested 
until the death of John, which occurred when he 
was sixty-four years of age. During the time 
they were in partnership they built up a large 
trade, manufacturing all kinds of wagons and 
carriages, which were shipped to various points 
on the island. Mr. Waldron is an expert work- 
man and gives his personal supervision to every 
department of the business. 

Although our subject has been greatly inter- 
ested in public affairs, he could never be prevailed 
upon to hold office until the spring of 1896, when 
he was elected assessor, which position he still 
holds. In politics he is a stanch Republican, 
casting his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, 
and has at various times been sent as a delegate 
to county conventions. 

Mr. Waldron was married in 1858 to Miss Mar- 
tha Vernon, and to them have been born four 
children, of whom AmeHa is the eldest; Alice is 
now the wife of Frank McQueen, a prominent 
merchant and the present postmaster of East 
Norwich; Vernon J. is a partner of the latter; and 
John A. assists his father in the carriage shop. 



M' 



ARGARET M. YORK, M. D., is a 
worthy example of the women of this 
progressive age and of what can be ac- 
complished when opportunity is afforded. She 
possesses those attributes necessary for a suc- 
cessful career as a practitioner of the "healing 
art,'' for she is naturally kind hearted and sym- 
pathetic and has the happy faculty of inspiring 



hope and courage in those upon whom she is 
called to attend, while her native intelligence and 
thorough and practical knowledge of her calling 
cannot be denied. She was born in New Orleans, 
La., and is descended from an old and prominent 
French family. Her father, Noel Magnon, was 
also a native of New Orleans, but the grandfather, 
Jacque Magnon, was a native of Bordeaux, 
France. He was a Royalist and was in the French 
government employ when Napoleon I. was at the 
head of affairs in that country. He lost his French 
possessions while in America, and was here mar- 
ried to a German lady, Miss Margaret Barrois, 
whose father conducted an extensive rice and 
sugar plantation in Plaquemines Parish. He was 
a very prominent man, and his death occurred 
in 1829. 

The father of our subject was an extensive rice 
and sugar planter, but lost all his propert}' during 
the Civil War. He died in New Orleans in 1881, 
when sixty-eight years old. He married Miss 
Mary McCarton, a native of New Orleans and 
daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Cameron) Mc- 
Carton. Mrs. McCarton was the daughter of 
Thomas Cameron, one of the followers of Charles 
Stuart at the battle of Colloden. A price was set 
on his head. He went to Ireland, was married 
there, and then came to America about 1798, and 
died in New Orleans. The McCartons were of 
Scotch-Irish origin. The mother of Dr. York died 
in 1877. She and her husband were members of 
the Catholic Church, and their family included 
fourteen children. 

Dr. Margaret M. York was reared in New 
Orleans and was educated in the public schools 
and the state normal. Later she taught in New 
Orleans, and Galveston, Tex., and afterwards was 
in the civil service at Washington, D. C, for two 
years. She was married in that city to Ervine 
Denison York, a native of New York and an 
attorney at law. He was officially connected with 
the supreme court and is now connected with the 
San Domingo Improvement Company as secre- 
tary, with headquarters in New York City. After 
marriage Dr. York began the study of medicine 
in the medical department of Columbian Univer- 
sity, Washington, and graduated in 1893 with the 
degree of M. D. After a short hospital course in 
New York Cit}'' she located in Flushing, and is 
actively engaged in the practice of her profession. 
She is a member of Goodcitizenship League, the 
Woman's Club; is also a member of the Woman's 
Anthropological Society of Washington, D. C, 



ioo8 



PORTR.MT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and is working with tlie psychological depart- 
ment of the latter. She is a member of the Con- 
gregational Church. 

Mr. York's ancestors settled in America in 
1632 and trace their ancestry back to the Yorks 
of Wiltshire. He comes of old and prominent 
colonial stock of Stonington, Conn., and both 
the Yorks and Denisons moved to Madison Coun- 
ty. N. Y., at a later date. Ervine York was edu- 
cated in Cazenovia (N. Y.) Seminary, from which 
institution he graduated with honor. In 1882 he 
received the degree of A. M.. LL. B. in 1883, and 
the same year he was admitted to the bar. He 
was Justice Miller's first secretary of United States 
supreme court. In politics he is a Republican. 
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
York, Everett Magnon and Willard Denison. 



CHARLES E. RUSSELL. Jamaica has its 
quota of vigorous, enterprising and thor- 
oughgoing business men, whose popular- 
ity is based both upon their social qualities and 
their well known integrity and business activity. 
Of this class, none are better liked than the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who is the representative of 
the Title Guarantee and Trust Company at Ja- 
maica. The possession of executive ability of a 
high order enables him to carry to a successful 
issue his plans of work. 

The parentage of Mr. Russell, briefly recorded, 
is as follows: His father. Rev. William H. Rus- 
sell, a minister in the Methodist Church, was for 
some time located in Connecticut, but transferred 
from there to Long Island. It was in 1863 that 
he came to this part of the state, and for some 
vears afterward he preached at different places on 
the island, becoming known as an earnest and 
indefatigable worker in the Master's vineyard. 
On reaching an advanced age he retired from the 
ministry, and now makes his home at Ocean 
Grove, N. J. 

By his marriage to Miss Hiller, a native of 
Michigan, Rev. W. H. Russell had five sons and 
one daughter, those besides our subject being as 
follows: William H., a graduate of the medical 
department of the Lhiiversity of New York 
City and a practicing physician in Florida; I. F., 
a graduate of the Lfniversity of New York and 
of the Yale Law School, now professor of law in 
the University of New York (and it was under his 
instruction that Miss Helen Gould took her law- 
course); Lillie, wife of A. C. Turner, a business 



man of Ocean Grove, N. J.; Theodore J., a resi- 
dent of Ocean Grove; and David B., who is with 
his brother, Charles E., in his office at Jamaica. 

During the residence of his parents in Burling- 
ton, Conn., the subject of this article was born, 
August 2, 1861. He was two years of age at the 
time the family removed to Long Island, and 
here much of his life has been passed. With an 
mclination toward a professional life, he turned 
his attention to the study of law, which he prose- 
cuted in the law department of the University of 
New York. Graduating from that institution, he 
was admitted to the bar and became connected 
with the law department of the Title Guarantee 
and Trust Company of Brooklyn. For three and 
one-half years he was in the New York office of 
the firm, after which he was transferred to the 
Jamaica office, where he has been since i88g. In 
this line of business he is considered an expert, 
having a detailed and comprehensive knowledge 
of its every feature. 

In 1889 Mr. Russell was united in marriage 
with Miss Phebe E. Higbie, of Springfield, L. I. 
They have many friends in Jamaica, and their 
many excellencies of character have gained them 
the high regard of all who know them. In poli- 
tics Mr. Russell is a Republican, but without the 
aspirations of the politician. As a citizen he is 
ever readv to lend a helping hand in all matters 
of public welfare. He is a man of business and 
executive ability, sagacious and far-sighted, and 
at the same time a genial companion and accom- 
modating friend. 



BRUN PLUA'IP, of Schuetzen Park, has for 
many years been one of the largest and 
most successful general contractors of the 
place. Many of the best public buildings and 
private residences of Long Island City give evi- 
dence of his skill and ability. He is Iionorable 
and upright in whatever he undertakes, and there- 
fore merits and has received the confidence of 
those who know him, and has built up a good 
reputation in this business. 

Mr. Plump located in Long Island City Decem- 
ber I, 1869, and the follow-ing year took up his 
abode in Schuetzen Park, where he has made his 
liome ever since. He was born in Hanover. Ger- 
many, January 7. 1843, the son of Frederick 
Plump, also a native of that place. The latter 
followed the liaker's trade in Gemiany until his 
decease, which occurred when he was past sixty 




JOHN J. TRAPP. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lOII 



years of age. His wife was Lena Loenyer, a 
native of the Fatherland, who also died there. 
Both were consistent members of tlie Lutheran 
Church. 

The parental family included ten children, of 
whom seven grew to mature years and fotir are 
living at the present time in America. Brun, who 
was the fourth in order of birth, attended the 
model schools of Germany until a lad of fourteen, 
when he served an apprenticeship of three years 
with a mason. He then traveled through the 
various provinces of the empire, working at his 
trade until the fall of 1866, when he found an 
opportunity to carry out his long cherished de- 
sire of coming to America. After landing in 
New York City he found work and remained 
until 1869, when he came to Astoria, and the 
same j'ear b^gan contracting in mason work on 
his own account. Among the buildings which he 
has erected are the Astoria Athletic Hall, the 
Dutch Reformed Church, and many of the finest 
residences in this community. 

In the year 1886 our subject purchased a stock 
of groceries formerly owned by Richard Walters, 
and removing them to Schuetzen Park, built a 
store on the corner of Broadway and Winans 
Street, in which he placed them and set his sons 
up in business. This building is three stories in 
height and 25x60 feet in dimensions. It was 
erected for the express purpose for which it is 
used, and therefore has many conveniences in the 
way of plenty of shelving, etc., which many gro- 
ceries do not have. Herman F., who has the 
management of the establishment, is a shi-ewd 
and competent young business man and has con- 
ducted afifairs in such an able manner that they 
now have the largest trade of any one store in the 
city, and -in order to fill the wants of their cus- 
tomers keep two delivery wagons. 

Brun Plump was married in New York City in 
1867 to Miss Margaret Walters, also a native of 
Hanover. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth of five children, of whom Frederick H. is a 
druggist of Brooklyn; Herman F. conducts the 
grocery, as above mentioned, and Lena, George 
C. and Annie M. are all at home. 

In social affairs Mr. Plump is an Odd Fellow, 
belonging to Long Island City Lodge No. 395, 
in which he has passed nearly all the chairs. He 
also holds membership with Mozart Lodge, K. 
of H. He united with the German Second Re- 
formed Church many years ago and for some 
time was one of its officials. In his political affil- 
41 



iations he is a Republican and devoted to the 
best interests of his party. He is public spirited 
and in favor of everything which will promote 
the welfare of his fellow citizen, and his influence 
is always directed toward this end. 



JOHN J. TRAPP, LL. B., attorney-at-law. 
with office at No. 112 Broadway, Flushing, 
was born in Bayside, Queens County, in 
1866, being a son of George and Margaretha 
(Worster) Trapp, natives of Germany. His 
father, who came to the United States in 1844, 
settled in Manhasset, L. I., where he engaged in 
the manufacture of carriages. After a short time 
he removed to Bayside, where he established the 
carriage works with which he was afterward iden- 
tified until his retirement from business. His 
home is now in Whitestone^ where he has served 
as a member of the boards of village trustees and 
health commissioners, and also for some time 
held the position of street commissioner. As a 
citizen he is public-spirited, interested in every- 
thing that tends to the advancement of the in- 
terests of the community, and in politics he ad- 
heres to the platform of the Democratic party, 
the principles of which he believes would be most 
conducive to the welfare of the nation, if carried 
out in a practical issue. 

Of the five children of George Trapp we note 
the following: George is a carriage maker and 
resides in Flushing; John J. is the second in order 
of birth; Fred is with his parents at Whitestone; 
Elizabeth is the wife of C. V. Garrison, of Murray 
Hill ; and CorneHa, who is a talented musician and 
vocalist, holds the position of organist in Grace 
Episcopal Church. The subject of this article 
was reared principally in Whitestone and re- 
ceived his education in Flushing, graduating 
from the high school here in 1885 as valedictorian 
of his class. One year later he began the study 
of law in the office of Benjamin W. Downing, ex- 
district attorney of Queens County, and after 
gaining under his preceptorship a thorough 
knowledge of the fundamental principles of the 
legal profession, he entered the Columbia Law 
School, New York City, from which he gradu- 
ated June 13, 1888, with the degree of LL. B. In 
September of the same year he was admitted to 
practice at the bar of the state, since which time 
Ire has had charge of a general legal business. 

While Mr. Trapp conducts a general law prac- 
tice, he is best known to the people as a trial and 



IOI2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



criminal lawyer. Well equipped for his profes- 
sion, he is ready to cross swords with the best, 
and is fearless of any controversy. He was at- 
torney in the famous trial of James L. Hamilton, 
a colored minister, who was convicted of murder 
in the first degree for killing his wife, he having 
dragged her to a pond in Newtown and held her 
head under the water, while he cut her throat 
with a razor. In several arson cases M'r. Trapp 
has also rendered efficient service, as in civil and 
litigant matters. At this writing, 1896, he is serv- 
ing his fifth year as attorney for the board of 
excise commissioners of the town of Flushing. 
In 1889 he was chosen to serve as town clerk of 
Flushing and the following year was re-elected 
without opposition, his nomination being en- 
dorsed by the Republicans. In addition to other 
interests he is attorney for the Flushing Busi- 
ness Men's Mutual Protective Association of this 
place; also for the board of Anglo-American Sav- 
ings and Loan Association of New York, filling 
the position formerly occupied by Mr. Downing. 
Interested in everything pertaining to his pro- 
fession, Mr. Trapp is identified with the Queens 
County Bar Association and is regarded, among 
the other members of that organization, as one 
of the rising 3'oung attorneys of the county. In 
boyhood, through the influence of his father's 
stanch Democratic convictions, he became a 
champion of that party, and since attaining man- 
hood has continued loyal to the principles he 
espoused in youth. He is a member of the New 
York Medico-Legal Society, and, fraternally, be- 
longs to Anchor Lodge, F. & A. M., at College 
Point. In matters pertaining to religion, he holds 
membership in Grace Episcopal Church at White- 
stone. He is a young attorney, scarcely yet in the 
prime of life, with a wide field and a long and 
promising future before him, a man of superio." 
ability and admirably adapted for the profession 
he has chosen. 



DANIEL C. BEARD. Among America's 
gifted sons stands the name of Daniel 
Beard, whose fame as an artist is not 
merely local but has extended to other countries. 
He no doubt inherits his unusual talent from his 
noted father, James H. Beard, N. A., who was 
one of the foremost painters of his day. Daniel 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, of English-Scotch 
origin on the paternal side. The first member of 
this family came from England to America in 



1627 and settled in Connecticut, in which state 
the grandfather of our subject, Capt. James H. 
Beard, was born. The latter was a sea captain 
by occupation, had traveled all over the world, 
but during the latter part of his life was on Lake 
Erie, where he commanded the first brig that 
sailed on the lake. Socially he was a Mason. 
The Beards come of good old fighting stock, 
seven members of this family fighting in the War 
for Independence, and others represented in every 
war since. 

James H. Beard, father of our subject; became 
an artist by seeing the carver design the figure 
head of the first lake steamboat, "W^alk on the 
Water." This he tried to imitate, studying from 
nature, and met with such success and displayed 
such natural ability that he soon became noted 
He became one of the greatest animal painters in 
America, andone of his pictures, "Alutual Friend," 
was sold for $7,000, while another. "Streets 
of New York," brought $3,500, both dog pictures. 
He received a medal for both pictures. Mr. Beard 
portraited William H. Harrison, J. O. Adams, 
Henry Clay and Zachary Taylor, from sittings, 
and was a warm friend of Audubon, Charles 
Dickens, Captain Marryat and other noted men. 
His greatest picture was "North Carolina Emi- 
grants," painted in the '30s. 

About the year 1875 Mr. Beard located in New 
York City and there died in 1893, when eighty-one 
years old. The last few years of his life were 
spent with our subject. He was a thirty-second 
degree Mason. During the Civil War he raised a 
company and later was on Gen. Lew Wallace's 
staff. He married Miss Mary C. Carter, a native 
of Cincinnati and daughter of Colonel Carter and 
Deborah (Bartlett) Carter, the father locating in 
Cincinnati among- the first settlers. Deborah 
Bartlett came from Rhode Island to Cincinnati 
on horseback. Josiah Bartlett was a signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, and another mem- 
ber of this family was with Paul Jones in the 
Revolution. Colonel Carter held that rank in the 
War of 181 2. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beard were the parents of these 
children: J. Carter, Capt. Harry. Thomas Francis, 
Daniel Carter, ^Mary Caroline and Adelia Belle, 
all noted artists and literary characters. Mrs. 
Beard was a cousin of Douglas and was also re- 
lated to Lew Wallace, ex-Governor Denison of 
Ohio. Our subject, the fourth in order of birth 
of tlie above mentioned children, is one of the 
prominent residents of Flushing, L. I. He is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lOI : 



a member of the Nereus and the Fireside 
Club of that village, also a member of the Village 
Association and lately became a member of the 
Mercury Wheel Club. He has been a member of 
the Historical Society for a number of years. Mr. 
Beard was married in Newtown to Miss Alice 
Jackson, a native of that place and daughter of 
Samuel Jackson, who died in 1889. Mr. Jackson 
was the first jewelry box manufacturer in 
America, and his son, Thomas, continues the 
business in New York City. Grandfather Thomas 
B. Jackson was a member of Congress two terms 
and a member of the New York Assembly two 
terms. Great-grandfather Jackson was a promi- 
nent Quaker. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were 
born the following named children: Bertha, 
Thomas, Florence, Daisy and Samuel C. 

The following, copied from a magazine, relates 
to our subject: "The studio of Dan. Beard (as he 
is more generally known) is unique and most 
interesting, for besides being very artistic, it 's 
rich from the collector's standpoint. His collec- 
tion of swords and small fire-arms, of which we 
shall chiefly speak, are especially rare, and some 
of them have a history that makes their posses- 
sion all the more desirable. In his studio are 
arranged two swords carried through the war by 
his brother, Capt. Harry Beard, of the Thirtieth 
Missouri Regiment; an officer's sword of the War 
of 1812 and an Indian scimeter and case, also 
three heavy Japanese samauri swords and a 
heavy dragoon sword. He also has a flint-lock 
blunderbuss and sword, such as were used by 
Black Beard, the pirate, dated 1689. There are 
also knives from the battlefield of Ft. Donelson, 
a double-bladed Chinese sword, a bone-handled 
sword dug up in New York City, a dagger from 
the Island of Formosa, an artillery sword and an 
old Fort Artillery sword of 1833, with Roman 
blade filled with mercury, a Japanese dagger and 
a sword used during the John Brown trouble. 

"He has masks from Alaska, an old crossbow 
of the fifteenth century, many Javanese musical 
instruments, and numerous cooking utensils of 
iron, brass and copper used by the early settlers 
of this country. He has a lariat given him by a 
man who had killed four Chinamen, but as Mr. 
Beard playfully remarks, 'This was while he was 
drunk; he was not a killer.' He has some old 
candlesticks, Persian lamps and two pieces of 
Aztec pottery, both valuable specimens of artistic 
hand work. Possibly the most interesting thing iii 
the studio is a home-made Confederate flag, put 



together by the loving hands of some Southern 
mother or sister, with two strips of turkey red and 
one of fine white linen. This was captured by Mr. 
Beard's brother and sent home as a Christmas 
present to Daniel, who, at that time, was a little 
boy. 

"But the most precious of all were the treasures 
showed in the drawers of the rich old cabinet and 
in the portfolios kept therein. Here are the draw- 
ings, sketches and notes of the artist, taken in 
his many journeys, and besides these are many 
originals already used in the various magazines 
and books which Mr. Beard's prolific pen and 
brush have illustrated. Although coming from a 
family of artists of which his father and an uncle, 
William H. Beard, were the youngest, Daniel was 
not encouraged to study art, for which he had a 
natural love, although the environments of his 
early years were certainly artistic and his home 
a perfect kindergarten for the development of any 
latent talent. It is only in later years and by the 
most persistent study that Daniel Beard has made 
himself felt in the art world. 

"As a boy he gave no special attention to the 
inducements of art but studied with much more 
interest the habits of birds and insects. His love 
of colors led him to paint tiny panoramas of 
soldiers and Indians, which were unrolled by a 
crank, and the first money he earned was for 
painting a political transparency for the campaign 
of 1864, showing Gen. George B. McClellan riding 
two horses (War and Peace). For this he received 
$4 and immediately spent the entire amount for 
neckties of bright hues. After graduating from 
the schools of Cincinnati he took a short course 
at Professor Worrall's Academy, in Covington, 
Ky., studying principally the higher mathematics 
with a view to becoming a civil engineer. 

"In 1874 he received a good offer from the 
Sanborn Map and Publishing Company, which 
position he accepted and for five years he traveled 
as surveyor over all the states east of the Missis- 
sippi River. During this time he pursued his 
studies in natural history and later, while on a visit 
to New York in 1879, he met Mr. Drake of the 
Century and St. Nicholas, wdio induced him, after 
a glance at his sketch book, to write a series of 
articles on natural history, with illustrations by 
liimself. The reception they met with induced 
■Mr. Beard to enter the field of art and story and 
he has continued in it since. The encouragement 
he received from the journals and his reception 
from the public not only determined him 



I0I4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to remain in New York, but showed him the 
necessity of public study, especially in drawing." 

He applied for admission in the life class at the 
Student's League and was received on account of 
his general proficiency and knowledge of art and 
kindred subjects. Mr. Sartain, his professor, on 
seeing his first drawing, said: "For heaven's sake, 
how were you ever admitted to the life class?" 
But the work of a man sitting next to Mr. Beard 
in the class was so much worse that the latter was 
encouraged. At the end of four years Mr. Sartain 
told him his drawings were the best in his school. 
After this he began his busy studio life, and his 
brilliant work in Harper's Weekly, Young 
People, St. Nicholas, etc., made him the most 
popular illustrator of the day. One of his recent 
articles was for Scribner, "The Lumber Camp," 
taken from the great lumber regions of Michi- 
gan, which he visited in winter when the ther- 
njometer was 30 degrees below zero. A recent 
number of Munsey (June, 1896,) also contains 
several of his drawings in "Our Great Summer 
Playground." 

Mr. Beard is a charming story teller and, if any- 
thing, writes as well as he sketches, and to know 
and enjoy him at his best one should read his 
most recent work, "Moonlight and Six Feet of 
Romance," on social inequalities. His most 
popular work, "The American Boys' Handy 
Book" is the standard work of the day in its class. 
He illustrated most charmingly a book by Will- 
iam Waldorf Astor and several of Mark Twain's 
including "Tom Sawyer Abroad" and that very 
important work to both author and artist, "A 
Yankee at King Arthur's Court." 

He is a regular contributor to the water color 
exhibition and his pictures always find a ready 
sale. He is the most versatile genius we have 
met among that brilliant class of black and white 
artists or illustrators in which New York is so 
very strong, and his fund of information seems 
inexhaustible. In ornithology he is at home, that 
being his hobby, and he knows all about the 
"web-footed birds and birds of prey," as well as 
the bright feathered songsters. He is a member 
of the Ornithological Union and the Linnaeus 
Society, the Ohio Society of New York and 
several clubs, such as Aldine and Twilight. 

Mr. Beard takes an active part in the affairs of 
Flushing, where he resides, is a member of the 
board of education and president of the Single 
Tax Club. He is ardently interested in athletics 
and everything pertaining to physical culture, and 



is himself a splendid example of the all-round 
athlete and an oarsman of considerable repute. 
He is now in the prime of life, being forty-five 
years old, and has made for himself a name and 
position of which he has every reason to be proud. 



FRANK H. CORDTMEYER. Among 
those whose career in business has been 
rendered conspicuous by the honorable 
methods and careful attention shown throughout 
is Frank H. Cordtmeyer, a Dane by descent, but 
a native of the city of New York, his birth occur- 
ring in the year 1864. His parents, Henry and 
Mary (Nieman) Cordtmeyer, were born in Laa- 
land, Denmark, and Hanover, Germany, respec- 
tively, and after their marriage came to the 
United States, following agricultural pursuits in 
the state of New York. In this undertaking they 
ivere reasonably successful, but the father did not 
live long to pursue it, for his death occurred in 
1868, and that of his widow at Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y., in 1874. 

By the death of the parents four children were 
left orphans, and from 1870 Frank H. found a 
home with Mrs. E. Korn, of Astoria, who sent 
him to the public schools of the fourth ward, 
from which he was graduated under Professor 
Gould. Afterwards he completed his education 
in Cooper Union, New York City, which institu- 
tion he attended three years. He then found him- 
self well equipped to begin the battle of life for 
himself and at once embarked in the real estate 
business and contracting, and since 1889 has been 
a general real estate dealer. He laid out seven 
acres in Briell Street, improved it with a number 
of good residences and then disposed of them at 
a fair profit. In this enterprise he was assisted 
by his partner, F. Krombholz. ]\Ir. Cordtmeyer 
has always been actively interested in the im- 
provement of the city and has been instrumental 
in bringing to a satisfactory conclusion several 
important measures for the building up of the 
place. From 1890 to 1893 he was a draughtsman 
in the water department, and vo him is due the 
credit of having satisfactorily completed the 
municipal census for 1890. 

Political]}^ Mr. Cordtmeyer has ever been a 
Republican, and for years has been a member of 
the general committee. Socially he is a member 
of the following organizations: The Knights of 
Pythias, in which he is past chancellor, and a 
member of Enterprise Lodge; Advance Lodg-e, 




SYLVESTER GRAY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1017 



F. & A. M., and has been trustee of the Turn 
Verein. He is also a member of the Lincohi 
Social Club, and was one of the founders of a 
zither club, he being one of the most skillful and 
accomplished players. Mr. Cordtme3'er was mar- 
ried to Miss Emily F> Young, a native of New 
York City, who died in December, 1894, leaving 
two little children, Elsie and Bertha. 



SYLVESTER GRAY. At the time of his 
death, which occurred March 20, 1896, this 
gentleman was efficiently filling the office 
of president of the Long Island City Savings 
Bank. He was one of the oldest residents as well 
as a prominent and influential business man of 
this place, and one who performed his part in the 
development and improvement of his community. 
He was for many years actively engaged as a 
manufacturer in this place, but in the latter part 
of his career gave his entire attention to looking 
after his banking interests. 

Mr. Gray was a native of this state and was 
born near Monticello, Sullivan County, April 29, 
1828. His father, Samuel Gray, was a native of 
Round Ridge, Conn., of which state the grand- 
father, John Gray, was also a native. The latter 
was a farmer in the Nutmeg State for many 
years, and after leaving that locality settled in 
Sullivan County, N. Y., where he was one of the 
pioneers. This 'now thickly populated district 
was little more than a wilderness, but finding the 
soil more than usually fertile and rich. Grand- 
father Gray decided to remain here. He died 
at the age of seventy-five years. 

The father of our subject was a lad of fourteen 
years when the family removed to New York. 
When ready to embark in life for himself he too 
became a tiller of the soil, purchasing a place 
adjoining the estate of his father. His farm was 
located two and one-half miles north of Monti- 
cello, and has lately been known as Pleasant 
Lake. He made this place his home until his 
demise, which occurred when he was in his sev- 
enty-fifth year. His wife was Miss Lydia Hill 
prior to her marriage. Her father was John Hill, 
a native of New York State, who was also a far- 
mer in the vicinity of Monticello. Mrs. Gray de- 
parted this life when seventy-six years of age. 
She became the mother of five children, two of 
whom are deceased. Of this family, Sylvester was 
next to the youngest. 

The subject of this sketch lived on the old 



homestead until a young man of twenty-one 
years. In the meantime he gained a splendid 
practical education, and for three years, from the 
age of seventeen to twenty, taught school at Gra- 
hamsville and Barryville. About this time he 
was employed by John T. Robery, the builder 
of the Brooklyn bridge, to work on the lock on 
the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and also as- 
sisted in building the lock at the mouth of the 
Lackawanna. This work consumed about a year, 
and in 1850 Mr. Gray came to New York City, 
where for a twelvemonth he was engaged in 
house carpentering, of which trade he had a fair 
knowledge. 

About this time our subject obtained a posi- 
tion with John M. Smith, the only manufacturer 
of refrigerators at that time in the city. He 
remained with him for a year, during which time 
he gained a fair knowledge of the business, and 
then hired to L. H. Mace & Co., who had just 
established a factory of this kind, and for twelve 
years was their superintendent. On resigning 
his position Mr. Gray was occupied as a ship- 
builder during two years of the war, and in 1862 
located in Long Island City. Here he engaged 
in business for himself, establishing a factory in 
Fourth Street, where he put in steam power and 
began the manufacture of refrigerators, starting 
with a capital of $10,000. Later he put in a full 
line of wood-working machines and gave employ- 
ment to forty men. He manufactured the "Arc- 
tic" and "Eureka" refrigerators, which were all 
that he claimed for them, and it was. not long 
before he received orders from retailers all over 
the countr}--. He continued in this business until 
July 21, 1893, when his factory was burned to 
the ground, and he did not deem it advisable to 
rebuild the factory. Instead he erected on the 
same site what is known as Gray's Block, a build- 
ing four stories in height and 60x80 feet in di- 
mensions. He also owned five stores in Vernon 
Avenue, the rooms over which are arranged into 
flats of convenient size. In addition to this prop- 
erty Mr. Gray owned three three-story and base- 
ment residences and one two-story and basement 
building in Third Street, besides sevei-al lots in 
other portions of the city. 

In 1876 Mr. Gray organized the Long Island 
City Savings Bank, of which he was the president 
until his death. It is a most reliable institution, 
and its depositors ai-e among the wealthiest busi- 
ness men of the county. Mr. Gray was also one 
of the organizers of the Seventeenth Ward Bank 



ioi8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Brooklyn, of which he was a director at the 
time of his death. 

In Cape Ann, Mass., occurred the marriage of 
our subject with Miss Laura A. Lane, the daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel Lane. Her death occurred No- 
vember 24, 1893. She became the mother of four 
children, of whom we make the following men- 
tion: Eugene W. is foreman of Truck No. i of 
the Long Island City fire department; Mary W. 
married William M. Pludson, of Mattituck, L. I.; 
Josephine S. and Frances H. are at home, the 
latter attending the high school at Flushing. 

For some time prior to his death Mr. Gray 
was excise commissioner, for some time was 
chairman of the excise board, and was chairman 
of the board of education for five years. He was 
an earnest advocate of Democratic principles and 
was one of the best citizens and most public- 
spirited men of Queens County. 

Personally Mr. Gray was an exceedingly clever 
and agreeable gentleman, liberal and public- 
spirited. 



CORNELIUS VALENTINE GARRI- 
SON, who is engaged in the bottling 
business at No. 74 Boerum Avenue, 
Flushing, was born in Willet's Point, L. I., in 
1862, and is a member of an old Dutchess Countv 
family. His grandfather, David Garrison, who 
was born in Garrison, N. Y„ spent his early years 
in Dutchess County, removed thence to New 
York, where he was employed as a truckman, and 
later located at Willet's Point, where he was em- 
ployed as foreman in the government work. He 
is now living in retirement at Bayside. 

The father of our subject, Charles W. Garrison, 
was born in Cherry Street, New York, and learned 
the trade of carpenter and builder there, but later 
engaged in the hotel business at Whitestone. 
About 1878 he located at Bayside, where he kept 
a hotel known as the Willet's Point Hotel. When 
the Civil War broke out he was at Key West, 
Fla., but made his escape and returned to Long- 
Island, where he was assistant superintendent in 
the building of the fort at Willet's Point. His 
death occurred December 21, 1895, at the age of 
fifty-five years. 

Emily, mother of our sulsject, was a member 
of an old Holland-Dutch family. She was born 
ill Whitestone, where her father, Augustus Kis- 
sam, was engaged in the mercantile business until 
his death. In religious belief she was an Episco- 



palian. Of her marriage there are four living- 
sons, Cornelius A', being the eldest. He was 
reared at Willet's Point and Whitestone, and at 
the age of fifteen began to clerk in the Whitestone 
Hotel. Later he was- employed in a tin plate 
decorating factory for a time, after which he 
started a retail butter market in New York City, 
in which way he was engaged about five years. 
His next venture was the raising of poultry at 
Bayside, after which he was for four years fore- 
man of the bottling department of Abbot's brew- 
ery in Brooklyn. In 1892 he came to Flushing 
and built his place in Boerum Avenue, where he 
now engages in bottling beer, carrying on a large 
trade among the families and clubs of Flushing, 
Bayside, Whitestone and Little Neck. His trade 
is exclusively private, and no orders are filled 
from hotels or saloons. In his factory there is 
a steam engine for washing the bottles and steam- 
ing the beer. Especial attention is paid to clean- 
liness. The bottles are -washed three times, then 
rinsed with pure hydrant water and drained until 
dry. Every bottle is labeled, thus preventing im- 
position on the part of outside parties. He is 
the only one in Flushing atithorized to sell the 
"Rienzi" Rochester beer, and among his other 
brands are the "Imperial Foam," "Cabinet," 
"Culmbacher," "Apollo" and "Barthalomay." 

Politically the sympathies of Mr. Garrison are 
with the Democratic party, the principles of which 
he supports in national and local elections. He 
is a member of Grace Episcopal Church at White- 
stone and contributes generously to benevolent 
projects. His marriage took place in Brooklyn 
and united him with Elizabeth Trapp, who was 
born in Bayside, being a daughter of George 
Trapp, of Whitestone. They are the parents of a 
son, Cornelius \'alentine. Tr. 



M 



AX ZEHDEN, proprietor of the College 
Point Casino and Annex Hotels, was 
born in Berlin, Germany, in 1855. His 
father, Benedict M.. a native of the same city, 
brought his wife and seven children to America 
in 1865, and after many hardships and struggles 
gained independence and success. For some time 
he was superintendent of the German depart- 
ment of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- 
pany of New York, after which he was engaged 
in the custom btisiness for twelve years, until his 
death, in 1889. While in the old countr\- lie held 
the rank of general in the liermnn army, and in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1019 



that capacity took part in the Schleswig-Holstein 
War. After coming to this country he espoused 
the principles of the RepubHcan party. Socially 
he was prominent in the Masonic fraternity, the 
order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and 
about fifteen other societies. A man of letters 
and culture, he was especially well informed re- 
garding political affairs, and his ability as an 
orator made his name a household word among 
the Germans. Frequently he spoke at meetings 
with such men as Carl Schurz. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
a horse dealer and supplied the German gov- 
ernment with horses. The family is of German 
origin, but is not a large one, our subject being 
the only representative in America. His mother, 
Fannie (Simons) Zehden, was born in Berlin and 
died in New York. He was the only child of the 
family who attained mature years. He accom- 
■ panied his parents to America, reaching New 
York after a voyage of thirteen days, and for a 
time attended a grammar school in West Twen- 
ty-seventh Street. His first position was that of 
office boy, from which he worked his way up, 
until at the age of seventeen he began for himself 
in business. On coming to College Point he 
built his present place, to which he afterward 
made additions. There are forty rooms in the 
Casino, including a large restaurant, ball 
grounds, dancing pavilion, boating and bathing 
pavilion, the latter having about fifty rooms. 
There are accommodations for fifty guests, and 
every facility is provided for the entertainment 
of visitors during the summer months. There 
are two landings for both steamboats and sailing 
crafts, and boats are hired to those desiring an 
outing on the water. The space is ample, being 
six hundred feet square, with ample facilities for 
ball games and all outdoor sports. Steady em- 
ployment is furnished to fourteen men, though 
in the busy season forty waiters are employed in 
the two restaurants in each hotel. Mr. Zehden 
has an efficient assistant in his wife, who was 
Miss Eliza Bloom, a native of Germany. He is 
a member of the Liquor Dealers' Association 
and several lodges. 



one. Of the many persons who are engaged in 
the duties of the calling of an undertaker no more 
considerate one can be found than John F. Dunn, 
of Flushing. He was born in this place in 1865 
to Patrick and Mary (Ellis) Dunn, both natives 
of Ireland, the former of Queens County and the 
latter of Dublin. They came to America when 
young, located in Flushing, and here Mr. Dunn 
began running a hack. He continued this and the 
transfer business until his death in 1881, in whicli 
year his wife also passed from life. Four of their 
children grew to mature years: Mary, Margaret, 
John F., and Martin, who died in 1895 at the age 
of twenty-eight years, on the eve of his ordina- 
tion to the priesthood from St. Mary's Theologi- 
cal Seminary, Maryland, after studying three 
years. 

John F. Dunn was an attendant of St. Michael's 
school until he was fourteen years of age, but 
after the death of his father it became necessary 
for him to do something for himself, and he at 
once assumed charge of the hack and transfer 
business. On the 20th of January, 1890, he 
opened an undertaking establishment and has 
since been one of the popular funeral directors 
of the place. His careful attention to all the 
minute details of conducting a funeral in the most 
desirable manner have gained him much popu- 
larity with persons in need of his services. He is 
also an embalmer, having taken a course in this 
branch in Brooklyn, and keeps a superior line of 
goods required by his calling. His office is 
located at No. i Jagger Avenue and his ware- 
rooms are in the rear. 

Mr. Dunn has served for fifteen years as a 
member of Rescue Hook and Ladder Company 
of Flushing and one term acted in the capacity of 
foreman. He belongs to the Order of American 
Firemen, is a member of the Kings and Queens 
County Undertakers' Association, politically is a 
Democrat, and, like all the members of his family, 
IS connected with St. Michael's Catholic Church. 
He is a useful and trustworthy citizen, and is 
universally respected and esteemed. 



JOHN F. DUNN. It is a notable fact which 
speaks volumes for the high grade of our 
civilization that in no civilized land the 
world over is more attention given to all the de- 
tails of the burial of the dead than in our favored 



JACOB ROCKER, a prominent resident of 
Astoria, is superintendent of the Sohmer & 
Co. piano factory, which is located at Long 
Island City, and is one of the oldest employes of 
that company. Mr. Rocker was born in the city 
of Worms, Germany, August 30, 1836. His 
father, George Rocker, was likewise a native of 



I020 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that cit)', which was also the home of Grandfather 
Rocker. The latter was a cabinetmaker by trade 
and a representative of one of the old and re- 
spected families of Worms. He fought in the 
battle of Waterloo, being sergeant of his com- 
pany, and in that conflict was seriously wounded 
in the right leg. In religious matters he was a 
member of the Lutheran Church. 

George Rocker was well educated in the model 
schools of the Fatherland, and when ready to 
embark in life for himself, learned the business of 
cabinetmaker, in which his father was engaged. 
In this he was unusually successful and soon 
began manufacturing furniture on his own ac- 
count, managing his business in a very able 
manner. He lived to be seventy-two years of age. 
Ihe lady to whom he was married bore the 
maiden name of Kate Fuchs, also a German by 
birth, and the daughter of John Fuchs. She de- 
parted this life when in her sixty-second year. 
The father was afterward married to Miss 
Tuchart, by whom he had three children. His 
first union resulted in the birth of seven children, 
three of whom are living at the present time, and 
to this family our subject belongs. 

Jacob Rocker attended school in the city of 
Worms until a lad of fourteen years, when he 
entered his father's furniture factory and became 
thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its 
details. He then traveled over various portions 
of the empire, working at his trade in Wurtem- 
berg, Hanover and Frankfort. In the latter city 
he first began to work as a piano maker. 

In 1857 Mr. Rocker enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Sixtj^-third German Regiment and 
served his full time as a soldier. In 1864, having 
determined to try his fortunes in America, he 
took passage on the steamer "Hanover," bound 
for the city of New York, and in due time was 
landed upon the soil of the New World. The 
splendid recommendations which he brought 
gained him admittance into the factory of Sohmer 
& Co., which was then located in the metropolis, 
and, beginning at the bottom round of the ladder, 
he gradually worked his way until he now occu- 
pies the most responsible position in the concern. 
Five years after entering the employ of this com- 
pany he was made foreman of the key making de- 
partment, and in 1880 was promoted to be super- 
intendent of the factory, which was then known 
as the old Needham factory in Twenty-third 
Street. 

In the year 1887 Sohmer & Co. erected a new 



factor)' in Long Island City and moved their 
effects hither. Mr. Rocker was then made first 
superintendent, which position he has held ever 
since. He personally superintends the work in 
each department, being an expert in the manufac- 
ture of pianos, and has under his charge two 
hundred men. He buys all the lumber, veneer, 
etc., used in the construction of these instruments 
and the company are profiting by the inventions 
which he has made in the way of a machine for 
the manufacture of the keys and another for 
boring rest planks. He is truly self-made, having 
worked his way by the exercise of his own natural 
talents and perseverance. 

The marriage of Mr. Rocker and Miss Caroline 
Roh, who was born in Germany, occurred in New- 
York City in 1864. To them have been born three 
sons, George, Henry and Frederick, all of whom 
follow the business of their father and are in the 
employ of Sohmer &. Co. In 1878 our subject 
built a beautiful residence at No. 225 Jamaica 
Avenue and has made this his home ever since. 
Socially he belongs to Navigator Lodge No. 232, 
F. & A. M. He is also associated with the Arion 
Singing Societ)- of New York and meets with the 
Frohsinn and Turn Verein Societies. The Inde- 
pendent Schuetzen Club of New York City claims 
him as one of its most prominent and valued 
members. In politics he is a true blue Repub- 
lican. His son, Henr)', is a very prominent young 
politician and is at present a member of the 
General Republican Committee. 



THOMAS T. CORNELIUS. The vocation 
of an undertaker is essentially a very deli- 
cate one, and it involves for its successful 
prosecution peculiarly important qualifications, 
which but comparatively few individuals possess. 
It is only through long experience as well as 
natural aptitude that a man is able to discharge 
his duty in that relation to the entire and un- 
qualified satisfaction of those most deeplv inter- 
ested. Prominent among those engaged in this 
line of work in SeaclifY, is Thomas T. Cornelius, 
whose character and reputation for honorable 
principles have placed him among the leading 
undertakers of the place. Fie is a native of Sea- 
ford, L. I., born December 25, 1863, the son 
of Carman and Martha (Buck) Cornelius. The 
father is one of the wealthy and influential resi- 
dents of Seaford, where he has resided manv 
years. Fie is a member of a yacht club, takes 




CARROLL F. NORTON. 



PORTRAIT AND BI(3GRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I02" 



great delight in hunting, and although a resident 
of Seaford, he has, for the past twenty-three 
years, spent his winters at Carituc Beach, N. C. 

Thomas T. CorneHus resided at Seaford, L. I., 
for fifteen years and there obtained his schooHng. 
When about fifteen years old he went to Amity- 
ville, where he began learning the undertakers' 
business with Solomon Ketcham, with whom he 
remained nine years. While there he married 
Miss Annie E. Crum, of Babylon, L. I. Her 
death occurred at the end of about six years and 
afterward Mr. Cornelius moved to Roslyn, where 
he was in the employ of H. C. Thorne, having 
full charge of the undertaking establishment con- 
ducted by that gentleman. Later he married Miss 
JuHa Kilpatrick, of Roslyn, who was the daughter 
of Kelsey K. and Frances Kilpatrick. After leav- 
ing Roslyn, Mr. Cornehus went to Brooklyn, 
where he was in the employ of George F. Carlis 
in the undertaking business for a number of 
years. 

About the year 1890 he came to Seacliff, L. I., 
where he established himself in business. He has 
met with more than ordinary success in his 
chosen occupation and has a fine residence in that 
village. While a resident of Amity ville, L. I., he 
took a deep interest in politics and voted for J. 
G. Blaine in 1884. He has ever since remained 
with the grand old party. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at 
Glencove, and has held a number of offices in 
that order. He is the first and only undertaker 
in the village and often receives calls from Brook- 
lyn and New York City to ser\re in that capacity. 
For the last three years he has been sexton for 
the Methodist Church here. 



CARROLL F. NORTON, cashier of the 
First National Bank of Hempstead, was 
born in Erie, Pa., August 20, 1852. His 
father, Christopher F. Norton, was a descendant 
of an old Connecticut family and one of the larg- 
est lumber and iron manufacturers in the coun- 
try. He removed to Plattsburg, N. Y., when 
our subject was quite young, and became the 
leading lumber and iron manufacturer in the 
Adirondack Mountains. While engaged in this 
business he amassed a large fortune, but during 
the panic of 1873 was obliged to suspend, and 
the greater part of his wealth was swept away. 
During his residence in New York he was elected 
from the sixteenth congressional district to the 



state senate of New York as the candidate of the 
Democratic party. This was in 1871, and being 
in a district that was largely Republican he de- 
clined renomination. Finally, moving to Colo- 
rado, he remained there engaged in business un- 
til his death, in 1880, when he was fifty-nine 
years of age. His wife, Sarah Chase, was a niece 
of the late Salmon P. Chase, chief justice of the 
United States supreme court, and a prominent 
candidate for the presidency, and was a half-sister 
to the mother of Austin Corbin, president of the 
Long Island Railway Company. She died 
in 1869, when in her forty-eighth year. 

Christopher F. and Sarah Norton were the 
parents of six children, of whom five are living: 
Benjamin, formerly vice-president of the Long 
Island Railroad Company, is a resident of 
New York City and a large stockholder in the 
electric railroad at Newburgh, N. Y., which he 
built and equipped. Interested with him in this 
enterprise is his brother, Harry C, also a man of 
wealth and a resident of Newburgh; Sarah makes 
her hoine in Plattsburg, and Helen Chase Norton 
is in Albany, where she is connected with the 
state banking department. 

The early life of Carroll F. Norton was spent 
in Plattsburg, where he obtained a good educa- 
tion in the pubUc schools. This was supple- 
mented by a course in the Albany Business Col- 
lege, after which he became his father's confiden- 
tial clerk, aiding materially in the manage- 
ment of his large enterprises. He was with him 
in the same capacity in his lumber and stock in- 
terests in Colorado, but after the .death of his 
father he returned to New York City. For three 
years he was connected with the Long Island 
road, and in 1884 located in Greenport, estab- 
lishing the People's National Bank and remain- 
ing its cashier for three years. He then came to 
Hempstead and assisted in organizing the Bank 
of Hempstead, which proved one of the greatest 
financial successes the place ever had. He con- 
tinued as cashier of this institution until 1893, 
when a difference of opinion arising between him 
and some of the smaller stockholders resulted in 
his disposing of his interest in the concern. He 
was encouraged by many of the leading citizens 
of the place to organize another bank, and in less 
than twenty-four hours he had raised on sub- 
scription a capital stock of over $100,000, wlien 
only $50,000 was needed. August Belmont iiar~ 
elected president of the institution and Mr. Niir- 
ton cashier. Sidney Dillon Ripley and many of 



I024 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the wealthy citizens of the place signified their 
willingness to serve on the board of directors. 
Thus was the First National Bank of Hempstead 
organized, and from the very first has been suc- 
cessful. During the panic of 1893, when many 
firms went under, this bank steadily increased its 
deposits until they now aggregate more than a 
quarter of a million. They have paid dividends 
regularlv and added a large surplus to its capital, 
which speaks volumes for its able management 
in times of great financial depression. The First 
National now occupies a new stone and brick 
building, which is one of the finest on Long Is- 
land. It is fitted up with extension safety deposit 
vaults, and all the conveniences which are to be 
found in a modern structure of this kind. 

Air. Norton was married February 3, 1885, to 
Miss Sara E., daughter of John B. Mersereau, of 
Hempstead. To them have been born two daugh- 
ters, Helen Chase and Ruth. The family occupy 
a fine home in Hilton Avenue, where they enter- 
tain their friends, who are numbered among the 
best people of the county. 

In politics Mr. Norton is a Democrat and is 
greatly interested in the success of his party. At 
the present time he is one of the village trustees 
of Hempstead. 



JL. BOARDMAN. There is no country in 
the world in which the march of civiliza- 
^ tion is more noticeable than in America, 
where home life is at the highest ebb of refine- 
ment and moral excellence. In every branch of life 
is this noticeable, the homes in particular showing 
the delicate touch of the housewife whose keen 
sense of refinement leads her to command the 
best and most artistic class of furniture to make 
her home attractive. A gentleman who deals in 
a general line of furniture is J. L. Boardman, of 
Flushing. He was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., in 
May, 1 83 1, a son of Horace and Harriet (Ad- 
doms) Boardman, natives respective!)' of Middle- 
bury, \'t., and Plattsburg, N. Y. 

Our subject's grandfather, Joel Boardman, was 
born in Salem, Mass., and traced his lineage in 
this country loack to 1640, when a member of the 
family located in Connecticut. He was a sea- 
fearing man while at Salem, but prior to the 
Revolutionary War removed by wagon to \'er- 
mont anil became an inn-keeper at Middlebury. 
His wife was a Miss Turner. Their son, Horace, 
was an iron manufacturer and had an old char- 



coal forge near Plattsburg, but later operated a 
larger one on the Saranac River. He was quite 
ingenious and invented the first mowing machine 
and the first machine for making cut nails. He 
also invented the machine for making pressed 
brick. He died on Staten Island at the age of 
seventy years, having been a strong Abolitionist 
and temperance man. He was quite an eloquent 
orator and made many speeches in favor of aboli- 
tion and was a warm supporter of Abraham Lin- 
coln for the presidency. He was a Alason. His 
wife was a daughter of Maj. John Addoms, who 
was born in New York City. He was a member 
oi the association from Poughkeepsie that boughc 
the land and founded Plattsburg, N. Y. He be- 
came the owner of large tracts of land and during 
the Revolutionary War held the rank of major 
under General Washington. His father, Joseph 
Addoms, was a physician of Xew York Citv in 
1640, and the old clock which he owned is now 
in possession of J. L. Boardman. This family is 
supposed to be of the same origin as the Adams. 
To Horace Boardman and his wife nine children 
were born, of whom one daughter and three sons 
are living. 

J. L. Boardman was reared and educated in 
Plattsburg and, after completing an academic 
education, taught school for one winter, then be- 
came a clerk in a large general store of that place, 
where he remained for three years. About 1850 
he came to New York City and for two years 
thereafter w^as a clerk in a dry-goods store of 
Brooklyn, then came to Flushing to take charge 
of the dry-goods establishment of Peck & Son, 
which was one of the largest country establish- 
ments in the state at that time. At the end of five 
years he resigned and went west, to St. Louis, 
where he was in the grocery business for three 
years. At the end of that time he returned to 
Flushing and was with the firm of Peck & Fair- 
weather until the}- dissolved partnership, after 
which he purchased and ran the establishment 
until 1 861. Since that time he has been in the 
furniture business and is located in a fine three- 
story brick structure, the dimensions of which are 
34x85 feet, the second and third floors of which 
are used for storage. He has a fine residence at 
the corner of Prince and State Streets. 

Mr. Boardman was married in T'lushing to 
Miss Caroline Fairweather, a daughter of William 
H. Fairweather, of the firm oi Peck & Fair- 
weather, who married Ann Eliza Peck, a daughter 
of lonathan Peck and a sister of Richard Peck. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I02- 



The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Boardman: William P'airweather, traveling audi- 
tor for the New York Central Railroad, and living 
in Flushing; Edward Horace, who is in the office 
of the New York Central Railroad, and resides 
in Flushing; Eliza Fairweather, Walter Thomas 
and Clara L. In January. 1896, Mr. Boardman 
was appointed a member of the board of health 
and he has always been a Republican politically. 
He and his wife attend St. George's Episcopal 
Church and socially he is a member of Cor- 
nucopia Lodge No. 563, of the Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons. 



ELBERT HALLETT. Many of the arts 
practiced in this day had their origin in 
antiquity, one of these being the art of 
embalming. This process of preserving dea.l 
bodies is very ancient, having been practiced by 
fhe Egyptians for the preparation of mummies. 
In that age spices, drugs and asphaltum were 
most commonly used, after which the bodies were 
swathed in cloth. In this day chloride of zinc, 
corrosive sublimate and carbolic acid are em- 
ployed. An important firm of undertakers and 
embalmers is that of Hallett & Co., of Flushing, 
composed of Elbert Hallett and his sister, Mrs. 
Harriett De Veau. 

■ Elbert Hallett is a native of Flushing, born in 
1876, a son of Samuel J. Hallett, a resident of 
New York City, but who was reared in Astoria. 
He was a photographer in New York City for 
some years, but later engaged in the undertaking 
business in Flushing (1869), which he contin- 
ued until his death in March, 1895, at the 
age of seventy years. He also conducted an 
undertaking estabhshment in Long Island City, 
in fact, was a wide-awake man of affairs and 
a good financier. He had long been a worthy 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
in his political views was a stanch Republican. 
He was married to Emeline De Veati, a native of 
Whiteplains, N. Y., and of French descent. She 
died in 1894, having became the mother of live 
children: Frances A., wife of George Denton, of 
Chambersburg, Pa.; W. D., who died in Flush- 
ing in November, 1895; Harriett D., also a resi- 
dent of Flushing; Theodore, who is in the West, 
and Elbert. The paternal grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this sketch is Charles W. Hallett, of As- 
toria, L. I., a sketch of whom appears herein. 
Elbert Hallett was reared and educated in 



Flushing, obtaining a good high school educa- 
tion. At the age of fifteen years he went to Long 
Island City with his father and worked with him 
in the undertaking establishment on Jackson 
Avenue and Tenth Street until the business there 
was closed. He then returned to Flushing and, 
after working at the plumbing business for about 
one year, he attended the trade school in New 
York City for some time, after which he once 
more engaged in undertaking, and at the death 
of his brother, he and his sister, Harriett, bought 
out the other heirs and have since successfully 
continued business under the firm name of Hal- 
lett & Co. Their establishment is located at No. 25 
Main Street, and is commodious and convenient, 
their office and ware-rooms being all of goodly 
proportions. In connection with this they keep 
a large line of coaches, hearses and carriages and 
are in every way properly equipped to success- 
fully carry on their caUing and are at all times to 
be relied upon. Mr. Hallett is a worthy member 
of the Reformed Church. 



DAVID B. DOUGHTY, D. V. S. This in 
brief is a sketch of one of the citizens of 
Woodbury, who, in common with other 
representative men of the village, is laboring to 
secure the development of its highest interests 
and the promotion of its welfare. In his chosen 
occupation he is known as a skilled and efficient 
veterinary surgeon, who brings to bear upon the 
calling a thorough knowledge of the equine 
species and the treatment of diseases to which 
the horse is subject. 

In the village where he now resides the sulj- 
ject of this notice was born July 10, 1862, being a 
son of John and Anna E. (Brush) Doughty. The 
line of ancestry is traced back to Edward 
Doughty, a Puritan, who came to America in the 
"Mayflower" and endured all the vicissitudes in- 
cident to life in a new country. From him the 
lineage is traced through Townsend, James, 
John, Ananias, Stephen and John to David B., 
of this sketch. James Doughty, grandson of the 
Puritan ancestor, located at Cold Spring in 
Queens County and there acquired the ownership 
of a large tract of land, a portion of which still 
remains in the family, having been entailed from 
father to son. B'ive generations of the family are 
interred in the old Episcopal Cemetery at Oyster 
Bay. 

The father of our subject was born on the 



1026 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



family homestead at Cold Spring, April 26, 1837, 
and he married, November 29, 1859, A'"!" E. 
Brush, a native of New York Cit}' and daughter 
of David Brush. In 1878 he removed from the 
homestead to the Brush place in Woodbury, and 
there he has since made his home. Of his family 
of five children, four are still living, namely: 
Annie A., wife of Charles O. Smith, living on the 
old Doughty farm; Dr. David B., of this sketch; 
Frederick S., who resides with his parents, and 
Addie M., wife of Henry A. Oilman, of Brooklyn. 
The next to the youngest daughter, Carrie B., 
died on New Year's Day of 1895, aged twenty- 
three years. 

On the Brush homestead then owned by his 
maternal grandfather, but now occupied by him- 
self, the subject of this sketch was born, and here 
he has always made his home. His early educa- 
tion was received in the district schools and the 
union school of Huntington. In 1888 he entered 
the American A/'eterinary College of New York 
and remained there until his graduation in 1891. 
Immediately afterward he commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession in his native county, making 
his home with his parents as before. His skill 
and ability have been recognized and in justice 
to him it may be said that he has worked his way 
to his present position. Many valuable animals 
are entrusted to his care, and his practice extends 
over a large area. While a firm Republican in 
politics he is not active in local affairs, preferring 
to give his attention to his business affairs 



JOHN M. PHILLIPS. Among the many 
prominent contractors of Astoria, Long 
Island City, is John M. Phillips, who shows 
much fitness for his vocation in that he is wide- 
awake, experienced, reliable and energetic, and 
that he has a thorough knowledge of his busi- 
ness. Although young in years, his birth having 
occurred in New York City in 1872, Mr. Phillips 
has already won an enviable reputation in his 
chosen calling. 

Until the year 1883 Mr. Phillips remained in 
his native city, attending the public schools, and 
tlicn came to Long Island City, where he en- 
tered the third ward school. In 1884 he took up 
the mason's trade under his father, John M. Phil- 
lips, Sr., and after completing it continued with 
him until the lattcr's death in 1891. After this 
our subject and his brother, Peter N., began con- 
tracting, and have continued this since. All their 



work is on a large scale and is always conducted 
to a successful and satisfactory termination. Mr. 
Phillips is painstaking, industrious and strictly 
honorable, and as a natural consequence his ser- 
vices are in demand. In politics an ardent Dem- 
ocrat, he has ever been deeply interested in the 
welfare of his party and is a member of the gen- 
eral campaign committee of the Jefferson Dem- 
ocratic Club. He was senatorial delegate in 1895. 
Previously he had served as ward, city and coun- 
ty delegate, and has been a member of the gen- 
eral committee since the age of twenty-one. In 
1895 he went to St. Louis, Mo., as a delegate for 
St. Peter's Lyceum, and is a member of St. 
Patrick's Church and the Catholic Benevolent 
Legion. He is active in all good work and is one 
of the promising young men of the citv. 



CHARLES BROWN, manager for S«ift 
Brothers, at Flushing, was born in Little 
Compton, R. I., in 1871, and is a son of 
John C. G. and Maria (Brownell) Brown, also 
natives of Rhode Island. His father, who was 
born in Narragansett, spent his early years there 
and in other villages of the state, but later went 
to Chicago, where for fourteen years he was em- 
ployed as stock buyer, and he is now sheep buver 
for Swrift in that city. 

Of five children, Charles Brown is next to the 
youngest. He was reared to manhood in Little 
Compton, receiving his education in the public 
schools of that place and the Friends' Boarding 
School in Providence. Later he was a student 
in Br3'-ant & Stratton's Business College. He 
was in the employ of Swift & Co., Chicago, where 
he worked his way from an inferior place to one 
of responsibility. During his connection wath 
the firm there, he was employed in the sheep 
department. In 1891 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., 
where he was emploj-ed by the New England 
Dressed Meat & Wool Company. The follo\\ang 
year he went- to New York City where he took a 
position in the wholesale depot in Thirty-ninth 
Street, and later was transferred to Thirtv-fifth 
Street, where he had charge of a department for 
Swift's Sheep & Provision Company. Next he 
was transferred to the management of the sheep 
department for the Harlem Beef Company, re- 
maining with that concern until April, 1895, when 
he became manager for Swift Brothers at Flush- 
ing. 

This place, which is the only one owned bv 



1' -^ 




ST. IGNATIUS' CHURCH, HICKSVILLE, N. Y. 

REV. IvAWliENCE FUCHS, PASTOR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I02y 



Swift Brothers on Long Island, was established 
by them in August, 1894. Ice and meat are de- 
livered every day in carload lots and then for- 
warded to different parts of Queens County. In 
the building there is a large refrigerator that 
has a capacity of one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred head of animals at one time. The tem- 
perature is maintained at thirty-eight to forty 
degrees, and the entire business is carried on in 
a systematic, accurate manner. 



REV. LAWRENCE FUCHS is pastor of 
St. Ignatius' Church at Hicksville. The 
Catholic population living in his village 
and vicinity was organized as a parish in the year 
1859, and the corner stone of the old church was 
laid August 21 of that year, occupying the same 
ground which is now the site of the new edifice. 
The land was presented by Henry Pasker, father 
of Adolph Pasker, who is at present an efficient 
worker in the congi-egation. Both of these gen- 
tlemen collected funds in the city, the population 
here being too poor to contribute a sufficient 
amount to erect the building. As Mr. Pasker was 
a carpenter he helped to build the church. 

Rev. Ignatius Goetz, who passed to his eternal 
reward February 8, 1879, was the first pastor in 
charge of the parish. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Casper Muller, who died October 29, 1881. In 
those days the people were few in number, but 
faith was strong, and under Rev. Joseph Hauber, 
the next pastor, who attended from Foster's 
Meadow, the finances and membersnip grew. A 
plat of ground for a rectory was purchased in 
1870 and the building was erected in the same 
year. Rev. L. Schneider succeeded Rev. 
Joseph Hauber, but remained only a short time, 
resigning on account of ill health, and his death 
occurred Augtist 24, 1883. 

The church remained without a pastor for two 
months, then the Rt. Rev. John Laughlin, bishop 
of Brooklyn, sent Rev. Lawrence Fuchs, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, to take charge of the parish. 
For three years he had been assistant priest in a 
large German parish in Brooklyn, and he said 
his first mass in Hicksville in the old church, 
September i, 1872. Under his charge the church 
has prospered, the attendance outgrowing the ac- 
commodations, so that it became necessary to 
erect more commodious quarters, and land was 
purchased with this end in view. Father Fuchs 
has been an earnest worker during his pastorate 



and the members of the church both love and re- 
spect him. After much hard work and by perse- 
vering he succeeded in collecting enough money 
to have a large and handsome church erected, 
and on the 12th of May, 1891, the old church edi- 
fice was removed to a lot south of the 
old site, and the work of excavating for the 
foundation of the new building was commenced, 
the greater part of the work being done by volun- 
teer labor of members of the parish. All was 
soon ready for the carpenters, and by July 2 the 
frame was raised. The corner stone was laid by 
the Rt. Rev. John Laughlin July 4. The work 
progressed rapidly, and December 15 of the same 
year the church was dedicated by the above 
named gentleman, it being the last dedicatory 
functions which he ever performed. The morn- 
ing he arrived in Flicksville he was taken ill. He 
returned home, but never recovered, and Decem- 
ber 29 he was called to his reward. 

St. Ignatius' Church is a well-built structure, 
40x96 feet, and has a spire one hundred and ten 
feet in height. The interior is handsomely decor- 
ated, and the seating capacity is about five hun- 
dred. Everything was done in the most satisfac- 
tory manner and the best material to be had was 
used in the construction of the building. The 
edifice cost over $20,000. The church grounds 
are ample, as the plat includes nearly half a block, 
and large horse sheds have been erected for the 
accommodation of the members who drive to 
church. 



LOUIS C. OTT, who resides at Rockaway 
Beach, Oceanus P. O., is engaged in the 
bottling business, making a specialty of the 
"Standard" and "Superb" brands of beer. Prior 
to embarking in this business, which he has con- 
ducted since 1893, he carried on a hotel business 
here for ten years during the summer seasons. 
His home before coming to Oceanus was in 
Brooklyn, where he was born August i, 1855. 
In boyhood he received excellent opportunities 
for a practical education in both German and 
English, and became well informed upon mat- 
ters pertaining to business. 

When only nineteen years of age Mr. Ott be- 
gan in the hotel business at Brooklyn, remaining 
thus engaged for nearly five years. Possessing 
a genial, companionable nature, he made many 
friends and soon drifted into politics. His first 
position was in the revenue office, where he ren- 



I030 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dered efficient service from 1884 until 1889, and 
later he held the position of under sheriff for two 
years under Sheriff Courtne}'. In 1892 he was 
elected to represent his district in the legislature, 
and as a member of the assembly showed the 
utmost fidelity to the interests of his constituents 
as well as a thorough knowledge of public affairs. 
He was regarded as one of the leaders of the 
Democratic party, and held a high place in the 
estimation of those identified with that organiza- 
tion. Among the measures which he championed 
was the market bill, which originated in the sen- 
ate and was presented by him in the assembly. 
Through his untiring efforts he secured its pas- 
sage. He was also the champion of the Long 
Island Railroad bill, which was intended to re- 
duce fares to a rate of two cents per mile. This 
was a popular measure among the people and he 
worked 'hard to secure its passage, but the mon- 
eyed influence of the railroad company was mani- 
fest upon the committee, and notwithstanding a 
brave fight the bill was defeated. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Ott is connected 
with the Star of Hope Lodge No. 430, F. & A. 
M., and is also identified with the Literary Union 
of Rockaway Beach. He takes an active interest 
in all local matters and is a member of the En- 
terprise Hook and Ladder Company. 



DANIEL A. HARRISON, M. D., joint 
proprietor with Dr. John A. Arnold, a 
resident of Brooklyn, of Breezehurst Ter- 
race, a private asylum at Whitestone for the 
treatment of mental diseases, was born in Strat- 
ford, Ontario, Canada, August 31, 1852, being a 
son of William Dyne and Lucy (Tye) Harrison. 
Elis boyhood days were spent in Stratford, where, 
after attending a private school for some time, he 
took a course in the high school, graduating at 
the age of eighteen. After completing his studies 
he visited relatives of his father in Somerset and 
Devonshire, England, where lie spent a year, and 
on returning to Stratford became secretary and 
treasurer of a gas company, where he remained 
for two years. From an early age he had a taste 
for medical work, but was not financially able to 
carry out his desires until an uncle, who had taken 
a fancy to him during his visit to England, left 
him some money with which to attend medical 
college. 

After gaining a knowledge of the fundamental 
truths of the science under pri\-ate preceptorshi]?. 



our subject entered the medical department of the 
University of the City of New York, from which 
he graduated in 1882. Immediately afterward he 
accepted a position as assistant physician in the 
City Asylum at Ward's Island, and had charge of 
the hospital there for three years. He was then 
offered a more lucrative position in the depart- 
ment of charities and correction in the Kings 
County Asylum, where he remained as assistant 
for nine months, and was then promoted to the 
position of superintendent of the Kings County 
Asylum at St. Johnland, remaining there for four 
years. In 1890 he bought the place where he 
now is with a view to starting his present busi- 
ness, and has since given his attention to the 
private asylum he has established here. In order 
to perfect his knowledge of this line of work, he 
visited England and Scotland, studying the meth- 
ods adopted by the different asylums and hos- 
pitals. The building which he occupies has a 
capacity for twenty-five patients, and his skill in 
the treatment of mental diseases is bringing him 
a wide reputation. 

While at St. Johnland, September 16, 1887, Dr. 
Harrison married Miss Harriet ]\Ioore Ridgelv, 
of Dover, Del, daughter of Edward and Eliza- 
beth Frazier (Comegys) Ridgely. Her father, 
who is a prominent attorney of Dover, has for 
years been engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion and, although blind, he is regarded as one 
of the best counselors in the state of Delaware. 
Two children, twins, were born to the Doctor and 
his wife, but one died in infancy: the other is 
named Edward Ridgely. 

In political matters Dr. Harrison is independ- 
ent, never ha^'^ng allied himself with anv party. 
He and his wife are identified with the Episcopal 
Church, which is the religious belief of his fath- 
er's family. Fraternally he is connected with 
Alcyone Lodge No. 695, F. & A. M., at Xorth- 
port, L. I. At this writing he is serving as sec- 
retary of the board of health at Whitestone, and 
member of the board of trustees of Flushing Hos- 
pital. He is also a Fellow of the Acadeniv of 
Medicine in New York Citv. 



GF.YROX LATIMER. "Save the pen- 
nies and the dollars will look after 
• themselves," is undoubtedly an e.xcel- 
knt motto, and the practical working of it is 
found in the institutions organized, whereby small 
amounts of money can l-ie deposited in the bank 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1031 



for safe keeping. There is no more true saying 
than that money will burn a hole in a person's 
pocket, and it is for this reason that institutions of 
this kind are of paramount value. The subject 
of this sketch is secretary of the Irving Savings 
Institution, located at No. 96 Warren Street, New- 
York City, which institution is firmly founded and 
decidedly popular with all classes, especially with 
the working fieople. 

Mr. Latimer was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 
1861, to Edmund H. and Hester Ann (Cannon) 
Latimer, natives of the state of New York, where 
they lived and died. The father was for more 
than thirty years connected with the "Journal o[ 
Commerce" in New York. He was a public- 
spirited citizen, of fine intellect and excellent edu- 
cation, and he wielded a wide influence in the 
community in which he lived. He passed from 
life in Brooklyn in 1891, the death of his worthy 
wife having occurred in 1885. 

The initiatory education of G. Byron Latimer 
was received in the Brooklyn public schools, but 
he subsequently attended School No. 3 of that 
city. At the age of thirteen he laid aside his 
books to become a clerk in a notion house of 
New York City, where he remained four years, 
after which he entered the Irving National Bank 
as a clerk. So ably and faithfully did he discharge 
every duty assigned him that he was promoted 
from time to time until he occupied the position 
of note teller. In 1893 he was appointed to his 
present position, which is one of great responsi- 
bility, but Mr. Latimer i's proving fully equal to 
its duties. He possesses a keen and practical 
mind well fitted to cope With far more difficult 
problems than come under his notice at the pres- 
ent time, and his future is bright with promise. 
The bank with which he is connected is in a very 
thriving condition and at the present time its 
assets amount to more than six millions of 
dollars. 

In June, 1887, his marriage with Miss Jennie 
C. Purdy was celebrated, and has resulted in the 
birth of one son, Milton Purdy. Mrs. Latimer is 
a daughter of John J. Purdy, a substantial citizen 
of Rockville Center. Immediately after his mar- 
riage Mr. Latimer took up his residence at this 
place and here his home has since continued to 
be, although his business requires his daily jour- 
neying back and forth to New York City. Frater- 
nally he is district deputy grand regent of the 
Royal Arcanum of Queens County District and 
he is also past grand of the Independent Order 



of Odd Fellows and one of the founders of the 
Rockville Center lodge. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat, but he has never aspired to office. 

Although comparatively a young man Mr, 
Latimer has been active in the affairs of his sec- 
tion and has done much to make the town the 
prosperous place that it now is. Upon assuming 
the duties of his present position, the control of 
six million dollars' worth of funds was placed in 
his charge, his management of which has been 
eminently successful and satisfactory.' He had 
tlie misfort^.ine to lose his residence by fire May 
13, 1895, but he has just completed a beautiful 
modern residence on the site of his former resi- 
dence, which he now occupies. 



GEORGE W. HAVILAND, SR., who re- 
sides at No. 299 Bayside Avenue, Flush- 
ing, was born in Little Neck, L. I., Sun- 
day, July 10, 1825, and is of English ancestry. 
The family of which he is a member traces its 
lineage back over one thousand years to Neuren- 
berg, whence some of the name went to England 
prior to the time of William the Conqueror. One 
of the first representatives in America was a sea 
captain. Grandfather William Haviland was born 
on Long Island, where he engaged in farm pur- 
suits. 

The father of our subject. Roe Haviland, was 
born in the old family residence at Little Neck, 
and throughout life engaged in farming, his death 
occurring in 1856 at the age of fifty-eight. His 
wife, w'ho was also his cousin, bore the maiden 
name of Mary Ehzabeth Haviland and was a 
daughter of Roe Haviland, a veteran of the War 
of 1812 and a wealthy farmer. Both the father 
and mother of our subject were twice married. 
The former, by his first marriage, had five chil- 
dren: George W.; Caleb, deceased; Mrs. Mary 
Hicks, deceased; William R., deceased; and Mrs. 
Julia A. Cornel of Little Neck. Of the first mar- 
riage of the mother three sons and two daughters 
are living. Bloodgood Cutter, the farmer poet 
of Long Island, is a half-brother of our subject; 
another of the family is John Cutter, a brave 
soldier of the Rebellion, who marched with Sher- 
man to the sea, and now resides in North Hemp- 
stead; there is also a half-sister, Mrs. Susanna 
Purchase. 

Reared on the home farm at Little Neck, our 
subject at the age of eighteen began to learn the 
carpenter's trade. In 1845 lie came to Flushing, 



I032 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he completed his trade under Benjamin 
L. Fowler, and then became foreman in a steam 
mill operated by J. M. Peck, remaining- with that 
gentleman for the long period of thirty years. 
When death removed the owner of the mill he 
continued with the son, who succeeded to the 
business, being in one place for more than forty 
years. Since the failure of the firm he has lived 
somewhat retired, though he represents the New 
York Life Insurance, and J. B. Nelles & Co., 
nurserymen of Rochester. 

The marriage of Mr. Haviland occurred in Lit- 
tle Neck and united him with Mary E. Roe, who 
was born in Hempstead and died at Flushing 
July 6, 1895. Her father, Charles Roe, was a 
farmer of Bayside. Of their marriage there are 
four living children: George W., Jr., who is a 
civil engineer; Clara B., Mary E. and Charlotte 
B., who are with their father. From the organi- 
zation of the Republican party to the present 
time Mr. Haviland has adhered to its principles 
and supported its candidates. He is a member of 
the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, of 
which he was at one time treasurer. It is a note- 
worthy fact that he has served as treasurer of 
the Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor, and 
the LTnited Americans. Fie was a member of the 
old "Know Nothing" party, with which he was 
formerly identified and in which he took an active 
interest. In politics he is a Republican. 



JOSEPH L. SMITH, a contractor and build- 
er residing in Flushing, was born here No- 
vember 25, 1840, and is a son of William 
B. and Eliza (Collins) Smith, natives respectively 
of Long Island and New Jersey. His father, who 
was a son of Caleb Smith, was for years the only 
cooper in Flushing, but finally abandoned that 
trade, and for nineteen years served as receiver 
and collector of taxes for the town of Flushing. 
He died in 1855, aged sixty-five years. His wife 
died in this village at the age of eighty-five. Both 
were twice married, Joseph L. being the only 
child of their union. Politically the father advo- 
cated the doctrines of the Whig party. 

At the age of seventeen our subject was ap- 
prenticed to the carpenter's trade, at which he 
served for three years under Benjamin L. Fow- 
ler, becoming by painstaking eflort a practical 
workman. For five years he was employed at 
journeyman work, after which he was contractor 
for West for five years. In 1870 he began to 



take contracts for himself, in which line he has 
since continued with success. He has been very 
busy and has erected a large number of resi- 
dences here and in other places, his work in 
every instance being efficiently and satisfactorily 
done. 

The marriage of Mr. Smith took place in 
Flushing and united him with Miss Marcelia 
Hockaway, a native of Schuylkill County, Pa. 
Six children were born of their union, of whom 
the five named are living: Mrs. Nellie Nichols, 
of New York City; Minnie, Maude, Fronie and 
Harry, who are with their parents. Mr. Smith 
served his time as a member of ^lutual Engine 
Company No. i, of which he was foreman. For 
two years he was assistant engineer of the Flush- 
ing fire department under Capt. Charles Hance. 
In his political faith he is a Republican. 



JUDGE WILLIAM SUTTER, justice of the 
peace ^nd attorne3'-at-law. College Point, 
was born in Tenth Street, this village, No- 
vember 19, 1854, and is the only child of Alex- 
ander and Sophia (Kellner) Sutter. His father, 
who was a carpenter by trade, setded at College 
Point in 1854 and remained here, actively en- 
gaged at his trade, until his death when sixty- 
three years of age; his wife now makes her home 
with her son. 

While Judge Sutter had a very limited oppor- 
tunity for gaining an education in the schools 
during 'his boyhood years, yet b}' his own arduous 
effort in later life he acquired a broad fund of 
general information. In youth he worked at any- 
thing he could find to do, and having a natural 
inclination for the law he determined to enter that 
profession. The task to which he set himself was 
not an easy one, as his schooling had been limited 
and his book learning meager, but he was deter- 
mined to make a success, and never despaired, no 
matter how discouraging the outlook might be. 
Very little opportunity for real study came to him 
until 1890, when after six months' reading he 
passed an excellent examination. In 1893 he was 
admitted to the bar and has since carried on a 
general and increasing practice. 

The popularity of Judge Sutter among the peo- 
ple of College Point is attested by his election, 
out of twenty candidates, to the office of justice 
of the peace in April, 1895, a position he has 
since filled with sagacity and fidelity. He was 
elected on the Repul^lican ticket, overcoming a 




GEORGE O. DITMIS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I03: 



usual Democratic majority of from four liundred 
to six hundred. In religious belief he is an Epis- 
copalian and takes a warm interest in the work 
of that denomination. He and his wife, formerly 
Miss Barbara Mayer, have a pleasant home in 
College Point and a host of friends among the 
people where they have always resided. Socially 
he is connected with the Improved Order of Red 
Men, the Order of Foresters and the Adelphi 
Social Club. 



GEORGE O. DITMIS, who resided near 
the village of Queens from the age of 
twelve until his death in 1896, was born 
July 22, 1818, on a farm now occupied by a por- 
tion of the village of HoUis. When he was in 
his second year his parents moved to Manhasset, 
and thence at the age of twelve he came to the 
place where his after life was spent. His father, 
Dow I. Ditmis, was born in Jamaica South about 
1795. During the War of 1812 he served as a 
soldier in the ranks, and among the battles in 
which he took part was the engagement fought 
at Ft. Green. A farmer by occupation, his last 
years were spent on the place afterward owned 
by our subject, and here he died in 1853. April 
27, 1817, he married Catherine Onderdonk, of 
Cow Neck, Manhasset, a cousin of Henry Onder- 
donk, who for many years was a teacher in the 
schools of Jamaica. This lady, who was a repre- 
sentative of one of the old and honored families 
of the county, was born here in 1796 and died 
in 1880, at the age of eighty-four years. 
• The grandfather of our subject, John D. Dit- 
mis, was a native of Flatlands, now a part of 
Brooklyn. He served as a major in the Revolu- 
tionary War, and a number of years after peace 
was established and the colonists had obtained 
their freedom, he was elected surrogate of 
Queens County. Afterward he served as state 
senator, and during the years in which he met 
with this honored body he was the means of 
obtaining many favors for his constituents. The 
Ditmis family is of Holland-Dutch extraction, 
and originated in a place called Ditmarsen, 
whence their name was derived, bttt the spelling 
was afterward changed by our subject's grand- 
father, for what reas6n is not known. 

The two brothers of our subject were named 
John and J. Adrian. The former, who died in 
1893, was a well-to-do farmer: the latter is rep- 
resented elsewhere in this volume. George O., 
42 



who was the eldest of the family, made his home 
on the same tract of land from the time he was 
twelve until his death. June 19, 1854, he mar- 
ried Phebe, daughter of George Johnson, who 
fought as a patriot during the War of 1812. Mrs. 
Ditmis had but one brother, Martin G. Johnson, 
a well known surveyor of Jamaica, who died 
March 23, 1887; her sister, Catherine, married 
Elias Hendrickson, a farmer, and died on the 
estate just west of our subject's farm. Mrs. Dit- 
mis died in 1866, leaving four children, namely: 
Catherine, who has never married, and who ten- 
derly cared for her father during his declining 
years; Georgiana, who married I. Cornell Rem- 
sen, a prominent farmer residing in Liberty Ave- 
nue, west of Jamaica, and they have two chil- 
dren, Richard and Martin ; John D., who married 
Miss May Payntar, and makes his home on the 
old place; and Martin G. Johnson, who died Feb- 
ruary 18, 1878. 

In the occupation of farming Mr. Ditmis was 
remarkably successful, accumulating a sufficient 
amount of this world's goods to enable him to 
spend his closing years in peace and comfon. 
Although he never sought office, he was called 
upon to represent his fellow-townsmen in various 
local positions, and on every occasion acquitted 
himself as an upright and honorable gentleman, 
who had the interests of the people at heart. He 
is a member of the Reformed Church at Queens, 
and during his younger years was connected with 
almost every department of church work, but 
late in life he was obliged to give up participa- 
tion in religious and business enterprises owing 
to the fact that he became almost wholly blind. 
His life was unostentatiously devoted to uphold- 
ing and promoting the best interests of his fellow- 
men. His death, which occurred February i, 
1896, when he was seventy-seven years of age, 
was mourned as a public loss by the people 
among whom his upright and busy life had been 
passed. From the memorial tribute of Rev. An- 
drew Hageman, formerly pastor of the Reformed 
Church of Queens, we quote as follows: 

"In the death of Mr. Ditmis the Reformed 
Church of Queens has lost another of its old 
and faithful friends. Since the organization of 
this church, in 1858, he has been an attendant 
and supporter and friend. For twenty years he 
was a member in its communion, and served in 
its eldership for a time. Although a seriovis 
affliction of almost total blindness kept him from 
the house of God and the assembly of the saints 



1036 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



during the last ten years of his hfe, yet he never 
lost interest in the work and welfare of the 
church. Blessed of God, he was ever ready to 
use of his means to meet the demands and neces- 
sities of his church. Vigorous in mind to the 
very last, he kept himself informed thoroughly 
upon the world's work around him, and he was 
able to discuss intelligently almost every topic of 
interest in state and union. His advice and judg- 
ment were thorough and mature, and his neigh- 
bors and friends and family took pleasure in 
seeking and following it. Well preserved in body, 
he rounded out the years of his life in great 
physical comfort and happiness. He was ever 
dieerful in spite of the infirmity of lost sight. A 
son and two daughters remain to mourn his loss. 
In early years they were left without a mother's 
care, but he faithfully watched over and guarded 
them, and they in return have devoted them- 
selves to him in his declining years, one of the 
daughters giving up almost her entire time and 
self to his comfort. It is a pleasure to one who 
had the joy of receiving this father and his 
daughters at the same time into the communion 
of the Christian church on earth to bear this tes- 
timony concerning the one who has gone .from 
us unto the heavens — only gone before us a little 
while. Though dead, he still speaks to us. 
Though absent, we yet love him." 



RALPH PAUL. During the long period 
in which Mr. Paul has been a resident of 
Long Island City he has built up a large 
and profitable trade and gained a reputation as 
an efficient, capable and enterprising business 
man. Opening a drug store here in 1874, he is 
now, in point of years of business activity, the 
oldest pharmacist in the city, and one of the 
most successful as well. His store is situated on 
the corner of Steinway Avenue and Shore Road, 
and contains a complete assortment of drugs and 
medicines as well as the various other articles to 
be found in a first-class drug establishment. 

Prussia, Germany, where our subject was born 
m 1852, was likewise the birthplace of his par- 
ents, Dr. Casper and Josephine (Simon) Paul, 
the former of whom was a university graduate, 
and throughout his entire active life practiced 
medicine in a small village, Neustadt. The pater- 
nal grandfather was a forester, and the maternal 
grandfather, Judge Simon, an attorney, and for a 
time in government service. Our subject is one of 



six children, of whom three are in the United 
States, the others having remained in Germany. 
He was reared in Germany, attending the com- 
mon schools until thirteen years of age, and after- 
ward carrying on his studies in the gymnasium 
until graduation. 

At the age of fourteen Mr. Paul entered a drug 
store for the purpose of studying pharmacy, and 
after three years there he entered the Marburg 
School of Pharmacy, from which he graduated 
in 1870, with the degree of Ph. G. Meantime he 
had been employed, at intervals, as clerk in drug 
stores in France and Switzerland. After the war 
of 1872 he went to London, and six months later 
came to America and worked for. Henry Casse- 
beer, a relative of Mr. Steinway. In 1874, hav- 
ing spent the two preceding years in New York, 
he came to Steinway, where he bought a small 
place, and later he settled here permanently. He 
has the only drug store in this suburb, as well as 
the finest in Long Island City. In 1887 he opened 
a pharmacy at Schuetzen Park, corner of Broad- 
way and Steinway, which he sold five years later. 

In fraternal organizations Mr. Paul has taken 
an active interest, and is now connected with 
Advance Lodge, F. & A. M., at Astoria; also the 
American Legion of Honor, being secretary of 
the council. Since coming to this countr}'- he has 
become well informed regarding the great ques- 
tions before the people, and few of the native- 
born sons of America display a greater interest 
in its welfare than does he. Politically, while he 
has never displayed a partisan preference for any 
organization, yet he has allied himself firmly 
with the Republican party, believing that its prin- 
ciples, if carried into the policy of the govern- 
ment, would increase the prosperity of the coun- 
try and the welfare of its people. 



CAPT. J. W. DIXON is regarded as one 
of the most worthy and influential citizens 
of Long Island, and it is a pleasure to 
chronicle here his life of usefulness. Material 
wealth must not exclude the riches of -character 
and ability in recounting the virtues which have 
been brought to this country by its citizens, and 
among its most precious treasures must be esti- 
mated the lives of those citizens who have, by 
their intelligence and their eminence in the higher 
walks of life, assisted in raising the standard of 
life and thought in the communities in which they 
make their home. No one has probably done 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1037 



more in this line than Capt. J. W. Dixon, who 
was born in Washington, D. C, February 9, 1846. 
He is the son of Hon. James and Elizabeth (Cogs- 
well) Dixon, both natives of Connecticut. The 
following, copied from Appleton's "Cyclopedia 
of American Biography," will sketch the career 
of Hon. James Dixon: 

"Dixon, James, Senator, born in Enfield, Conn., 
August 5, 1814, died in Hartford, March 27, 1873. 
He was graduated at Williams with distinction, 
in 1834, studied law in his father's office, and be- 
gan practice in Enfield, but soon rose to such 
eminence at the bar that he removed to Hartford, 
and there formed a partnership with Judge 
William M. Elsworth. Early combining his legal 
practice with an actual interest in public affairs, 
he was elected to the popular branch of the Con- 
necticut Legislature in 1837 and 1838 and again 
in 1844. In 1840 he married Elizabeth L., daugh- 
ter of Rev. Dr. Jonathan Cogswell, professor in 
the Connecticut Theological Institute. 

"Mr. Dixon at an early date had become the 
recognized leader of the Whig party in the Hart- 
ford Congressional District and was chosen in 
1845 ^ member of the United States House of Rep- 
resentatives. He was re-elected in 1847 ^^-d was 
distinguished, in that difficult arena, alike for his 
power as a debater and for an amenity of bearing 
that extorted the respect of practical opponents, 
even in the turbulent times following the Mexican 
War and the exasperations of the second debate 
precipitated by the 'Wilmot proviso.' Returning 
from Congress in 1849, he was that year elected 
from Hartford to a seat in the Connecticut Senate 
and, having been re-elected in 1854, was chosen 
president of that body, but declined the honor, 
because the floor seemed to offer a better field of 
usefulness. 

"During the same year he was made president 
of the Whig state convention, and, having now 
reached a position of commanding influence, he 
was in 1857 elected United States Senator, and 
participated in all the parliamentar)' debates of 
the epoch that preceded the Civil War. He was 
remarkable among his colleagues in the Senate 
for the tenacity with which he adhered to his 
political principles, and for the close presage 
with which he grasped the drift of events. Six 
years afterward, in the midst of the Civil War, he 
was re-elected Senator with a majority that had 
no precedent in the annals of Connecticut. 

"During his service in the Senate he was an 
active member of the committee on manufact- 



ures, and during his last term was at one time ap- 
pointed chairman of three important committees. 
While making his residence in Washington, the 
seat of an elegant hospitality, he was remarkable 
for the assiduity with which he followed the public 
business of the Senate and for the eloquence that 
he brought to the discussion of grave public 
questions as they successively rose before, during 
and after the Civil War. 

"Among his many notable speeches was one 
delivered June 25, 1862, on the constitutional 
states created by the so-called acts of secession — 
a speech that is known to have commanded the 
express admiration of President Lincoln, as em- 
bodying what he held to be the true theory of the 
war in the light of the constitution and of the 
public law. To the principles expounded in that 
speech, Mr. Dixon steadfastly adhered during the 
administration alike of President Lincoln and his 
successor. In the impeachment trial of President 
Johnson he was numbered among the Republican 
senators who voted against the efficiency of the 
articles, and from that date he participated no 
longer in the councils of the Republican party. 

"Withdrawing from public life in 1869, he Was 
urged by the President of the United States and 
by his colleagues in the Senate to accept the 
mission of Prussia, but refused the honor, and, 
without returning to the practice of law, found 
occupation for his scholarly mind in European 
travel, in literary studies and in the society of 
congenial friends. From his early growth he had 
been a student lover of the world's best literature. 
Remarkable for the purity of his literary taste and 
for the abundance of his intellectual resources, 
he might have gained distinction as a prose writer 
and as a poet, if he had not been allured to the 
more exciting fields of law and politics. 

"While yet a student at college he was the 
recognized poet of his class, and even his gradua- 
tion thesis was written in verse. His poems, 
struck off as the leisure hours of a busy life, 
occupy a conspicuous place in Everest's 'Poets 
of Connecticut,' while five of his sonnets, ex- 
quisite for refinement of thought and felicity of 
execution, are preserved side by side with those 
of Bryant, Percival and Lowell in Leigh Hunt's 
'Book of the Sonnet.' He was also a frequent 
contributor to the 'New England Magazine' and 
the periodical press. Trinity College conferred 
upon him in 1862 the degree of LL.D. Deeply 
imbued with classical letters, versed in the prin- 
ciples and practice of law, widely read in history 



I038 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and possessing withal a logical mind, Mr. Dixon 
always preferred to discuss public questions in the 
light of a permanent political philosophy, instead 
of treating them with paramount reference to the 
dominant emotions of the hour.'' 

Senator Dixon's married life was a most happy 
one and resulted in the birth of four children, two 
sons and two daughters. Socially he was a 
Mason, and in religion an Episcopahan, attend- 
ing Trinity Church, Hartford. Mrs. Dixon passed 
away in 1871. Mr. Dixon's father, Judge William 
Dixon, of Enfield, was an attorney of promi- 
nence. He married the daughter of Dr. Simon 
Field and they traced their origin back to Thomas 
Newbury, who was one of the earliest settlers of 
Dorchester, Mass., locating there in 1634. 

Capt. J. W. Dixon, the eldest son born to his 
parents, grew to manhood in Hartford, attended 
the public and private schools, and completed his 
education in Gen. William H. Russell's Military 
School at New Haven, Conn. On the nth of 
January, 1865, he enlisted in the army and was 
made first lieutenant in the Second Connecticut 
Heavy Artillery, by Governor Buckingham. 
Through the Appomattox campaign he was aide 
on the staff of Maj.-Gen. H. G. Wright, com- 
manding the Sixth Army Corps, and was mus- 
tered out July 20, 1865. He re-entered the army 
as second lieutenant of the Tliird United States 
Cavalry and later was aide-de-camp to Maj.-Gen. 
Wright, in Texas, and for two years was aide-de- 
camp on the staff of Maj.-Gen. W. S. Hancock. 
He was stationed at Ft. Leavenworth and par- 
ticipated in the first campaign against the Sioux 
Indians and was with Custer for some time. In 
1868 he was transferred to the Fourth United 
States Artillery. 

Capt. Dixon's military career is as follows: first 
lieutenant of Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery 
January 14, 1865, and participated in the follow- 
ing engagements: siege of Petersburg, battle of 
Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and 
Sailors' Creek. Re-entering the army he was 
made second lieutenant of the Third United States 
Cavalry, May 7, 1866, and was first aide-de-camp 
to General Wrig^ht and then General Hancock. 
Later he was transferred to the Fourth United 
States Artillery, and in December, 1867, was made 
first lieutenant. He was stationed at Ft. Washing- 
ton and Ft. McHenry and remained with the regi- 
ment until August 15, 1870, when he resigned 
and was honorably discharged. He received his 
promotion as first lieutenant and captain by 



brevet for "gallantry and meritorious conduct in 
the capture of Petersburg." Maj.-Gen. H. G. 
Wright, in the year of his retirement as chief of 
engineers of the United States Army, said: "Of 
the many staff officers of mine, while I com- 
manded the Sixth Army Corps, but few remain. 
You are one of them. Your service, owing to 
your youth, did not allow of your active participa- 
tion in the war till toward its close, but you 
joined me before the final attack on the rebel 
lines at Petersburg and took active and import- 
ant part in that conflict, when the Sixth Corps 
broke the strong lines of the enemy and put to 
rout the gallant and hardy troops of the rebel 
army of Virginia. You also participated in all the 
remaining battles up to the final surrender of 
Lee, and subsequently joined me as an aide-de- 
camp in Texas, where we went in the expectation 
of crossing into Mexico to drive out the French 
and Austrians, for which a force of more than 
two army corps and three divisions of cavalry 
were ready for service. This considerable service, 
often dangerous and always difficult, was per- 
formed by you to my satisfaction and I regretted 
the separation which became necessary on the 
final closing of hostilities and the muster out of 
the old war veterans." 

On April 27, 1877, j\Iaj.-Gen. W. S. Hancock 
wrote: "Brevet Capt. James W. Dixon served on 
my personal staff during the years 1866 and 1867, 
and was with me on the plains in the latter year 
in a campaign against hostile Indians." 

After leaving the army Mr. Dixon entered ac- 
tively upon a business career and has been en- 
gaged in the newspaper business ever since in the 
Empire City, being at the present time reporter 
and correspondent of the "Brooklyn Times.'' He 
does much literary work and merits the praise 
that has fallen to his lot. For some time he made 
a specialty of sporting articles. Before he came 
to Flushing, in 1880, he resided in New York 
City for three years, and in this village he 
has made his home since. He was married in 
New York, in 1876, to Miss Frances Stilwell, 
daughter of Benjamin S. Stilwell, an attorney of 
New York City for many years, but who died in 
1890. Mrs. Dixon was educated in France. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have been born ten 
children, all living at the present time: James, a 
graduate of the high school, who entered college 
in 1896; Frances S., studying art and a member 
of the Art Students' League; Clement, EHzabeth 
Margaret, Florence, Adah ^^"yllys, Benjamin 




J. E. MASTER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



104 1 



Stilwell, Catherine Hale, Wyllys, and Mary New- 
bury. Mr. Dixon was a member of the board of 
village trustees in i883-'84 and chairman of the 
first pohce committee. In October, 1891, he was 
appointed a member of the board of health and 
has served in that capacity ever since. In religion 
he is a member of St. George's Episcopal Church, 
and in politics has been a Democrat since the 
Hancock campaig^^, but is not radical. He is a 
member of George Huntsman Post No. 50, G. 
A. R., of which he was adjutant for six years. He 
was also aide of grand marshals in the memorial 
day parade for four years, and is a member of 
the military order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States and of the Military Service In- 
stitution. 



J ED WARDS MASTER. The present age 
is a great educator and affords room for 
•^ the assertion that there are few depart- 
ments of manufacture or trade in which America 
has not gone far ahead of foreign competitors. 
Until within comparatively recent years the best 
watches were made in Switzerland, but now, 
thanks to American genius, this country's pro- 
ductions are the best in the world. In this con- 
nection prominence should be given to J. Ed- 
wards Master, wdio is engaged in the jewelry 
business in New York City and in Flushing. He 
is a graduate optician, and in addition is a thor- 
oughly experienced watchmaker, cleaning, re- 
pairing and adjusting the most delicately made 
watches with the greatest care and in the most 
satisfactory manner. The repairing of expensive 
and complicated watches and clocks, a line of 
work in which few are successful, is one of his 
specialties. 

In Flushing, N. Y., where he now resides, Mr. 
Master was born August 30, 1862, being a son 
of David Master, of whom mention is made upon 
another page. He was given a good education 
in the high school and in 1877 began to learn the 
watchmaker's trade, acting upon the suggestion 
of Samuel Carpenter. For this work he was es- 
pecially adapted, owing to the fact that he could 
use both hands with equal deftness and facility. 
After completing the trade he was employed in 
New York City, remaining for ten years with 
Wheeler, Parsons & Hays, now Hayden W. 
Wheeler & Co., one of the largest wholesale jew- 
elry houses in the city, Mr. Master having charge 
of the watch department for nine years of that 



time. In 1888 he embarked in the retail jewelry 
business at No. 5 Maiden Lane, where he con- 
tinued successfully until 1893, and from that time 
until the spring of 1896 he occupied quarters in 
the Havemeyer Piuilding, corner of Cortland, 
Church and Dey Streets. At this writing he has 
a commodious and well equipped establishment 
in the new Lorsch Building, Nos. 37-39 Maiden 
Lane. In Flushing he has a conveniently located 
establishment at No. 53 Main Street, where he 
carries a full line of the finest imported and do- 
mestic watches of the latest designs; also handles 
diamonds, jewelry, silverware and novelties. In 
repair work he is a specialist and handles the 
split second repeaters and chronographs. In ad- 
dition to his retail trade he has considerable 
wholesale business. 

September 12, 1886, Mr. Master was united in 
marriage with Miss Fannie Andrews, who was 
born in Brooklyn, and they have one child, Ed- 
ward Andrews. Fraternally Mr. Master is con- 
nected with the Royal Arcanum. For a period 
of two years he held the office of collector. He 
is a man of great energy and executive ability, 
with the skill and courage to undertake and the 
tact to bring to a successful consummation en- 
terprises that result in financial success to him- 
self and material advantages to the community. 



WILLIAM H. PEER, M. D. Although 
still in the dawn of his professional 
career, Dr. Peer has already given 
abundant evidence of the ability that qualifies 
him for a high place in the medical world. Ti-uly 
ambitious, and with an ambition whose aim is 
pure and unsullied, there seems no reason why 
his unquestioned ability should not find full scope 
in relieving the suffering to which the human race 
is heir. From his father he inherits those traits 
of mind and heart that eminently fit him for the 
successful practice of medicine and surgery, and 
without doubt the future holds many honors for 
him. 

Now a resident of Flushing, the Doctor is a 
native of Long Island, his birth having occurred 
in Brooklyn in 1867. The family of which he 
is a member originated in Holland and was rep- 
resented among the early settlers of New York. 
His father. Dr. William H., who was a son of 
John Peer, a native and business man of New 
York City, was born near Passaic, N. J., and 
graduated from the LTniversity Medical College 



I042 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1851, after which he opened an office in Brook- 
lyn and continued in practice there until his 
death, November 13, 1S87. In order to supply 
medicines for his patients he was obliged to start 
a drug store, and as this proved profitable he 
afterward opened another. As a physician he 
took front rank in his profession. His lifelong 
study of materia medica, his extensive practice 
that brought him in contact with every form of 
disease, and his acknowledged skill in the treat- 
ment of cases that require long experience, placed 
him among the most prominent physicians of his 
locality, and during the thirty-six years of his 
practice he was known as a skillful, efficient and 
successful physician. 

The mother of our subject, who still resides in 
Brooklyn, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., and 
bore the maiden name of Lucretia Roberts. Her 
father, William Roberts, was a descendant of 
English ancestors and for many years carried on 
merchandising at Clintondale, Ulster County. 
Our subject is the only son and youngest of three 
children, and was reared in Brooklyn, where he 
attended Public School No. 34. Later he was a 
student in the University Grammar School of 
New York City, after which he took a year's 
course of study in the scientific department of the 
University of the City of New York. His medi- 
cal studies were carried on in the University 
Medical College, from which he graduated in 
1888 with the degree of M. D., having gained a 
thorough theoretical knowledge of the profes- 
sion. For one year he was a member of the 
house staff of St. Catherine's Hospital, Brook- 
lyn, and then practiced in that city until 1891, 
since which time he has been located in Flushing, 
having his office at No. 100 Amity Street. So- 
cially he possesses qualities of a high order. 
Liberally educated, a fine conversationalist, of 
polite and agreeable manners, he is the life of a 
social circle. He is a gentleman of generous 
impulses, sanguine in temperament, whole-souled 
and open-hearted, and attracts and secures con- 
fidence at first sight. 



FRANKLIN BOOTHE, M. D., a prominent 
physician of Newtown, has been engaged 
in practice here for the past twenty-one 
years and is therefore well known to the residents 
of this portion of Queens County. The Doctor 
was. born in Hartford County, Conn., October 
13, 1836, and is the son of Samuel C. and Eunice 



(Day) Boothe. The other members of the 
family were Albert, a retired minister of the 
Methodist Church; Harriot; and Clarissa, the 
wife of Henry Treat, who is descended from old 
Revolutionary stock of Hartford County, Conn. 

Samuel C. Boothe was also a native of Con- 
necticut, having been born in Tolland County in 
the year 1795. After obtaining a good practical 
education he learned the trade of a machinist, 
working at this business for many years. His 
last days, however, were passed in peace and 
comfort on a good farm which he purchased. 
He became well-to-do, cultivating the soil in a 
thorough and profitable manner, and was well 
and favorably known to the farmers for many 
miles around his home. He was sixty years of 
age when he departed "this life. 

The original of this sketch, after completing 
the course of study in the Munson (Mass.) Acad- 
emy, entered Yale College, from which noted 
institution he was graduated in 1859. He then 
began for himself by teaching mathematics in the 
West Jersey Academy at Bridgeton, thus earn- 
ing the wherewithal to procure a fine medical 
education. He read for a time with Dr. Potter 
of New Jersey, and was also in the office of Dr. 
Frank H. Hamilton, a prominent physician of 
New York City. 

Dr. Boothe was graduated from the Bellevue 
Hospital Medical College in 1864 with high hon- 
ors, and as the Civil War was then in progress 
he soon thereafter entered the service of the 
Union army as assistant surgeon in the depart- 
ment of the South, where he rendered valuable 
service until the close of hostilities. Afterward 
he located for the practice of his profession at 
Holyoke, Mass., and two years later moved West 
to Iowa. During the two years of his stay in 
that state he built up a paying practice, but not 
Hking the western country as well as the East, he 
returned to his native state, and for four years 
was one of the most successful pliysicians of 
Litchfield County. At the end of that time he 
came to the island and made his home in New- 
town, which has been his abiding place for the 
past twenty-one years and where he is in the 
enjoyment of an extensive practice, and has 
been very successful in his chosen profession. 
The Doctor keeps fully abreast of the times and 
recent discoveries in the medical world by taking 
the leading journals, keeping up his studies, and 
by attending the medical societies to whicli he 
belongs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



io4i 



Our subject married Miss Frances L. New- 
comb, of Dedham, Mass., the daughter of Rev. 
George Newcomb. To them have been granted 
four children, those living being Lucy, Franklin 
H., now a student at Yale, and Eunice C. In 
politics the Doctor is a stanch Democrat. He 
belongs to Mizpah Lodge No. 738, F. & A. M., 
of New York City, and is also a member of the 
Royal Arcanum. 



CHARLES E. COMSTOCK. The steady 
advance of Long Island in population, 
and the commercial and manufacturing 
importance has made the real estate interest a 
most inviting field for the exercise of business 
talent of the highest order. One of the most 
successful operators in realty in Queens County 
is Charles E. Comstock, and he is also 
the agent of the Bradley Fertilizer Company 
of Boston, at this place. He was born in Wash- 
ington, R. I., July 15, 1838. His parents were 
Archibald and Henrietta (Pettis) Comstock, the 
former of whom was a master stone mason and 
built many of the largest manufacturing estab- 
li.'ihments of that state. Among his finest pieces 
of work were the stone arch bridge over Black- 
stone river and the stone wall around the Orchard 
Street residence of William W. Sprague. He 
was twice married, and the subject of this sketch 
is the youngest of seven children of the first 
marriage. Politically he was a Democrat and 
held the rank of colonel in the state militia for 
many years. Although offered the position, he 
declined becoming minister to Peru for the 
United States, owing to the ill health of his wife. 
He became a prominent Mason, and after an 
active and well spent life died on his farm at 
South Scituate, R. I., September 19, 1864. 

The subject of this sketch was left motherless 
at the age of nine years, at which time he had 
not yet learned to read. Immediately after her 
death he began to make his own way in the 
world, laboring on a farm during the summer 
months and attending school during the winter. 
What money he earned he carefully saved and 
was thus enabled to spend three terms in the 
Smithfield Academy when he was sixteen years 
old. Soon after this he went to the island of 
Rhode Island, and there his summers were spent 
in profitable labor for three years. The year 
1857 found him in Providence, R. I., where he 
took charge of the business of the "Evening Tel- 



egraph" as local reporter, soliciting advertiser 
and salesman, but about seven months later hs 
ag-ain returned to the island and remained a 
year. The succeeding six years were spent on 
Patience and Prudence Islands, but in 1863 he 
came to Long Island and began the raising of 
onions on shares. During the two years that 
he was thus employed he was united in marriage 
with Miss A. Frances Wood (December 4, 1864), 
daughter of William H. and Polly Wood, of 
Swansea, Bristol County, Mass. One year after 
his marriage he took charge of a farm at Provi- 
dence, R. I., and about twelve months later he 
leased a farm near North Providence, R. I., for 
four years and embarked in the milk business, 
at which he made money. For the succeeding 
two years he was in the fish business in Provi- 
dence, but during the panic of 1870 he lost con- 
siderable money but kept clear of debt. He was 
not so successful after his removal to Locust 
Valley, but after his removal to Glencove, L. I.> 
in 1879, he engaged in gardening and his fortunes 
again began to brighten. 

Since 1886 Mr. Comstock has been general 
agent for the Bradley Fertilizer Company, his 
territory being Long Island, New Jersey and 
Eastern Pennsylvania, and in connection witTi 
this he has devoted considerable' attention to the 
real estate business, for which he seems to be 
fitted. He possesses good business qualities and 
has learned many useful lessons in the hard 
school of experience, and his early career was 
such as to make him self-reHant and independent, 
although it never hardened him or made him 
unsyinpathetic. His marriage resulted in the 
birth of four children: Opal, who died at the 
age of six years; Elizabeth, who died January 19, 
1889, at the untimely age of twenty-three years; 
Jessie E., who was born in Glencove June 17, 
1881; and Louis Embert, born in Rhode Island 
August 6, 1874. He is also in the insurance and 
real estate business and is a bright and pushing 
man. 

Mrs. Comstock is a granddaughter of Israel 
Wood, member of one of the oldest families of 
Massachusetts, and the originator of a very in>- 
portant invention, of which he held control until 
his death, doing nearly all the work in that line 
for large rendering establishments in his state. 
Albert Wood, of Dighton, Mass., the noted phy- 
sician and surgeon, was an own cousin of Mrs. 
Comstock. Her maternal grandmother, who was 
a native of Swansea, Mass., attained the great 



I044 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



age of ninety-nine, dying about ten years ago. 
A very intelligent woman, she retained all her 
faculties to the last and could tell interesting 
stories of the Indians that dwelt near her child- 
hood home. On one occasion she had the pleas- 
ure of seeing Washington. Her daughter, the 
mother of Mrs. Comstock, is still living (1896) 
at the old homestead, and is now nearly eighty 
years of age. 

Although reared a Democrat, Mr. Comstock 
cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- 
coln, but voted Democratic up to 1876, and has 
voted the Republican ticket ever since. He has 
been excise commissioner for the past two years 
and was elected by the largest majority ever 
given a town ofificer. He is a member of Eagle 
Lodge No. 2, of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, of Providence, R. I., since about 1872 
or 1873, has filled all the chairs of that order 
several times and on numerous occasions has rep- 
resented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state, 
held at Buffalo and Utica. Although it has been 
said that "A rolling stone gathers no moss,'' the 
career of Mr. Comstock is in direct refutation of 
this old saying, for although he has followed va- 
rious occupations throughout his busy life, he is 
in comfortable financial circumstances, is a useful 
citizen and is universally esteemed. 



THOMAS F. TUOHY, one of the most 
extensive general contractors of Flushing, 
was born in this village December 31. 
1853. His father, Patrick Tuohy, a native of 
County Tipperary, Ireland, came to Flushing 
about 1843 ^nd for five years was in the employ 
of a contractor, William French, after which he 
engaged in the same business for himself. In 
1873 lie took his son, Thomas F., into partner- 
ship, their connection continuing until 1880, 
when he retired from business. He died in 1893, 
at the age of seventy-eight; his wife, whose mai- 
den name was Sarah Flogan, died here in 1867. 
During his residence of fifty years in Flushing 
he witnessed the growth of the town and was 
instrumental in securing the opening of streets 
and roads here. 

Of eight children, five of whom are living, 
Thomas F. is fourth in order of birth and is the 
only member of the family now in Flushing. He 
was educated in the private and public schools, 
and when scarcely more than ten years of age 
began to assist his father in the business of which 
he was given full charge ten years later. In 1879 



he married Miss Rose Brouder, a native of this 
village, and they are the parents of four living 
children: Marjr, Thomas, John and Florence. 
Clara died at the age of three and one-half years. 
The family occupy their attractive residence near 
the corner of Parsons Avenue and Lincoln Street. 

The year after his marriage Mr. Tuohy suc- 
ceeded his father in the contracting business, and 
this he carried on alone until 1891, when he ad- 
mitted Mr. Fitzpatrick as partner, the title of 
the firm becoming T. F. Tuohy & Co. At times 
he gives employment to hundreds of men. 
Among the contracts which he has had were 
those for building the road from the town of 
Flushing to Roslyn, North Hempstead; com- 
pleting Jackson Avenue from the Long Island 
City limits to Flushing, which cost about $60,000; 
putting in the sewerage for the villages of Flush- 
ing, Whitestone and College Point; and paving 
the streets here. Many of the prominent real 
estate firms have employed him to open prop- 
erty, among them being the Germania Real Es- 
tate Company, which gave him the contract for 
opening their property in Flatbush. He also 
opened land for John Z. Lott and Jere Johnson, 
Jr. In 1895 he bought out the coal yard owned 
by E. F. Harris and situated in Lawrence, on 
Flushing Bay; this he has since conducted. For 
his work he uses about twenty-five teams. He 
had the contract for the landscape work on the 
finest places here, including the homes of G. 
Howland Leavitt and F. P. Morris. 

At the time of the reorganization of Flushing 
Bank Mr. Tuohy took a leading part in the work, 
and is now one of the directors of the institution. 
He is also interested in the Flushing Building and 
Loan Association. At different times, he has 
erected fifteen residences for himself in Flushing, 
and still has fourteen of these, his property hold- 
ings being large and valuable. In politics he 
does not identify himself with any party, but 
maintains an independence of action in public 
matters. He is a member of St. Michael's 
Church and is president of the Catholic Benevo- 
lent Legion, in the organization of which he was 
a prominent factor. 



H 



ENRY C. RATH. Few investments have 
proved more profitable than those in real 
estate in the village of Flushing, and on 
general principles nothing shows the rapid 
growth and importance of any place more than 




ALFRED MITCHELL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1047 



the increase in the value of that character of 
property. Among the real estate dealers here 
none are able to give better advice or ofifer greater 
inducements for investing capital than Henry C. 
Rath, who has had the experience in the handling 
of real estate to make himself and his advice val- 
uable in the extreme to operators who entrust 
their interests in his hands. He has been a resi- 
dent of Flushing for many years, and in that 
time has displayed characteristics which have 
engaged the regard of a very large circle of ac- 
quaintances. 

Henry Rath, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Germany, born near Bremen, and when 
a young man came to America, landing in New 
York City, where he was bookkeeper and ship- 
ping clerk for a large house. He had his 
home in New York and there died in 1882, when 
fifty-two years old. He had married Miss Au- 
gusta Stobesandt, also of Germany, and this lady 
now resides in Flushing with her daughter, Mrs. 
Williams. To her marriage were born three chil- 
dren: Edward H., who was interested with our 
subject in developing Murray Hill, Dunton, and 
Dunton Park, Jamaica, Woodhull Park, Hollis, 
and HolHs Wood, was killed in a I'ailroad acci- 
dent. Our subject is the second in the order of 
birth, and Mrs. Williams (Augusta) the youngest. 

In the public and grammar schools of Brook- 
lyn Henry C. Rath received his education, and 
while still but a boy began handling messages 
for the Western Union Telegraph Company in 
Newark, N. J. He subsequently took up teleg- 
raphy and worked in the main office of New 
York, Jacksonville, Fla., Savannah, Ga., and 
Washington, D. C. After about six years in the 
telegraph service he entered the employ of Jere 
Johnson, Jr., where his brother was working, and 
remained with him two years. After that he be- 
gan handling real estate, and from the start made 
a success of this venture. To his energy may be 
ascribed the development and improvement of 
some of the finest villages on the island, for he is 
constantly building, improving and selling. 

Mr. Rath has a fine residence at No. 71 Smart 
Avenue, whereon nearly an acre of ground he has 
extensive greenhouses. He makes a specialty of 
carnations and supplies the Cut Flower Exchange 
of New York, of which he is a member. He is 
also a charter member and stockholder of the 
New York Florist Club. Mr. Rath was married 
in Washington, D. C, to Miss Margaret Ockers- 
hausen, a native of that city, and to them were 



born two children, Gertrude, deceased, and Ed- 
ward. Formerly our subject published the paper, 
'■Rath's Home Guide," a monthly, which found 
its way all over New York City. Brooklyn and 
Long Island. He is a member of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, Mechanics' Lodge, 
New York; a member of the American Legion 
of Honor and other organizations. In politics 
he is a Democrat. He has been a delegate to 
numerous conventions, is president of thi^ 
Democratic Club of the sixth district, and in 
April, 1896, was elected assessor of the town of 
Flushing. He holds membership in the Flush- 
ing Boat Club, Mercury Wheel Club, and was 
organizer and president of Flushing Park Im- 
provement Society, of which he is still a member 
and trustee. In religion he is a Lutheran and 
was one of the organizers of that church in Flush- 
ing- 



ALFRED MITCHELL, attorney and coun- 
selor at law and notary public, with office 
at No. 816 Temple Court, New York City, 
and residence and branch office at Whitestone, 
was born in England in 1841. He was reared to 
manhood in his native land, where he received 
a good common-school education and then stud- 
ied under the University of Cambridge Exten- 
sion System, receiving from its senate the exam- 
iner's certificate of merit in literature. 

During his later studies he was associated with 
a solicitor of the court of chancery, imbibing the 
great principles upon which the laws of England 
and America are both founded, and, after repre- 
senting the Cheque Bank of London for a time 
in his own country, came to Boston, Mass., in 
1879, to promote a mercantile enterprise for an 
English firm. His great love for American in- 
stitutions and the opportunities offered to indus- 
try and ability in this country were so alluring 
that he determined to establish his home here 
as a citizen, and, coming to New York City, 
settled at Whitestone in the fall of the same year, 
resuming his legal studies with Counsellor D. 
Edgar Anthony, in the Tribune Building, later 
with Hon. John F. Quarles, of Georgia (formerly 
United States consul at Malaga, Spain), and 
finally under the preceptorship of Counsellor S. 
F. Kneeland, LL. D., the long-time lawyer for 
the colossal mercantile house of The H. B. Claflin 
Company of New York City. 



1048 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Mitchell was shortly thereafter taken upon 
the legal staff of The Equitable Mercantile Com- 
pany of New York City, and began practice in 
the lower courts in 1880. In May, 1892, he was 
admitted to the bar of the supreme court of the 
state of New York as counsel, and in January, 
1894, was also enrolled as an attorney, proctor, 
solicitor, counsel and advocate of the supreme 
court of the United States, being the only lawyer 
in Whitestone having this distinction. 

His varied practice soon made him familiar 
with commercial law, and he is now the attorney 
for The J. B. Sanborn Collection Company, and 
the Gilbert Elliott Law Company of New York 
City; the Alleman Law Company, of Philadel- 
phia and New York; The Lloyds Company, The 
Martindale Agency and the Tappan-McKillop 
Company, of Chicago; The Collector and Com- 
mercial Lawyer, of Detroit; The Davies Bar and 
Collection Company, of Cincinnati; The Walters 
Collection Company, of Omaha, and others. 
From seniority of service he is also dean of the 
legal staff of New York City of The Equitable 
Mercantile Company, of which concern his friend, 
H. B. Niles, Esq., has been president twenty- 
years. 

Even in his native land Mr. Mitchell was al- 
ways an ardent advocate of a republic over a 
monarchy, and this enthusiasm for the right led 
his opponents there to describe him in the news- 
papers when quite a young man as a "Radical 
of the deepest dye," but he has lived to see much 
of the Radicalism of that day come to be re- 
garded, by even such opponents, as the wisest 
conservatism of the present. In the many strug- 
gles for Liberalism in the Old World he gave 
long services and money unstintedly in support 
of the great fights against Toryism. His first 
vote was given for the "Grand Old Man," Premier 
Gladstone, and during the American Civil War 
Mr. Mitchell was a stanch supporter of the Union 
as a means to destroy slavery. Having years be- 
fore learned the Declaration of Independence by 
heart, he cited it and the Federal Constitution 
in public meetings in England to prove that the 
North alone in our great conflict was worthy of 
English support. On settling in the United 
States he took part in promoting the election 
of President Garfield, but in 1884 he left the 
Republican party because of its continued sup- 
port of the theory of protectionism, and has ever 
since been an independent Democrat. An auto- 
graph letter received from Heniy Ward Beechcr 



by Mr. Mitchell at this period is a much prized 
memento of that soul-stirring time of Blaine's 
great defeat. Mr. Mitchell has always contended 
that free trade is the true and proper American 
Economy, and when adopted will open up nev/ 
avenues of commerce for our country and en- 
hance the prosperity of the nation as a whole, 
particularly the working people. He considers 
that protection engenders a monev aristocracy 
at the expense of the great body of the people; 
that it is a worn-out legacy which America in- 
herited along with slaver)- from England, and 
that its retention here is a serious drawback to 
this country's progress. In the Democratic party, 
as a local leader, he has taken an ever active 
part in municipal and national politics. He is 
opposed to all rings, but all matters having for 
their object the promotion of the public welfare, 
of the many against the private interests of the 
few, receive his cordial co-operation and unwav- 
ering support. His knowledge of history, parlia- 
mentary procedure and every phase of law ren- 
ders his advice valuable in all civic affairs. He 
is not a politician, being "too fond of the right to 
pursue the expedient." 

Counsellor Mitchell was elected police justice 
of Whitestone in 1889, holding the office for 
three years, and he is now quite frequently men- 
tioned for one of the new justices in his division 
of Greater New York. His knowledge and high 
character and judicial temperament eminently 
qualify him for the post. He was one of the 
founders of the Whitestone Lyceum, holding the 
office of secretary for many years, and was also 
secretary of the Whitestone Improvement Asso- 
ciation several terms, and twice its president. 
He is of extremely temperate and regular habits 
of life, does not drink intoxicants nor use tobac- 
co, but does not believe in prohibition, and has 
never acted with that party, though often solic- 
ited to run as their candidate for various offices. 
Nor is he in favor either of high license or local 
option. He considers that the liquor traffic 
should be as free as all other businesses, upon 
the liquor dealer giving a substantial bond against 
lawlessness, and that if the laws against disor- 
derly conduct were enforced impartially, the liq- 
uor trade would then become as respectable and 
well conducted as the selling of dry goods or 
hardware, and its evils reduced to a minimum. 

His well known outspokenness against abuses, 
his firmness of opinion, large will power, com- 
bined with a tenacity of purpose which cannot 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



104c) 



be daunted by opposition, have made him a for- 
midable opponent of pohtical humbugs of every 
kind. These sterling qualities reveal themselves 
by his advocacy of whatever he believes to be 
right, even if unpopular, and in his long and 
eventually successful contests with bad govern- 
ment in Whitestone these characteristics have 
been ever conspicuous. Cases which come to 
the surface in his professional career show the 
same indomitable spirit. An instance occurred 
when he was retained by a committee of citizens 
of Whitestone in 1892 to compel the calling of a 
special election to fill a vacancy for alderman, 
which was being kept unfilled by the authorities 
for political reasons. He secured a mandamus 
from the supreme court compelling the board of 
trustees to call the election to fill the vacancy, 
and after a siege of eighteen months in the 
courts, in which he was successful at every stage, 
his action was finally confirmed, after having 
been passed upon by some half a dozen judges, 
and also when carried by the village right up to 
the court of appeals. The law reports (71 Hun., 
188) show this matter now forms a leading case. 
The opposing counsel all the time was the re- 
doubtable ex-district attorney of Queens County, 
Counsellor Benjamin W. Downing, who, though 
a veteran of veterans, yet had, all the way 
through the long legal contest, to succumb in 
every instance to the sounder legal learning of 
Counsellor Mitchell. 

In 1890 School Trustees Bleecker and Munson 
and Principal Peck, without authority, removed 
the lyceum piano from the Whitestone village 
hall to the schoolhouse, and refused to 
return it on the request of the lyceum. A com- 
mittee of the lyceum, consisting of members. 
President H. B. Niles, Secretary Alfred Mitchell, 
Col. David M. Talmage, Col. W. L. Watson and 
W. H. Devins, Esq., was appointed to secure its 
return. Through Mr. Mitchell an action in re- 
plevin was commenced, and he had the sheriff 
of Queens County remove the piano from the 
schoolhouse, and ultimately, after protracted liti- 
gation and negotiation, the piano was restored 
to the village hall, where it now, remains for the 
use of the public, as originally intended. This 
great victory excited considerable public interest 
and Mr. Mitchell's dogged persistence won gen- 
eral admiration. 

In the notorious Armstrong school-boy lash- 
ing case in 1895, wherein a lady teacher of that 
name was accused by newspapers with cruelly 



beating scholars in the public school at White- 
stone, Mr. Mitchell was retained by Miss Arm- 
strong to secure an investigation and retraction 
of the charges. The school board declared the 
charges unfounded, and the "Brooklyn Times," 
"New York Press," 'World," and others made 
full retraction as demanded, thus completely vin- 
dicating the young lady from the slanderous un- 
truths which had originated in sheer wickedness. 
Through her forbearance, none of them was 
prosecuted. 

During 1895 the learned counsellor success- 
fully conducted an unusual piece of litigation 
for a plaintiff based upon the legal rule that part 
payment of an undisputed debt, even when a re- 
ceipt in full is given, does not prevent the party 
who gives such receipt from recovering the re- 
maining unpaid balance. (48 N. Y., 204.) So 
clear and convincing was the legal argument 
adduced by Mr. Mitchell in support of his client's 
claim that the court at once gave judgment in 
his favor, and no appeal was taken, although the 
defendant was a rich and determined man, ex- 
tremely anxious to secure a contrary decision. 

A fearless application of his accurate legal 
knowledge in his client's favor recently occurred 
(April, 1896), in a case wherein Mr. Mitchell was 
counsel for a merchant of Boston, Mass. The 
judge refused to proceed with the trial on the 
ground that the plaintiff whom Mr. Mitcheh rep- 
resented was disqualified in law from proceeding 
with the action, and granted a stay against him 
for thirty days. Mr. Mitchell told the judge he 
had no such power, but the judge was equally 
confident that he had, and would not alter his 
decision. Mr. Mitchell immediately applied to 
the supreme court for a mandamus to set aside 
the stay as being illegal, and after full argument 
by both sides before Justice Keogh, at special 
term, the mandamus setting aside the stay was 
granted by him, and ordering the erring judge 
of the court below to proceed to trial as required 
by Mr. Mitchell, and with costs against the judge 
for his bad law. The judge, of course, now com- 
plied, and also gave final judgment for Mr. Mitch- 
ell's client at the subsequent trial. 

In divorce matters that have come before him 
it is his rule to advise the parties that marriage 
is the most important transaction of a person's 
life and ought not to be entered upon lightly, 
nor be sought to be set aside except for the 
very weightiest reasons. Clients who have con- 
sulted him for divorce have abandoned their in- 



I050 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tentions and afterwards lived happily together as 
a result of his wholesome counsel. 

The agitation respecting the ownership of the 
shore front of Flushing Town finds in him a very 
decided defender of the town against the squar- 
ters now in possession. Millions of dollars' worth 
of property belonging to the public are to be 
wrested from usurpers, and hence restoration pro- 
ceedings have his unqualified support. (153 U. 
S., I.) 

Always a strong advocate of the Greater ATew 
York consolidatiofi, the moment Whitestone was 
struck out of the bill of 1896, Counsellor Mitch- 
ell at once initiated steps and carried out work 
which, Senator Lexow afterward wrote him, se- 
cured the restoration of Whitestone to the Great 
American metropolis act which is now law. 

From all the above it will readily be seen that 
the learned counsellor is a busy lawyer and yet 
his varied practice has not prevented him from 
accepting the highly responsible position of ref- 
eree, to which judges have appointed him in 
various litigations. 

Privately the subject of this sketch is a gen- 
tleman of quiet and retiring habits of life, who 
loves to be at home in his pleasant dwelling near 
the shore of the Long Island Sound. There he 
passes his leisure time with his books and familv 
about him. He is fond of discussing legal prob- 
lems as well as science, literature and philosophy 
with all comers, backing up his strong opinions 
and liberal views on men and affairs from Burns, 
Shakespeare, Milton, Shelley, Carlyle, Emerson, 
Huxley, Darwin, Tindall and Biblical writers 
generally, and is, as he says, "always ready tu 
go to law for other people." He does not believe 
in cheap law, but many are the services he vol- 
untarily renders without fee or reward where 
public rights are concerned, or where a client 
has but a slender purse to back a just case. He 
is so sensitive that he feels defeat quite keenly, 
hence he will not undertake cases unless they 
present a reasonable prospect of success. He is 
a member of the Bar Association and of various 
clubs. 

Mr. Mitchell's wife is a lady of charming per- 
sonality and refinement, well educated and highly- 
accomplished, and much esteemed for her dis- 
interested kindness and amiable disposition 
which she particularly delights to manifest to- 
ward children. She is a native of New Zealand 
and a daughter of Dr. Reginald Francis Weston, 
a surgeon of the P.ritish armv. Her extensive 



travels have rendered her habits and manner of 
life exceedingly simple and unaffected, and she 
is attached to the Episcopal Church, with a strong 
leaning to the Rationalistic school — of which her 
husband has been a lifelong adherent. The fam- 
ily consists of two sons, Francis Weston Mitch- 
ell, aged sixteen; Reginald Ouarles Mitchell, aged 
eleven; and one daughter, Sadie Alfreda Mitch- 
ell, aged seven. 



GEORGE TRAPP, JR. Identified with the 
carriage manufacturer's business since a 
very early period in youth, Mr. Trapp is 
familiar with its every detail, and his large success 
in his chosen occupation may be attributed to 
the painstaking care he has always evinced in its 
management. The factory of which he is the 
proprietor is the oldest of the kind in Queens 
County, having been started sixty years ago by 
Sandy Parks, and after his death continued by 
his estate, from which Mr. Trapp purchased the 
business in 1884. Since that year he has made 
his home in Flushing and has been associated 
with many of its most important enterprises. 

By referring to the sketch of John J. Trapp, 
our subject's brother, presented upon another 
page of this volume, the reader may find the 
history of the family and a sketch of the life of 
his father, George, Sr. While the family resided 
in Manhasset, town of North Henipstead, this 
county, our subject was born July 13, 1856, being 
the eldest of five children. In infancy he was 
taken to Whitestone, where his early childhood 
years were passed. Until thirteen years of age 
he was a pupil in the Bayside public school, and 
then began to work at the trade under the super- 
vision of his father, who was an expert carriage 
and wagon maker. He continued with his father 
until 1884, when he came to Flushing and bought 
out the old Parks estate, which business he has 
since continued. In the works, which are located 
on Broadway and Farrington Street, he manu- 
factures all kinds of vehicles, the main part of 
the work being done in the front building, which 
is two stories in height: the paint shop and ware- 
room are in the rear. Every facility is to be 
found here for the neat and accurate manufac- 
ture of every part of the vehicle, and the utmost 
care is exercised to provide against faulty and 
unsatisfactory work. 

The marriage of Mr. Trapp in Whitestone 
united him with Miss Alice Stora, who was born 




HERMAN OBERGLOCK 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1053 



in England and is a lady of amiable disposition 
and noble character, a devoted member of the 
Episcopal Church, and an affectionate mother 
to her children, Marguerite, John J. and Ger- 
trude. While Mr. Trapp is an ardent Democrat 
and is always to be found in attendance at local 
conventions of the party, he has never had any 
aspirations for official honors, but may be relied 
upon to assist his friends in their candidacy for 
town or county offices. 



HERMAN OBERGLOCK. Nowhere 
within the limits of Queens County is 
there a man who has taken greater inter- 
est in its agricultural affairs than Herman Ober- 
glock, or who has worked more continually to 
promote and advance these interests. Every life 
has a history of its own, and although in appear- 
ance it may possess little to distinguish it from 
others, yet the connection Mr. Oberglock has 
had with the agricultural interests of this section 
has contributed to give him a wide and popular 
acquaintance with many of the citizens of the 
county, if not personally, then by name. He is 
now retired from the active duties of life, and is 
enjoying the fruits of his early labors. 

Mr. Oberglock was born in Wittenberg, Ger- 
many, October 3, 1831, the son of Jacob and 
Mary (Ocker) Oberglock. Jacob Oberglock's 
birth occurred in Germany in 1797, and for many 
years during his early life he was actively engaged 
in merchandising in his native country. Later 
he turned his attention to farming, which he con- 
tinued up to the time of his death. He was twice 
married and was the father of fourteen children, 
seven by each wife. Three of the children born 
to the first marriage are now living and all born 
to the second union survive. His second mar- 
riage was with Miss Margaret Ocker, who was a 
sister of his first wife. 

In the common schools of Germany Herman 
Oberglock received a limited education, and when 
twenty-three years old he. determined to seek his 
fortune in the New World. In 1854 he crossed 
the ocean to New York City and for a year was 
employed in a brewery. Subsequently he worked 
as a farm hand in New Lots for two years, and the 
following four years was actively engaged at cart- 
ing for a street contractor in East New York. 
Tired of working for other people, he began 
farming for himself, first as a renter, but after 
four years he was in a position to buy a place 



for himself. In 1865 he came to Jamaica, and 
purchased his present property. 

In the year 1857 Mr. Oberglock was married to 
Miss Henrietta Shelt of East New York, but a 
native of Germany. Six sons and six daughters 
were borfi of this union, eleven of whom survive: 
Andrew, who is married and has three children; 
Margaret, who is married and has five children; 
Wilham; Mary, who has one child; Louise; 
Herman; Henrietta, who is married and has two 
children; Louis; Anna; Michael and Elizabeth. 
In 1890 Mr. Oberglock sold all of his property 
except about six acres, on which were his resi- 
dence and farm buildings, and in 1891 he built his 
present handsome residence. His sons, Andrew 
and William, occupy the old home residence 
and are engaged in the dairy business. 
Herman, Louis and Michael are actively engaged 
in the grocery business in Morris Park. Polit- 
ically a Republican, Mr. Oberglock has ever been 
interested in the success of his party. In religion 
he and his family are members of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church. 



THE HAVILAND FAMILY. Identified 
with the history of Long Island from an 
early period of its settlement, this family 
has been an important factor in the development 
of its best interests and has aided materially in 
advancing its welfare. It is fitting, therefore, that 
considerable mention should be made in this 
volume of its various representatives, who, 
through successive generations, have done so 
much for the advancement of this section of New 
York. 

The earliest record of the family in America 
is in 1653, when one of that name resided at New- 
port, R. I. The original ancestors were English, 
and a connection has been established between 
them and the Haviland family of England, a his- 
tory of which was printed, for private circulation 
only, in London about 1862. It traces the Eng- 
lish line back without a break to 1467, in the 
Island of Guernsey. Evidences are presented 
showing that the family originated in Normandv, 
where the name existed as earlv as 888. The 
earliest evidence of its permanent settlement in 
Guernsey is in 1179. From Guernsey a branch 
settled in England in 1471. The book contains 
one hundred and forty-four pages of printed mat- 
ter, including documentary evidence extracted 
from the Norman Archives of St. Lo, the Roval 



I054 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Archives of Paris, Public Records of London, 
English Municipal Records from 1490, Paris 
Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths 
from 1538, and Wills from 1509. It includes one 
hundred and four illustrations of, coats of arms 
of the Havilands and families into which they 
married. This book, being out of print and but 
one of the original English edition existing in 
New York, was photographed and reprinted 
through the liberality of A. W. Haviland, of 
Plainfield, N. J. 

The noble Norman family of de Havilland 
(originally Haverland) included the English 
branches of Havelland of Dorsetshire (now ex- 
tinct); Haviland of Hawkesbury, Gloucestershire 
(also extinct), and Haviland of Somersetshire. 
Of the generations succeeding the first represen- 
tative in England, we note the following: 

3. Sieur de Haverland, mentioned as a partici- 
pant in the battle of Hastings. 

5. Baron Robert de Haverland, a witness, in 
1 130, to the deed of his neighbor, Jordan de 
Royal, Lord of Barnesville. 

6. Robert de Haverland, in 1179, deputy gov- 
ernor of the Island of Guernsey. 

6. Philpin de Haverland, one of the nobles 
present at the dedication of St. Martin's Church 
in Guernsey in 1199. 

7. Robert Baron de Haverland, a witness to 
a charter of Philip d'Aubigne in 1299, granting 
certain lands in Guernsey to the monastery of 
St. Michael's Mount. 

8. Michael and Rochard de Haverland, who 
each held a fief of the honor of Martain under 
Philip, eldest son of Philip Augustus, King of 
France, 1233, which fiefs were forfeited for ad- 
herence to the English king. 

8. William, Lord of Haverland, who accom- 
panied Richard Coeur de Lion to Palestine. 

9. Peter, Lord of Haverland, son of William. 

9. Rodulph de Haverland, one of the King's 
Navasseaurs of the Island of Guernsey in 1248 
and Jurat 1254. 

10. Bernard de Haverland, whose name occurs 
in an insular document, and who was succeeded 
by his son. 

11. William de Haverland. 

- 12. Thomas de Haverland, 1299. 

13. William de Haverland. 

14. Hamelin de Haverland and Bernard de 
Haverland, who, with the two before named, ap- 
pear in the records of 1331 as tenants of the king 
on the Island of Guernsey. 



15. Thomas, Sieur de Haverland. 

1 6. His second son, James, who married 
Helene de Beauvoir and had four sons and one 
daughter, Helene, or Elinor; Richard, James, 
John and William. 

17. Helene, or Elinor, married William, son of 
Nicholas Pitt, who is the first known ancestor 
of that historic family. From William and Elinor 
Pitt are descended four titled branches of the 
Earls of Chatham, the Earls of Londonderry, the 
Barons Camelford (all now extinct), and the ex- 
isting Barons Rivers. 

17. Richard de Havilland had one son, who 
died young, and three daughters, namely: Dora, 
who married Thomas Guilford; Alice, who was 
married June 15, 1538, to William Newman, of 
the family of Fife Head; Celilia, who was mar- 
ried July 30, 1 541, to John Hancock, of Christ 
Church. 

17. James, second son of James and Helene, 
by his wife, Julia, had a son, named 

18. Christopher de Havilland, born in 15 12, 
married September 16, 1544, to Celilia Mann, by 
whom he had several sons and two daughters, 
the latter being: Margaret, who married Sir Peter 
Buck, and Elinor, who became the wife of Rev. 
William Hiley, rector of Poole, from whom was 
descended the Adington Viscount Sidmonths. 

19. Mathew, the only son of Christopher that 
lived to mature years, was baptized at Poole June 
15, 1550, married Mary Kytchen May 9, 1575, 
and settled at Bristol, being admitted to its free- 
dom December 15, 1575. He was a stanch sup- 
porter of the Protestant cause and contributed 
largely toward the equipment of the fleet sent 
against the Spanish Armada. He possessed the 
manor of Hawkesbury and the estate of Albert 
Grange, also those of Stockland, Bristol, Char- 
linch and others in Somersetshire. He died 
March 11, 1619. 

20. Robert, of Hawkesbury Manor, married 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Guise, of Elmore, 
ancestor of the Baronets of that name. He had 
four daughters: Mary; Florence, wife of Robert 
Culme; Jane, who married William Tory, of New 
England; and Elizabeth, who married Thomas 
Offeld. A member of the family recently saw the 
headstone of Jane Haviland, wife of William 
Tory, in a churchyard in Maine. The only son of 
Robert was 

21. Matthew. His grandfather, Mathew (19), 
had, beside Robert, the following children: John, 
of Charlinch Hall, ancestor of the Somersetshire 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1055 



branch; Matthew, who died unmarried in 1624; 
WilHam, whose son, Bartholomew, died young; 
Annie, who married Sampson Lortte, and Mary, 
wife of Richard Hahvorthy, Mayor of Bristol, in 

1635- 

The original ancestor in America, William 
Haviland, was in Newport, R. I., in 1653, was 
made a freeman, and in 1656 served as a repre- 
sentative in Assembly. In 1667 he bought land 
and established his home on Mad Nan's Neck 
(now Great Neck), L. I., where he was living as 
late as 1688. He and his wife, Hannah Hicks, 
were the parents of four sons, Joseph, Benjamin, 
John and Jacob. Of these John, the next in lineal 
descent, was living in Flushing, L. L, in 1698, 
with his wife and son, John. (Documentary his- 
tory of New York, volume i, page 651.) Febru- 
ary 26, 1701, he bought two hundred acres on 
Mad Nan's Neck, town of Hempstead, of William 
Sart, the purchase price being sixty pounds. 
January 12, 1703, he was chosen church warden 
for the town of Hempstead at a general town 
meeting. May i, 1706, he bought land on Mad 
Nan's Neck, Hempstead, for sixty pounds, the 
former owner having been John Robinson. 
March 24, 1712, he bought land on Mad Nan's 
Neck for one hundred pounds. May 7, 171 2, 
he purchased from John Van Horn, for eighty 
pounds, some property near his former purchase. 
September 5, 1719, he paid Joseph White three 
hundred and forty-five pounds for one hundred 
and fifteen acres on Oyster Bay, and one-half of 
one hundred and fifty acres elsewhere. March 
27, 1725, he bought from Robert White, for one 
hundred and ninety-three pounds, seventy-eight 
acres in White Hollow, Oyster Bay. His will 
was dated February 16, 1738. He left five sons 
and four daughters: John, Benjamin, Luke, 
Joseph, Peter, Jane, Mary, Sarah and Bridget. 

The next in line of descent was Joseph, born in 
1718, and married to Abigail Roe, their children 
being Joseph, born August 15, 1749; Abigail, 
November 3, 1752; David, June 13, 1756; Caleb, 
September i, 1758; William, September 9, 1761; 
and Roe, September 15, 1767. February 12, 
1749, Joseph bought of John Bregart 26x60 feet 
in William Street, New York City. This prop- 
erty he sold May 5, 1750, to Godfrey Miller, for 
sixty-nine pounds. March 3, 1760, he ofifered a 
new house at Flushing for sale. The following 
year he was one of the incorporators of a church 
at Flushing. February 28, 1763, he offered his 
farm at Bayside for sale. June 25, 1764, he sold 



to John Carle, of Hempstead, for fourteen hun- 
dred pounds, a house and lot in Flushing, the 
property in the sale including ninety and three- 
fourths acres, bounded on the south by land 
owned by Thomas Hicks, and another piece 
twenty-nine and three-fourths acres in extent, 
situated in Flushing, west of the land owned by 
David Roe, father of Abigail (Roe) Haviland. 

William Haviland, who was born September 
9, 1 76 1, and died February 2, 181 5, was married 
March 3, 1784, to Elizabeth Allburtis, of New- 
town, L. I. They were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: John, who was born March 28, 
1785: Abigail, March 19, 1787; William, born 
October 30, 1789, died in August, 1801; Eliza- 
beth, born September 10, 1792; Caleb, Novem- 
ber 19, 1794; Hannah, June 12, 1796; Roe, Sep- 
tember ID, 1798; Sarah A. Maria, born June 6, 
1801, died August 17, 1802; and Maria, born 
March 9, 1805. 

The fifth generation in America is represented 
by Roe Haviland, born September 10, 1798, died 
November 7, 1856. His first wife was Mrs. Mary 
Cutter, and of their marriage, solemnized in 
1824, the following children were born: George 
W., born July 10, 1825; Caleb, born November 

21, 1826, died October 28, 1854; Mary E., born 
November 15, 1828, died December 28, 1892; 
William Roe, born August 25, 1830, died May 8, 
1881; and JuHa Ann, born December 16, 1835. 
Mary, wife of Roe Haviland, died June 9, 1839, 
aged forty-five years. In 1841 Roe Haviland 
married Julia MacDonald, of New York, daugh- 
ter of William and Mary (Smith) MacDonald. 
Their children were Charlotte, born October 12, 
1842; Sarah, December 26, 1844; John, October 
19, 1847; Emma, born August 28, 1851, died in 
1854; Henry M.,- born April 17, 1853; and Eu- 
gene Caleb, March 7, 1856. 

Of these children George W. married Mary 
E. Roe, daughter of Charles Roe, of Bayside, 
L. I., March 28, 1849. Mary E. became the vnie 
of John Hicks, son of Thomas Hicks, of Little 
Neck, April 29, 1849; Julia Ann was married in 
December, 1852, to John Cornell, son of John 
Cornell, of Little Neck; Charlotte was married 
June 3, 1858, to Samuel B. Ballou, of Brooklyn, 
son of Leonard S. Ballou; Sarah was married 
October 29, 1863, to Henry Cox, son of Peter 
Cox, of Little Neck; John was married January 

22, 1879, to Susan, daughter of Daniel Schenck, 
of Great Neck; Henry M. married Emma A., 
daughter of Charles Skidmore, of Jamaica, No- 



ios6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vember 21, 1878. Her father, Charles Skidmore, 
was born February 18, 1823, and died December 
20, 1891, being a son of John Skidmore, born 
April 20, 1799, died June 21, 1877. Her great- 
grandfather, Michael, was captain in the War of 
1812, and died March 21, 1852; he and his 
brother, Jeremiah, were sons of John J. Skid- 
more. 

Benjamin, Joseph and William Haviland set- 
tled on Long Island in 1667, and the names of 
the last two appear on the list of patentees in 
1685. They became prominent and wealthy in 
mercantile enterprises, and were leading men of 
their community. The most influential member 
of the family at Flushing during the present cen- 
tury was Roe, son of William and Elizabeth (All- 
burtis) Haviland. A farmer by occupation, he 
owned about one hundred and fifty acres and was 
classed among the substantial agriculturists of the 
county, as was his father before him. 

May 6, 1757, Luke Haviland conveyed to Jo- 
seph Hewlett two hundred and fifty acres at Mad 
Nan's Neck (now Great Neck). The document 
was found on record by Joseph Kissam, one of 
his majesty's justices, at the court of common 
pleas. The property is still in possession of the 
Hewlett family. Roe Haviland, born March i, 
1768, died in- 1844, was a military man, and dur- 
ing the War of 1812 held high official rank in the 
army. In civic afTairs he was also a leader, and 
was a man of wealth and influence in his com- 
munity. 



HENRY M. HAVILAND, the popular re- 
ceiver of taxes for the town of Jamaica, 
was born at Little Neck, town of Flusli- 
ing, April 17, 1854. The farm upon which he 
was born has been in the family for more than 
one hundred and fifty years, and was the birth- 
place of his grandfather, William, and father. 
Roe Haviland, the latter of whom was a lifelong 
agriculturist and a prominent member of the 
Episcopal Church. Twice married, by his first 
union he had five children, namely: George W., 
a retired business man of Flushing; Caleb and 
William R., deceased; JiiKa, the widow of John 
Cornell, and a resident of Little Neck; and Mary, 
deceased, formerly the wife of John Hicks. His 
second marriage was to Julia MacDonald, a na- 
tive of the town of Flushing, where she still lives. 
By that union he had three sons and three daugh- 
ters: John, a farmer, living at Lakeville; Char- 



lotte H., the widow of Samuel B. Ballou, and a 
resident of Little Neck; Sarah, who married 
Henry Cox, of Little Neck; Emma, who died 
when three years old; Henry M.; and Eugene 
C, who is engaged in business in New York. 

The subject of this notice spent his early life 
on the old homestead, was educated in the pub- 
lic schools, and in boyhood started out for him- 
self as a clerk, later becoming a bookkeeper for 
Miller & Eastmead, at No. 221 Pearl Street, New 
York, where he remained for five years. After- 
ward for ten years he was associated with J. J. 
Nichols & Co., at No. 26 Barclay Street. During 
all this time his home was in Jamaica, where he 
had married, November 21, 1878, Miss Emma 
A., only child of the late Charles and Margaret 
P. (Ostrander) Skidmore. In the politics of the 
town and county he takes a leading part and is 
recognized as one of the foremost of the local 
politicians. For several years he was chairman 
of the Republican town committee, and as the 
head of this political organization he did much 
valuable work for his party. To his efforts is 
largely due the fact that Queens County, from 
a Democratic stronghold, was transformed into 
a Republican county. While he is modest and 
unassuming, he is also shrewd and far-seeing, 
and these traits of character have combined to 
secure his success in public affairs. In the spring 
of 1894 his friends presented his name as a can- 
didate for the important office of collector of tax- 
es, and although he was opposed by one of the 
"war horses'' of the Democratic partv, he was 
elected by a large majority, receiving the sup- 
port not only of his own party, but of many in 
the Democratic party. 

Socially Mr. Haviland' is a member of the 
Royal Arcanum and other orders, and is promi- 
nent in the Jamaica Chub Club, which has for its 
members the most prominent of the younger 
business and professional men of the place, and 
of this organization he is the treasurer. In his 
official position his sterling worth is recogiiized. 
and he has made for himself hosts of friends. 
Fortunate in his undertakings, prompt and en- 
ergetic in business, he is a fitting example of what 
is in store as a reward for enterprise and direct- 
ness of purpose. 

The father of Mrs. Haviland, who was a lead- 
ing business man of New York City, died De- 
cember 20, 1891. He owned the farm on which 
the village of Hollis was built, and there his birth 
occurred. The farm had been in the faniih- about 




HON. JOHN FLEMING, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1059 



one hundred years. Mrs. Haviland's mother 
passed away April 11, 1883. Her grandfather, 
John Skidmore, was born on the old South Road 
in the town of Jamaica, and was a farmer 
throughout his entire life. Her great-grand- 
father, Capt. Michael Skidmore, was also a native 
of this town, and was the owner of the greater 
part of the land now included in the village of 
HoUis; his wife bore the maiden name of Jane 
Oldfield. The grandfather, John Skidmore, mar- 
ried a sister of Increase Carpenter, who was the 
father of Daniel and George Carpenter, now of 
Jamaica. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hav- 
iland was George W. Ostrander, a soldier in the 
War of 1812 and a prominent man in his com- 
munity; after his death a pension for his services 
was given to his widow, whose maiden name was 
Elizabeth Colder, and whose grandfather, John 
Covert, was one of the first settlers at Springfield. 
George Skidmore, the only brother of Mrs. Hav- 
iland's father, is now one of the wealthiest men 
of Jamaica. He has one son, Ellsworth R. Mr. 
and Mrs. Haviland lost one son, Clarence E., at 
the age of six years, and have three living chil- 
dren, Charles R., Hattie B. and Harry E., who 
with them occupy a pleasant residence in Clinton 
Avenue. 



HON. JOHN FLEMING. Queens County 
numbers among its citizens many men 
eminent in the annals of the state, men of 
ability, energy and honor, who, in the duties both 
of private and public life, have ever been true and 
loyal. Such a one is the subject of this sketch, 
whose service as district attorney brought him 
into prominence and who is recognized as one 
of the most able citizens of Jamaica. It may well 
be a matter of pride with him that his fortune has 
been of his own making; his hands and brain 
have been busily employed in its upbuilding, 
as he had no other capital when he started out 
in the world for himself. In him Jamaica finds a 
loyal citizen, whose pubHc spirit prompts him to 
aid in pushing forward every movement for the 
benefit of the community. 

John Fleming was born in County Monaghan, 
Ireland, June i, 1842. As a boy, seeing before 
him in his native land only a life of unsuccessful 
toil, he longed for the freedom and possibilities 
to be found in America. Through the assistance 
of his four sisters, who were in Jamaica, his am- 
bition was realized in 1856, when he was twelve 

43 



years of age. His frank, open face and bright, 
piercing eyes, coupled with his sound common 
sense and a good supply of native Irish wit, made 
him an interesting youth, and some of the leading 
citizens of Jamaica took more than ordinary in- 
terest in him. For two years he attended the 
pubHc schools and then became a clerk for Wat- 
son & Mears, where his ability and energy were 
recognized, but the dissolution of the firm threw 
him out of employment. He then attended for 
a short time the private school of Rev. Matthew 
Huntting. 

Through the advice and influence of Judge 
Armstrong, who took considerable interest in 
Mr. Fleming, the latter was enabled to take up the 
study of law, which hfe carried on in the office of 
Armstrong & Fosdick. The Civil War, how- 
ever, caused an entire revolution of his plans, 
and with the patriotic spirit that has always char- 
acterized him, he determined to sacrifice his per- 
sonal interests for the good of his country and 
the preservation of the Union. Accordingly, 
early in 1862 he started out to fight for his coun- 
try, accompanied by some of the best young men 
of Jamaica, among whom were Andrew Napier, 
A. G. Mills, George E. Cogswell, a son of Judge 
Cogswell, and Alexander Fosdick, a nephew of 
Judge Fosdick. He enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Sixty-fifth New York Infantry, afterward 
known as the Second BattaHon of Duryee's fa- 
mous Zouaves. For more than three years, un- 
til the close of the great conflict, he served with 
marked distinction, giving many evidences of 
bravery. As an instance of his valor it may be 
said that he was one of the first to volunteer in 
the forlorn hope at Port Hudson, where death 
seemed imminent. A history of the Nineteenth 
Army Corps, recently published, mentions his 
name in connection with this daring act. On the 
discharge that was given him at the close of the 
war is this complimentary endorsement; "First 
Sergeant Fleming has been an excellent soldier, 
has participated in all the battles of his regiment 
from the time it was organized until the close 
of the war.'' These battles included the various 
assaults on Port Hudson, the Red River expedi- 
tion and the subsequent expedition of the Shen- 
andoah Valley. 

At the close of the war Mr. Fleming again en- 
tered the office of Armstrong & Fosdick, where 
he completed his law studies. He was admitted 
to the bar in December, 1866, but remained in the 
same office until 1870, when he made a visit to his 



io6o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



native country. On his return he opened an 
office and has since carried on a general law prac- 
tice. One of the first offices to which he was 
elected was that of village trustee, in which ca- 
pacity he served six consecutive years. In 1883 
Benjamin W. Downing, who had been district 
attorney for several years, was nominated by the 
Democratic party for state senator, but previous 
to his nomination charges of bribery were made 
against him to Governor Cleveland, and he, being 
satisfied as to his guilt, removed him from the 
office of district attorney, and at the same time, 
October 27, 1883, appointed Mr. Fleming to the 
• position. At a convention held a few days later 
he received the nomination of the Democratic 
party for election to the office to which the gov- 
ernor had appointed him. In this contest his 
opponent was WiUiam J. Young, one of the most 
prominent attorneys in the Republican party, but 
Mr. Fleming was elected by a good majority. 

Immediately upon taking the office under the 
appointment of Governor Cleveland, Mr. Fleming 
found upon his hands a large amount of business 
of an unusual character. For instance, on the 
17th of November occurred the terrible double 
murder of the Maybee women at Oyster Bay, 
and within a few months came the murderous 
assault upon Mr. and Mrs. Townsend of the same 
place, which was followed by the attempt to mur- 
der Seeley Sprague of Hempstead. Through a 
long and interesting chain of circumstantial evi- 
dence it was found that one Charles Rugg, a 
negro, was known to have been connected with 
the last-named crime and was found to have com- 
mitted the assault on the Townsends. Making a 
still closer investigation, Mr. Fleming was satis- 
fied that he was the party who murdered the May- 
bee women. This fact being established without 
a question of doubt, it exonerated other parties 
who were at the time under arrest for the crime. 
Mr. Fleming prosecuted the negro, who was de- 
fended by ex-Judge Richard Busteed, Charles 
J. Kurth, William E. Shields, of Brooklyn, and 
J. F. Quarles, a very prominent and able colored 
lawyer of New York. Against this array of 
legal knowledge Mr. Fleming, unaided, prose- 
cuted the case and secured the conviction of the 
man, who was afterward hung for the crime. The 
great skill with which he handled this case re- 
ceived favorable comment from all parts of the 
country, and his ability as a prosecutor of crimi- 
nals was at once established. 

About the same time many other crimes were 



committed. In fact, at no other period in the 
history of Queens County have there been so 
many murders. ' Among them was the killing of 
Police Sergeant Comisky, of Long Island City, 
by Patrick Casey, one of the force, who was tried, 
convicted, and is now serving a life sentence in 
the penitentiary. Another murder was that of 
Peter McCormick by Patrick Kiernan of Long 
Island City, who was convicted and is now in 
prison. At the same time occurred the murder 
of George E. Frewen by Colonel Waring, his 
brother-in-law, who was convicted of man- 
slaughter. 

These and many other cases were crowded 
upon Mr. Fleming during his first term in office, 
and so skillfully did he handle them that his name 
became a terror to evil-doers in the county. At 
the next convention a strong fight was made 
against him, and he did not receive the nomina- 
tion, which was given to Thomas McGowan. The 
latter, who was at the time supervisor of the 
town, was elected district attorney, but a few 
months later it was found that he was a defaulter 
as supervisor in the sum of $40,000. He ab- 
sconded, which left the office of district attorney 
vacant. At the next term of the criminal court 
Judge Bartlett, of the court of oyer and terminer, 
appointed Mr. Fleming to take charge of the 
criminal business at that term. Tlie defalcation 
of McGowan, and the abetting of his crime by 
others, were brought before the grand jury. It 
was an interesting question with the attorneys 
as to who should be appointed by the governor 
to succeed the absconding official, and they, with 
many of the leading business men, petitioned 
Governor Hill to appoint INIr. Fleming. August 
ID, 1887, he received the appointment and at the 
following election was again chosen to the office. 
In 1890 he was re-elected by a large majority. 

During this term Mr. Fleming made a hard 
fight against pool selling and gambling in Long 
Island City, and took the ground that Mayor 
Gleason ought to break up the gambling dens, 
but this he refused to do. Not only so, but Mr. 
Fleming was given to understand that if he pros- 
ecuted the case against Long Island Cit}- his 
action would count against him in the future. 
Determined, however, to do his duty, let the 
results be what they would, he proceeded to 
enforce the law. The fact that he had Gleason 
himself arrested for an assault, convicted and 
sent to jail, caused the "boss" of Long Island 
City to use all his influence against him in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1061 



election in the fall of 1893, the result being that 
he was defeated by one hundred and sixty-three 
votes. The better class of citizens stood by him 
nobly, but he well knew, when he made the fight 
against the thugs of the country, he was sacri- 
ficing his own personal interests for the good of 
the public. To do his honest duty has ever been 
his aim, and for this he is admired and esteemed 
by the better classes in all parts of the county. 

From the above account it will be seen that 
Mr. Fleming is one of the most prominent men 
of Queens County as well as a leader in his party. 
His work in behalf of the people entitles him to a 
high place in their regard, while his services in 
the army will cause his name to be perpetuated 
as a loyal, patriotic citizen. He has never mar- 
ried. Socially he holds membership in the 
Jamaica Club and in various organizations out- 
side the county. In religion he is a Roman Cath- 
olic. 

The ability of Mr. Fleming as an orator has 
brought him into prominence, not only in his 
profession, but also in all matters afifecting the 
welfare of the people. He was especially inter- 
ested in securing the erection of the soldiers' 
monument, in memory of the men of the town 
of Jamaica who fought for the Union in the Civil 
War. Upon the occasion of the unveiling of the 
monument, May 30, 1896, he delivered the prin- 
cipal oration, of which this mention is made in 
the "Long Island Farmer" of June 5: "The ora- 
tion by Col. John Fleming was one of the most 
effective and eloquent efforts of his life. He 
spoke as one inspired. Indeed, he was inspired. 
For it was then and there in that proud moment 
of achievemest that Col. Fleming saw and deeply 
felt the full realization of what he had so long 
desired, and for which he had so long and pa- 
tiently labored, namely, a substantial and lasting 
tribute to the memory of Jamaica's dead and liv- 
ing, who had so nobly done their part, both upon 
sea and land, that the nation might survive. The 
memory of many a battlefield unquestionably 
came back to the Colonel as he stood almost un- 
der the very shadow of that monumental emblem 
of peace and discoursed so earnestly of the tri- 
umphs of that war which saved the country and 
redeemed a race. And all this secured for him 
such an infusion of the spirit of the occasion that 
he rose to heights of impassioned eloquence. He 
did himself distinguished honor in the glowing 
words spoken of our public schools, our church 
organizations, and of the open Bible. His en- 



tire address was made radiant with that patriotism 
and love of country which everywhere recognizes 
the brotherhood of man. From now on, Col. 
Fleming is substantially part and parcel of the 
monument itself. His name will be forevermore 
associated, and rightfully so, with this emblem of 
peace and good will." 



GEORGE BENNETT. In this country, 
where so many young men are thrown 
upon their own resources, it cannot 
always be expected that the most suitable or most 
congenial occupation will be selected as a life 
occupation, therefore he is to be congratulated 
who chooses a calling which is agreeable to him. 
The business to which George Bennett is de- 
voting his attention, that of bottling mineral wat- 
ers, is one with which he is familiar, and he has 
found it both remunerative and pleasing. He 
is a native of the city of Brooklyn, born March 
15, i860, a son of Jacob and Mary (Scheffel) 
Bennett, residents of Brooklyn, where the father 
is connected with the North Amsterdam Brew- 
ing Company, but was previously engaged in the 
cider and vinegar business. To them was born 
a family of ten children, eight of whom are living 
at the present time: George; Katie, Mrs. Kraus- 
en of Brooklyn; Frank and Jacob, residents of 
that city; Barbai^a, Mrs. Hartman; and Chris- 
tina, Mrs. George Graff, both of Brooklyn; Liz- 
zie, who makes her home with her parents; and 
Theodore, who is in business with the subject of 
this sketch. 

The early educational opportunities afforded 
George Bennett were quite limited, but for some 
time he attended a parochial school and there 
acquired a fair knowledge of books. At the early 
age of eleven or twelve years he began assisting 
his father in his cider and vinegar establishment, 
and continued to thus occupy his time until he 
was twenty-one years of age, when he came to 
Oceanus, and here established his present busi- 
ness, which was the first of the kind to be opened 
at Rockaway Beach. Mr. Bennett has been suc- 
cessful in this enterprise and is deservedly con- 
sidered one of the prominent and substantial busi- 
ness men of the place and a factor in her com- 
mercial circles. He has been steady and perse- 
vering, and his upright and honorable methods 
of conducting his affairs have made him popular 
with all classes. 

Mr. Bennett was one of the organizers of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1062 

Rockaway Beach fire department and has acted 
as president of its board of representatives two 
terms. He was also president of the Oceanus 
Hook and Ladder Company five years, which 
organization he assisted in forming nine years 
ago PoHtically he is a Republican. He was 
united in marriage with Miss Laura Thompson 
a native of England, and their union has resulted 
in the birth of two children, Helen and George. 



JACOB F. WIENERS, JR. The family of 
which this gentleman is a member is well 
known throughout the town of Flushing, 
being especiallv prominent in College Point. His 
father Jacob F., Sr., was one of the early settlers 
of this village, coming here in 185 1 at a time 
when settlers were few and improvements scarce- 
ly inaugurated. To his influence were largely 
due many of the measures adopted for the pro- 
motion of the welfare of the people and the ad- 
vancement of the interests of the place. His 
ability received due recognition from his fellow- 
citizens, and he was, at different times, called 
upon to occupy almost every local office withm 
the gift of the people. While the incumbent of 
various village and town offices he projected and 
carried out plans that resulted in an increase of 
business along every line. He still retains an 
interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare 
of the people, though advancing years prevent 
him from the active participation which he for- 
merly maintained in public affairs. He is now 
(1896) sixty-nine years of age and is the pos- 
sessor of a competency, derived from his indus- 
trious efforts in earlier life. 

By his marriage to Fredericka Heindel, a na- 
tive of -Baden-Baden, Germany, who came to 
America in girlhood, Jacob F. Wieners, Sr., be- 
came the father of four children, namely : Jacob 
F., Jr.; Godfried, a book publisher of New York 
City, located in Sixth Avenue, between Thirty- 
eighth and Thirty-ninth Streets, and also the 
present adjutant of the Ninth Regiment; Freda, 
who married C. E. Van Sothen, a government 
photographer stationed at Willet's Point: and 
Selma, who is with her parents. 

In New York City our subject was born Au- 
gust 29, 1865. He was educated in the public 
schools, institute and military academy, and while 
still quite young secured a position with the 
Bradstreet Agency, but was taken ill and obliged 
to resign from the work. While convalescing, he 



bought a small machine and took pictures. From 
that small beginning he has built up his present 
photographic studio, where he does as good work 
as can be secured in any studio in the county. He 
has a natural talent for art and won every diploma 
offered by the Poppenhusen Institute, while he 
was a student there. By constantly experiment- 
ing, he aims not only to keep abreast with the 
times, but also to introduce valuable improve- 
ments. One of his specialties is crayon work, in 
which he has had remarkable success. 

Aside from photography, :\Ir. Wieners takes 
considerable interest in the growing of plants and 
on his premises has a fine greenhouse, with a 
variety of the best plants and heated by hot water. 
The florist's business is a hobby with him, and he 
has excellent taste and judgment in this line of 
work. For his studio he erected a small building, 
paying especial attention to securing good light. 
Here he has the best of lenses and all materials 
that belong to first-class photographic work. His 
quarters are small, but he expects to enlarge them 
as soon as the business justifies. Socially he be- 
longs to the Adelphi Social Club and in religion 
belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church. 



THEODORE BRIELL, a market gardener 
of Long Island City, was born in Jersey 
City, January 18, 1837. His parents, 
Francis and Phoebe (Barnes) Briell, were born 
in New York City and Pennsylvania respectively, 
and were Protestants in their religious belief, al- 
though the paternal grandfather, Christopher 
Briell, was a Roman Catholic. He was born near 
Frankfort, Germany, where he wa"s reared, and 
after his marriage came to the United States. 
Francis Briell was reared principally in Philadel- 
phia, Pa., and followed the occupation of a mar- 
ket gardener and florist, but finally located in 
Jersey City, N. J., which continued to be his home 
until 1848, when he took up his residence in As- 
toria. Here he purchased seventy-six acres of 
land, which he devoted to market gardening until 
his death in iS92,at the advanced age of fourscore 
and three years. He had been village and school 
trustee in Astoria, and politically always sup- 
ported the principles of the Democratic party. 
His wife, a daughter of Joseph Barnes, of Penn- 
sylvania, was called from this life in 1889. when 
eighty vears of age. Of the ten children born to 
ha-self'and husband, eight grew to maturity: 
Hannah, Mrs. Jordan, of St. Louis, Mo.: Thco- 




HARRISON S. MOORE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



io6; 



dore; David, a resident of Long Island City; 
Isaiah, who died in youth; Tlieresa, Mrs. Fisher, 
of Columbus, Ohio; Emma, who died in Long Is- 
land City; Lydia, a resident of this place; Frank, 
who died in St. Louis; Josiah, who died in youth 
in Jersey City, N. J., and Phoebe, a resident of 
Long Island City. 

LTntil he was eleven years of age, Theodore 
Briell attended the schools of Jersey City and 
New York City, then attended the pay schools of 
this section, and finally the public schools of Long 
Island City, thus acquiring a practical common 
school education. He continued to make his 
home with his father until his marriage, Novem- 
ber 21, i860, in Whitestone, L. I., with Miss 
Sarah M. Weaver, whose death occurred in Long- 
Island City in 1893. After his marriage Mr. 
Briell started life on his own account and began 
devoting his attention to that calling with which 
he was familiar, market gardening, and has suc- 
cessfully pursued this occupation where he now 
lives since 1865. A considerable portion of the 
land owned 'by his father was laid out in town 
lots and some of the principal streets are : Grand 
Avenue, Flushing Avenue, Second Avenue, First 
Avenue, Academy Street, Jamaica Avenue, Briell 
Street and Third Avenue, all of which are pretty 
well built up. There are over three hundred lots 
still in possession of the Briell family, but our 
subject and a brother devote this to market gar- 
dening, and find a ready market for their produce 
in the city of New York. 

Mr. Briell has five children living: Frank, who 
is a prosperous business man of Long Island 
City; Arthur, who is a member of the police force 
of this place; Hattie, Mrs. Smith, of this place 
also; Harvey, who makes his home with his 
father; and Sadie, who is also at home. Mr. Briell 
attends the Reformed Church, is a Democrat in 
national politics and is with justice considered 
one of the leading and progressive citizens of 
Long Island City. 



HARRISON S. MOORE. A traveler jour- 
neying through the section bordering on 
Flushing, L. I., would pause and "doubt 
if Eden were more fair" when viewing the lovely 
surroundings and scenery attached to the fine 
home of Harrison S. Moore, one of the most 
noted of Flushing's many talented attorneys. The 
house is colonial in style, with large pillars, etc., 
and is one of the finest in the vicinity. The 



grounds, so attractive and beautiful, and laid 
out by an expert landscape gardener, are shaded 
here and there by large native trees, real giants 
of the forest, and the view of Little Neck Bay, 
imperfectly seen through the trees, is lovely in- 
deed. It is an ideal spot. Mr. Moore is a native 
of Waterford, Saratoga County, N. Y., and the 
son of Lewis K. and Lucinda J. (Bassett) Moore, 
both natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y. 

The Moore family is an old Puritan one and 
its descendants have ever been worthy and repre- 
sentative citizens. Mr. Moore's grandfather, 
Josiah Moore, married Miss Alvira Steadman, 
and farming was his life-long occupation. His 
father was a Revolutionary soldier. Although a 
native of Braintree, Mass., Josiah moved to Rens- 
selaer County, N. Y., soon after his marriage, and 
there passed the remainder of his days. He had 
two brothers in the War of 1812. Lewis K.Moore 
was married in his native county, but subsequent- 
ly moved to Orleans County, N. Y., where he 
followed farming until 1857. From there he 
moved to Waukesha County, Wis., where he was 
engaged in wheat farming until the breaking out 
of the Civil War. He was a strong Abolitionist, 
and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G. 
Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as 
a private. Later he became orderly sergeant and 
served until the cessation of hostilities. A few 
months before the close of the war his wife and 
children came from Wisconsin to her relatives 
in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and afterwards he 
joined them there. He died within thirty days 
after leaving the army and was buried at Still- 
water, N. Y., when thirty-nine years old. 

Mrs. Moore was the daughter of James Bassett, 
who was of French origin. The great-grand- 
father, James Bassett, was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier and also took part in the anti-rent strug- 
gles. The family is an old and prominent one in 
this country. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the par- 
ents of five children, as follows: George W.; Har- 
rison S., our subject; Lewis, who is a Methodist 
minister in Brooklyn; Hazen and Mary. Young 
Harrison was reared in Albion, N. Y., and in 
Wisconsin, making his home in the latter state 
until 1864, when he came with his mother to 
New York. He attended the public schools of 
Prospect Hill, Wis., and after settling in the East 
graduated from Half-Moon Academy in Middle- 
town, Saratoga County, in 1868. Later, or in 
1872, he entered the Albany Normal School, from 
which he graduated in June, 1874. He then 



io66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



branched out for himself as a teacher at Little 
Neck, L. I., and there began the study of law, 
being admitted to the bar at Poughkeepsie in 
1877. From that time until 1880 he taught school 
and practiced his profession. 

In the last mentioned year our subject opened 
a law office in Little Neck, and in 1882 estab- 
lished one in Flushing, but has always made his 
home in Little Neck. He married Miss Maria L. 
Van Nostrand, a native of Little Neck, and the 
daughter of Albert Van Nostrand, who was de- 
scended from an old and prominent Dutch 
family on Long Island. (For a more detailed ac- 
count of the family see biography of David L. 
Van Nostrand.) Two children have been born to 
this union, Lewis Bassett and Elmer Williams. 

Fraternally Mr. Moore is a Mason, a member 
of Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, and is past senior 
deacon. Religiously he is a member of the Dutch 
Reformed Church at Manhasset, and has been 
deacon in the same for some time. For four years 
he was president of the board of education at 
Little Neck and has ever been interested in edu- 
cational matters. In 1886 he ran for district at- 
torney on the Republican ticket, but was de- 
feated. He is active in politics and for years at 
different times has been a member of the county 
committee. From July to the close of the Blaine 
campaign he was acting chairman of the com- 
mittee, and has been a delegate to the state con- 
ventions. He is interested in the Queens County 
Bar Association, of which he is one of the mana- 
gers. He has been counsel for the board of su- 
pervisors and is at present counsel for the sheriff 
and for the supei-visors of the town of Flushing, 
as well as for the highway officers of the town. 



HERBERT ALONZO COBLEIGH, a 
prominent and wealthy business man of 
Woodhaven, was born in this village in 
the year 1855. Flis father, Daniel Cobleigh, was 
a native of Hydepark, Lamoille County, Vt., his 
birth occurring in 1820. Among his brothers 
were: Ira, James, John, Alonzo, and another 
who went West when a young man and was lost 
track of. James was engaged in the trucking 
business in New York for many years; John, who 
was one of the wealthiest residents of Hydepark, 
Vt., died in the fall of 1895; Alonzo, who was like- 
wise one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens 
of that place, departed this life many years ago; 
lie was an active worker in the church and as a 



strong advocate of temperance principles was 
known all over the state. The Cobleigh family 
was a very prominent one in the vicinity of Hyde- 
park, where those of the family who first came 
from Canada located. 

The father of our subject, in company with 
several others of his neighbors and friends, came 
to Woodhaven about the year 1854, and a few 
months later opened a store in the then small vil- 
lage. He continued in business here until 1868, 
when he sold out his stock of goods and re- 
moved to Vineland, N. J. In 1874, however, he 
returned to Woodhaven and again engaged in 
the mercantile business, being the proprietor of 
one of the thriving establishments in the place 
until 1884, when, on account of failing health, he 
disposed of his store and went to Vermont, where 
his death occurred soon after. He had been very 
prominent in the affairs of Woodhaven and in 
1856 was appointed postmaster of the village. 
This position he later resigned, but was called 
upon to fill it again in 1875 and was retained in 
charge of the office here until retiring from busi- 
ness and moving away in 1884. He was a true 
Christian gentleman and one of the organizers of 
the Congi-egational Church in this place, services 
at first being held in his home. Mr. Cobleigh was 
for many years deacon in this congregation and 
rendered material assistance by his liberal con- 
tributions. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Mary Wiswell. She was also born at Hydepark, 
Vt., and was the daughter of Leonard Wiswell, a 
worthy representative of one of the old families 
of that portion of the Green ^Mountain State. 
Nathan Wiswell, a brother of ]\Irs. Cobleigh, 
came to W^oodhaven about 1854 and w'as for a 
time interested with our subject's father in the 
mercantile business. Now, however, he makes 
his home in Vineland, N. J. Another brother, 
Rev. Alva Wiswell, was for twenty years rector 
of St. John's Chapel in New York City ; he is now 
a resident of Boston, Mass. James M. is another 
representative of that family. Mrs. Mary Cob- 
leigh departed this life in March, 1886. while on 
a visit to her old home in A'ermont. 

The subject of this sketch was the only mem- 
ber of a family of seven children who grew to 
mature years. He was given every advantage for 
acquiring a good education and after leaving 
school entered his father's store, assisting him 
until he became interested in the business as a 
full partner. He finally succeeded his father in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1067 



this enterprise and associated with him H. M. 
De Ronde. Four years later he disposed of his 
interest in the store and for some time thereafter 
was not engaged in business of any kind, but 
lived a retired life. In 1892, however, he em- 
barked in the lumber business, in which he is still 
successfully engaged. He is the proprietor of 
much valuable property in VVoodhaven, having 
among his possessions the old store in which his 
father first engaged in business. 

In 1879 M^- Cobleigh was married to Miss 
Emma Wakefield of this place, the daughter of 
Thomas Wakefield, a prominent resident of 
Jamaica South. She died September 28, 1895. 
They became the parents of three children, one of 
whom is deceased. Gertrude Mary was born 
February 17, 1882, and Herbert N., July 12, 1894. 

Mr. Cobleigh is a prominent member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of the 
order of American Mechanics. The family oc- 
cupy a fine home at Ozone Park, near the lumber 
yards, and are in every respect valued and highly 
esteemed citizens whom we are glad to represent 
in this volume. 



CHARLES R. DE BEVOISE. In a re- 
view of the trade and commerce of Flush- 
ing it must be evident that every branch 
of industry, every line of trade and every channel 
into which human activity may be directed has 
its representatives here. Search the directories of 
the city from the first ones published to the last 
one issued and what a panorama the list will pre- 
sent! New names, new trades, new industries 
are added yearly, all contributing to make the 
Flushing of to-day. The H. & W. waists, 
made by the De Bevoise Waist Company, are 
becoming well known among dealers everywhere 
as salable stock and by the public generally as 
reliable goods. 

As an evidence of their increasing popularity 
it may be stated that the sales of the sixty dif- 
ferent styles of the H. & W. waists were forty-five 
per cent greater in 1895 than in 1894, and it is 
expected that the output during 1896 will eclipse 
all previous records. At present they employ 
four traveling salesmen, who traverse all parts 
of the United States. By a very thorough sys- 
tem in force at the factory it is practically im- 
possible for an imperfect waist to leave the es- 
tablishment. Each waist is examined separately 
by six persons before it is boxed. About one 



hundred and fifty people are employed by the 
firm. This vast concern has been organized as 
a stock company, with a capital of $25,000, all 
of which has been paid in. Charles R. De Be- 
voise is president; L. A. Pitcher, secretary and 
treasurer, the latter now residing in Flushing. 
He was formerly connected with the Goodyear 
India Rubber Glove Manufacturing Company, 
No. 503 Broadway, New York. 

Charles R. De Bevoise is a native of Astoria, 
Long Island City, born June 21, 1862, and the 
son of Charles and Sarah J. (Pine) De Bevoise, 
both natives of Newtown. The father was in the 
wholesale oil and glass business in New York 
City and was a man of more than ordinary ability. 
On the maternal side our subject is of Holland- 
Dutch extraction. He is fourth in order of birth 
of five children, as follows: George Pine; Mari- 
etta, Helen, Charles R. and Clara; the first and 
third now deceased. 

Our subject was reared in Mt. Vernon, West- 
chester County, and there secured a thorough 
education in the public schools. He was but 
three years old when his father died, and at the 
age of eighteen he secured a position with the 
Hodgeman Rubber Company of New York City. 
After remaining with this firm six or seven years 
he became a city salesman in that city. Later 
he was with Warner Brothers (the largest corset 
manufacturers in the United States) as city sales- 
man, and continued with them six years. He 
then conceived the idea of making children's cor- 
sets and waists, and in 1891 began their manufac- 
ture. His energy and perseverance have con- 
quered, and he is doing an excellent business. 



EUGENE W. GRAY. Among the many 
representatives of the fire department of 
Long Island City Eugene W. Gray de- 
serves prominent notice, and is at present hold- 
ing the responsible position of foreman of Truck 
Company No. i. The city has never known a 
more capable or trustworthy man for the posi- 
tion he is now holding than Mr. Gray, who is 
ever to the front when duty calls. He was born 
in New York City February 11, 1858, and is the 
eldest of six children born to his parents (see 
sketch of Sylvester Gray). Since the year 1863 
he has been a resident of Long Island City, and 
in the schools of this place he received his pri- 
mary education. Later he entered Irving Insti- 
tute, and soon after Flushing Institute, where he 



io68 



PORTR.MT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



remained until eighteen years old. He then took 
a position in a large manufacturing establish- 
ment owned b}' his father, and remained as head 
bookkeeper and superintendent in the same until 
it was burned down. 

On the 15th of September, 1894, Mr. Gray was 
appointed on the fire department as driver for 
No. I truck, and on the 15th of December of the 
same year he was made' foreman of the same, 
which position he has held up to the present 
time. He has had a fortunate career in the fire 
department and is a pleasant and most agree- 
able young man to meet. In 1888 he joined en- 
gine No. 3, and one year later, when Columbia 
Hose Company No. 2 was organized, he joined 
that and remained with it until it was disbanded. 

Mr. Gray was married in Long Island City to 
Miss Frances Hurst, a native of this city, and 
the daughter of William Hurst. Two children 
have blessed their union, Edith and Harry. Mrs. 
Gray is a member of the Baptist Church. In 
politics Mr. Gray is a Democrat. 



WILLIAM J. WAGNER. What hon- 
esty, hard work and steadfast deter- 
mination may accomplish cannot bet- 
ter be illustrated than by giving a brief sketch 
of the life of Mr. Wagner, now one of the promi- 
nent citizens and substantial business men of 
College Point. He is a builder and contractor 
by trade and has followed this business with sig- 
nal success for the past twenty-three years. 

George Wagner, the father of our subject, was 
born in Germany and there lived and died, de- 
parting this life about two months ago, when 
seventy-six years of age. He was for many 
years yardmaster, and his upright and honorable 
life gained for him many warm friends and the 
best wishes of all who knew him. He was mar- 
ried to Catherine Feugel, whose demise occurred 
about eighteen years ago. Their family included 
three sons and one daughter, of whom William 
J. was the eldest. The others were Henry, whose 
home is still in the Fatherland; George, a resi- 
dent of Whitestone, L. I.; and Gretchen, living 
in Germany. 

The subject of this sketch was born November 
27, 1850. After completing a good common- 
school education he learned the carpenter's trade, 
working at this business continuously until he 
entered the army, serving during the progress of 
the Franco-Prussian War. When a \-oung man 



of twenty-one years Mr. Wagner determined to 
try his fortune in the New World, and coming 
to the United States made his home for two 
months in Brooklyn. At the expiration of that 
time he came to College Point and was first given 
work as carpenter and painter for the Rubber 
Comb Company, now known as the Enterprise 
Company. He remained with this company for 
a period of seven or eight years, when he became 
train messenger for the Long Island Railroad 
Company. A short time thereafter he launched 
out in business for himself, and it is due to his 
genius as a mechanic that many of the best resi- 
dences in College Point and surrounding coun- 
try have been erected. 

Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Catherine 
Howieler, who is now deceased. The lady who 
afterward became his companion was Annie Stie- 
beck, who has borne him four children, Ottilie, 
Amanda, Ida and William, all of whom are livino- 
at home. The eldest daughter is a very accom- 
plished and businesslike young lady and at the 
present time is the efficient bookkeeper of the 
Kleinert Rubber Company. 

In political matters Mr. Wagner is independ- 
ent, and in religious affairs is also very liberal. 
His wife is a devout Catholic. They occupy a 
very pleasant home in Thirteenth Street and are 
regarded with esteem as worthy members of the 
community. 



FRANK J. SCHLEICHER. It is the men 
of broad and comprehensive views who 
give life to communities and build cities — 
men who, in the darkness of adverse circum- 
stances, as well as in more favorable periods, 
look beyond the clouds and have the pluck and 
energy and foresight to push forward their en- 
terprises, extend speculation and fairly wrest suc- 
cess from calamity. Just such a man is Frank I. 
Schleicher, who is the able superintendent and 
a director in the Wilson Printing Ink Company, 
of Long Island City. He is a native of New York 
City, born in 1866, but is of German extraction, 
and bears in many traits of his character the 
impress of the sterling virtues of that race. His 
grandfather, Joseph M. Schleicher, was born in 
Germany in 1797, and was a government official 
in the Revolutionary service of Germany. He 
was an officer in the German army, but later came 
to America and died in Philadelphia when eighty- 
seven years old. 




ISAAC B. REMSEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1071. 



Francis A. Schleicher, the father of our subject, 
who was also a native of Germany, was a grad- 
uate of the University of Heidelberg. He was 
a prominent chemist, was several times in the 
laboratoiy of that institution, and after receiving 
his diploma came to America, in 1854. Later he 
was in the employ of Powers & Wakeman, of 
Philadelphia, as chemist; was also with other 
companies engaged in the same line of business, 
and then started chemical works for himself in 
Brooklyn. Later he retired, and his death oc- 
curred in March, 1895, when sixty-one years old. 
His wife, formerly Johanna Frederick, was born 
in Hanover, Germany, and when a young lady 
came to this country. Her father. Dr. Frederick, 
was a native of Hanover, Germany, and was a 
very successful follower of the "healing art'' until 
his death in i886j when forty-eight years old. 
Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Schleicher, two sons and a daughter, only the 
two sons survive. Rudolph is a traveling sales- 
man of New York City. 

In the cities of Brooklyn, New York and Phil- 
adelphia, our subject attained his growth and 
secured a good education. Under the excellent 
training of his father young Schleicher became 
an expert and careful chemist, and later went to 
Booth Bay Harbor, where he became assistant 
chemist of the Cumberland Bone Company under 
his father. In 1886 he came to Long Island City 
to enter the employ of the Wilson Printing Ink 
Company as superintendent and chemist, and has 
filled that position ever since. During the time 
he has been with this company he has doubled the 
capacity of the works, and has been a constant 
student of chemistry. For some time he has 
been working with Dr. A. H. Elliott, of the New- 
York College of Pharmacy. 

Mr. Schleicher is a member of the Society of 
Chemical Industry of Great Britain. The works 
where he is employed are located in Tenth Street 
and cover ground looxioo feet. This is one of 
the largest establishments of the kind in the 
United States, and the factory dates its origin 
back to 1790, in Canada. All kinds of printing 
ink, lithographing ink and varnish are sent out 
by this company to all countries. In 1888 Mr. 
Schleicher became a stockholder and director in 
the company. He was man-ied in Long Island 
City to Miss Marion F. Grant, a native of Lam- 
bertville, N. J., and they have two children, Fran- 
cis Grant and Marion E. 

In politics Mr. Schleicher is a Democrat, has 



been a member of the general committee, and 
is now a member of Jefferson Club, whose sec- 
retary he has been for the past four years. He 
has been a delegate to county and state conven- 
tions, and was chairman of the last judicial and 
senatorial convention in 1893. He is vice-presi- 
dent of the Central Permanent Building and 
Loan Association, and is one of the foremost 
business men and citizens of Long Island City. 



ISAAC B. REMSEN of Jamaica was born in 
Springfield, town of Jamaica, Queens County, 
February i, 1826. His father. Rem Remsen, 
likewise a native of Springfield, was born August 
16, 1793, and devoted his entire life to farm pur- 
suits, residing in the place of his birth until he 
passed from earth July 4, 1864. The family was 
founded in America by our subject's great-grand- 
father, one of three brothers who came from Hol- 
land and settled respectively in New Jersey and 
Kings and Dutchess Counties, N. Y. The family 
is now a large one, and its representatives 
have held the most honorable positions in the his- 
tory of their various communities. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject, Capt. Ora Remsen, 
earned his title by meritorious service in the Rev- 
olutionary War. While his birthplace is not defi- 
nitely known, there is ground for believing that 
he was bom in Dutchess County. There he 
married Miss Ann Hackerman, and from there he 
removed to Springfield, purchasing a large tract 
of land, a portion of which is still in the family. 
Of the three brothers of our subject's father, 
Ora was a captain "in the War of 1812, during 
which conflict he was stationed at Fort Green. 
He married Sarah, the daughter of John Higbie, 
also a soldier in the War of 1812. Ten children, 
five sons and five daughters, were born unto 
them, and it is a noteworthy fact that, with the 
exception of one that died at twenty, all of these 
children lived to be at least sixty, and seven still 
survive. Ann, the eldest, married Foster Hen- 
drickson, a farmer; Dorothy became the wife of 
William Hendrickson, a farmer and miller, and 
brother of her sister's husband; John devoted his 
entire active Hfe to agricultural pursuits; Charity 
married B. C. Dougla?, a carpenter by trade and 
a resident of Jamaica ; James, who was an agri- 
culturist, is deceased; Phoebe, the widow of 
Uriah J. Pearsall, resides with a daughter at Val- 
ley Stream; Daniel H., who is a farmer, lives at 
Glencove; Abraham H. is a prominent resident of 



1072 



PORTR^MT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Jamacia; and Ora, the youngest son, married An- 
geline Bailis, b)^ whom he had four children. 

Abraham H., son of Captain Ora Remsen, was 
born January 6, 1830, and in 1850 married Miss 
Adeline, daughter of David Horton, a Revolu- 
tionary hero, who participated in the bloody bat- 
tle of Brandywine, where he was wounded. He 
was a man of more than three score years when 
she was born, and she has the distinction of being 
one of the very few surviving children of Revo- 
lutionary soldiers. In her family there are four 
children, namely: Francis C, who died at the 
age of twenty years; Wright H., who married 
Anna Rodman and is employed as station agent 
for the Long Island Railroad at Glencove; 
Hamilton H., who lives in Flushing; and Wil- 
liam E., assistant cashier of the Fall River line of 
steamers at Pier 28, North River, New York. 
For twenty-five years Abraham H. Remsen was 
engaged in the meat business at Jamaica, but for 
some years past he has been employed by E. W. 
Conklin, the civil engineer of Jamaica. Inter- 
ested in public afifairs, he has filled several local 
offices, including those of tax collector and over- 
seer of the poor. 

The subject of this article is one of five broth- 
ers and had four sisters. Of the others we note 
the following: Cornelius is in business with his 
son-in-law, John Bedell of Springfield, where he 
is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Hendrick E., a farmer by occupation, 
makes his home in Springfield. John, who was a 
farmer on the Rockaway road south of Jamaica, 
died on his home place in the fall of 1895; his 
son, I. S. Remsen (or Remson, as he spells the 
name), was for many years in business in Jamaica, 
but is now an extensive manufacturer and dealer 
in wagons and carriages in Brooklyn, where he 
resides. Philip H. lives in Jamaica; and Rem, 
the youngest of the brothers, died in boyhood. 
Ann married Isaac C. Hendrickson, and their son, 
Isaac C. Hendrickson, Jr., is engaged in the lum- 
ber business in Jamaica. Sarah Elizabeth is the 
wife of Thomas Carman of Jamaica. Harriet 
married Isaac Smith and both are now deceased ; 
their son, Benjamin Smith, lives in Brooklyn. 
Elsie Jane, Mrs. Eldred Wood, died leaving two 
daughters, who now reside in Jamaica — one the 
wife of William Jarvis, and the other the wife of 
G. Yaton. 

Of this large family, our subject has been the 
most successful financially. He is now numbered 
among the wealthy men of Jamaica, but while he 



has achieved success, he has also met with his 
share of reverses, has had obstacles to surmount 
and hardships to endure. Early in life he began 
to assist in the cultivation of the home place, and 
when only eleven years of age might be seen 
plowing the land. His schooling was limited, 
and the broad knowledge he has gained came 
through self-culture and observation. When a 
young man he embarked in the butcher business, 
at first running a wagon from the farm, where 
the slaughtering was done. Later he established 
a market and continued the business, with in- 
creasing results, until 1865. At that time the ex- 
citement in the Pennsylvania oil fields was at its 
height, and fortunes were being made in a short 
time. "Catching the fever," he sold his business 
and went to the oil fields, but after two years there, 
he found the expected fortune further from him 
than it had been upon his arrival. 

Disappointed, but not discouraged, Mr. Rem- 
sen went to New York City, where he engaged in 
the real estate business for two years, and then 
settled on his little farm on the Rockawa}' road. 
After twelve years there, he rented the place and 
returned to Far Rockaway. Prior to his removal 
he built a track to connect the Long Island Rail- 
road with Nassau Lake (of forty acres), which 
adjoined his farm. On coming to Far Rockaway 
he dug a small lake of three acres for the pur- 
pose of securing a supply of ice, and afterward 
dug a second lake of four acres. Transportation 
for the ice was secured by means of the branch 
to the railroad. Afterward other lakes were 
made, and in 1887 he dug what is known as 
Remsen's Lake, adjoining Jamaica, a beautiful 
body of water that is fed from springs and covers 
about six acres. Throughout Long Island the 
Remsen Lake ice has gained a reputation for its 
superior qualities. For the past few years he 
has carried on a wholesale business exclusively, 
his son and son-in-law conducting the retail busi- 
ness, buying from him. He has also engaged in 
the real estate business, having made some good 
investments. 

The property interests of Mr. Remsen are large 
and important and include some valuable real 
estate in Jamaica. For more than fifty years he 
has been a member of the Methodist Church, in 
the work of which he takes a deep interest. He 
attends all the camp and revival meetings and 
takes an active part as an exhorter. When the 
Methodist Church was about to be built many 
years ago, he subscribed $1,500 toward its erec- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1073 



tion, but before the time came to pay it, he had 
lost all his money and was unable to meet the 
obligation. The church was built and many 
years afterward, it may be said to his credit, he 
paid the full amount of his pledge to the society. 
At his own expense he estabhshed a mission m 
the outskirts of the village, and he has been a 
generous contributor to all religious projects. 
In politics he was formerly a Republican, but now 
casts his vote and influence with the Prohibition 

party. 

August 3, 1848, Mr. Remsen married Miss 
Jane, "daughter of George Creed, and member of 
one of the old families of the island. They have 
four children living and have lost five. The only 
son, Lorenzo H., was born November 12, 1851, 
received a good education in Union Hall Acad- 
emy, and has been engaged in the ice business 
in Jamaica since 1872. He married his second 
cousin, Anna A. Pearsall, who was born in Jamai- 
ca, being a daughter of Jeremiah and Phoebe 
(Remsen) Pearsall. Her grandfather, James 
Pearsall, was a Canadian by birth, but spent his 
life principally on Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. 
Remsen have one child, Warren, a young man 
of twenty-two, who is in business with his father. 
The daughters of our subject are named as fol- 
lows: Lenora, who married John B. Fosdick, 
youngest son of the late Judge Morris Fosdick ; 
Jennie Estelle, wife of S. N. Decker, who is en- 
gaged in the ice business at Far Rockaway, hav- 
ing purchased the lakes from his father-in-law, 
also the Queens County Manufacturing Com- 
pany's ice plant; and Isadora F., who resides with 
her parents in their beautiful home in Bergen 
Avenue. 



AC. SLUITER. Of the many indispens- 
able places to the residents of a city, the 
• meat market is one of the most indis- 
pensable, for one of the mainstays of life is to be 
found here. A well stocked and very popular 
place of this kind, whose proprietor is A. C. 
Sluiter, is located on ^Main and Lincoln Streets, 
Flushing. Mr. Sluiter was born in Holland, 
at Groningen, August 2, 1859, a son of Theo. 
and Anna (Middendorp) Sluiter, also natives of 
Holland, the former of whom was a son of Theo. 
Sluiter, and both followed the trade of butchers. 
The father of the subject of this sketch 
traveled for some time in the United States 
but returned to his native land and there 



now resides. In religion he and his wife are 
Roman Catholics. Mrs. Sluiter is a daughter 01 
Henricus Middendorp, a jeweler, who was a sol- 
dier under Napoleon Bonaparte. The children 
of Theo. and Anna Sluiter were named as follows: 
Henricus, of Flushing, L. I.; Nicholas, a butcher 
of Brooklyn; A. C; Maria, who died in Holland; 
Johann, wholesale cloak dealer in FloUand; and 
Betsey, in Holland. 

In his native land A. C. Sluiter was reared, 
and his education was obtained in private 
schools, where he acquired a good knowledge of 
English, French, German and Dutch. In 1881 
he came to America, and after visiting all the 
principal points of interest in the United States, 
he settled down at the end of six months and be- 
gan importing Holstein cattle, his first load of 
one hundred and ninety head being sent to Quev 
bee but the most of these animals were sold m 
the 'united States. His next load was landed at 
Garfield N. J., and for some time thereafter he 
made about two trips per year. The cattle were 
sold by Peter C. Kellogg & Co., at the American 
Horse Exchange in New York City. He started 
a herd book for the American Branch Associa- 
tion of North Holland in 1888, and is still an 
active member of this association, which has be- 
come a very extensive and important organiza- 
tion Mr. Sluiter has been a very extensive and 
successful importer, and this business brought 
him in good financial returns, but he gave it up 
in 1887 to engage in the meat business m hlush- 

'" The estabhshment which Mr. Sluiter purchased 
did not please him and he made some important 
changes and improvements in it, put m fine plate 
class windows and a capacious refrigerator. His 
market is one of the best in Queens County and a 
fine retail business is being done. Mr Sluiter 
was married in Passaic, N. J., to Miss Cornelia 
Troost, a native of Lodi, N. J., and to them two 
children have been born: Anna Maria and 
Marinus Antonius. Mr. Sluiter is a member o 
the Business Men's Protection Association, and 
politically is a Democrat in national politics. 



DAVID BEDELL, who is intimately con- 
nected with the agricultural interests of 
Oueens County, is the proprietor of a 
neat little farm of fifty acres, which he lives upon 
and improves. Mr. Bedell was born at East 
Meadow, this county, October 12, 1830, his par- 



10/4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ents being Sylvanus and Mary Ann (Southard) 
Bedell, also natives of this portion of the island, 
where most of their lives were spent. 

The father of our subject was in early life the 
proprietor of an hotel at East IMeadow, where he 
also established a grocer\' which he carried on 
with signal success for many years. About 1848 
he exchanged his property at East Meadow for 
the tract of land on which our subject now re- 
sides and from that time tmtil his death in 1853, 
was engaged in its cultivation. His estimable 
wife departed this life in Brooklyn about 1886. 

The subject of this sketch, like most of the 
youths of his day and locality, attended the dis- 
trict school for a few months in each year, thus 
gaining a fair education. As soon as old enough 
he began to assist in the farm work, and on the 
death of his father he was thoroughly competent 
to manage the estate which he left. He has made 
many improvements on the place since it came 
into his possession, and the buildings which the 
passer-by now sees are neat and comfortable and 
admirably adapted to the purposes for which they 
were intended. 

Mr. Bedell was united in marriage in 1855 to 
Miss Rosetta, daughter of John Jackson, of 
Queens County. Their union has been blessed 
by the birth of six children, all of whom are liv- 
ing, and named respectively: Mary Emma, Mar- 
garet Ann, Fannie J., Rosetta, Mrs. Stephen P. 
Clement, who makes her home in this county; 
Sylvanus, a resident of Brooklyn; and John J., 
still with his parents. Both our subject and his 
wife are members in excellent standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and the former is 
serving as trustee and steward of the congrega- 
tion. In politics he is an ardent Republican, but 
in no sense of the word could he be considered 
an office seeker. He is a man of honor and up- 
rightness who has made hosts of friends in the 
vicinitv of his home. 



CAPT. ARCH UDALL has spent his en- 
tire life as a resident of Long Island ami 
is well known throughout the town of 
North Hempstead, where he has a large number 
of warm personal friends. For a number of vears 
he has resided near the village of Manhasset, 
where he has a comfortable and well improved 
place. He is not a wealthy man, but has accum- 
ulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods 
to ]n-ovide every comfort for his declining days 



and to relieve the needs of those less fortunate 
than himself. 

A native of Suffolk County, Captain Udall was 
born March 19, 1819, at what is now Bay Shore, 
on the south side, near Great South Bay. His 
father had married an Indian woman, so that he 
traces his ancestry to the oldest settlers of Long 
Island, her forefathers having been among the 
prominent leaders of a tribe of Chippewas that 
occupied this territory before the foot of white 
man had ever trod the soil. Early in life our sub- 
ject began to earn his own livelihood and since 
then he has been self-supporting. At the age of 
five years he was taken to Glencove, and thence 
went to Great Neck six years later. 

Before attaining his majority the Captain was 
at work on the water and very readily became an 
expert in the handling of sailboats and skiffs. 
While still young he became master of a vessel, 
which he commanded for many years. The first 
one was "Elias Hicks," and afterward he com- 
manded the "Gold Hunter,'' then the "Richard 
Udall." Recently, however, he retired from a sea- 
faring life, having determined to spend his re- 
maining years on land. He settled dowTi near 
Manhasset, where he owns a comfortable home, 
and expects to remain until his earth life is ended. 
Notwithstanding his advanced years he is quite 
robust and hearty, and possesses the vigor of a 
man of less than fifty years. He has never taken 
an active part in public affairs, his occupation 
preventing him from identifying himself close! v 
-vnth political matters. November 19, 1874. he 
married Eliza I. Bigelow. 



DAVID BRIELL. The question of de- 
mand and supply is one which agitates 
the mind of every thinking man to-day. 
The rapid growth of cities, the abnormal increase 
in population tend to raise to a higher pitch the 
call for more products to sustain life, and there 
are constant opportunities for bright men to ar- 
ray themselves as public providers. The market 
gardener is especially essential, and from him 
may be obtained much that goes to supplv a well- 
set table. The philosophy of the German, to 
learn one thing, but to learn that well, has been 
adopted by Mr. Briell througliout his business 
career, and little can be told him about success- 
ful market gardening which he does not alreadv 
know. He is one of the oldest residents of Loijg 
Island City, for he was brought thither by his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1077 



parents in 1848, and during this long residence 
he has identified himself with the best interests 
of the place and has proven a useful and public- 
spirited, though quiet and unassuming, citizen. 
For a more extended history of his people see 
the sketch of his brother, Theodore Briell. 

Mr. Briell is a native of Jersey City, N. J., 
born March 18, 1839, and there made his home 
until 1848. His early education was acquired in 
Jersey City, New York City, and in the Fourth 
Ward school in Astoria, and was completed in 
the private school conducted by Rev. Mr. Whit- 
ing in Flushing Avenue. While growing up he 
was initiated into the mysteries of market gar- 
dening by his father, who thoroughly understood 
all the details of the work, and under his guid- 
ance he continued to remain until 1880, when he 
began independently, and has since devoted about 
fifteen acres to garden vegetables. He raises 
nothing but the most prolific and improved kinds, 
raises bushels of fine tomatoes, and sends nearly 
all his produce to New York City, where a ready 
and profitable market is found. The work is 
healthy and congenial as well as profitable, and 
occupies the most of his attention. 

In Astoria Mr. Briell was married to Miss 
Mary Jane Green, who was born in Hackensack, 
N. J., and they have a pretty and comfortable 
home at No. 329 Grand Avenue, Long Island 
City. The old Briell home is located at No. 319 
Grand Avenue. Mr. Briell is a Democrat in 
national affairs, and is a member of the Fire- 
mens' Protection Company No. 2, in the village 
ot Astoria. He is a man of sound business prin- 
ciples and his word is to be relied upon at all 
times. 



TOWNSEND SCUDDER, a well-known 
attorney-at-law, with offices at Glencove 
and at No. 181 Broadway, New York, 
commands the respect as well as the admiration 
of his brother practitioners, and stands as a living 
refutation of the popular idea that "there is no 
honest lawyer." His -birth occurred at North- 
port, Stififolk County, July 26, 1865, a son of 
Townsend and Sarah M. (Frost) Scudder, the 
former of whom was born on a farm near North- 
port, which place was settled by the Scudder 
family in 1652 and has been in possession of some 
one of its members ever since. The paternal 
grandfather, Henry Scudder, was a tiller of the 
soil and served many years as justice of the peace 



in the community in which he lived. His father, 
who also bore the name of Henry, was a captain 
under General Washington in the Revolutionary 
War, and was a participant in the battle of Long 
Island. 

Townsend Scudder, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, graduated from Trinity College, 
at Hartford, Conn., after which he became a law 
student in New York City, and eventually a mem- 
ber of the law firm of Scudder & Carter, of that 
city, which, at the time of his death in 1874, had 
been in existence longer than any firm of that 
place. Mr. Carter represented the United States 
government at Paris at the time of the Bering 
Sea arbitration, and also plead the cause of the 
United States in the famous income litigation. 
Mr. Scudder was a man of noble mind, a keen, 
shrewd and well posted lawyer, and his death was 
a loss to the profession which he adorned. He 
was a worthy member of the Episcopal Church. 
During the winter months he and his family made 
their home in New York City, but their summer 
home was at Glencove for many years. 

The subject of this sketch was the third of six 
children born to his parents, and his earl}' mental 
training was acquired under tutors. When about 
twelve or thirteen years old he was sent to Paris 
to continue his studies, and later to Vevay, Switz- 
erland. At the age of seventeen he went to Weis- 
baden, where he was a student in the Polytechnic 
Institute for some time, then spent one year under 
Italy's sunny skies. Upon his return to America, 
after an absence in Europe of six years, he began 
the study of English, as he spoke it imperfectly, 
and finally entered the Real Estate Exchange of 
New York City, of which he was made cashier 
and assistant manager. Two years later he en- 
tered the Columbia College of Law, from which 
he was graduated in 1888, after which he was 
admitted to the New York bar, at once beginning 
the practice of his profession. He has been iden- 
tified professionally with claims against the Pan- 
ama Canal Company and has represented the 
Turkish, Italian and Arm.enian governments in 
the protection of their subjects in New York City. 
His professional career has been extremely act- 
ive, has reflected the highest credit upon him in 
every particular, and the natural sequence is that 
liis reputation as an able and successful attorney 
has gone abroad. A career of great usefulness 
is undoubtedly before him, and that his life will 
be worthily spent in redressing the wrongs of 
others is assured. 



1078 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



June 3, 1 89 1, Mr. Scudder married Miss Mary 
Dannet Thayer, of Brooklyn, a daughter of 
George A. and Jane (Jones) Thayer, and two 
children have been born to them: Atala Thayer 
and Elizabeth Hewlett, the former born at Glen- 
cove and the latter in Brooklyn. Mr. Scudder is 
a Democrat politically, and is a vestryman in the 
Episcopal Church, of which he is a member. He 
is a thirt3--second degree Mason, having held a 
high official position in the grand lodge of the 
state, and is a member of Beta Theta Pi college 
fraternity. 



ISAAC N. CARMAN. The business interests 
of Hempstead have an efficient representative 
in this gentleman, who is known as one of 
the most energetic and stirring citizens of the 
place. Early trained to a thorough knowledge of 
the hardware business, he was fitted for the man- 
agement of the enterprise to which he succeeded 
at the death of his father. This village has been 
his lifelong home, and he is respected for his 
sterling qualities of character that have been dis- 
played in association with the people throughout 
his entire career. 

For the history of the family the reader is re- 
ferred to the sketch of the late Coles Carman, 
presented on another page. Isaac N. was born 
in Hempstead October 14, 1844, being a son of 
Coles and Frances Carman. He was educated 
in the public schools, and in boyhood assisted in 
the hardware store, being thus engaged at the 
outbreak of the Rebellion. He at once entered 
the United States navy and was assigned to duty 
on the war ship "Ossipee," serving until April, 
1862, when he was discharged at Washington on 
account of physical disabilities. 

After a short visit at home, Mr. Carman went 
to Westmoreland, Oneida County, where he 
learned the trade of a moulder with the firm of 
Clark Brothers, but after one year he returned 
to Hempstead and became associated with his 
father in the stove, tin and hardware business. 
At the death of his father he succeeded to the 
management of the store. In 1868 he married 
Miss Amanda Smith, of Freeport, and they have 
four children, namely: Thomas, a graduate of 
the Philadelphia Dental College, and now a prac- 
ticing dentist of Freeport; Jeannett, who was ed- 
ucated at St. Mary's College, Garden City, and 
is the wife of Herbert Davidson, who is engaged 
in the lumber and milling business at East Rock- 



away; Edith, who was educated at Hempstead 
Institute, Hempstead; and Bertha, who died at 
the age of seventeen years. 

Mrs. Carman is a daughter of WiUiam R. 
Smith, and granddaughter of Raynor Rock 
Smith, who made himself famous by attempting 
the rescue of the crew of the wrecked steamer 
"City of Mexico," on the coast. This perilous 
undertaking, in which he was assisted by his sons, 
seemed to all certain death, and no others dared 
to make the trip, yet this daring man succeeded, 
at the risk of his own and his sons' lives, in saving 
fourteen men from the ill-fated ship. 

Especially fond of yachting, Mr. Carman is a 
member of the Hempstead Bay Yacht Club, and 
is the owner of the yacht "Dolphin." Fraternally 
he is a Mason, and also belongs to the Grand 
Army of the Republic, Royal Arcanum and Shield 
of Honor. While he has never held political 
office, his opinions on public affairs are firm, and 
in his allegiance to the Democratic party he has 
never wavered. In religious belief he is con- 
nected with the Methodist Church. 



CHARLES W. HALLETT, JR., is one of 
the best posted young men in Astoria, 
L. I., in regard to music, and has been 
organist in the Reformed Church in this place 
since about 1873. He is ven^ popular with all 
and has met with unusual success in his career 
as a musician. It has often been said that "music 
has power to soothe the savage breast,'" but 
while we are not so sure of that, we do know 
that it has a refining and purifying influence on 
all. Charles W. Hallett, Jr., was born in Astoria 
February 17, 1858, and is a son of Charles W. 
Hallett, Sr., whose sketch appears elsewhere in 
this volume. 

Young Hallett was reared in his native village 
and received excellent educational advantages, 
receiving most of his training in a private school 
here. After finishing his literary education he 
took a trip to Europe and remained abroad for 
nine months. He went direct to Spain, then to 
France, England and Ireland, and finally returned 
to Astoria to engage in business. He had learned 
the hardware business in New York City under 
Hart, Eleven & Alead, one of the largest estab- 
lishments of the kind in those days, and remained 
with that firm for two years, thus laying a solid 
foundation for his subsequent prosperous career. 
After this he was with Russell & Irving for four 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1079 



years and then returned with his father to As- 
toria. Since that time he has been in charge of 
the hardware and house furnishing department 
here and is very popular with all. This is the 
largest hardware establishment in Astoria, and 
young Hallett takes a deep interest in its pros- 
perity. 

In the city of Greenwich, Conn., Mr. Hallett 
was married to Miss Ida Crowninshild, a native 
of Boston, Mass., where she was reared and edu- 
cated, and the daughter of Caleb Crowninshild, 
who at one time was a large furniture manufac- 
turer of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Hallett are the 
parents of five interesting children: Florence, 
Edith, Alfred, Howard and Charles W. 

At the present time Mr. Hallett is organist and 
leader of the choir in the First Reformed Church 
at Astoria, which position he has held for over 
twenty years. From early boyhood he had 
evinced a ;trong liking for music and studied 
under some of the best teachers in New York 
City. When but fifteen years old he began as 
organist and is the oldest one now in Long Is- 
land City. When but a boy he taught music for 
some time, and has given some delightful con- 
certs here. He is an active member of the Re- 
formed Church, and in politics is a Republican. 



COL. G. A. ROULLIER. As his name 
indicates, this gentleman is of French 
descent. He is a member of a family 
that has furnished many men to the army of 
France. His paternal grandfather was a major 
in the army under the illustrious Napoleon, and 
the maternal grandfather, Laurent Augier, was 
also an officer under that famous general. All 
other male members of the family took part in 
the bloody conflicts that marked the closing- 
years of the latter, and the greater part of the 
present century, until the Franco-Prussian War 
of 1870, when the last lost his life. 

The subject of this notice was born in New 
York City in 1849, and received his primary 
education in a private school. At the age of six- 
teen he went to France, where he took a scientific 
course. The first work he secured was as a mem- 
ber of the engineering corps at the iron works 
of Boonton, N. J. One year later he came to 
Flushing, where he was employed in laying out 
the village. On completion of the work, he went 
to Baltimore, where for a year he was in charge 
of the engineering work on a large estate. Re- 



turning to Flushing, he formed a partnership 
with H. C. Baldwin, under the title of Baldwin 
& Roullier, and surveyed the entire town of 
Flushing. Later our subject went into partner- 
ship with J. C. Rossi, and continued with him for 
some time. In 1880 he was appointed superin- 
tendent of the water works and street commis- 
sioner, in which capacity he has since served. 
Under his management the water works have 
been extended and enlarged, and a large number 
of sewers have been built. He planned and con- 
structed the water works in Whitestone and in 
Newtown, and under his supervision the streets 
of Flushing were macadamized. Since 1880 he 
has been city surveyor, and at his office, No. 20 
Alain Street, carries on a large business. 

Socially our subject is a Chapter Mason and 
belongs to Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. 
M. In addition, he belongs to the Royal Arca- 
num, and was a charter member of the Knights 
of Pythias, in which he was the first chancellor. 
He is identified with the Niantic Club and the 
American Society of Civil Engineers. He was 
one of the organizers of the Seventeenth Separate 
Company of Flushing, National Guard of New 
York, and was chosen second lieutenant, but after 
one year was commissioned captain and later be- 
came major and inspector of the Eleventh Brig- 
ade. His next promotion was to the rank of 
lieutenant-colonel and inspector of rifle practice 
of the Second Division, in which capacity he 
served until all the division staffs were disbanded 
by order of the governor. His connection with 
the guard covered a period of exactly ten years. 
He was also in the fire department as a member 
of Mutual Engine Company No. i, in which he 
served as foreman, and was first assistant en- 
gineer for one term. 



JOSEPH WITZEL, proprietor of Point View- 
Island, near College Point, was born in 
Fulda, near Hesse-Cassel, Germany, March 
3, 1835. His father, Michael, who was born in 
the same place and followed farm pursuits, took 
part in the Napoleonic Wars in Germany and 
was wounded while performing official duty; he 
died in his native place in 1856, aged sixty-nine. 
His marriage united him with Mary Francke, 
who was born in Germany and died there, aged 
forty-eight. Of their five children, two are liv- 
ing, Joseph being the only one of the family who 
ever came to America. He was reared on the 



io8o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



home farm. When about eighteen he started a 
shoe store in his native place and this he carried 
on until the time of his entrance into the army, 
in 1855. For one year he was a member of a 
brigade of mounted artillery, after which he re- 
tired from the service and resumed business. 

In 1859 Mr. Witzel took passage on the sailer 
"Republic" at Bremen and arrived in New York 
City after a voyage of thirty days. For three 
months he worked at his trade there, after which, 
in August, 1859, he came to College Point and 
engaged in the shoe business, soon afterward 
starting a store in Second Avenue, on the present 
site of the bank. In 1871 he bought lots and built 
the hotel which he has since conducted and which 
is situated on the corner of Second Avenue and 
Tenth Street. Here he has a large pavilion, danc- 
ing hall and summer garden. In 1892 he became 
proprietor of Point View Island, a summer re- 
sort, where he has a dining room 130x61, with 
capacity for twelve hundred. The grounds con- 
sist of twenty-five acres, neat roads and paths di- 
viding the well kept groves. There are four dif- 
ferent ball grounds and a dock four hundred feet 
long. The place is admirably adapted for picnic 
excursions, and the proprietor is kept busy in 
arranging to accommodate the many parties who 
desire to secure the grounds. 

In College Point Mr. Witzel married Miss 
Mary Kolb, who was bom in Fulda, Germany, 
and they are the parents of two sons, Emil and 
Theodore. Politically our subject is a Demo- 
crat, and in religion belongs to St. Fidelis' Catho- 
lic Church. 



JOSEPH H. ROSZEL. To those who, dur- 
ing the dark days of the Rebellion, offered 
their services to the government and went 
forth to protect the honor of the old flag and 
the unity of the nation, a debt of gratitude is due 
from every patriotic citizen. Among the Queens 
County war veterans mention belongs to the 
name of Joseph H. Roszel, member of the firm 
of Roszel Brothers, contractors and builders at 
College Point. Pie was born in Mercer County, 
N. J., near Plightstown, September 25, 1843. His 
paternal grandfather, Benjamin Roszel, also a 
native of New Jersey, was a farmer by occupation 
and attained the age of eighty years. In relig- 
ious views he was a Baptist. 

George Roszel, our subject's father, was born 
in New Jersey in December, 1814, and owned 



and operated a farm near Hightstown. Politi- 
cally he is a strong Republican. He married 
Helen, daughter of William Brown, who was a 
shoemaker in New Jersey, and granddaughter of 
Everenham Roszel, one of the early residents of 
that state. Mrs. Roszel was born in 1818 and is 
still living. Of her tivelve children, nine attained 
years of maturity, and eight are now living. Jo- 
seph H. and Elwood being the only ones in 
Queens County. Our subject, who is the oldest 
of the surviving children, was reared on the home 
farm and received district school advantages. In 
September, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 
Twenty-ninth New Jersey Infantry, and was mus- 
tered in at Freehold for nine months. With his 
regiment he marched to the South and took part 
in the engagements at Fredericksburg and the 
Wilderness, after which he started on the marcli 
to Gettysburg, but his term of service expired 
before he reached that city and he was mustered 
out in Maryland in 1863. A few months after 
returning home he again volunteered, with 
eig-hteen others, and went to Philadelphia, where 
he tendered his services to the United States 
navy, but all of the party with two exceptions 
were rejected. 

On again coming home Mr. Roszel began an 
apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which 
he served for two years. In 1867 he went to New 
York, where he worked at his trade for one year, 
and later was similarly engaged in Freehold and 
Elizabeth, N. J. In the fall of 1873 he settled in 
College Point, where he followed his trade for a 
time, and later was master carpenter in a rubber 
shop. In 1S79 he began contracting and build- 
ing, and after five years took in his brother El- 
wood as partner, the firm name becoming Roszel 
Brothers. They have had many of the most im- 
portant contracts in the village, and among other 
residences, erected three in Twelfth Street, three 
in Seventeenth and one in Tenth; also fitted up 
several hotels and public buildings. The shop 
of the firm is situated in Fifth Avenue, near 
Twelfth Street. 

In College Point Mr. Roszel married ?iliss 
Catherine Tubbs, a native of Connecticut, and 
daughter of William Tubbs, who came from Eng- 
land and was employed as a mason in College 
Point until his death. The family residence is 
pleasantly situated at No. 6^ Eleventh Street. 
Socially Mr. Roszel belongs to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in 
Miriam Lodge No. 152, in which he has passed 




FREDERICK RING. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1083 



all the chairs. He was a member of the encamp- 
ment at Elizabeth. Prior to the war he belonged 
to the National Guard of New Jersey. He finds 
his religious home in the Methodist Church, to 
the support of which he contributes as his means 
permit. 



FREDERICK RING, JR., was born in New 
York City on Christmas day of 1835, and 
was the eldest of the eight children of 
Frederick, Sr., and Rosina (Williams) Ring. 
For some years the former kept a grocery store 
in New York City, but about 1847 removed to 
AVoodward Avenue, Newtown, Queens County, 
and there engaged in farming. Frederick, Jr., at 
the age of twelve accompanied the family to 
,Long Island, where he grew to manhood. When 
twenty years of age he embarked in the grocery 
business in Grand Street, Brooklyn, but after 
his marriage, which occurred at this time, he, 
gave up the business and began farming on the 
old homestead, then known as the Vandervoert 
farm. For about fifteen years he engaged in 
the cultivation of the sixty acres comprising this 
place, and so successful was he that on leaving 
he was able to purchase the property where his 
widow now resides, paying $12,000 for twenty 
acres and building a handsome residence there- 
on. This is especially noteworthy in view of 
the fact that he began without capital. 

During the war Mr. Ring was fortunate and 
made considerable money. After about three 
years he established himself in the flour-milling 
business in Broadway, Brooklyn, where, through 
his superior business ability and sagacity, he ac- 
cumulated a fortune. His products were shipped 
largely to the West Indies. After undergoing 
a number of changes of name, the firm of which 
he was a member was finally incorporated as the 
Kings County Milling Company, the business 
being carried on under that title until one year 
after his death, which occurred August 24, 1892. 
Mr. Ring was interested in the American Sugar 
Refining Company, the Manufacturers' Bank, 
the Nassau Trust Company, and the New York 
and Brooklyn Brewing Company. His large 
success was due to the possession of keen insight, 
shrewd discriminative powers and determination 
of character that knew no diminution in the face 
of obstacles. 
44 



CHARLES E. RING, eldest son of Fred- 
erick and Dorothea (Bultmann) Ring, 
was born in Brooklyn November 26, 
1863. After carrying on the studies of the public 
schools of Brooklyn he entered Packard's Busi- 
ness College, where he graduated. For one 
year after completing his education he was en- 
gaged in farming, two years following was em- 
ployed in a grocery store, and subsequently he 
established a hardware store at North Third and 
Kent Avenue, Brooklyn. Three years later his 
increasing business caused him to remove to 
more commodious quarters and still later he 
bought his present place, at Nos. 423-427 Kent 
Avenue, corner of South Eighth Street, where 
he carries on a business aggregating $200,000 
per annum. He is one of the representative mer- 
chants of Brooklyn, and his success, which has 
been gained since 1885, indicates his ability and 
financial skill. 

In 1887 Mr. Ring married Miss Anna Ehlers, 
of New York City, and they are the parents of 
a daughter, Louise. In religious belief they are 
identified with the English Lutheran Church of 
Brooklyn. By all who know him Mr. Ring is 
regarded as one of the rising young business 
men of the city. He is a member of the Man- 
ufacturers' Association of that place and is con- 
nected with many of the important measures 
originated to benefit the interests of the people. 
While not unmindful of public affairs, he does 
not take an active part in them and is not a 
partisan. He is connected with the Hanover 
Club of Brooklyn. It may be said of him that, 
in striving to advance his own interests, he has 
not overlooked the welfare of others or achieved 
his personal success at the expense of his fellow- 
men, but in his intercourse with all, whether in 
business or society, has proved himself an hon- 
orable man and generous friend. 



JOHN W. GOODWIN, who superintends 
the sand digging for the large contracting 
firm of M. Goodwin & Co., of New York 
City, is one of the highly esteemed residents of 
Port Washington. He was born in the metro- 
polis, September 4, 1858, to Thomas E. and Pene- 
lope (Boulds) Goodwin. There he lived until at- 
taining mature years, gaining a good education 
in the grammar schools of both New York and 
Brooklvn. 



1084 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



When a lad of fourteen years our subject be- 
came bookkeeper for the same company by 
whom he is employed at the present time. He 
remained in that position for four years and then 
turned his attention to athletic sports, winning- 
many a contest as a walker in various parts of the 
country. On one occasion he and Samuel Col- 
yer engaged in a three days' contest at Brooklyn, 
Mr. Goodwin winning seventeen miles over his 
opponent. At another time he came in fifteen 
miles ahead of Robert Campbell in a walk of 
seventy-five hours. He visited many of the larger 
cities of the Union and for three years followed 
this kind of life, but not being able to save much 
rhoney, he returned to the business which now 
• occupies his attention. 

By his first marriage, which occurred in New 
York, when he was twenty-four years old, he be- 
came the father of three children, John W., Jr., 
Penelope and Sarah. After the death of his first 
wife Mr. Goodwin married Miss Lenora Smith, 
of Port Washington, and to them have been 
granted two daughters, Delphine and Nina. 

The business in which our subject is now en- 
gaged has occupied his attention for the past 
twelve years. For one year he had charge of 
filling in a large area at Greenpoint, at which 
time he had three hundred men under him. In 
1895, however, the firm put in a steam shovel 
and a number of cars, so that the work is now 
comparatively easy and only a few men are need- 
ed to carry on the business. Mr. Goodwin is not 
tied to any particular party or belief in politics, 
but at the polls supports the best man for the po- 
sition. Although not a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Mr. Goodwin attends its ser- 
vices and contributes towards its support. He is 
very plain-spoken, honorable and tipright in all 
that he does, and as such deserves the respect and 
esteem which is accorded him, for he is one of the 
substantial citizens of the county. 



PROF. ALFRED E. IVES. While the life 
of an educator is generally barren of in- 
cidents for popular biography, it is still 
true that the work of a protracted life in this 
sphere must have many points of interest to prac- 
tical thinkers, to philosophical speculators of ed- 
ucation, and to the work of educational progress. 
Years industriously employed in any department 
of human labor cannot be without its fruits and 
its lessons. Alfred E. Ives, a prominent educatO'' 



of Rockville Center, L. I., was born in Connec- 
ticut in 1846 to Alfred E. and Harriet (Piatt 
Stone) Ives, who were also natives of the Nutmeg 
State and there spent their early days. 

Unusually fine educational advantages were 
afforded Alfred E. Ives, Sr., and in 1837 he was 
graduated from Yale College. He afterwards 
became a minister of the Congregational Church, 
and this noble calling he continued to follow the 
greater part of his life. In the latter part of his 
useful life he moved to the state of Maine, and 
there he afterwards represented Hancock County 
two terms in the state legislature, during which 
time he was chairman of the educational com- 
mittee both sessions. He lived to a ripe old age 
and died in 1892, his wife's death having occurred 
three years prior to his own. They were aged 
eighty-three and eighty years respectively. 

Alfred E. Ives, the immediate subject of this 
biography, was attending the high school at Cas- 
tine, Me., when the great Civil War opened. 
Although a mere lad, sixteen years of age, his 
patriotism was unbounded, and as soon as cir- 
cumstances permitted he became a member of 
Company E, Twenty-sixth ]\Iaine Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was in active service for one year, the 
expiration of his term of enlistment finding him 
at Port Hudson, La. He then returned home, 
and for a year following this he was in extremely 
poor health. In the fall of 1864 he entered Am- 
herst (Mass.) College, and from this institution 
was graduated with honors, with the degrees of 
A. B. and A. M. Soon after finishing his liter- 
ary course he took up the calling of a pedagogue 
at Meriden, Conn., where he continued for seven 
years. In the fall of 1875 he came to Brooklyn, 
where he became principal of one of the largest 
grammar schools in the city. No. 35, the pupils 
in which number nearly four thousand and the 
teachers seventy-five, all of whom are under Pro- 
fessor Ives' care. 

Professor Ives made his home in Brooklyn un- 
til 1887 when, owing to failing health, he moved 
his place of residence to Rockwille Center, L. I. 
When the Professor first came to this place it 
was, in the strictest sense of the term, a country 
village, but he at once took an interest in the 
movement to build up the place, and co-operated 
with F. F. Wilson in his efforts to improve and 
build up the schools of this village. Through 
the persistent efforts of these gentlemen, and a 
few others, Rockville Center can to-day boast 
of the best schools in Southern Long Island. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1085 



Professor was also one of the organizers of the 
Knights of Pythias Lodge ; in fact, every enter- 
prise that lias come up in the village has found 
in him a hearty supporter, provided the enterprise 
was of a worthy nature. 

In 1871 Professor Ives was united in marriage 
with Miss Isadore C. Ives, a daughter of Eli Ives, 
of Meriden, Conn., but was called upon to mourn 
her death in 1884. Four children were born ol 
this union: Lina C, Alfred E., Eloise S. and 
Harry Williams. The Professor's second mar- 
riage was celebrated in 1885, Maria Barber, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., becoming his wife. They are 
members of the Congregational Church. Frater- 
nally he is connected with the Free and Accepted 
Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand 
Army of the Republic. Professor Ives is presi- 
dent of the Rockville Center Savings and Loan 
Association, a member of the board of .education, 
and in his political views is a Republican, but 
not active. 



IDUS J. SMYTH, junior member of the firm 
of Thomas Smyth & Son, real estate dealers 
and insurance agents at College Point, was 
born in this village April 20, 1870. His father, 
Thomas, who was born in Ireland November 26, 
1833, came to the United States in early man- 
hood, and for a time was employed as a book- 
keeper in New York City, his ability as an expert 
accountant rendering his services valuable. The 
year 1854 witnessed his arrival in College Point, 
to which place he came with 'Mr. Poppenhusen, 
who established the Enterprise Rubber Works 
here. For a time he was foreman in the factory 
and took an active part in promoting the impor- 
tance of the business. For a period of nine years 
he held the position of assessor, and for four years 
he was justice of the peace. 

In the village where for so many years he has 
made his home Thomas Smyth is recognized as 
a man of ability and influence. Politically he is 
a Democrat. In every way possible he has con- 
tributed to the welfare of the people, and his co- 
operation is always given to progressive projects. 
For the last thirty years he has been tax collector . 
of the village of College Point. Prior to leaving 
Ireland he married Monica Madden, who died 
January 4, 1890, after having become the mother 
of twelve children. Of this large family only 
David P. and Idus J. are living. 

Availing- himself of the excellent advantages 



afiforded him, our subject attended a private 
school for three years, spent two years preparing 
for college at the Fuerst Institute, afterward for 
two years attended St. Michael's parochial school 
at Flushing, and later was a student in the Col- 
lege Point Academy until seventeen years of age. 
His first position was with the German American 
Insurance Company of New York City, with 
whom he remained until twenty-two. So thor- 
oughly did he learn the business that he is now 
recog-nized as one of the best insurance men on 
Long Island. Meanwhile, under the instruction 
of teachers at home, during the evening hours, 
he perfected his education. 

From a business point of view Mr. Smyth had 
bright prospects in the city, but his father having 
extensive business interests here and his eyesight 
failing from constant application, the son came 
to College Point to assist him. The business was 
established in 1870 and had assumed considerable 
proportions. He soon found it necessary for him 
to remain and the present firm of Thomas Smyth 
& Son was founded, since which time their real 
estate and insurance business has largely in- 
creased. 

Regarding free trade as a necessity in securing 
prosperity for the nation, Air. Smyth has iden- 
tified himself with the Democratic party and votes 
that ticket. In religious belief he is a Roman 
Catholic. His marriage, which took place in New 
York City, united him with Mary I. Gute, daugh- 
ter of Col. Joseph Gute, a prominent military 
man, who is connected with the First Battery 
State Guard. They are the parents of two chil- 
dren, Raymond J. and Monica. 



AE. SUNDLING, the well-known mer- 
chant tailor of Flushing, was born in 
• 1840 in Westeras, capital of the laen of 
Westmanland, and fourteen miles from Stock- 
holm, Sweden. He was the youngest of nine 
children, all of whom arrived at years of maturity 
and four are now living, though he is the only 
one of the number in America. His parents were 
Israel and Mary Sundling, the former of whom 
was born in Bestlagen, Sweden, but spent much 
of his life in Westeras, where he was employed as 
a tailor. He died in that village at the age of 
seventy-six years. In religious belief he was a 
Lutheran, cherishing a great affection for that 
faith. 

After receiving his education in the schools of 



io86 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Sweden, our subject at the age of fifteen began to 
learn his trade in Stockholm, at which he ser^'ed 
an apprenticeship of seven years, gaining a thor- 
ough practical knowledge of the tailor's occupa- 
tion. Seeking another place for active business 
pursuits, he went to England, and for two and 
one-half years was employed in Liverpool. _ In 
1873 he came to America and settled in Xew 
York City, where he worked at his trade a num- 
ber of years, coming thence to Flushing about 
1876, to take a position in the tailoring depart- 
ment of D. Master's clothing store. He was thus 
engaged for ten years, after which he resigned 
his position. 

In 1888 Mr. Sundling started in business for 
himself, and at his store, No. 100 Amity Street. 
he carries on a general merchant tailoring trade, 
having Iniilt up a large patronage among the 
people of this community. Among those who 
have been his customers, the highest opinion is 
held of his ability and neatness as a tailor, and 
those who have once sought his services are 
almost sure to return again and give him their 
permanent trade. In Sweden he married Miss 
Mary Erickson, a native of that country, and they 
have two daughters, Hilda and Alma. In 1876 
he went to Corona, and resided there until he 
came to Flushing. For four years he was a mem- 
ber of the board of school trustees at Corona. 
Politically he is a Republican and socially belongs 
to the Foresters lodge in Flushing. He holds 
membership in the Union Evangelical Church, in 
which he is an active worker. 



LOUIS T. STEVENSON. This gentleman, 
who has for several years been engaged 
in heavy hauling and trucking for the va- 
rious granite works of Blissville, is well known 
among the residents of this place and is highly 
esteemed for his honorable and upright life. He 
■was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in i860. 
His father, Joseph Stevenson, a native of County 
Armag-li, Ireland, passed the first sixteen years 
of his life in the Emerald Isle and then came to 
America. He found no difficulty in obtaining 
employment, and for several years was engaged 
as a milkman in New York City. 

In 1868 Joseph Stevenson located in Long 
Island City, establishing a milk route in Bliss- 
ville. He soon had a large list of customers and 
carried on a very successful wholesale and retail 
linsiness. The place on which he located enabled 



him to have a dairy of his own, and the milk 
which he sold through portions of New York 
and this city was obtained from the forty cows 
which he owned. 'Mr. Stevenson departed this 
life in August, 1882, when forty-nine years of age. 
He was greatly interested in the affairs of his 
neighborhood and besides being a fire and water 
commissioner was assistant engineer in the fire 
department for three years. During the progress 
of the Civil War he enlisted in 1864, becoming a 
member of Company A, Xinety-third New York 
Infantry, which he served as corporal until the 
establishment of peace. He participated in many 
spirited conflicts with the enemy, but escaped 
serious injury. Politically he was a Republican 
and was always ready and anxious to do what he 
could to aid in his party's success. He was a de- 
voted member of the Presbyterian Church and 
came of a good Christian family. He had a 
brother, a minister of that faith in Ireland, and a 
cousin. Dr. Gregg, for many years pastor of a 
church in New York City. 

Mrs. Mary (Thomas) Stevenson, mother of our 
subject, was born in New York, and was the 
daughter of Louis Tliomas, a native of Wales. 
Air. Thomas came to America in 1837 and for a 
number of years thereafter was engaged in the 
milk business in New York. Later he located in 
Jersey City, where he established a feed store 
and was engaged in the successful carrying on 
of this business until his death. He was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Stevenson 
is still living, a resident of Blissville. Of the six 
children born of her union with Joseph Steven- 
son, only two are living, Louis T. and Mrs. Anna 
Kehoe, who also makes her home in Blissville. 

After attending the public schools of this city 
the subject of this sketch went to New York and 
carried on his studies there for a time. From the 
age of nine years he aided his father on the farm, 
and when attaining his thirteenth year drove a 
milk wagon in New York City. He continued 
to work for his father until twenty-one years of 
age, when he established a route of his owti, run- 
ning wagons both in New York and Brooklyn. 
Fie had his own dairy and supplied his custom- 
ers with fresh, pure, unadulterated milk. After 
continuing in this business for eight years he sold 
out and began trucking. He makes a specialty 
of hauling heavy loads and is engaged to do most 
of the work for the different granite works here. 
During the busy season he gives employment to 
five men and at such times runs five teams, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1087 



it is no unusual siglit to see the entire force of 
men and horses engaged in moving one monu- 
ment. Being the onh;- man who gives his atten- 
tion to this business here he is kept very bus}'. 
In addition to this industry he deals quite exten- 
sively in horses, and his thorough knowledge of 
these animals enables him to do so profitably. 

The marriage of Mr. Stevenson and Miss Ma- 
tilda Swain occurred in New York City in 1881. 
This lady was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
and is a daug'hter of Samuel Swain, also a native 
of the Emerald Isle. The latter was a farmer in 
his native land and also clerked for some time in 
a store. On coming to America he made his 
home in New York City, wiiere he worked as a 
journeyman plumber after he had acquired a 
good knowledge of this business. He died there 
in 1880. The Swain family traces its ancestry 
back to the royalty of Denmark, in which coun- 
try they originated. Grandfather Thomas Swain 
lived in Ireland and ran a stage route there in 
connection with farming. The mother of Mrs. 
Stevenson accompanied her husband to the 
United States and died in New York City sev- 
eral years ago. Of the ten sons and daug'hters of 
Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, four are now living: 
William J., Anne E., Louis T. and Francis I. 

Our subject has served in the Rambler Hose 
Company No. 3 of this place. He is a stanch 
supporter of Republican principles and has 
helped forward man}' measures which have been 
set on foot, having for their object the good of 
'his commimity. Religiously he belongs to the 
Church of the Ascension. 



FREDERICK SUTTER. Special adapta- 
bility to any particular calling in life is 
the one necessary adjunct to success of a 
permanent kind. It has often been said that a 
man will make a success of any occupation if he 
gives his entire time and attention to it, and this 
has proved true in the case of Frederick Sutter, 
steward and caterer of the Niantic Club, Flush- 
ing, L. I. Mr. Sutter is a native of Germany, 
born in Badenweiler in i860, and the son of 
Maj. Frederick Sutter, also a native of that place 
and a large hotel keeper at the famous watering 
place. The elder Mr. Sutter was in the Revolu- 
tion of 1848 and held the rank of major in the 
German army. His death occurred in Baden- 
weiler. His father, Nicholas Sutter, was a bur- 
gomaster for years in Badenweiler, and was also 



a prominent hotel man. In religion both were 
Lutherans. Major Sutter married A'liss Fred- 
rika Motch, who was born in Alsace, France, and 
who now resides on the old home place. 

Frederick Sutter, the eldest of the children 
born to his parents, received a thorough educa- 
tion in his native country, and after leaving school 
engaged in the dry-goods business in Manheim. 
In 1880 he came to the United States, settled in 
the Empire City, and was engaged in the dry 
goods and cigar manufacturing business on a 
large scale. Later he opened a restaurant in 
Stone Street, and still later became assistant 
steward in the Marine and Field Club, which 
position he held one summer. In 1891 he was 
elected steward of the Niantic Club, a position 
he has since held, and he is the leading caterer of 
Long Island, outside of Brooklyn. He does a 
large business in that line and has his headquar- 
ters at the club, corner of Sanford and Parsons 
Avenues. This club has large and pleasant 
rooms, a bowling alley, stables, etc., and is com- 
posed of eighty-seven members. It was organ- 
ized in 1863. 

Mr. Sutter has a large stock of silver for fine 
spreads, superintends everything himself, and is 
noted all over the island. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias and Knights of the 
Golden Stars. In religion he is a Lutheran, and 
in politics a Democrat, but not radical. 



EV. MICHAEL J. DENNISON, rector of 
St. Monica's Catholic Church of Jamaica, 
was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 26, 1852. He is a son of Nicholas and Ann 
Dennison, members of well known Catholic fam- 
ilies who gave many priests to the ministry of 
the church. Among the most noted of the fam- 
ily is Archbishop Ireland, of St. Paul, an own 
cousin of our subject and a frequent visitor to 
his home. Nicholas Dennison was born in Coun- 
ty Kilkenny, Ireland, and thence emigrated to the 
United States, where he followed the occupation 
of a contractor and builder until his death at Sag 
Harbor, L. I. 

From a very early age the hopes and aspira- 
tions of Father Dennison turned toward the min- 
istry. When eleven years old he entered the 
Niagara University, at Niagara Falls, N. Y., 
\vhere he graduated in 1874. At the same time 
he was ordained to the priesthood and was as- 
signed as second assistant to Father Eugene Cas- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



saday, of St. Mary's Star of the Seas, Brooklyn. 
When St. Agnes' Church was estabhshed in 
Brooklyn he was made first assistant to Rev. 
James A. Dufify. In 1885 he was made rector 
of St. Andrew's Church at Sag Harbor, and re- 
mained in that position until 1 891, when he was 
called to the church at Jamaica to fill the place 
of the late Father Farley, who had been its pas- 
tor for forty years. 

Since coming to this pastorate Father Denni- 
son has made many improvements in the church 
property, the total valuation of which additions 
would probably aggregate $8,000 or $9,000. St. 
Monica's is recognized as one of the most im- 
portant charges in the state, outside of the large 
cities. Connected with it there are some seven- 
teen hundred people, old and young, and the 
work is so large and responsible as to require 
the services of an assistant, a position now held 
by Rev. James H. McMahon. In connection 
with the church there is a large parochial school, 
in charge of the Sisters of Charity from Mt. St. 
A^incent, under the immediate charge of Sister 
Agnes. 

Possessing great strength of will and force of 
character, with brilliant mind and self-reliant 
spirit, Father Dennison is fitted for the high 
position to which he has been called. He is a 
man of decided ability, unblemished reputation 
and personal worth, commanding the respect, not 
alone of his parishioners and people of belief 
similar to his own, but of others as well. Over 
the development and destiny of those in his par- 
ish his character and teachings will exert great 
influence for good. 



JOHN B. BARRODY. The great common- 
wealth of New York is the home of many 
self-made men, but none whose lives afford 
a better example of untiring industry than can 
be found, in the subject of this biographical 
sketch. Coming to America when a youth in 
his teens, unfamiliar with our language and insti- 
tutions, he had many obstacles to overcome in 
the pathway to success, but these he has van- 
quished, the result being that he is now num- 
bered among the well-to-do citizens of Wood- 
haven. 

The South of France is the native home of Mr. 
Barrody, and May 29, 1846, the date of his birth, 
liis father. Dr. J. ]'.. ];',arrody, was a veterinarv 
surgeon in thai ccnmtry, where the larger part of 



his life was spent, but in 1884 he came to the 
United States to spend his declining davs, and 
three years later his death occurred in New York. 
In his native land he married Miss Kate Hermet, 
the youngest of the eighteen children of John 
Hermet, a prominent business man and member 
of one of the oldest families of the South of 
France: she died there in 1869, leaving three 
children, namely: John B., the only son; Leona, 
wife of August Genenard, a merchant in New 
York: and Emma, the widow of Louis Hanet, 
formerly a business man of New York, where 
she is living in comfortable circumstances. 

The fact that Mr. Barrody early in life dis- 
played unusual mental capacity is proved by his 
graduation from college at the head of a class 
of eig'hty-nine. Soon after completing his edu- 
cation, in 1863, he came to America to visit his 
sisters, who had been in New York some time. 
On leaving France he agreed to return in order 
to enter the army, but when the draft was made 
his name was not included, so he was at liberty to 
remain, and he at once decided to do so. Soon 
afterward he came to Woodhaven, where for a 
short time he was employed; later he worked in 
New York one year, then went to Boston, and 
from there to New Orleans on his way to Cuba. 
An epidemic of yellow fever, however, prevented 
the consummation of his plans, and he went back 
to New York, where he was employed until 1868. 
Coming once more to Woodhaven in that year, 
he resumed work in the factory, where he re- 
mained until January I, 1894. During twenty 
years of this time he was master mechanic. As 
he accumulated money he made investments in 
real estate, which, proving successful, render him 
one of the wealthy men of the village. He as- 
sisted in the organization of the ^^'oodhaven 
Bank and is now one of its directors. In 1S94 
he established a foundry in Brooklyn, where ho 
gives employment to fifty or sixty men and car- 
ries on a large business. 

In 1866 JNIr. Barrody married ^Miss Arsene 
Lecompte. who was born in Paris, France. They 
lost one child, Hermet, at the ag"e of eighteen 
years, and two in infancy, the only survivor being 
Emma, wife of Edgar Jones, who is in business 
with his father-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have 
five children, namely: John B.. Arsene Irene, 
Edg-ar C, Beatrice ]\I. and Irving C. The politi- 
cal belief of Mr. Barrody is in accordance with 
the declaration of the Republican party, in thc- 
pi'osperity of which he feels great interest. His 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lOt^ 



residence is one of the handsomest and most 
comfortable to be found in Woodhaven, and 
everything is indicative of his financial prosperity. 
Socially he is identified with Lodge No. 288, F. 
& A. M., in Brooklyn, of which he was master 
for two years. He was one of the founders of the 
Woodhaven Water Company, of which he was 
superintendent for some years, and is now a 
stockholder. 



ALFRED L. NEW. There is no more im- 
portant industry in a community or one 
whose exponents are in greater demand 
than the grocery business. An old and reliable 
concern engaged in this line of business is the 
firm of J. N. New & Co., one of the' oldest in 
Long Island City. Alfred L. New, a member of 
the firm, was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N. 
Y., in 1844. He is an active, wide-awake and 
progressive man of affairs whose business is rap- 
idly on the rise, as a just tribute to his deserts 
as a clever business man. His father, James L. 
New, was. born in England, as was also the g-rand- 
father, Moses New, who was a successful dairy- 
man there. The latter died in his native country 
when ninety-four years old. 

James L. New w^as reared in England and at 
an early age learned the dairy business, which 
he carried on successfully in his native land until 
1837. Then crossing the ocean to America he 
located in Greenpoint, L. I., where he followed 
his former occupation for some time. After giv- 
ing that up he ran a stage between Greenpoint 
and Williamsburg for some time, but sold this 
and started a stage in Bedford. In 1857 he sold 
this and went to California, where he was engaged 
in prospecting and mining for a time. From 
there he went to Montana and is residing in that 
state at the present time engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He is seventy-'six years old. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Harriett Webb, was born 
in England and was a daughter of Robert Webb. 
Four of their five children are now living: James 
N. and Alfred L. are engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness; Levi W. is also a grocer of Long Island 
City; and Gertrude is married and resides in 
Brooklyn. 

Up to the age of twelve years our subject at- 
tended the public schools of Greenpoint, and then 
for two years was in a drug store there. After 
this for nine years he was in a drug store in New 
York City under Jesse Sands, and in 1868 came 



to Hunter's Point, where he formed a partnership 
with his brother, J. N. New, under the firm name 
of J. N. New & Bro., in the grocery business. 
In 1885 he began dealing in coal in connection, 
and started there a business office and yards. He 
handles everything in the way of coal and wood 
and is classed among the prosperous business 
men of the city. The coal is unloaded by steam 
derricks and Hunt's patent automatic car and 
track self-dumping arrangement is used. Our 
subject is in charge of the coal business and the 
brother is in the grocery. 

Mr. New's residence at No. 92 Third Street 
is presided over by his estimable wife, who was 
formerly Miss Amanda Smith, daughter of the 
late J. Andrew Smith, who was a grocer of Long 
Island City and a pioneer settler of the place, 
carrying on business where our subject's grocery 
store now stands. Two children have been born 
to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. New: Alfred 
N., who is attending a medical college in New 
York, and Gertrude K, at home. Fraternally 
Mr. New is a member of Island City Lodge No. 
586, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. He 
is a member of Banner Chapter No. 214, Long 
Island City, R. A. M. He is also a member of 
the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Greenpoint. 
For many years he has been a member of the 
East Avenue Baptist Church, is president of the 
board of trustees, and was superintendent of the 
Sunday-school for eighteen years. Politically he 
is a Republican. 



WILLIAM O'DONNELL, a prominent 
member of the fire department of Long 
Island City and an energetic citizen 
of that place, is now holding the responsible posi- 
tion of foreman of Engine Company No. 2, and 
is faithful to every duty. Like many other citi- 
zens of this place, Mr. O'Donnell is a native of 
the Empire City, born December 3, 1854. His 
fatlier, Patrick O'Donnell, was a resident of that 
city for many years and died there when sixty 
years old. He enlisted in the regular army in 
1861 and was stationed at Governor's Island for 
a short time. After that he was sent South into 
Georgia and Florida and remained there until 
the war closed. He had married Miss Catherine 
Accles, a native of Brooklyn, and of their eight 
children, seven are now living. 

The childhood days of our subject, who was 
the eldest of the above mentioned children, were 



logo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



passed in New York and Brooklyn, and his ed- 
ucation was received in the schools there. In 
1868 he was apprenticed to learn the granite and 
marble cutter's trade under Morton & Clanc\% 
of Blissville, Long- Island City, and later was with 
others until 1883, when he located here perma- 
nently. In the year 1889 he embarked in the 
granite and marble business in Bradley Avenue, 
Blissville, under the firm name of O'Donnell & 
Roach, and was thus occupied until 1893, when 
he sold out to accept the position of foreman 
with the fire department. He was appointed to 
that position in September of that year by Mayor 
Sanford. This was a new engine and company 
and he was the first foreman. The house is a 
fine brick structure and was previously occupied 
by Rambler Hose Company No. 3, of which he 
was a member. He was also foreman of the same 
for three years and treasurer for one year. 

Mr. O'Donnell's marriage with Miss Marietta 
Smith, a native of New York City, occurred in 
Long Island City, and their union has been 
blessed by the l>irth of three children: Marietta, 
Irene and WilHam. Our subject was inspector 
of the board of health under Sanford, but resignetl 
to accept his present position. In religion he is 
a Catholic, and for two years was president of 
the Catholic Benevolent Legion. In politics he 
is a Democrat and was on the general Demo- 
cratic committee several years before he became 
foreman. He is a charter member of the Jeffer- 
son Club. He has had some narrow escapes in 
discharging the duties of his present position, but 
he is ever to be found ready for any experience. 
In February, 1894, while assisting in subduing 
a fire in Vernon Avenue he fell with a ladder on 
which he was standing and broke his leg, thus 
being laid up for two or three months. 



HON. JAMES A. McKENNA, postmaster 
of Long Island City, was born in West- 
chester County, N. Y., February 17, 1857. 
He is of Irish descent, his grandfather, Petei 
McKenna, having emigrated from County 
Armagh in company with two brothers, all oi 
whom lived for a time in New York City. In 
1835 he became a resident of Wyoming County, 
N. Y., where, retiring from his trade of stone 
mason and cutter, he engaged in farming. In 
1855 he returned to New York City, and after a 
time established his home in Paterson, N. j., 
wiiere he died at the age of eighty-five vears. 



At the family residence, corner of Hudson and 
Vesey Streets, New York City, Patrick McKen- 
na, father of our subject, was born February 25, 
1 83 1. In early life he was occupied as an iron 
moulder and later engaged quite extensively in 
the manufacture of brass mouldings. During the 
Civil War he was employed in the manufacture 
of iron shells, and at the close of the Rebellion, 
in 1866, he came to the island and established 
his home at Hunter's Point. He has since been 
engaged as foreman moulder in the shops here- 
about. He has always been deeply interested in 
the welfare of his community and for several 
terms has been a member of the school board, 
serving as trustee. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Darby) McKenna was born in 
County Down, Ireland, and after the death of her 
father she accompanied her two brothers and 
mother to America. Her brothers settled in the 
South and have become prominent citizens of 
their respective communities. Mrs. ]\IcKenna 
became the mother of ten children, of whom 
seven attained mature years, and six are now 
living. James A., who was third in order of 
birth, spent his boyhood years in New York and 
Long Island City, and when fourteen vears of 
age graduated from the high school here, after 
which he secured a position as bookkeeper with 
a firm in New York. He returned here in 1871 
and for six months was clerk in the finance de- 
partment, displaying such efficiency in this ca- 
pacity that he was promoted to the position of 
deputy treasurer and recorder of taxes. Although 
very busy during the day, he found time in the 
evening to carry on the course of study at New 
York Evening High School, planned for stu- 
dents who were able to attend only evenings. 
In 187s he graduated from this institution at the 
head of his class, having meantime discharged 
the duties devolving upon him as an ofiicial. In 
1876 he became managing clerk for Robert L. 
Fabian of New York, by whom he was taken into 
partnership a few yeai's later, and on the death of 
that gentleman he became sole proprietor of the 
business, which he has continued ever since. As 
a professional accountant he is well known from 
ocean to ocean and from gulf to the lakes. A 
moderate estimate of his settlements of fire insur- 
ance claims places the amount at more Lhan 
$50,000,000. 

May I, 1887, Mr. McKenna was appointed 
postmaster of Long Island City, and in April of 
the succeedino- year he or£;-anized the free de- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1091 



livery department, consolidating the service and 
doing away with the offices at Astoria, Ravens- 
wood, Schuetzen Park, Steinway, Blissville ami 
Dutch Kills, said offices becoming stations of the 
Long Island City postoffice. At the time of his 
removal by President Harrison, in September, 
1889, he employed thirteen carriers, and had in- 
creased the revenues from $5,200 to $17,000, also 
making it a second-class office. In June, 1893, 
he received his second appointment as postmaster 
under President Cleveland, his predecessor, Wil- 
liam Richardson, having resigned. August i, 
of that year, he entered upon the duties of the 
office, which then had fourteen carriers. The 
office now gives employment to nineteen car- 
riers and two deliveries daily are made to the 
distant portions of the city, while in the busines.s 
district mail is distributed four times a day. The 
revenue at this writing (1896) is $36,000, in- 
creased from $21,000 in August, i893.' Mr. Mc- 
Kenna, on receiving his first appointment as 
postmaster, found that only four mails were re- 
ceived per day at the depot, but now there are 
thirty-six arrivals and the same number of dis- 
patches. In the office five clerks are employed, 
and here the mail is separated for the different 
stations of New York City, this work having 
been instituted by the present postmaster. 

In Long Island City Mr. McKenna married 
Miss Catherine Kelly, daughter of a well-to-do 
farmer of Wyndham,^ Greene County, N. Y., who 
came to Long Island about 1861 and was an 
extensive stock dealer from that time until his 
decease, in 1866. The eldest child of Mr. and 
Mrs. McKenna was James, who died in infancy. 
The others are Catherine, Joseph, James and Wil- 
liam. The family is identified with St. Mary's 
Catholic Church. 

In the ranks of the Democratic party Mr. Mc- 
Kenna is prominent. In the fall of 1890 he was 
nominated for assemblyman from the second dis- 
trict of Queens County, then comprising Long 
Island City, Newtown, Jamaica and Hempstead. 
He was elected to the office and served with 
efficiency. The principal measure adopted dur- 
ing his term was a bill providing for the improve- 
ment of Jackson and Vernon Avenues. He drew 
up and presented a bill to reduce the gas in 
Long Island City to $1.25 per thousand, which 
passed the house but was not supported in the 
senate. He used his influence for the passage 
of many bills benefitting Hempstead and Jamaica. 
It was due to his energy and perseverance in 



the matter that the consent of the state was 
granted permitting incorporated villages to vote 
on the question of lighting their streets with gas 
or electricity, just as they chose. Of the thirty 
bills which he originated about one-half were 
passed, and the others would have been had it 
not been for the "dead lock" in the senate. He 
is actively connected with the Democratic Club 
of the City of New York and the Jefferson Dem- 
ocratic Club of this place, of which he was chair- 
man for four years. For years he was secretary 
and chairman of the county and city associations, 
and has been a delegate at various times to the 
cono-ressional and state conventions. 



THOMAS CALLISTER, one of the promi- 
nent business men of the vihage of 
Queens, engaged as a wagon manufac- 
turer, was born on the Isle of Man December 21, 
1828. There he was reared to mature years, and 
after completing his education in the common 
schools entered his father's wagon shop, and dur- 
ing the years in which he was in his employ 
gained a full knowledge of the business in all its 
details. 

Our subject remained in his native land until 
1847, when he went to Liverpool, where he 
worked at his trade until 1849, ""^ that year com- 
ing to America. After working in New York 
City for a few months he came to Queens, where 
he was engaged to work for William A. Brush, 
then the proprietor of a small wagon shop. After 
three years Mr. Callister purchased the business, 
and with renewed energy set to work to increase 
his patronage. His skill as a workman soon be- 
came known and his venture was a success al- 
most from the first. He is now well known 
throughout this section and is recognized by all 
to be one of the largest manufacturers of market 
wagons in the state. Almost any day hundreds 
of wagons may be seen on the road leading to 
New York and Brooklyn which bear his name as 
the maker. His shops cover an acre of ground, 
and the business has grown to such proportions 
that a large force of men are given constant 
employment in the various departments. Mr. 
Callister may therefore be justly called one of 
the most prosperous business men on Long Is- 
land, as all he has of this world's goods has been 
accumulated since he established his present busi- 
ness at Queens. He has associated with him in 
business his nephews, William and John. 



iog2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Callister was married to ]\Iiss Ruth A. 
Golder, of Queens, but the_v have no family. 
Socially our subject is a ^Nlason of high degree, 
and takes great interest in the meetings of Lodge 
No. 545, to which he belongs. During his long 
business career Mr. Callister has invented many 
articles which have come into general use, among 
them being a machine for killing potato bugs, 
which has met with large sales. He has led a 
very busy life and has never had time to devote 
to ofifice-holding. He uses his right of franchise 
in favor of the Democratic party and is a man 
who is well informed on general and current 
affairs of the dav. 



VICTOR SEVERIN DORVAL, a florist 
at Woodside, is a native of the city of 
Lemain, France, and was born Decem- 
ber 8, 1834. He was orphaned by the death of 
his father when an infant, and friends placed him 
in an orphan asylum, where he remained until 
reaching the age of twelve years. About thi-i 
time he secured emploj'ment in the country and 
leaving the asylum remained away a year. At 
the end of that time, however, he returned and 
for three years longer was under the care and 
protection of those who had been the friends of 
his childhood. 

Having determined upon becoming a gardener 
young Dorval looked about him for employment 
of this kind when again leaving the asylum, but 
found his lot to be a very hard one, for when he 
found work he was only enabled to claim eighteen 
cents per day. He was thus engaged for differ- 
ent parties for a period of four years, when he 
made his way to Paris, and after some two years 
spent there in gardening he determined to leave 
his native land, and emigrated for Buenos Ayres, 
arriving in that port in September, 1856. After 
looking about him for three weeks he succeeded 
in securing employment at his former occupation, 
but did not follow it in that city but a short time 
when he was sent with three others to "Aroy.i 
Large" b)' a wealthy soap manufacturer, who 
had purchased a large tract of land which was 
devoted to raising garden stuffs for the Buenos 
Ayres market. The year he spent on the island 
was a very exciting one, as the place was in- 
fested with wild animals of almost every descrip- 
tion, and in order that an alaiTn might be given 
of approaching danger two men were kept on 
watcli all night. 



Through the efforts of a friend whom our 
subject had in Buenos Ayres he secured emplov- 
ment at the end of the twelvemonth with a gentle- 
man who was a gardener as well as cabinetmaker. 
He was one day sent by this man to make a 
garden for one of the wealthy ladies of the city, 
and securing her confidence by the honest and 
able manner in which he performed his work, he 
was prevailed upon to enter her employ, and for 
four years rendered her most satisfactory sendee. 
During that period his wealthy friend made him 
a present of a ranch containing one thousand 
acres of splendid pasture land, stocked with one 
thousand head of sheep. Mr. Dorval purchased 
another thousand of these animals with the mon- 
ey which he had laid by, and at the end of the 
four years began sheep raising under the best 
of circumstances. Misfortune attended him, how- 
ever, for after eig'ht months a revolution broke 
out and while his ranch was being devastated 
by the army he was compelled to flee for his life. 
He returned to Buenos Ayres and when the con- 
flict was over his benefactress wished to restock 
his farm and have him return to it. JNIr. Dorval 
was so discouraged with the misfortunes which 
iiad attended his efforts that he kindly but firmly 
refused to accept anything more from her hands. 
Very shortly thereafter he took a trip across the 
Iron Mountains with a caravan and later went 
to Montevideo, and for a period of six months 
was in the employ of the ex-president. He re- 
turned to Buenos Ayres at the end of that time 
and took passage on a naval vessel as captain's 
boy and set sail for Havre, France. On arri\an,g 
in his native land he went to Paris and secured 
work in the Botanique Garden (or jardin des 
Plantes), where he remained for six months. We 
next hear of him as florist of the YWle De Paris, 
whence two years later he went to Lvons. where 
for one year he worked in the citv gardens. 

Mr. Doiwal next secured a position with a 
Catholic priest who was coming to America, his 
destination being Keokuk, Iowa. He accom- 
panied him to his western home and after si.s: 
months came to New York City in answer to a 
newspaper advertisement, which proved to be a 
fraud. Our subject's life for the following six 
months was a battle for existence, but relief 
finally came when he made the acquaintance of 
Charlc Patterson, who was general of the coast 
sun'ey and whose family spoke French very flu- 
ently. He worked for Mr. Patterson for two 
vears and during that time had been enabled to 



\ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1093 



save $660. He then came to Whitestone, this 
county, and for the next three years worked for 
$50 per month, his savings at the end of that 
time amounting to $2,000. 

Mr.Dorval made location at Woodside in 1872, 
first purchasing seven lots whereon he estabhshed 
himself in the florist's business. As the years 
passed by and he became prosperous he added 
seven more to his property, and finally bought a 
larger area, including fourteen lots. On this 
property he has erected ten greenhouses, heated 
with hot water and containing all modern im- 
provements. 

The lady to whom Mr. Dorval was married in 
1872 was Miss Kate Rogan, and to them have 
been granted five children, of whom four are 
living. They are Mary Agnes, Victor S., Jr., 
Edward and Gabriel. Edward and Victor are 
assisting their father in carrying on his exten- 
sive business, while the youngest son is engaged 
with John Ware, a florist of Brooklyn. 

In politics our subject is independent, reserv- 
ing his right to support the man whom he con- 
siders the best. Socially he is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias. He is public-spirited and in 
favor of everything which will promote the wel- 
fare of his community and his influence is always 
directed toward this end. 



ERMAN TEWES. That beverage which 
for a long time enjoyed the distinction 
of being termed the national drink of 
Germany may now boast the greater one of being 
the distinctive drink of all Europe and America. 
The spread of beer in this country in the past 
thirty years has been extraordinary, and the 
amount made and consumed is largely on the 
increase year after year. There are a large num- 
ber of cities all over the country which claim to 
be foremost in the manufacture of beer, but be 
that as it may regarding quantity, in quality the 
Weiss beer, manufactured by Herman Tewes of 
College Point, L. I., outranks anything else 
made in any cit}^ in the land. Mr. Tewes also 
deals in mineral and soda water. 

His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, in 
1849, 3-i'^d his parents, Deidrich and Margaret 
(Tewes) Tewes, were natives of the same place, 
and there spent their entire lives. The father 
was a wheelwright by trade. Of their four chil- 
dren, two came to America. Our subject, the 
youngest, passed his boyhood and youth in his 



native country and remained with his parents 
until about sixteen years old, when he decided 
to come to America, and took passage on a 
steamer. Upon reaching New York City ho 
found a position as clerk in a grocery and was 
thus engaged for three years. He soon learned 
the English language and his services became 
valuable to his employer. In the year 1865 he 
volunteered in Company E, Seventh United 
States Cavalry, at the time it was organized to 
go against the Indians and was sent to Ft. Riley, 
under General Custer. Later he was ordered to 
Ft. Hayes and remained there about five months 
engaging in scouting most of the time. At the 
battle of Washila he was wounded in the thigh 
and this laid him up at Ft. Dodge for some time 
From there the company went to Texas and our 
subject was in the fight at Rapohoe with the 
Dog Indians. In that engagement a bullet 
grazed his scalp. 

Later our subject returned to Ft. Dodge and 
from there went to Ft. Hayes, where he remained 
until the treaty was made. Company E, of which 
he was a member, was called the Gray Horse 
Company and was chosen as the escort of Gen- 
eral Hancock. It was later ordered to North and 
South Carolina, where the Klu Klux were caus- 
ing trouble, and remained there about a year. In 
1870, after five years' faithful service, our sub- 
ject was honorably discharged and returned to 
New York. He again began clerking in the 
grocery, but in March, 1871, he came to College 
Point, and was the first to engage in bottling 
beer at this place, where he also manufactured 
the first soda water. He engaged in the retail 
liquor business and also kept a hotel on Thir- 
teenth street until 1887, when he bought his 
present property on Flushing Bay. He handles 
all kinds of mineral water, manufactures seltzer, 
etc., and two teams are constantly on the road. 
Mr. Tewes resides on Flushing Bay and is the 
owner of fifteen or twenty boats. 

Mr. Tewes was married at Greenpoint, Brook- 
lyn, in 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Gregor, a native 
of New York City and the daughter of Charles 
G. and Caroline E. (Globig) Gregor, the former 
of whom was born in Breslau, Germany, but 
who came to America and died in Greenpoint. 
Mrs. Gregor died early in life, leaving two chil- 
dren. Mr. and Mrs. Tewes are the parents of 
seven children, six of whom survive, Charles, 
Herman, Jr., and Henry, in business with their 
father; Frederick, Herminia and Clara. Mr. 



1094 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Tewes is a member of the Knights of Pj'thias 
and is a member of College Point Schuetzen, 
of which he has been captain and in which he 
has made some fine scores. In the cavalry com- 
pany' he M'as one of the best shots. He is one 
of the prominent citizens and successful business 
men of the place and numbers his friends by the 
mvriads. 



EDWIN D. SEABURY. The man who 
wrote that "Music hath power to soothe 
the savage breast" had indeed a true con- 
ception of the human organism. There are few 
people in the world who are not susceptible to 
music and it certainly plays an important part 
in almost every walk of life. Wherever it is nec- 
essary or expedient to incite a concourse of peo- 
ple, or to arouse a degree of enthusiasm, music 
will always prove a powerful agent. Soldiers at 
the sound of stirring melody will rush into the 
heat of battle, utterly oblivious of danger. In 
the softer and more gentle paths of life music 
also plays an important part, and therefore the 
manufacturer of musical instruments and sup- 
plies confers a blessing upon humanity at the 
same time that he is providing for the wants of 
himself and those dear to him. 

This important calling is followed by Edwin 
D. Seabury, who is engaged in the manufacture 
of pianoforte supplies at Rockville Center. He 
was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 4, 1847, '•■'- 
son of Thomas P. and Nancy (McCIain) Seabury. 
the former of whom was born in Sag Harbor. 
N. Y., and followed the trade of a ship builder. 
He was also connected with the Greenpoint fer- 
ries for several years. He died in 1878 respected 
by all : his wife, who was a native of New lersey, 
passed away the same year. 

Our subject graduated from the Brooklyn pub- 
lic schools in 1863, after which he studied for one 
year under a tutor for the purpose of fitting him- 
self for college, but instead began learning the 
pianoforte action business with Jesse J. Davis 
in Sixth Street, New York City. After serving a 
five-years' apprenticeship and thoroughly learn- 
ing the business, he entered the employ of a 
nephew of Mr. Davis, who was conducting a like 
enterprise, and remained with him until embark- 
ing in Ijusiness for himself in New York City, in 
First Avenue, in 1876. In 1878 he removed his 
business to Whitestone, L. I., but in 1882 re- 
turned to Xew York and established himself in 



business at No. 348 East Twenty-third Street, 
removing in 1889 to No. 362 Second Avenue, 
where he conducted a successful business until 
1891. In that year he built his present factory, 
in v\'hich he Is carrying on a very remunerative 
business, as could hardly be otherwise, for his 
work is in every particular strictly first-class and 
at all times to be relied upon. Twenty men are 
employed the year round and the supplies turned 
out by this establishment are used in all parts 
of the United States. 

In 1868 Air. Seabury was married to Miss Nel- 
lie E., daughter of Simeon Crooker, of Port 
Washington. Six children have blessed this 
union: Edwin D., Jr., Lillian I., Laura B., Ern- 
est C, Herbert Raymond and Harry W. The 
eldest son is married, as is also Lillian I., who is 
the wife of William Van Dusen, of Rockville 
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Seabur\' are members of 
St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
Mr. Seabury is assistant superintendent of the 
Sunday-school and secretary of the official board. 
Fraternally he is a member of Morton Lodge 
No. 63, F. & A. M., in which he has attained the 
Royal Arch degree; also belongs to Roclc\nlle 
Center Lodge No. 279, I. O. O. F., and is dis- 
trict deputy grand master of Queens District No. 
3. He is politically a Republican and his first 
presidential vote was cast for Gen. U. S. Grant. 
He has never been an official aspirant, but is at 
present serving as one of the trustees of Rock- 
ville Center and is secretary of the board of w^ter 
commissioners. He has always been decidedlv 
public-spirited and he and his family have always 
moved in the best social and business circles. 



PETER WILSON, foreman in charge of the 
works of the Flushing Gas Light Com- 
pany, was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 
Northumberland, England, November 6, 1853. 
His father, George P., who was a native of St. 
Andrews, Scotland, removed to England and was 
employed as a bookkeeper in Northumberland. 
In 1856 he brought his family to America and 
settled at Greenpoint, where he has since resided, 
being employed as foreman with the Methodist 
Book Concern of New York. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Jane Ennis, was born in 
Scotland and died in young womanhood. Of 
their four children, a son and daughter survive. 
When three years of age our subject was 
Ijrought to America bv his father. His child- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lOQS 



hood clays were passed in Greenpoint, his educa- 
tion being obtained in the grammar schools of 
Brooklyn. At the age of sixteen he secured em- 
ployment in a box shop, later learned the trade 
of a steam fitter and afterward took a position 
as fitter with the Continental Iron Works of 
Brooklyn. Afterward for two years he was out- 
side foreman for the Martin Iron Works, having 
charge of gas construction in various parts of the 
city. In October, 1890, he came to Flushing to 
take charge of the Flushing Gas Light Works, 
in which responsible position he has rendered 
efiiective service. He is a practical man of busi- 
ness, well informed in his special line, and 
through his experience, covering a period of 
twenty-two years, in gas construction and the 
erection of gas works, has gained a breadth of 
information that makes his opinion valuable. The 
capacity of the works here has been increased 
to one hundred and ten thousand cubic feet. Since 
coming here he has laid about seven miles of 
pipe and has had a number ol important con- 
tracts. 

In Brooklyn Mr. Wilson married Miss Eliza 
A. Codner, who was born in Chicago, III, of 
English parentage. They are the parents of three 
children: George Adams, Susan Eleanor and 
Robert Ennis. In rehgious views Mr. Wilson 
is connected with the Congregational Church. 
He is a member of the American Legion of Hon- 
or and the American Gas Engineers' Associa- 
tion. Taking an interest in public affairs, he has 
served for two terms as inspector of election and 
has held other local positions. 



JOHN T. WOODRUFF, of Long Island 
City, is a general contractor, and under his 
able supervision many of the finest build- 
ings and residences in this city and throughout 
Queens and Kings Counties have been erected. 
He has been remarkably successful in this line 
and is recognized as one of the most able con- 
tractors and builders who make their home or. 
the island. 

Mr. Woodrufif is a native of New Jersey and 
was born in Elizabeth in 1858. His father, Ith- 
amer B. Woodruff, was also a native of that 
place, while his grandfather, John T. Woodruff, 
likewise claimed New Jersey as his birthplace. 
The latter was a farmer, and by tilling the soil 
became well-to-do. The father of our subject, 
however, was -a carpenter, which business he was 



following at the time Ft. Sumter was fired upon. 
He enlisted his services in defense of the Union, 
joining a New Jersey regiment, and served faith- 
fully and well during several years of the Civil 
War. In the meantime his family removed to 
Long Island City, where he joined them on his 
discharge from the service. He then built a fac- 
tory on the site now occupied by the Long Island 
City Savings Bank and began the manufactun: 
of sash, doors and blinds, being the pioneer in 
this line in the city. ' He was very capable and a 
good business man, but by overwork in building 
up a good trade broke down his health and died 
when only twenty-seven years of age. 

Our subject's mother, formerly Annie Keron, 
was also a native of Elizabeth, N. J., and was the 
daug''hter of John Keron, a harnessmaker by 
trade. She devoted herself to training her chil- 
dren to occupy useful positions in life and when 
they were old enough to care for themselves she 
married W. H. Bowron; she still makes her home 
in this city. Our subject has one sister, Edith 
L., who is now Mrs. Towers, of Miles City, Mont. 

The subject of this sketch was two years of 
age when his mother came to this city, and as 
soon as old enough to go to school carried on 
his studies until attaining his thirteenth year. 
His stepfather had a milk route in New York 
and young Woodruff assisted him in this busi- 
ness for two years, when he apprenticed himself 
to his uncle, John B. Woodruff, who was a ma- 
son and contractor. As rapidly as possible he 
learned all the details of the business and when 
his uncle retired he succeeded him. Previous to 
1886, when he began general contracting for 
himself, he had been superintendent and fore- 
man for his uncle for a number of years. 

Mr. Woodruff is perhaps one of the best known 
■contractors on the island, as under his supervis- 
ion many of the prominent large public build- 
ings of Brooklyn and Long Island City have 
been built. He erected Pratt's Institute, the li- 
brary building, German Hospital, Chelsea Jute 
Mills, three schoolhouses and two churches, and 
the depot of the Long Island Railroad Company 
in Brooklyn, also the depot in this city. In Long 
Island City he erected St. Mary's Catholic Church 
and parsonage, the Long Island City Savings 
Bank, the Gauld, H. S. Kearney, Gray, Anable 
and Kelley flats, and indeed nearly all the large 
and well-constructed buildings of the city. His 
office is at No. 69 Third Street, although he 
makes his home in Flushing, having erected a 



1096 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



handsome residence for his family on Broadway 
and Percy Street in 1894. Flushing is one ot 
the ideal spots on Long Island, and for the most 
part is inhabited' by New York business men, 
who have built elegant homes there. 

Mr. Woodruff is trustee of the Long Island 
City Savings Bank and is regarded by all who 
know him as a shrewd business man and one of 
the most reliable and substantial citizens of thib 
section. He was married in this city in 1880 to 
Miss Mary McFayden, a native of Long Island 
City, and an accomplished lady, who moves in 
the best circles of society in Flushing. The life 
of our subject is one of the best exemplifTcations 
of one who commenced as a poor boy and by 
industry, ability and perseverance has achieved 
the position of a well-to-do and respected citizen. 



JACOB F. HAUBEIL. We strive for the 
acquisition of wealth or position, and if one 
is possessed of the first and has native abil- 
ity and ambition, the second falls to him as his 
natural heritage. In the acquirement of wealth 
fortune smiles on those alone who are watching 
for the opportunity she offers, and Jacob F. Hau- 
beil, who is a successful hotel man, has shown 
himself to be a wide-awake, systematic and much 
esteemed business man. He is the popular pro- 
prietor of the Fountain House and carries on 
the same with satisfactory results. Mr. Haubeil 
first saw the light in New York City in 1855, 
but was reared in College Point and there edu- 
cated. His father, Charles Haubeil, was born on 
the Rhine River, Germany, and after reaching 
manhood crossed the ocean to America. He 
here married Miss Wilhelmina Young, a native 
of Germany, and afterwards engaged in the hotel 
business, building the Washington Hotel at Col- 
lege Point in 1855. This he cond.ucted most suc- 
cessfully the remainder of his days, a period of 
about thirty years. He was one of the oldest 
hotel and livery men in his section. In politics 
he was a Democrat. Mrs. Haubeil died at Col- 
lege Point in 1868. The seven children born to 
this marriage are all living, but scattered. Two 
of the four sons, Charles and Martin, were sol- 
diers in the Civil War. 

Jacob F. Flaubeil, fifth in order of birth of the 
above children, learned the trade of brass fin- 
isher during his youth and followed this for about 
fifteen years. After this he took charge of his 
father's livery business, which he conducted at 



College Point until 1892. Selling out then he 
purchased the Fountain Hotel, which is one of 
the oldest in the county, having been built one 
hundred years. Our subject was married in 
Flushing to Miss Mary F. Forsyth, a native of 
Scotland. Mr. Haubeil has been quite active in 
politics, being a strong supporter of FJemocratic 
principles, and was elected by his party to the 
position of overseer of the poor of the town of 
Flushing. That position he held three terms of 
two years each, leading the ticket in the last al- 
most unanimous election. In 1892 he was a can- 
didate for the nomination of superintendent of 
poor of Queens County, but lost it by one vote. 
Mr. Haubeil is president of the Liquor Deal- 
ers' Association of Flushing and was an organ- 
izer of the same. He was also an organizer of the 
one at Whitestone. He is a member of Anchor 
Lodge No. 729, F. & A. M., at College Point, and 
of Oaks Lodge, K. of P., in Flushing, Red Men, 
and a member of the Ancient Order United 
Workmen. He belongs to the boat club and fish- 
ing club here, and is a pushing, energetic voung 
man. 



WILLIAM COLLINS, proprietor of 
Williamsburg Hotel, at Oceanus, 
Rockaway Beach, was born in Ireland 
May 3, 1844, and coming to the United States at 
the age of thirteen years, was for a time in the 
employ of oyster farmers and dealers in New 
York and Brooklyn. Later he was engaged in 
business for himself and built up a large trade, 
also established a wide acquaintance among the 
people of Queens County. From the oyster trade 
he turned his attention to the hotel business, and 
in 1882 established his home in Oceanus. where 
he has since resided. While in the main he has 
been prosperous, yet he has experienced his share 
of adversity, one of the most serious catastrophes 
that ever befell him being the burning of his 
hotel. He was then in Washington, and returned 
to find ever}^?hing in ashes, but with the energv 
that has been one of his characteristics, he at 
once set to work again and soon had the original 
structure replaced by a new and substantial build- 
ing. 

By his marriage to Bridget Murphy Air. Col- 
lins had fifteen children, of whom the nine named 
are living: Mary, who is married and lives in 
Rockaway Beach; Martin, who is employed in 
New York City; Lawrence, Annie; Sarah. Cath- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



logj 



arine, Richard, Julia and Edwin, who are stu- 
dents in the home schools. Having had no edu- 
cational advantages himself, our subject is espe- 
cially desirous that his children shall be given 
the best opportunities possible in order that they 
may be the better prepared for positions of use- 
fulness in the world. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat, interested in public affairs and a firm adher- 
ent of the principles of his chosen party. So- 
cially he is connected with the American Legion 
of Honor, the Foresters and the Ancient Order 
of Hibernians. In the matter of securing fire pro- 
tection and building up a first-class fire depart- 
ment, he has rendered excellent service, being a 
charter member of the department and one of its 
trustees for seven years. He is a member of 
Seaside Hose Company No. i ; was also trustee 
of the first engine company and its first foreman. 
His hotel is situated in Remsen (commonly called 
Seaside) Avenue, and is one of the popular re- 
sorts of the region. 



GEORGE A. L'HOMMEDIEU. There 
is no class of business men who more 
surely rear up visible monuments to their 
industry and their enterprise than the contractors 
and builders of the sighdy structures which be- 
come landmarks both locally and in a historical 
sense. Among those who have for years devoted 
their attention to this line of work is George A. 
L'Hommedieu, who traces his ancestry back to 
the French Huguenots. He was born at Man- 
hasset, L. I., July 8, 1863, a son of J. H. and 
Henrietta H. (Good) L'Hommedieu, to whom a 
good, old-fashioned family of sixteen children 
was born, of whom twelve are living at the 
present time. The father died December 5, 1893, 
at the age of sixty years, after an active and well- 
spent life, having built up a large building busi- 
ness at this place — Great Neck — under the firm 
name of J. H. L'Hom'medieu. 

Upon the death of J. H. L'Hommedieu, his 
son, George A. L'Hommedieu, succeeded to the 
business, and no one is more competent to carry 
on the same. About a year after the death of 
the elder Mr. L'Hommedieu his son organized 
the firm of J. H. L'Hommedieu's Son & Co. by 
associating with himself William E. Schlimgen 
of Chicago and John C. Udall of Great Neck, 
L. I. At the time of this writing the firm em- 
ploys about four hundred and fifty men on dif- 
ferent jobs througthout the state, the most im- 



portant of which is the Loomis Sanitarium at 
Liberty, N. Y., besides other large contracts at 
Westbury, Southampton and Great Neck. The 
firm has every facility, having its own yards and 
wo'od-working mill at Great Neck, where wood- 
work of every description is prepared and sent 
to the different jo'bs ready to be set up. Mr. 
L'Hommedieu received a good public school ed- 
ucation, is an intelligent young man, and a genial 
and agreeable companion, and as a business 
man possesses far more than ordinary ability. 



ISAAC SHERWOOD, residing on the east 
side of Manhasset Bay, was born in Clifif 
Street, New York City, December 14, 1821, 
to Isaac and Elizabeth (McCartee) Sherwood, the 
former a native of Maryland and of English de- 
scent, the latter born in New York City of Scotch 
ancestry. His first engagement in business was 
as clerk for his father, who was a tanner and 
currier. Later he was engaged in the leather 
business in "the Swamp," and for a year or two 
is an importing and commission house, after 
which for many years he was a dealer in hides 
in New York City. 

May 22, 184s, Mr. Sherwood married Miss 
Martha P. Rogers, who was born in Jericho, L. I., 
but at the time of her marriage resided in New 
York City. She was the daughter of Dr. Morris 
M. and Sarah (Willets) Rogers, and had two 
brothers, Charles W. and Dr. A. W. Rogers, the 
latter now deceased. In April, 1853, after hav- 
ing resided for eight years in Brooklyn, Mr. 
Sherwood came to Queens County and bought a 
small farm, which he has since improved and 
tjpon which he resides, though he still continued 
his business in New York until 1862. 

The only child of Mr. Sherwood, Morris Rog- 
ers, was born in New York City March 31, 1846, 
and received a common-school education. At 
Mineola, Queens County, May 24, 1871, he mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Cromwell Willets, daughter ot 
Isaac U. and Mary (Cromwell) Willets. For six 
years he was engaged in the express business in 
New York, and since coming to Manhasset has 
been engaged in farming. He has two children, 
of whoin the son, Charles W., was born on the 
homestead on Manhasset Bay May 5, 1872, re- 
ceived a good education, and is now in business 
in New York; the daughter, Mary M., who was 
also born on the home farm October 6, 1873, ^'^^^ 
married November 20, 1894, to Charles Oakley 



1098 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Conklin. of Lakeville, and they have one child, 
Edwin Willets, who was born at Bridgehampton, 
Suffolk County, in August, 1895. The wife of 
Morris R. died at Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, 
March 16, 1891. 

Though our subject's early inclinations were 
Democratic, yet in voting for James Buchanan 
in 1856 he cast his last Democratic ballot, and 
since then he has supported Republican prin- 
ciples. He was elected justice of the peace, but 
declined to serve, having no desire to hold office. 
His son is also a Republican, and cast his first 
ballot for General Grant in 1868. At a very 
earl>- age our subject became identified with the 
Society of Friends in New York, and now attends 
the Westbury monthly meetings. For twelve 
years or more he has been a speaker in the 
church. While in Brooklyn he became a mem- 
ber of the fire department and was thus relieved 
from serving on petit juries, but he has served 
on the grand jury. His son is a member of Nor- 
ton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., at Hempstead, 
which he joined in 1894. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Henry and Elizabeth (Harwood) Sherwood, na- 
tives of Talbot County, Md. His great-grand- 
parents were Henry and Mary (Williams) Sher- 
wood, of Talbot County, Md. His great-great- 
grandfather, Henry Sherwood, was probably 
among, if not the first of the name who crossed 
the ocean from England and made settlement in 
this county. Our subject's father, Isaac, was 
born February 7, 1779, and was married in the 
Murray Street Church, New York City, July 21, 
1808, Dr. John Mason officiating, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Peter and Mary (McDowell) Mc- 
Cartee. The family name of McCartee was orig- 
inally McEachin or McEachan, but so many 
mistakes were made in spelling and pronuncia- 
tion that it was changed to its present form about 
1790. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (McCartee) Sherwood, wife of 
Isaac and mother of our subject, had two broth- 
ers and four sisters, namely: Peter, who died 
unmarried in 1831; Rev. Robert iMcCartee, who 
married Jessie, daughter of Divie and Joanna 
Bethune, June 19, 1817, and died March 12, 1865, 
leaving ten children, Isabella G., Divie B., jNIary 
M., Margaretta B., Jessie B., Peter M., Robert, 
George B.. John M. and Charles M.; two of the 
sisters died in infancy, and Catharine January iS, 
1831, aged tliirt}'-eight; Margaret married David 
Beyson in February, 1819, and died April 11, 



1825, aged forty years; David died November 15, 
1845, leaving four children, Sibella B., Peter Mc- 
Cartee, Andrew and Margaretta M. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Sherwood was born at No. 12 
Jacob Street, New York City, April 2, 1787, in 
the same house where her father was born, and 
where her grandfather and grandmother died. 
Of her eleven children, eight grew to mature 
years, four were married, three having children. 
The oldest, Mary M., died single, as did also 
Lydia C. Henry married Abbie Davis and had 
five children; he lives at Tipton, Cedar County, 
Iowa, and his children were named as follows: 
Elizabeth, who married Stephen E. Dearborn 
November 25, 1869; Emma Augusta, who mar- 
ried Ralph H. Kirk January 15, 1873, now de- 
ceased; Annie, who married John Ross Welch 
October 26, 1871; Henry, born April 12, 1854; 
and Walter, born January 8, 1873, married 
Blanche Scott July 20, 1893. Elizabeth became 
the wife of Andrew Coffin and died in California, 
leaving two children. Isaac S. is engaged in busi- 
ness in New York City. Elizabeth R. lives in 
Brooklyn. Peter M. died, leaving no children. 

The maternal great-great-grandfather of our 
subject, Angus McEachin, was born in the Isle 
of Islay, a small island on the southwest coast of 
Scotland, and married Elizabeth Gillis, by whom 
he had four sons, Finley, Neil, Duncan and Peter. 
Coming to America, he settled at No. 12 Jacob 
Street, New York City. Our subject's great- 
grandfather, Finley McEachin, was born there 
and married Elizabeth, daughter of Duncan Tay- 
lor, of Scotland, and a native of Rockland Coun- 
ty, N. Y. Their son, Peter, married Mary Islc- 
Dowell, and their daughter, Elizabeth, became 
our subject's mother. The family is well estab- 
lished and honored, and has given to the world 
many men of prominence in business and the 
professions. 



C 



HARLES A. WILLETS. JR. Nothing 
is more true than that good management, 
fair dealing and application to business 
will result in profit to the parties at interest. 
Failure rarely if ever comes unless as the se- 
quence of negligence, rash speculation or dishon- 
esty. Even in a village as large as Flushing it 
does not take long for a man with exceptional 
ability to become foremost in whatever he un- 
dertakes, and thus it has been with Air. ^^"illets, 
who is one of the foremost business men of the 



.^\ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1099 



place. He no doubt inhei-its much of his push, 
perseverance and integrity from his most esti- 
mable father, whose career as a business man is 
without a blemish. Our subject is at present 
manager of the Flushing Gas Light Company 
and he is a director in the Flushing Bank. Ah 
his interests are centered here, where he is well 
known and hig-hly respected. 

Our subject is a native ot Flushing, and in 
this place he secured a good practical education. 
He graduated from Packers Business College, 
and in about 1876 became a member of the firm of 
George B. Roe & Co., and soon after superin- 
tendent and manager of the Flushing Gas Light 
Company. This business was started in 1854, on 
a small scale, but it has since grown to large pro- 
portions. They manufacture from coal and the 
plant has a capacity of two hundred and fifty 
thousand cubic feet per day. The coal is shipped 
in by the boat load. Mr. Willets is a director in 
the Flushing Bank, having been connected with 
the same previous to its reorganization in 1892. 

Mr. Willets selected his wife in the person of 
Miss Eliza L. Willets, daughter of ex-Supervisor 
Thomas S. Willets (see sketch). She is a native 
of Flushing and a most entertaining and intelli- 
S-ent woman. Three children have blessed this 
union and their names are as follows: Morns 
L., Eliza L. and Chester A. Mr. Willets is a 
member of several of the social orders and clubs 
in the village. Socially he stands as high as he 
does in the world of commerce, and among his 
friends are numbered those citizens whose live^ 
have been characterized by strict integrity and 
honorable dealing with their fellow-men. Politi- 
cally in state and national affairs he is a sup- 
porter of the Republican party. 



WH. BO'WRON. The life narrative 
of the head of a family is interesting, 
• not only to his posterity, but also 
to the citizens of the section in which he has 
resided, and this truth is doubly true when such 
a man has established for himself and his children 
a reputation for integrity, character and ability, 
and has been of value in the development of his 
portion of the country. Such a narrative do we 
have in the sketch of W. H. Bowron, whose active 
life has ceased on earth, but whose influence is 
felt, and will continue to be, among all who knew 
him. He was one of the old settlers here, a 
most pleasant, affable and courteous gentleman, 
45 



and a most successful and popular business man. 
Mr. Bowron was born in September, 1824, in 
New York City, where his father, Watson Bow- 
ron, had settled when he came from England, 
his native country. Later the father located in 
East New York and followed the dairy business 
at a place named for him, Bowronville, where he 
remained for some time. After that he followed 
dairying at different points, but finally settled at 
Brooklyn, where he passed the remainder of his 
days, dying when sixty-eight years old. He had 
married Miss Maria Field, a native of New York, 
of old Knickerbocker stock, who was of Quaker 
parentage. She is a highly educated woman and 
resides in Brooklyn with her son. Dr. Bowron. 
Although ninety years old, she is enjoying unu- 
sually good health. Her four children, two 
daughters and two sons, are all living but one. 

W. H. Bowron, the eldest of this little family, 
received his early edticational training in Flush- 
ing and Tarrytown and later attended the schools 
of New York City. When a young man he 
located in Long Island City, and about 1855 em- 
barked in the milk business, having five routes in 
New York and one in Long Island City. After 
being burned out, he engaged in the produce 
business at the corner of Third Street and Jack- 
son Avenue, and later, about 1874, he started in 
the express business, which proved a profitable 
one. His death occurred in August, 1892, when 
sixty-eight years old. He was a very public 
spirited and enterprising citizen, and was a mem- 
ber of the Board of Water Commissioners for 
some time. He, with Judge Pierce and Alton 
Raith, was the originator of the water works of 
Long Island City. 

In New York City in 1866 our subject mar- 
ried Annie, the daughter of Edward Keron, who 
was a native of Dublin, Ireland. Her birth oc- 
curred in Elizabeth, N. J. Her grandfather, 
John Keron, was also a native of the Emerald 
Isle, and there passed his entire life. Mrs. 
Bowron's mother, formerly Miss Mary Slater, 
was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and daughter 
of John Slater. She came to America with 
her father, who was a baker, and here was 
married to Mr. Keron. She died of cholera. 
Their children were four in number, as follows: 
Thomas, a business man of Elizabeth, N. 
J.; Elizabeth, deceased; John, who was chief 
of police of Elizabeth for some time and is now in 
the livery business there, and Mrs. Bowron, who 
was the youngest of the family. 



IIOO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1856 Mrs. Bowron was married to Ithamer 
B. Woodruff, an extensive farmer near Elizabeth, 
N. J. Later he entered actively upon the 
manufacture of sash and blinds, and in i860 
came to Long Island City, where he and his 
brother erected a sash and blind factory. Here 
his death occurred in 1864. To this marriage 
were born three children, viz.: John T., whose 
sketch will be found elsewhere in this work; 
Edith, Mrs. T- S. Towers of Montana; and Annie, 
who died young. Her union with Mr. Bowron 
resulted in the birth of four children: Watson, 
who is in the United States Express office in 
New York City; Josephine M., Mrs. F. D. Ed- 
munds of Long Island City; William H., also of 
Long Island City, and Frederick F., a plumber 
here. After the death of her husband Mrs. Bow- 
ron carried on the express business with the help 
of her sons until 1894, when she sold out. She 
owns a pleasant and comfortable home here and 
is active in all good work. She is a member of 
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and 
of all the societies of the Episcopal Church, of 
which she is a member. 



WILLIAM THOMAS, deceased, was 
for many years a prominent manu- 
facturer and influential business man 
■of Hunter's Point. He was born in Wales, where 
he received his education, and on coming to 
America, when a young man, located in New 
York City, there learning the trade of a carpen- 
ter. After becoming an expert workman he re- 
moved to Cazenovia, N. Y., where he plied his 
trade very successfully for a number of years. 

In 1870 our subject made his way to Long 
Island City and shortly thereafter formed a part- 
nership with one of its old-time residents, H. M. 
Thomas. After continuing together for a num- 
ber of years the connection was dissolved and 
our subject established a box factory, carrying- 
on business under the firm name of Thomas & 
Weed. They erected a building in Vernon Ave- 
nue, near Flushing Street, and were rapidly build- 
ing up a prosperous business when their plant 
was destroyed by fire in 1874. Mr. Thomas was 
the owner of the ground on which the building 
had stood and he immediately set about the erec- 
tion of a large brick hotel. He did not live long- 
enough to see this finished and in running order, 
for he died that same winter, when past his thirty- 
ninth vear. 



In politics Mr. Thomas was an influential Re- 
publican, although never using his influence for 
securing office, as his private affairs consumed 
all of his time and thought. He was an active 
member of the Congregational Church and a man 
of much more than ordinary ability and learning. 
Socially he belonged to the Island City Masonic 
Lodge and was buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery 
with the honors of that order. 

The marriage of Mr. Thomas with Miss Jane 
Jones was celebrated in this city in 1872. She 
was likewise born in Wales, as was her father, 
Hugh Jones, a farmer of the North of Wales. 
The latter came -with his family to America about 
the. year 1845, ^^id, locating in a good farming 
district in this state, gave his attention to culti- 
vating the soil until his death, when seventv-six 
years of age. He married Elizabeth Rowland, 
a native of Wales, who at the time of her decease 
was residing in Utica, N. Y. To them were born 
seven children, of whom six are now living, and 
of these Mrs. Thomas was the third in order of 
birth. She was reared to womanhood and 
received her education in the city of Utica, but 
after her marriage to Mr. Thomas took up her 
abode in a pleasant home in Hunter's Point, 
Avhere she is still residing. She is a consistent 
member of the Baptist Church and is at all times 
ready to do what she can to further the work 
of the Master in her community. 

Prior to his marriage with Miss Jones our sub- 
ject was the husband of Miss Jane Richards, who 
left three children at the time of her decease. 
They were Richard, now deceased; Hugh, who 
departed this life when eighteen years of age, and 
Ella, who married Capt. Frederick Russell and 
died October 28, 1895, leaving a daughter, Mil- 
dred. 



EDWARD BLEECKER, :M. D., is one of 
the leading physicians and surgeons of 
Whitestone, where he conducts a lucrative 
practice. January 9, 1S44, his birth occurred in 
Albany, his parents being ^^'illiam E. and Eliza- 
beth (Russell) Bleecker. The father, who at one 
time was one of the prominent and substantial 
merchants of that city, subsequently moved to 
New York City, where he resided until his death. 
He was descended from a long line of Dutch an- 
cestry. 

After completing his studies in the Academy of 
Albany, where he was prepared for college, our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



IIOI 



subject entered one of the best institutions at 
Burlington, N. J., where he was a student for sev- 
eral years. While there he determined to lead a 
professional life, and after attending Albany Med- 
ical College one year, he entered the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of New York, from 
which he was graduated in 1865. At first he made 
his home at Adams Center, Jefferson County, this 
state, and the following year, in October, 1866, 
was married to Miss Ellen H. Barton, a native of 
Philadelphia, and the daughter of Lieutenant Bar- 
ton of the United States navy and Anna (Hol- 
lingshead) Barton. The Doctor and his wife have 
four children, Anna, William, Rutger and Ed- 
ward. 

In the year 1868 Dr. Bleecker located at White- 
stone, where he has ever since given his entire 
attention to the practice of his profession. He 
is recognized as a skillful and able physician, and 
as a surgeon he is regarded as among the best 
in the state, having been especially successful in 
treating appendicitis. The Doctor is a member 
of the Queens County Medical Society and is 
president of the board of trustees of Flushing 
Hospital, in which he is also one of the medical 
stafif. Although in i860 he supported Lincoln, 
he is now independent in politics. For many 
years he has been president of the board of village 
trustees and his interest in educational affairs led 
to his being placed on the school board, which 
he has served as president for over twenty years. 
Religiously he is an Episcopalian and is warden 
of his congregation. The Doctor has secured a 
substantial recognition of the genuineness of his 
merits in his professional capacity, and by his con- 
scientious discharge of duty, his skill and abili- 
ties, has won the confidence of the people and 
the respect of all with whom he associates. 



JOHN L. B. NORTON. Having spent almost 
his entire life in the southern part of the tow-n 
of Hempstead, Mr. Norton has gained a large 
acquaintance among the people of this section 
and is one of the most prominent men of Law- 
rence, where he is engaged in the real estate 
business. His property transactions are exten- 
sive, and his deals in buying, selling and specu- 
lating have proved so remunerative to him that 
he is now numbered among the wealthy men of 
the county. 

The father of our subject, Samuel R. B. Norton, 
who was born in New York City and died in 
Far Rockaway at seventy-two years of age, was 



a large property owner of the latter village, where 
he owned considerable valuable land; he mar- 
ried Ann Gipson of New York City, who died at 
the age of seventy-nine. John L., our subject's 
paternal grandfather, was a business man and 
large land owner, who lived at Far Rockaway 
when there were but three houses there, in 1807. 
He owned all the land now comprised in what 
is called Wave Crest, one of the most beautiful 
and valuable properties along the entire coast, 
now covered with elegant residences or summer 
homes of wealthy New York people. In 1830, 
during the great cholera epidemic, he had shan- 
ties along the beach and the dread disease never 
appeared there. 

The wife of John L. Norton was Sarah Frank- 
lin, whose father, Walter Franklin, formerly 
owned the property now known as Franklin 
Square, New York, also Washington's headquar- 
ters in New York and other pieces of property that 
have since become worth millions. The genea- 
logical record shows that this Walter Franklin, 
in company with three other brothers, came to 
New York at a very early period and bought 
large tracts of land, much of which subsequently 
became very valuable and some has been the occa- 
sion of extensive litigation. 

Our subject's great-grandfather was a watch- 
maker in England, whence he came to America 
and acquired large possessions in New York. 
His wife, Martha Burrege, was a niece of John 
Leake, who owned what was called "The Her- 
mitage" in New York. In 1825 Mr. Leake, who 
owned many acres of land on what is now Broad- 
way above Thirty-ninth Street, New York City, 
sold by subscription forty lots at $150 per lot. 
No subscriber could take less than four or more 
than sixteen lots. He was connected with the 
old Trinity Church and was buried under that 
edifice, that being the only vault under the church. 
At his death he left a legacy by which fifty loaves 
of bread are distributed among the poor each 
Sunday. In recognition of his liberality, in 1730 
Trinity Church gave him his choice of pews in 
the building and he selected the third pew from 
the front, which is still owned by his descendants. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
consisted of eight children. He was born in Far 
Rockaway on the i6th of April, 1832, and 
received a limited education in a school two miles 
from home, to which he walked each morning. 
In youth he learned the carpenter's trade. Some 
of the property left him by his father was con- 



1 102 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sidered of little value, and ten acres along the 
beach was sold for $io. A part of the same beach 
has since been sold at the rate of $i,ooo per lot. 

In 1862 Mr. Norton enlisted in Company A, 
First Regiment New York Mounted Rifles, and 
remained in the service nearly three years, being 
stationed most of the time at Norfolk under 
General Butler. About 1864 he was commis- 
sioned first lieutenant of the Thirteenth New York 
Cavalry. Among the battles in which he took 
part were those at Chickatuck, March 17, 1863; 
Blackwater Bridge, March 31; Edenton Road, 
April 15; siege of Suffolk, April 11 to May 4; 
and Scott's Mills, May 17, and in the. last named 
engagement he was wounded in the hip. He was 
honorably discharged March 8, 1864. He be- 
longs to B. F. Middletown Post No. 500, G. A. R., 
and in national politics is a Republican. Socially, 
he is connected with the Odd Fellows and in 
religious belief is an Episcopalian. By his mar- 
riage to Mary I. Northrop of Dutchess County, 
N. Y., he had four children, but Amy Augusta is 
the only one now living. 



RICHARD SCOTT, who has been keeper 
of the Blissville and Newtown Creek 
bridge since 1867, and whose residence 
in Blissville covers a period of forty-two years, is 
a native of Ireland, born in County Armagh, in 
1831. His father, Francis, who was a native of 
the same place, was a farmer by occupation, and 
in religious belief was identified with the Episco- 
pal Church. He died in the county of his birth 
in 1843, when sixty-two years of age. The fam- 
ily of which he was a member originated in 
Scotland, but fled to Ireland during the days of 
persecution in the former country. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the 
maiden narhe of Catherine Clark, was born in 
Ireland, and brought her family to America, 
where she remained until her death in 1864, at the 
age of seventy-five years. Of her eight children, 
four sons and two daughters attained mature 
years, and four are now living. Richard was 
reared in Ireland until fifteen years of age, but 
as the schools of that country were conducted 
on the subscription plan, and as the family were 
poor, his advantages were few, most of the knowl- 
edge he now lias being acquired by self-culture. 

In 1847 l^I'"- Scott left Belfast on the sailing 
vessel "Standard," and after a voyage of eight 
weeks and three days arrived in New. York. The 



ship on which he made the voyage foundered 
when returning to Europe. His first work in 
this country was in the employ of a dairyman 
at Greenpoint, with whom he remained for three 
years. In May, 1852, he came to what is now 
Blissville (then the town of Newtown), where, 
for a few years, he was employed as a teamster 
for a general contractor. Later he was in the 
Queens County Oil Works, then coachman for 
a wealthy gentleman, and afterward with a dis- 
tilling company. In 1867 he was given charge 
of the Blissville and Newtown Creek bridge, be- 
ing appointed to this position by the supervisor 
of the town of Newtown, Charles Covert. His 
efficient service is shown by the fact that he has 
held the position ever since his first appointment. 
In a systematic manner he carries on all his 
work, and superintends his men, so that no 
trouble has ever arisen, and the bridge has al- 
ways been kept in good shape. Since he ac- 
cepted the position in 1867, two bridges have 
been erected, and the present structure is a draw 
bridge of one hundred and sixty-six feet. Dur- 
ing the first two years of his service he was alone, 
but now he has seven men, one gang for davs, 
and the other for nights. Some of the men who 
were first with him have died, and others are 
decrepit, but he continues apparently as sturdy 
and rugged as ever, and, with the exception of 
one sickness, has never been off dutv. 

The residence of Mr. Scott, now at No. 65 
Greenpoint Avenue, was formerly on rhe bank 
of the river, but when the new bridge was erected 
it was removed to make Avay for the abutments 
of the bridge. His first wife, whom he married 
in Blissville, bore the maiden name of Ann 
Rodgers. She was born in Ireland, and died in 
Blissville, having been the mother of three chil- 
dren. One of these died in infancy; another, 
Katie by name, passed away at seventeen years 
of age; and Eliza married James White, of Bliss- 
ville. 

In 1867 Mr. Scott married Bridget Stephens, 
who was born in County Fermanagh. Ireland, a 
daughter of John Stephens, who died in that 
county. The latter, who was a carpenter and 
builder, had seven children, but only three are 
now living, ]\Irs. Scott being second in order of 
birth. She came to America at the age of twenty- 
two vears. Of her nine children, six attained 
years of maturity, and five are living, namely: 
Margaret, a teacher in the Second Ward school; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 103 



Richard, Jr., at home; John, Jennie, and Mary. 
One son, WilHam, died in 1892 at the age of 
twenty-one. Mrs. Scott is a member of St. 
Raphael's Church, but Mr. Scott is a Protestant 
in his rehgious behef. Politically a Democrat, 
he is a member of the Jefferson Club, and an 
ardent admirer of the principles laid down by that 
exponent of Democracy. 



COL. WILLIAM REMSEN TAYLOR, A. 
B., A. M., M. D., a prominent physician 
of Astoria, Long Island City, is perhaps 
the oldest practitioner in the place. He takes an 
active part in the leading medical associations of 
Queens County and the state of New York, keeps 
himself thoroughly posted on all the latest dis- 
coveries and is constantly extending his knowl- 
edge in the line of his profession. Educational 
ideas and affairs in this city have few more en- 
thusiastic supporters than the Doctor. His beau- 
tiful home is located on the corner of Franklin 
and Remsen Streets. 

Since 1864 Dr. Taylor has been engaged in the 
practice of his profession and has been a resident 
of Astoria since September, 1865. He was born 
in Middletown, Monmouth County, N. J., Feb- 
ruary 4, 1840. His father. Dr. Edward, and 
grandfather, Capt. Edward Taylor, were also na- 
tives of that county, as was likewise the great- 
grandfather, who bore the name of George Tay- 
lor. The family originally came from England, 
but for many generations back this branch has 
lived in America. 

Dr. Edward Taylor was a graduate of the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York 
City, and after obtaining his diploma located for 
practice in his home town, where he was one of 
the most able practitioners until the day of 
his death, when eighty-one years of age. He was 
prominently connected with the New Jersey Med- 
ical Society and ranked among the most skillful 
physicians of his day and locality. His wife, prior 
to her marriage, was Catherine Louise Foreman, 
a native of Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., 
where her father, Tunis Foreman, was a substan- 
tial farmer and large landowner. During- the 
progress of the Revolutionary War he served as 
a soldier in the ranks. Mrs. Taylor's mother was 
the daughter of William and Agnes Remsen, the 
former for many years one of the prominent mer- 
chants of New York City. Later he removed to 
Freehold. The mother of our subject departed 
this life in 1889, at the age of eighty-one years. 



With her husband, she was a member of the Re- 
formed Church in Middletown, and a most worthy 
and consistent Christian woman. Dr. Edward 
Taylor was a true blue Republican after the or- 
ganization of that party. 

The parental household included five sons and 
two datighters, of whom six are now living. The 
eldest of the household, Edward F., is engaged 
in the practice of medicine in Middletown, having 
succeeded his father. During the late war he 
volunteered his services in defense of the Union, 
becoming a member of the First New Jersey In- 
fantry, and for three months was surgeon of a 
regiment. At the first battle of Bull Run he was 
taken prisoner and was confined in Libby Prison 
until exchanged. Afterward he became brigade 
surgeon and surgeon-in-chief of the Sixth Corps, 
General Sedgwick's staff. 

William R., the fifth in order of birth in his 
parents' family, was reared in his native town, 
where he was prepared for college. In Septem- 
ber, 1856, he became a student at Rutgers Col- 
lege, in New Brunswick, N. J., and after taking 
a course of four years was graduated with the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later 
the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon 
him. 

After finishing his collegiate education William 
R. Taylor began the study of medicine in the 
office of his father and older brother, and in the 
fall of 1861 entered the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of New York City. He was very soon 
thereafter compelled to abandon his studies on 
account of the outbreak of the Civil War, and in 
September, 1862, he enlisted, becoming a mem- 
ber of Company D, Twenty-ninth New Jersey 
Infantry, which he organized at Middletown. Of 
this he was unanimously chosen captain and was 
placed in camp at Vredenburgh. The fall follow- 
ing, however, he was made lieutenant-colonel of 
his regiment by Governor Olden, holding this 
responsible position when a 3'oung man of only 
twenty-two years. He was then ordered to Wash- 
ington, D. C, arriving there September 28, 1862, 
and encamped with his men on a site just east of 
Capitol Hill. From there they were sent to Ten- 
nallytown, remaining there until about the nth 
of December. Their next move took them into 
Maryland, whence they afterward crossed Aquia 
Creek into Virginia and were ordered to guard 
the railroads running from Aquia Creek to Fal- 
mouth. 

Just prior to the battle of Fredericksburg 



II04 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor and five companies of 
his regiment were placed on provost duty at that 
place under General Patrick, remaining there 
until the city was evacuated. They were the last 
to leave, and barely escaped capture by the troops 
of the enemy. From Fredericksburg they went 
back to guard the railroad, thence went to Belle 
Plaine, where his regiment was made a part of 
the First Brigade, First Division and First Army 
Corps under General Paul; Division Commander 
General Wadsworth, and Corps Commander 
General Reynolds. The following January W. R. 
Taylor was commissioned by Governor Parker 
of New Jersey as colonel of the regiment. The 
next spring he and his command took part 
in the battle of Chancellorsville, crossing the river 
five miles below Fredericksburg, and after two 
days recrossed the river and marched to the ex- 
treme right of the army, a distance of about twenty 
miles. The)' remained stationed there until the 
whole army was ordered to fall back to their 
former quarters. In June a forward march was 
ordered to intercept Lee's approach towards 
Gettysburg, but before reaching that place our 
subject, with his regiment, received his honorable 
discharge, his enlistment of nine months having 
expired, and in July, 1863, he was mustered out 
at Freehold, N. J. 

On the establishment of peace Colonel Taylor 
returned home and took up his studies, this time 
as a student in Bellevue Medical College. After 
a year spent in that institution he entered Long- 
Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, from which 
he was graduated in June, 1864, as Doctor of 
Medicine. .Subsequently he located for practice 
in Philadelphia, Pa., but in September, 1865, he 
came to Astoria, Long Island City, which has 
been his home ever since. His ability and skill 
as a physician rapidly spread and it was not long 
before he was in command of a lucrative practice, 
which has increased from year to year until the 
Doctor now commands the largest patronage of 
any physician in the county. Through his influ- 
ence was established the Astoria Hospital, of 
which lie has been the visiting physician since its 
completion. 

Dr. Taylor was married in this place to Miss 
Mary L. Blackwell, a native of Astoria. Her 
father, Robert M. Blackwell, was for many years 
a commission merchant in New York City, al- 
though he made his home in Astoria. Her mother 
was Eliza (Payntar) Blackwell, also a native of 
this locality. To the Doctor and his wife there 



were born seven children, namely: Eliza Black- 
well, now Mrs. Dickinson, of Astoria; Agnes 
Remsen, at home ; William Remsen, Jr., engaged 
in the insurance business in New York City; 
Ernest Hagemeyer, a commission merchant of 
New York; Lloyd Blackwell; and two children 
who died young. 

For one term the Doctor served as a member of 
the board of health of Long Island City and for 
the same length of time was police surgeon. Like 
his father before him, he is a stanch Republican 
in politics and takes great interest in the success 
of his party. He is president of the Long Island 
City Medical Society, of which he was one of the 
organizers, and is also connected with the JNIedical 
Society of Queens County. He is a prominent 
Grand Army man, belonging to Benjamin Ring- 
old Post of this city, and every year he attends 
the meetings of the Veteran Association of the 
Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteers, of which 
he is one of the old time members. The Doctor 
is a Mason of high standing and is connected with 
Advance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M., of which 
he is past master. He likewise belongs to John 
Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., of which he is 
examining surgeon, and of Sunswick Council of 
the Roval Arcanum. 



THOMAS L. WOOD, who was formerly- 
the popular and obliging cashier of the 
Woodhaven Bank, is now treasurer and 
manager of the Carbondale Fuel Company at 
Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on Staten Is- 
land October 20, 1854. When a lad of thirteen 
years his parents sent him abroad to be educated, 
and in addition to other studies he was educated 
in both the French and Gei-man languages in 
Switzerland. He remained in Europe for three 
years, and upon his return home entered the 
office of the Equitable Life Assurance Associa- 
tion of New York. 

Some time thereafter our subject went west to 
Colorado in company with an older brother, B. 
Frank Wood, now editor of the "Jamaica Stand- 
ard." Thomas L. remained in the West for thir- 
teen years, during which time he was engaged 
in mining. For seven years of that time he was 
superintendent of mining companies in which 
he was interested. He returned to New York in 
1885 and entered the business house of Auchin- 
closs Brothers, manufacturer's agents for J. & P. 
Coats, spool cotton, where he continued as book- 
keeper until 1891, when, upon the organization 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 105 



of the Woodhaven Bank, he was chosen its cash- 
ier. In this place he was a rehable and conserva- 
tive business man and it was largely due to his 
influence and labors that the bank is now one of 
the solid institutions of the kind on Long Island. 

Mr. Wood was married in 1883 to Miss Wil- 
helmina Brenner, a native of Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, who came to America with her parents in 
the year 1871. Her father, William Brenner, was 
for many years a business man of Brooklyn. Six 
children have been born to our subject and his 
wife, who bear the respective names of Ernest, 
Rufus, Edwin, Wilma, Raymond and Roswell. 
Mr. Wood was one of the most prominent of the 
citizens here who established and have since sus- 
tained a free reading room for those who are 
not able to have the best magazines and books 
in their homes. In religious affairs he is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church. 

Fraternally Mr. Wood is a member of the 
Royal Arcanum, with which order he has been 
connected for some time. While he is an advo- 
cate of Republican principles, he is also inde- 
pendent in his views, and in local affairs votes for 
the man, regardless of party lines. While living 
in this village Mr. Wood 'occupied one of the 
finest houses here, it being located in Woodhaven 
Park. Should the readers of this volume wish to 
find a complete history of the family, we refer 
them to the sketch of B. Frank Wood, which 
appears on another page. 



LOUIS MULCT, M. D. The profession of 
the physician and surgeon is one that has 
drawn to it at all periods of its history the 
brightest and most upright of men, and prom- 
inent in this respect is Dr. Louis Mulot, whose 
cheerful confidence in the sick-room is often as 
potent as his medicines, and he is at all times a 
student in his profession, ever grasping after new 
truths in science. He keeps himself thoroughly 
posted in his profession, his diagnoses being al- 
most instantaneous and very seldom incorrect. 
Since the year 1872 he has been practicing in 
Long Island City and is one of the oldest and 
most successful physicians here. The Doctor was 
born in Germany May 18, 1820, and comes of old 
French Huguenot stock, his ancestors being 
obliged to leave France on account of religious 
persecutions. 

The parents of our subject, Ettigen George 



and Elizabeth (Bouchat) Mulot, were natives of 
Germany and of prominent Huguenot families 
there. The former followed the hatter's trade, 
and both he and his wife were members of the 
Lutheran Church. Mrs. Mulot's father, Jean 
Bouchat, was a French Huguenot, and for many 
years followed the hatter's trade. During the 
latter part of their lives Mr. and Mrs. Mulot came 
to America, made their homes with our subject, 
and both died in New York City when seventy- 
six years old. 

Our subject, the only child of his parents, was 
reared in Rodenburg, Germany, received his pri- 
mary education in the schools of that city, and 
when sixteen years old entered the University 
of Marburg, where he completed the classical 
course. Following that he entered the medical 
department of that institution and was in his 
senior year when the revolution of 1848 occurred. 
Rather than be subject to military duty he left his 
studies and crossed the ocean to New York City, 
where he landed in June of that year. He imme- 
diately entered the medical department of the 
University of New York City and graduated with 
the degree of M. D. in 1852. Afterward he con- 
tinued to practice his profession in the Empire 
City, on the east side of St. Mark's Place, until 
1872, when he located in Long Island City, at 
No. 8 North Henry Street. 

In 187s, when Mrs. Ottendorfur started her 
Isabella Home for Old Ladies, Dr. Mulot was 
made the house physician and continued as such 
until 1889, when he removed this institution to 
New York City. Since his residence here the 
Doctor has been engaged in the general practice 
of his profession and has met with more than 
ordinary success, having built up an extensive 
practice. He was a member of the New York 
Medico-Legal Society, and for one term was 
health officer of Long Island City. Socially he is 
a member of the Germania Lodge No. 182, K. 
T., of New York City, and is a charter member of 
Enterprise Lodge No. 769, K. P., Astoria. He 
is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church at 
Astoria, and in politics is an ardent supporter of 
Democratic principles 

Dr. Mulot was married in New York City in 
1864 to Miss Martha Hortmeyer, born near Stutt- 
gart, Germany, and the daughter of John W. B. 
Hortmeyer, who was a business man of New 
York and who came of a wealthy German fam- 
ily. He died in Brooklyn when eighty-six years 
old. To Dr. and Mrs. Mulot have been born 



iio6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two children, Emil I., a druggist in Tama City, 
Iowa, and Otto Louis, a graduate of the medical 
department of the University of New York and 
now a prominent practitioner of Long Island 
City. 



ISAAC HICKS, of the firm of Isaac Hicks & 
Son, nurserymen of Westbury, L. I., is one 
of the pioneers in that line of business in 
Queens County, having been engaged in it for 
almost forty years. In the year 1838 he pur- 
chased one hundred and twenty acres of land, 
which he has since converted into one of the 
best improved and most valuable farms to be 
found. All the buildings, including the spacious 
and comfortable residence with the numerous and 
well arranged farm buildings, have been erected 
by Mr. Hicks and his son. In 1855 he first en- 
gaged in the nursery business, commencing with 
a small lot of fruit trees, which he found sold 
readily, and he gradually increased his business 
until he now has one of the largest industries of 
the kind east of Flushing. He has all kinds of 
fruit trees, as well as ornamental trees and shrubs, 
making a specialty of ornamental trees. For the 
last thirty years he has imported them from 
European countries, and this year received goods 
from France and Prussia. Not content with pro- 
ducing what others in this country do, Mr. Hicks 
and his son have imported many choice varieties 
and are live, energetic men. In the handling of 
fruit trees, especially, they have spared no pains 
to obtain the most hardy and satisfactory stock. 
That they have met with success in their chosen 
calling is a fact that needs no commenting on, 
for they strive to please, and their constantly in- 
creasing and satisfactory business gives good evi- 
dence that they are successful. Connected with 
Mr. Hicks in the business is his son, Edward, 
and his grandson, Henry Hicks. 

Isaac Hicks was born in Westbury, March 3, 
1815, a son of John D. and Sarah (Rushmore) 
Hicks. Flis mother lived to be one hundred and 
two and a half years old, dying in June, 1891. 
Isaac's early life was devoted to agricultural pur- 
suits and on the 26th of March, 1836, he wedded 
Miss Mary F. Willis, daughter of John Willis. 
She was the eldest daughter of the eldest daugh- 
ter for seven generations. This union resulted in 
the birth of three children: Gilbert, Edward, a 
member of the firm, and Mariana, wife of William 
E. Hawxhurst, whose sketch is given elsewhere in 



this volume. Mr. Hicks is a member of the Soci- 
ety of Friends, and in pohtics is a supporter of 
Republican principles, although he has never 
sought political honors. He is much interested in 
educational matters, and for many years was 
trustee of the school of his district, which oiifice 
his son Edward has held for the last thirty years. 

The domestic tranquillity and happiness of the 
Hicks household is aptly illustrated in the truth 
of the psalmist, "How blest in harmony to dwell." 
Here under the same roof are three generations, 
the venerable subject and his aged companion, 
who over ten years ago celebrated their golden 
wedding; the son Edward and his family, con- 
sisting of his estimable wife, formerly Miss Emma 
E. Jarvis, and one son, Henry, and three accom- 
plished daughters. Miss Grace, Marietta and 
Emily. 

Edward Hicks has been active in the firm for 
many years and his talent and genius have pro- 
duced a number of important inventions, among 
which are two very useful machines for the re- 
moval and transplanting of large trees. By this 
nnportant device trees are removed at anv time of 
the year, while by others it is necessary that it 
should be done while the ground is frozen. An- 
other important and useful invention is an ar- 
rangement for spraying vines, by which si.x mav 
now be sprayed at a time. 



DANIEL J. HEGEMAX, who is one of 
the well-to-do and highly respected far- 
mers of Queens County, is the proprietor 
of a neat little estate of one hundred and fifteen 
acres situated in the town of Oyster Bay, two 
miles from the village of Glenhead. He was 
born August 21, 1852, and is a son of James A. 
and Catherine (Hegeman) Hegeman. For manv 
generations the family has been identified with 
the history of Long Island. His great-grand- 
father, James Hegeman, was born here and was 
a substantial farmer of the town of Ovster Bay. 
Grandfather Daniel Hegeman was not only 
prominent in agricultural circles but was well 
known throughout the county as an ofticial. hav- 
ing been elected to many positions of responsi- 
bilit}- and trust in his locality. 

The father of our subject was born in 1826. 
and departed this life in 1802, having remained a 
resident of Long Island until death. In everv 
respect he was a valued and respected citizen. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 107 



His family included four sons, of whom Daniel J. 
was the eldest; William, the second born, died in 
childhood; Edward A. makes his home in Oyster 
Bay, and Clinton D. is deceased. In boyhood 
Daniel J. attended the common schools near his 
home, after which he was sent to private schools 
at Locust Valley and Glencove. November 20, 
1878, he married Miss Louise, daug-hter of Wil- 
liam H. and Lydia A. (Snedeker) Downing, old 
residents of Oyster Bay, 

For several years after his marriage Mr. Hege- 
man continued to reside at the old homestead, 
but later he leased a tract of land near Glencove 
and this he cultivated very profitably for a per- 
iod of twelve years. In 1892 he located on his 
present estate, which he purchased from his 
father-in-law. Until recently he was extensively 
engaged in the dairy business and general agri- 
culture, but is now raising garden produce for 
the city markets. In this line of work he has 
met with success and the products of his garden 
are of the best quality and never fail to bring 
a gfood price. 

Fraternally Mr. Hegeman is identified with 
the Royal Arcanum, holding membership with 
Seawanhaka Council No. 362, of Glencove. He 
is a strong supporter of Democratic principles 
and in 1880 was elected on that ticket to the office 
of assessor of his town. So well and faithfully did 
he discharge the duties of this position that he 
was made his own successor for five consecutive 
terms. The following named children are in- 
cluded in the family of our subject and his wife; 
George D., Howard C. and Mary E. One daugh- 
ter, Edna C, died in infancy. 



NATHAN STERN, well and favorably 
known to the residents of Long Island, 
is the representative iii this place for the 
Kips Bay Brewing Company, which brews one 
of the best beers in the country, and O'Reilly, 
Skelly & Fogarty, ale brewers. Mr. Stern was 
born in Ober-Hessen, Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, September i, 1858. His father, Rev. David 
Stern, also a native of that portion of the Father- 
land, was graduated from the university at Got- 
tingen, and for many years was rabbi of various 
congregations. Later, however, he abandoned 
the ministry and became one of the merchants 
of the town of Atefeld, making his home there 
until his decease, in 1862. 

Tlie mother of Mr. Stern, whose maiden name 



was Jette Levi, was also born in Hesse-Dami- 
stadt, and was the daughter of Loeb Levi, a 
dealer in horses. During the Napoleonic wars 
he served as a member of the Dragoons in the 
German army. Mrs. Stern departed this life at 
her old home in Germany in 1890. Her only 
daughter, Sarah, also died there six months be- 
fore her death. 

Nathan, of this sketch, was educated in the 
gymnasium at Alsfeld, after which he began to 
do for himself by clerking in a large mercantile 
establishment, in which he learned almost every 
department of work. He afterward became trav- 
eling salesman for a house, but, tiring of this 
kind of work, he was made bookkeeper and later 
correspondent for one of the largest export 
houses in Rotterdam, Holland. On being taken 
sick, however, he was compelled to resign his 
position and returned home. 

Mr. Stern next engaged in business for him- 
self at Giessen, where, as a manufacturer of men's 
shirts and as a lady's outfitter he gave employ- 
ment to over one hundred hands. Ahhough he 
did a large business it was not a paying one, and 
he was compelled to sell out, not, however, with- 
out paying one hundred cents on the dollar. 

About May i, 1881, Mr. Stern embarked on 
a vessel, which landed him, M&y 14th, on Amer- 
ican shores. A short time thereafter he obtained 
■ a position as clerk with Levi Brothers, clothiers, 
of New York City, but did not remain in their 
employ very long, when he went South to Ala- 
bama. Not liking that climate, he returned^ to 
the metropolis and was engaged as a traveling 
salesman by a large New York firm dealing in 
men's furnishing goods. In this capacity he 
traveled all overUie United States, from ocean to 
ocean and from the lakes to 'the gulf, working in 
the interests of this firm until the dull season 
of 1893 set in. He then severed his connection 
with the house and became connected with the 
Kips Bay Brewing Company. In this business 
he has met with remarkable success, and those 
who two years ago had never heard of this com- 
pany use nothing else but the beer brewed by 
them, and pronounce it excellent. Mr. Stern's 
office is located at No. 55 Borden Avenue, while 
his pleasant residence occupies a site at No. 387 
Lockwood Street. 

The lady to whom Mr. Stern was married in 
New York City in 1883 was Miss Lena Fried, a 
native of Hungary, and to them have been born 
four children, viz.: David S., Arthur H., Edna 



iio8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Sidony. Socially Mr. Stern is a member of 
the Frohsinn and belongs to the Mannerchor 
and the Long Island City Turn Verein, of 
which he is second speaker and trustee. He is 
a stanch Democrat in politics, belonging to the 
Fourth Ward Democratic Association and the 
Jackson Club, being second vice-president in the 
latter. 



JOHN E. LOCKWOOD, a retired and well- 
to-do citizen of Long Island City, has made 
his home here since 1864. He was bom 
in New York City in 1828 and is the son of 
Andrew J. Lockwood, a native of Stamford, 
Conn. This family were of Puritan stock and 
for many generations made their homes in the 
Nutmeg State. Grandfather Lockwood ren- 
dered efficient service as a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war. 

Andrew J. Lockwood was a builder and large 
owner of real estate, and when a young man 
left his native state and came to New York, where 
he was engaged in this department of work until 
his decease, when over sixty years of age. He 
was a prominent member and active worker in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and a man who 
was in every way worthy of the respect which 
was accorded him. He married Miss Sarah Cod- 
dington, a native of New York, and the daugh- 
ter of Abraham Coddington. For over fifty years 
she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which her father was also a very prom- 
inent member. For many years prior to his 
death he lived retired from business. 

The parental family included ten children, 
seven sons and three daughters. Only one son 
besides our subject is now living, Andrew J., a 
resident of Wisconsin. John E., after carrying 
on his studies for a time in the schools of New- 
York, became a student in Rutgers College of 
New Brunswick, N. J. Upon completing the 
course in that institution he supplemented the 
knowledge gained there by attendance at Eras- 
mus Hall Academy of Flatbush, L. I., from which 
he was graduated in due time. 

When twenty years of age our subject began 
life for himself as clerk in a commission establish- 
ment in New York City. In 1855 he began 
business for himself, carrying on a large trade 
as commission merchant in Front Street. Ho 
later branched out in naval stores, continuing 
to carry on this business, together with his oper- 



ations as a commission merchant, until 1864, 
when he retired from active work of any kind and 
located in Astoria, Long Island City. He still, 
however, retains his office in the Times Build- 
ing. Mr. Lockwood during his more active ca- 
reer was a member of the Old Produce Exchange. 
Prior to locating in this place he resided for a 
time in the cities of New York and Brooklyn. 
When he came to Astoria, over thirty years ago, 
he found this now thickly populated purtion of 
the city to contain but few dwellings. He entered 
heartily into the work of building up the com- 
munity and for many years rendered valuable 
service as a member of the Village Board. For 
a time he was President of the Board of Police 
Commissioners, and in every position he held 
so met the requirements of the situation that he 
won only commendation from those concerned. 

Mr. Lockwood was married in New York in 
1853 to Miss Julia Westlake,a native of that city. 
To them was born a daughter, Julia A., a most 
highly accomplished lady, who completed her 
education in Miss Ranney's and Miss Harrison's 
school of Brooklyn. She later married S. G. 
Beals and they have two children, John Edgar 
Lockwood and Granville Ames. 

Socially our subject is a Mason of high degree, 
belonging to Putnam Lodge No. 347, of New' 
York City. He has been a member of the Church 
of the Redeemer for a number ot years and has 
served his congregation for some time as vestry- 
man. In national politics he is a Democrat, al- 
though in local affairs he lays aside his preju- 
dices and votes for the man who he thinks will 
best fill the office. Owing to the exercise of in- 
dustrious and persevering qualities he has risen 
step by step to a position of affluence in the 
community and is held in the highest respect by 
a host of warm friends and acquaintances. 



LOFTUS P. iAIURRAY, senior member of 
the firm of Murray e^ Bro., and one of the 
influential citizens of Rockaway Beach, 
Oceanus P. O., established his present' business 
at this place in 1880, and has since carried on an 
increasing and profitable trade in all kinds of 
meats. His industry and enterprise have enabled 
him to overcome the difficulties in his path, and 
he rs now the possessor of a comfortable com- 
petence, which numbers him among the substan- 
tial citizens of the community. 
The parents of our subject are Daniel and Ma.-- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 109 



garet (Fox) Murray, whose seven children are 
named as follows: John R., member of the firm 
of Murray & Bro., and the present postmaster at 
Oceanus; Loftus P., the subject of this notice; 
Daniel P. and Garret, both of whom live m 
Oceanus; Joseph, whose home is in Cedarhurst; 
George, a resident of Oceanus; and Mary, wife of 
M. E. Gustofferson, of this village. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Cedarhurst, March 16, 
1858. His opportunities for obtaining an educa- 
tion were somewhat limited, but he improved 
such advantages as fell to his lot, and succeeded 
in fitting himself for the management of busi- 
ness affairs. 

When only twelve years of age Mr. Murray 
began working for his father in the butcher shop, 
and continued thus engaged until he was twenty- 
one, when he established a business of his own. 
He has met with success, for from early life he 
has been trained in the business, and understands 
thoroughly every detail connected with his occu- 
pation. In politics a Republican, he advocates 
with enthusiasm and fidelity the platform of his 
chosen party, and supports its candidates with his 
ballot. His marriage united him with Miss Mary 
Shiring, and they are the parents of three children, 
Laura, Mary, and Loftus. Mrs. Murray is identi- 
fied with the Catholic Church, and maintains a 
deep interest in all religious and benevolent 
work. 



Enghsh language and the customs of the peo- 
ple. Subsequently he opened a shoe store of his 
own and later he turned his attention to the fruit 
and vegetable business, having at first a branch 
store in Far Rockaway, but afterward moving to 
this village, where he has met with commendable 
success. 

By his marriage to Margaret Snyder, Mr. 
Winkler had four children, of whom John and 
George N. survive. The latter, who was born in 
Woodhaven, April 28, 1873, attends to the busi- 
ness and, while not a partner, has, since old 
enough, been his father's right-hand man. A 
young man of good habits and education, he takes 
charge of the affairs intelligently, and has sound 
judgment upon all matters of business. They 
built up a large fruit and vegetable business here, 
but finally, when the business had become ex- 
tensive, they sold out, and gave their sole atten- 
tion to the livery and express trade. In their 
stock they have several large moving vans, and 
transfer household furniture from Brooklyn 
and other places, also carry on a general truck- 
ing business. Politically father and son are stanch 
Republicans. 



I 



OHN WINKLER, who is engaged in the 
livery and express business at Far Rocka- 
way, is a native of Germany, and possesses 
the thrift and perseverance characteristic of a 
long line of German forefathers. His youth- 
ful years were passed in the land of his birth, 
where he gained a good education in the pub- 
lic schools and laid the foundation of the knowl- 
edge to which he afterward added by experience 
and observation. The idea of spending his entire 
life in Germany was distasteful to him, for, al- 
though he loved his native land, yet he realized 
clearly that a poor man had no opportunity to 
rise above a position of poverty and dependence. 
With little means, but with a brave heart and 
a determined spirit, Mr. Winkler sought a home 
in America, coming to this country at the age of 
twenty-one. For five years he was employed in 
a shoe store in Woodhaven, where he gained that 
most essential requisite, a knowledge of the 



JOHN W. AHLES, who is engaged in busi- 
ness in New York City and resides at Bay- 
side, was born in the former place April 
2, 1848, being a son of George and Zoe (Chair- 
naud) Ahles. His father, who was a native of 
Hanover, Germany, came to America in early 
manhood and settled in New York City, where 
he married Miss Chairnaud, a native of the me- 
tropolis. For many years he was a successful 
merchant of New York and still makes his home 
there, being now (1896) eighty-six years old. 

When our subject was two years old his par- 
ents moved to Bayside, where he remained until 
fifteen, and then accompanied the other members 
of the family to Brooklyn. His first position 
was that of errand boy in a broker's office in Wall 
Street, New York, where he remained, receiving 
many promotions in the meantime, until the me- 
morable "Black Friday." His next employment 
was in Pearl Street with a produce merchant, for 
whom he was salesman about ten years. In 1880 
he established a business of his own at No. 37 
Pearl Street, and has since been a produce com- 
mission merchant, with headquarters at different 
parts of the city at various times. 



mo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



June 19, 1873, ^J^r. Ahles married Lillie Bell, 
daughter of Robert M. Bell of Ba3^side, where she 
was born. A'lr. Bell was a prominent farmer of 
the town of Flushing, a member of the Society 
of Friends, and an influential citizen of this com- 
munity. Since his marriage our subject has re- 
sided in Bayside, where he owns a comfortable 
home. Feeling a warm interest in educational 
matters, he has at different times consented to 
serve as a member of the school board and is at 
this writing a trustee. Both he and his wife are 
members of the All Saints' Episcopal Church of 
Bayside, in the organization of which he took an 
active part, and since the building of the church 
he has been a member of the vestry, holding the 
office of junior warden. By his marriage he has 
three children : Robert, a graduate of Mt. Pleas- 
ant Academy at Sing Sing, where he took a com- 
mercial course, and now a business man in the 
city; Gertrude and Virginia, who are with their 
parents. 

For two terms Mr. Ahles has been vice-presi- 
dent of the Queens County Agricultural Society, 
being a director for the town of Flushing. All 
public improvements have received his co-opera- 
tion and, 50 far as possible, he has aided in the 
carrying out of practical plans for the benefit of 
the people. In 1895 he erected two business 
buildings in Bayside, which contain halls on the 
upper floor and have all the modern improve- 
ments. In the New York Produce Exchange he 
is a member of the board of managers, and chair- 
man of the committee on admission. By his en- 
ergy and shrewd deahng he has accumulated a 
competency and is one of the well-to-do men of 
the county. 



PROF. JAMES D. DILLINGHAM. No 
resident of Corona has pursued a more 
honorable career or been of greater value 
as a public servant than the gentleman whose 
name introduces these lines, and who is well 
known as the principal of the public schools of 
this village. The success which he has gained in 
his chosen calling is especially commendable, 
when it is considered that he is still young, just 
at the beginning of his life work. Since coming 
to Corona he has advanced the grade of schoLv- 
ship, deepened the interest in educational work, 
and firought the school to the front rank among 
the institutions of learning in the county. 



The son of James D. and Lucinda P. (Harris) 
Dillingham, the subject of this sketch was born 
in Berkley, Bristol County, :\Iass., August 18, 
1865. The rudiments of his education were ob- 
tained in the public schools of his native 'place, 
and at the age of fifteen he entered Bristol Acad- 
emy, where he was fitted for college. When sev- 
enteen, he became a student in Amherst College, 
and was graduated in 1887, standing fifth in his 
class, and winning the prizes for excellence in 
German, French, and Italian. While in college 
he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. 

On leaving college our subject began the study 
of law with Mayor Charles A. Reed, of Taunton, 
with whom he remained for two years. After- 
ward one year was spent with Judge Hiram P. 
Harriman, of Wellfleet, Mass., and he was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Barnstable in 1890, on mo- 
tion of Attorney-General Knowlton. Lack of 
funds had required him, while prosecuting his 
studies, to devote some time to work as a teacher, 
and among other positions he filled those of prin- 
cipal of the high schools at Granby and Scituate, 
Mass., and the grammar schools at Truro and 
Harwich. In 1889-90 he was chairman of the 
board of education in Berkley, his native place, 
and at the same time served as moderator of the 
town meeting. At difTerent times he was hon- 
ored by his party by being chosen to ser\-e as 
their delegate in county and state conventions. 
He was chairman of the town committee and 
serv^ed as justice of the peace from 1889 until he 
removed from the place. For a time he was also 
a notary public. 

In 1890 Professor Dillingham was called to the 
principalship of the high school at Tom's River, 
N. J., a position which he filled so satisfactorily 
that he was chosen to fill it at the two subse- 
quent elections by the board. While residing 
there he was county examiner. Leaving the 
place in 1893, he came to Corona, where he has 
since had charge of the schools. In 1890 he 
received the degree of A. M. from his alma mater, 
and two years later the degree of Master of Peda- 
gogy was conferred upon him by the L'niversitv 
of the City of New York. In 1S91 he received 
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the 
National University of Chicago. These various 
degrees indicate to some extent the breadth of 
his knowledge and scope of his information. In 
1893-94 he was principal of the evening high 
school in Jersey City. His labors as an educator 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nil 



have been quite suci-essful. In his work he com- 
bines thoroughness in instruction with firmness 
in disciphne, so that order, which is Heaven's 
first law, is naturally and easily combined with 
rapid progress m studies and systematic advance- 
ment in every department. 



JAMES A. MACDONALD. The family 
to which our subject belongs came originally 
from Scotland, and first settled in Canada, 
where Dr. Archibald Macdonald, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born. He was a 
surgeon in the Revolutionary War, and after peace 
was declared did not return to Canada, but set- 
tled at White Plains, N. Y., where the remainder 
of his days was passed in practicing medicine 
and in tilling the soil. His son, James, father of 
our subject, was born in White Plains, and when 
old enough to decide for himself selected medi- 
cine as his calling in life. He attended the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, 
was graduated from that institution, and then be- 
gan practicing in New York City. Fle became 
noted in his profession, being one of the ablest 
practitioners of his day, and was sent by the gov- 
ernors of New York Hospital to visit all asylums 
in Europe and study the treatment of nervous dis- 
eases. 

Returning to this country. Dr. Macdonald re- 
organized Bloomingdale Asylum, and was su- 
perintendent of the same for some time, but 
gave it up to return to his practice. In 1845 
he established Sanford Hall, at Flushing, one 
of the most successful institutions of the kind 
in the state, residing there tuitil his death, 
when forty-three years old. This institution, 
which was private, was the only one of the 
kind in the United States at that time. It was 
incorporated in 1887. In public life he held 
many positions of trust and honor,, and was a 
profound reasoner and thinker. Of. five sons 
born to his parents Dr. Macdonald was the 
youngest and the only one that married. He 
wedded Miss Eliza H. Miller, a native of New 
York City, and the daughter of Silvanus Miller, 
who was for years surrogate of New York and a 
prominent attorney and politician. Mr. Miller 
was born in East Hampton, and died when ninety 
years old. Mrs. Macdonald passed away in 1890 
at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. She 
was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church. 



The six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Mac- 
donald were Flora M., Margaret, James A. (sub- 
ject), Eliza, Archibald and Anna. James A. Mac- 
donald was born in New York City and received 
his early education in Columbia grammar school 
of that place. Later he entered Yale, and gradu- 
ated from that institution with the degree of A. 
B. and Ph. D. Since 1869 he has been engaged 
in the insurance business, and is president of the 
Queen Insurance Company, which was organized 
in 1890, and is also president of the board of trus- 
tees of the village of Flushing. Socially he is a 
member of the Niantic Club of Flushing and sev- 
eral of the leading clubs in New York City. Per- 
sonally he is very popular and has won many 
friends. 



PETER MATTHEWS. The trade of the 
harness manufacturer is one that comes 
within the bounds of daily opportunity to 
manifest a humane spirit toward man's most 
obedient and faithful friend, the horse. If the 
theory of John Stuart Mill is correct, there is cer- 
tainly a heaven for this higher order of the dumb 
animal. The harness-maker has many oppor- 
tunities of showing his regard for this noble brute 
by giving the utmost care to the manufacture of 
his goods, and one of the most successful en- 
gaged in this business is Peter Matthews, who 
is the proprietor of a harness manufactory at 
Glencove. 

In this village Mr. Matthews was born October 
22, 1864, to James and Bridget (Clark) Matthews, 
both of whom were born in Ireland, where they 
grew to maturity and were married. About 1850 
they 'decided to seek a home in America, and soon 
after their marriage came hither, and almost im- 
mediately made a location at Glencove. When 
the starch works of this place were opened Mr. 
Matthews secured employment in them, and there 
labored faithfully for a period of thirty-five years. 
Of the seven children born to him and his wife, 
the subject of this sketch is next to the youngest, 
and three are living at the present time : John, a 
resident of Glencove; Mary, wife of Thomas Mc- 
Donough, of this place; and Peter. 

The subject of this sketch was given the ad- 
vantages of the public schools of Glencove in 
his youth, but at the age of fourteen years he 
found employment in the starch works, remain- 
ing there for two years. When he was seventeen 



III2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he began working at his trade in New York City, 
and after thoroughly learning the same, followed 
that occupation in that city, Brooklyn, Jersey 
City, and Yonkers for some seven or eight years. 
In the fall of 1888 he started a shop of his own 
in Glencove, and, although it was modest in ex- 
tent at first, the work turned out was so satisfac- 
tory in every particular that his business steadily 
increased in proportion, and at the present time 
he is enjoying an exceptionally large trade. He 
has won the confidence of his patrons, and con- 
trols a liberal and profitable business, built up by 
his own energy and careful attention to the 
higher lines of his indispensable trade. 

Mr. Matthews has always been a Democrat, 
and in 1888 he cast his presidential vote for 
Grover Cleveland. He was reared in the faith of 
the Roman Catholic Church, and was confirmed 
at the age of fourteen vears. 



O'KANE BROTHERS. Queens County 
is the home of many young men of fine 
natural abilities, thoroug'h education and 
business energy, who in various fields of energy 
are acquiring fine reputations and building up 
successful business enterprises. Among these 
John and Thomas O'Kane, Jr., comprising the 
firm of O'Kane Brothers, at Far Rockaway, de- 
serve mention, as they combine the intelligence, 
energy, and moral character which merit respect 
and win success. November i, 1895, they opened 
an office near the depot and started in the real 
estate and insurance business under favorable 
auspices, having considerable property of their 
own and of their relatives to manage. 

Thomas O'Kane, Sr., father of our subjects, 
has had his summer home in Far Rockaway for 
thirty years, and is now living here. By his mar- 
riage to Margaret Healy he has three children, 
John, Thomas, Jr., and Jane. John was born in 
New York City June 22, 1871, and was educateti 
in the schools of his native place. Having a na- 
tural inclination for business, he sought employ- 
ment in a commercial house at an early age. For 
three years he was engaged in the business of 
musical merchandise with Stratton & Son, after 
which he spent a year in the office of H. Rapp, 
a real estate dealer at No. 198 Broadway. The 
two years following were spent with other real es 
tate firms in New York City, in which way he 
gained a thorough knowledge of every detail con- 



nected with the occupation, so that he was thor- 
oughly prepared to embark in it with success. 

The younger brother, Thomas, Jr., Avas born in 
New York City July 8, 1874, and in boyhood at- 
tended the public schools, receiving a fair educa- 
tion. His first work was with his father in the 
book business, after which he indulged his taste 
for travel and went west, visiting northern Texas 
and southern Oklahoma. In that way eighteen 
months passed, after which he returned to New 
York, and soon became interested with his 
brother at Far Rockaway. He is not an entire 
stranger to the business, having had consider- 
able to do in that direction prior to his entrance 
into the firm. 

Politically the brothers are Democrats, never 
faltering in their allegiance to the party, but sup- 
porting it in local, state and national elections. 
They are well informed regarding political afifairs, 
and have read extensively concerning the great 
issues of the age and the best way to remedy the 
evils that perplex our statesmen. In religious be- 
lief they are identified with the Catholic Church. 
They bring to their chosen occupation youth, en- 
thusiasm, energy, intelligence and the prestige of 
friends and relatives. With these qualities they 
will undoubtedly achieve success. At this writ- 
ing they are building a commodious and com- 
fortable residence for a summer home. 



ROBERT H. MOUNT. The condition of 
the real estate market may justly be con- 
sidered as a barometer of the real sound- 
ness and stability of business afifairs in the country 
generally. It is gratifying to note the present 
situation of real estate throughout Queens 
County, and particularly in Glencove. Among 
those engaged in this line of business is Robert 
H. Mount, who is also engaged in the insurance 
business there, and who is a public accountant. 
He is a native of the island, born at Stonybrook, 
Suffolk County, June 21, 1853, a son of Shepard 
H. and Elizabeth (Elliott) Mount. The father 
was a prominent artist and one of the founders 
of the National Academy of Designs of New 
York. He made a national reputation as a por- 
trait painter. 

The first few years of his boyhood, our sub- 
ject attended the schools of Stonybrook, but later 
entered the union school at Huntington, where 
he remained about two years. When sixteen 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 13 



years old he went to New Orleans, La., and se- 
cured a position as clerk in a clothing store, re- 
maining there three years. Returning to the 
North, he located in Glencove, where he remained 
until about the year 1879. For some time he 
was cashier and bookkeeper in a hotel at Man- 
hattan Beach, N. Y., and since then he has been 
manager and steward in various hotels in New 
York City and Babylon. From 1890 to 1895 he 
was one of the bookkeepers for the National 
Starch Company. In the last named year he 
opened his present office, and is meeting with 
more than the average success. 

In his choice of a life companion our subject se- 
lected Miss Lena W. Ackerman, of Huntington, 
and their union was celebrated July 29, 1880. This 
marriage has been blessed by the birth of one 
daughter, Lena D., who was born in the village of 
Glencove June 5, 1881. Our subject was reared 
in the Democratic faith, and has always adhered 
to the same. He is a local worker, but has never 
aspired to office. His first presidential vote was 
cast for S. J. Tilden in 1876. Fraternally, he is 
a member of the American Legion of Honor, In- 
tegrity Council No. 1337, of Glencove. 



EDWARD A. SLAVIN, deputy sheriff and 
constable for the town of Flushing, was 
born in Little Neck, March 22, 1856. He 
is a son of Frank Slavin, a farmer at Bayside and 
Little Neck, and later a resident of Flushing, 
where he died in 1891; his wife. Rose McGuire, 
also died in this village. They were the parents 
of six children, all but one of whom are living. 
Edward A., who is the eldest of the family, was 
reared in Flushing, where he attended the public 
and St. Michael's parochial schools. At the age of 
fifteen he was apprenticed to the plumber's trade 
under Thomas Elliott, with whom he remained 
one year after the expiration of his term of service. 
Later he was with Henry Lewis. In 1879 he 
started in the plumbing business for himself, 
which he carried on successfully until official du- 
ties demanded his entire attention. 

In 1880 Mr. Slavin was appointed deputy sher- 
iff, which position he held for three years under 
A. B. Wright, three years under Sheriff Mitchell 
and three years under M. J. Goldner, also a simi- 
lar period under Sheriff Norton. In 1895 he was 
again appointed to this position by Henry Doht, 
the present sheriff. In 1892 he was elected con- 



stable for the town of Flushing, and the following 
year was re-elected. In 1894 he was out of office, 
but in 1895 was again chosen for the position, 
which he has since filled. Since 1884 he has also 
been a special police officer for the village of 
Flushing. Politically a Democrat, he was presi- 
dent of the District Association in 1895, and is a 
leading member of the Democratic Club. 

During his term of office Mr. Slavin has done 
much valuable work in the interest of law and or- 
der. At one time, during a circus here, he arrested 
circus men who were abusive, and was obliged 
to fight six or eight of them before he could 
subdue them. However, he succeeded in arrest- 
ing them, and one of the leaders was sentenced 
to the penitentiary for two and one-half years. 
He was successful in ferreting out and capturing 
John P. Williams and Thomas Bass, the men who 
robbed the residence of Henry W. Baldwin, presi- 
dent of the New York Life Insurance Company. 
They were captured October 17, 1894, and Wil- 
liams was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, 
but the sentence of Bass was suspended through 
the intercession of the people. 

Mr. and Mrs. Slavin and their son, Edward J., 
occupy a comfortable home at No. 22 Prince 
Street, Flushing. Mrs. Slavin was born in New 
York City, and bore the maiden name of Mary A. 
Grogan. In religious belief our subject, with his 
family, is connected with St. Michael's Church 
and takes a warm interest in its progress. So- 
cially he is identified with the Foresters and 
Knights of Pythias. As an officer of the law he 
has been very efficient and successful, and is en- 
titled to the commendation which his meritorious 
service has won from the people. 



HEINRICH FRANCK SOHNE & CO. In 
the summer of 1895 this company, which 
had already established a wide reputation 
and large business in Europe, determined to start 
a factory in America, and accordingly on the 1st 
of August commenced business in that part of 
Flushing known as Fowlerville. Here they have 
a large building, the plant being operated by 
steam power, and employment is furnished to 
sixty or more hands. 

The ''Genuine Franck," which is manufactured 
in the factory at Flushing, was first introduced in 
America early in the '70s, when it was extensively 
sold throughout the west, but since the location 



1 1 14 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the factory on Long Island, the sales have 
been pushed also in the eastern states. Under 
the management of Eugene Beitter, the resident 
member of the firm, a large trade has been built 
up, and an increasing reputation has been gained 
for the firm. Undoubtedl}' future years will bring 
an enhanced prosperity, as the product becomes 
more widely known among the people of this 
country. 

The main factory of the company is located at 
Ludwigsliurg, Germany, where the founders of 
the firm reside. Some idea of the extent of the 
business may be gained from the statement that 
the firm owns and operates fifteen factories in 
Germany, Austria, Plungary, Bohemia, Croatia, 
Roumania, Switzerland, and Italy. To run the 
different plants thirty-four steam engines are 
used, with a total of over one thousand horse- 
power. There are also three printing establish- 
ments, cooperage and box factories, paper dyeing 
establishments, and other buildings for the proper 
management of the business. To superintend 
and carry out the plans of the heads of the firm, 
employment is given to over three thousand 
workmen and about three hundred and fifty clerks 
and traveling salesmen. 

"Genuine Franck" has been maufactut-ed for 
seventy-four years. To coffee, it gives bod}', 
color, taste and a delightful fragrance. For ex- 
cellence it has won thirty-two medals. It is used 
in every country on the globe, and fifteen factories 
in Europe are needed to meet the demand of two 
hundred and twenty million pounds a year. 



JOSEPH RAIBLE, a merchant tailor, who 
for years has carried on a successful busi- 
ness at Hunter's Point, Long Island City, • 
was born in Ergenzingen oberaut Rotten- 
burg, Wurtemberg, Germany, October 22, 1845, 
being a son of John and Barbara (Stopper) 
Raible, also natives of that place, where the 
father engaged in farming until his death. 
The mother is still living, and is now very 
aged, though quite hearty for one of her 
years. Of her five children, four are living, fo- 
seph being the oldest of the number, and the only 
one who has made his home in the United States. 
The childhood years of our subject were spent 
on his father's farm, and, until fourteen, he was 
a student in the conunon schools. At the age of 
sixteen he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade 



in his native village, remaining thus engaged un- 
til 1866, when, shortly before reaching the age 
of twenty-one, he took passage at Havre on a 
steamer, and after a voyage of thirteen days landed 
in New York. For two months he worked at his 
trade in that city, then went to Newark, N. J., 
where he spent a year. Later he was similarly 
employed in Albanv, N. Y., for four years. Re- 
turning thence to New York City, he followed 
his trade there until 1878, when he embarked in 
the merchant tailoring business for himself, in 
Hudson Street. 

In 1880 Mr. Raible came to Long Island City, 
where he opened a shop on the corner of A'ernon 
Avenue and Eighth Street. Two years later he 
removed to No. 94 Third Street, where he has 
since remained, carrying on an extensive trade 
in custom work. As a workman he is reliable, 
careful and painstaking, and his customers have 
the utmost confidence in his ability as a merchant 
tailor. In politics he inclines to Republican doc- 
trines, though independent in his vote. Socially 
he is connected with the Improved Order of Red 
Men in Long Island City. He was married here 
in 1893, his wife being Miss Catherine Ann Dun- 
lap, a native of Long Island City. 



JAMES W. SMITH. For thirty-three years 
this excellent citizen has been deputy sherifif 
of Flushing, and many are the interesting 
adventures and narrow escapes he has had dur- 
ing that eventful period. He is at present keeper 
of the town hall in this place, and as a detective he 
has done valuable work, being one of the most 
celebrated officers here. Mr. Smith was born in 
England, in the city of London, j\lay 31, 1831, a 
son of Thomas and Louisa (Wright) Smith, both 
natives of the same country. The father, who ran 
a mail coach from London to Cambridge, died in 
London. Our subject's maternal gi-andfather, 
Richard Wright, was a landscape gardener. He 
was under Wellington at Waterloo. Of the chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, we mention the 
following: George H., now deceased, was an 
attorney of New York City; Thomas was deputy 
sheriff of New York for fifteen years, and took 
prisoners from that city to Sing Sing; he is now 
deceased; Louisa resides in Brooklyn. The eld- 
est son, William, died when young. 

Our subject, who was the youngest of the pa- 
rental family, was reared in his native citv, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 IS 



there received his education, attending the niiU- 
tary institute and later Greenwich school. Pie 
was drafted from London on board "Windsor 
Castle," an East India man-of-war, and had a 
chance to study navigation. He went to Madras, 
Calcutta, and rounded the Cape of Good Hope. 
He made two trips, back and forth, and visited 
the Isle of St. Helena. While at Cape of Good 
Hope, where they put in for repairs, he thought 
of going to Grahamstown, where he had an uncle 
living, but gave that up. After the second trip 
he came to America, and located in New York 
City, where he followed the painter's trade, which 
he had learned in youth. After following this in 
the Empire City until 1852, he moved to Flush- 
ing, where he followed his trade until about 1862. 

In the year 1863 Mr. Smith was appointed 
LTnited States deputy marshal for Queens, and 
in 1864 the town hall was completed and opened, 
Mr. Smith becoming the first keeper, and hold- 
ing that position for eight years. Previous to 
this, in 1862, he was elected constable for the 
town of Flushing, and re-elected to that position 
over thirty times, thus showing the estimation in 
which his services were held. He served under 
Piatt Carll, Joseph Curtis, Charles Sammis, Rush 
Moore, Olmstead Henry, A. Wright, Garret Fire- 
man, John Mitchell, M. J. Goldner, James Nor- 
ton, and Henry Doht. He is now the oldest 
deputy sheriff in the country, and has arrested 
more murderers, horsethieves, pirates, etc., than 
any other man. Mr. Smith arrested Delaney, 
who killed Captain Weeks, going to Philadelphia 
for him; and served as head man for District At- 
torney Downing, doing all the detective work 
for him. 

Aside from these duties, Mr. Smith also did 
considerable private detective work for the citi- 
zens here, and made some long trips. He has 
had his share of adventures, too, and arrested a 
desperate negro here, who was six feet three 
inches in height. He has been shot at, stabbed 
at, and escaped other sleight of hand movements, 
but is alive and well today. Mr. Smith is pos- 
sessed of much personal courage and self pos- 
session, and a strong determination to go through 
with what he undertakes. He is probably the 
best officer ever in this part of the country. For 
years he was a railroad detective. In June, 
1895, he was appointed janitor and keeper of the 
town hall. 

In the city of New York Mr. Smith was mar- 
46 



ried to Miss Delia O'Brien, a native of New 
York, who died here in 1888. Of the twelve chil- 
dren born to this union, only eight are now liv- 
ing: Alfred J. is a stenographer of New York 
Citjr; Kate married Mr. Wetherhead, the great 
hot-water healing man of New York City; Annie 
is now Mrs. Hoover, of Roselle, N. J. ; William 
is an express agent in New Brunswick, N. J.; 
Charles is a machinist of New York City; Ed- 
ward is shipping clerk with Vogel Brothers, New 
York; George resides in Flushing; and Hortense 
is in St. Joseph's Convent, Bordentown, N. J. 
Mr. Smith was married December 26, 1895, to 
Miss Mary McCormick, a native of Flushing, 
and daughter of Michael McCormick, who was 
foreman for E. A. Mitchell. In politics Mr. Smith 
is a Democrat, has served on the county central 
committee, and has frequently been a delegate. 
At one time he was candidate for the nomination 
of sheriff on the Democratic ticket, and came very 
near being elected. Fraternally he is an Odd 
Fellow, a member of Pacific Lodge No. 85, hav- 
ing joined that organization in 1862, and is a 
man who has the respect of all. 



CHAUNCY T. SPRAGUE. This well 
known citizen of Freeport was born near 
this village R'lay 17, 1838, to the marriage 
of Samuel and Mary L. (Terry) Sprague, natives 
of Long Island, where all their lives were passed. 
Early in life Samuel Sprague learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, which he followed with fair success for 
many years. He then turned his attention to ag- 
ricultural pursuits, and was following this time- 
honored calling at the time of his death, in 1879. 
Quiet and unassuming, all his interests were cen- 
tered in his home. Mrs. Sprague passed away in 
the year 1883. The parents were most estimable 
people, and had many friends. 

During his youthful days Chauncy T. Sprague 
had only the advantages of the country schools, 
and as they were anything but good, at that time, 
much of his education has been received by self- 
study since. On the farm he grew to sturdy man- 
hood, and assisted his father in the duties on 
the same until nineteen years old, when he left 
home, and began learning the trade of black- 
smith, seven and a half years being thus em- 
ployed. Afterwards he was engaged in sailing 
and fishing for about fifteen years, and in 1878 he 
engaged in the oyster business, which occupa- 



iii6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion has claimed his attention ever since. His 
oysters are sold to hotels and restaurants in New 
York City, and he makes two shiphients per 
week. He is a wide-awake, industrious citizen, 
who, by his perseverance and integrity, has ac- 
cumulated a fair share of this world's goods. 

Mr. Sprague was married in the year 1864 to 
Miss Ann Augusta Duryea, daughter of Peter 
Duryea, who is a worthy citizen of this county. 
Two children were born to this union, Mary E. 
and Emma J., the latter now deceased. A'Irs. 
Sprague and Miss Mary are earnest members 
of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. 
Sprague is a Republican, and an active worker 
for his party. He has been a member of the 
board of health of the village, and is a director 
of the Freeport Bank, also of the Freeport Land 
Company. He has ever been alive to the im- 
provements of the village, and he and family are 
among the best citizens of the place. 



actively engaged in building here, and still makes 
this place his home. Three children comprise the 
family of our subject and his wife: Herbert, Clar- 
ence and Ella. Socially our subject is connected 
with the Order of Foresters and the Steube 
Kosse. 



ELWOOD ROSZEL, the successful con- 
tractor and builder of College Point, was 
born in Hightstown, N. J., February 4, 
1853, and is sixth in order of birth among the 
twelve children of George and Helen (Brown) 
Roszel. He was reared to manhood on his 
father's farm, and received such advantages as 
the neighborhood schools afforded. At the 
age of nineteen he began to learn the carpenter's 
trade in Elizabeth, N. J., and on the completion 
of his term of service remained there, following 
his chosen occupation. 

In the spring of 1874 Mr. Roszel came to Col- 
lege Point, where he first worked for Mr. Tibbs, 
and afterward was employed by Mr. Wright for 
five years. For seven years he was engaged as 
carpenter in the rubber factory, and then, in 1886, 
became a partner of his brother, J. H., the two 
establishing the firm of Roszel Brothers. Fle 
built his residence on the corner of Fifth Avenue 
and Eleventh Street, and has a shop in the rear. 
As a contractor he is keen, careful and shrewd, 
and his success is the result of painstaking effort. 
He was united in marriage in this village to Miss 
Eva Wright, who was born in Tarrytown, N. 
Y., but has spent her life principally in College 
Point, where she is liighly esteemed for her many 
noble attributes of character. She is a sincere 
Christian, and a member of the Reformed Church. 
Her father. Cornelius ^^'^i!J■llt. was for manv vears 



FRANKLIN CLINTON NORTON, a rep- 
resentative of one of the old families of Far 
Rockaway, is pleasantly located near Nor- 
ton's Creek, where he and his accomplished wife 
welcome to their pleasant home their large circle 
of visiting acquaintances. The family of which 
he is a member has been identified with the his- 
tory of this locality for many generations. His 
paternal grandfather, John L. Norton, who was 
a man of great tenacity of purpose and sound 
judgment, resided here prior to the founding of 
the village and owned a large tract of land in the 
immediate vicinity, as well as considerable prop- 
erty in other states. Among his possessions was 
the now valuable property occupied by the United 
States Hotel. 

Among the many ancient documents now in 
possession of Mr. Norton is a deed bearing date 
of January 5, 1775, recorded in the state of New 
York, 'Tn Liber Deeds," page 413, August 2, 
1816, II o'clock a. m. It was a deed transferring 
to Walter Franklin, the father of our subject's 
grandmother, much of the land now occupied by 
Far Rockaway. Samuel R. B., father of our sub- 
ject, was born in New York City and owned prop- 
erty there, besides land in Delaware County, 
Ohio, and elsewhere. Lintil his death at the age 
of seventv-three, his attention was devoted mainly 
to the management of his estate. By his marriage 
to Ann Gipson of Jamaica he had eight children. 

Born on Long Island, April 24, 1838, the sub- 
ject of this notice spent his boyhood years here, 
attending the common schools and the academy at 
Jamaica. Being an industrious youth, he learned 
the trade of a carpenter. In 1873 he began the 
study of law at Titusville, Pa., and later pursued a 
legal course in Far Rockaway. ^leanwhile his 
parents were growing old, and having large busi- 
ness cares in consequence of the advance in real 
estate and the demand for lots, they needed his 
assistance and desired him to come to their relief. 
His studies had fitted him in great measure to 
intelligently manage the affairs and he went to 
their assistance. He was not admitted to the 
bar, although his preparation was sufficient to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1117 



have enabled him to pass the required examin- 
ation, and being thus called to business, he never 
took up the practice of law. However, he has 
often defended the needy, but never for money, 
and he has been of material assistance to those in 
need of legal advice and help. He continued to 
manage the business until the death of his parents, 
and since that time he has managed his own share 
of the estate, selling off portions for $38,000, 
$55,000 and $70,000. There still remains in his 
possession a valuable property, both beach and 
upland, and on the assessment roll this is esti- 
mated at over $100,000. 

April 15, 1895, Mr. Norton was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Sarah, the accomplished daugh- 
ter of Abram Lott, and a young lady well and 
favorably known in the social circles of the town 
of Hempstead. Her gifts are versatile, including 
skill in needlework embroidery, considerable tal- 
ent as a pianist and superior ability as an artist, a 
fact evidenced by the beautiful pictures that adorn 
the walls of her home. Their wedding tour in- 
cluded a trip to Niagara Falls, the northern lakes 
and other points of interest in our country. They 
are the parents of one boy, born January 31, 1896. 

Mr. Norton is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and gives liberally to religious enter- 
prises. He gave to the Free Gospel people three 
lots in Far Rockaway upon which to erect their 
church and parsonage. In his social relations he 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. His views in politics have led him to 
avow independence of action in elections, his 
support being given to the man whom he deems 
best qualified for any given office and who will 
best represent the interests of the people. 



ENJAMIN B. MOTT is one of the oldest 
residents of Far Rockaway as well as one 
of its most influential business men. He 
is well known throughout the country as a pub- 
lic-spirited citizen who has been variously identi- 
fied with its interests for many years. By his en- 
ergetic and resolute force of character and talent 
for affairs, he has given an impetus to the growth 
of this section of country, and is still actively for- 
warding its advancement in important directions. 
The father of our subject, John Mott, a native 
of Long Island, was a man of prominence in local 
affairs, and held the office of justice of the peace 
for thirty years. His judgment and advice were 
sought by the people, who reposed the greatest 



confidence in his sagacity as a justice and his 
honesty as a man. His landed possessions were 
very large, aggregating at one time more than a 
thousand acres in this locality. He married Lucy 
Nicols, whose great-grandfather. Admiral Nicols, 
took North Amsterdam from the Dutch. Her 
father, William Nicols, formerly resided in Smith- 
town, L. I., but died in the village of Hempstead, 
being the owner of a portion of the old Nicols 
patent, which originally comprised the present 
towns of Bay Shore and Islip. 

The histoiy of the Mott family is clearly traced 
back to a very early date in the settlement of 
America, when three brothers from England 
landed on these shores in company with a large 
party of French Huguenots. Henry Mott, one 
of the brothers, settled on Long Island and be- 
came the progenitor of this branch of the family. 
He was twice married and had sixteen children. 
In religious faith he was a Quaker, but aside from 
these few facts nothing can be gleaned from the 
records concerning his life and character. 

John Mott passed his entire life on Long Island, 
and here he died in 1828, aged eighty-one years. 
Of his marriage eight children were born, namely: 
William, who is eighty-seven years old and re- 
sides in Inwood, L. I.; Richard, living at Bays- 
water; Calvin, Ehzabeth and John, deceased; 
Benjamin Birdsall, the subject of this sketch; Lu- 
cinda and Samuel, deceased. Our subject, who 
was the sixth in order of birth, was born in Far 
Rockaway February 19, 1820, and was reared to 
manhood on a farm. Early in Hfe he became 
familiar with the duties incident to that occupa- 
tion, for, although his father Avas well-to-do, the 
children were brought up to habits of diligent in- 
dustry, idleness being shunned as a sin. The best 
educational advantages of the locality were given 
him, and while working on the farm he accumu- 
lated a large fund of general information, becom- 
ing well posted on most subjects. He was a na- 
tural mechanic and could construct houses or 
build boats, turning his hand to almost any kind 
of work. This last trait — mechanical ability — is 
a family characteristic, and without learning a 
trade, they have become experts in it. 

Inheriting a considerable portion of the old 
farm, Mr. Mott platted it into town lots, which 
he has since sold as a favorable opportunity was 
presented, and which now comprises some of the 
most valuable property in Far Rockaway. His 
affairs he has always managed with judgment, 



iii8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



leading in most cases to flattering success. He 
was instrumental in securing the money to build 
the railroad from Valley Stream to Far Rocka- 
way, and gave the company seven acres of land, 
besides the right of way throug-h his land. He 
has assisted largely in building up the village by 
furnishing the means to build and still holds mort- 
o-ao-es on a large amount of Far Rockaway real 
estate. The advance in prices of property is due 
not a little to his constant efiforts. Land which 
thirty years ago was worth but $40 per acre is 
now worth thousands of dollars an acre, and this 
satisfactory result may be attributed to the labors 
of such men as he. 

The lady who became the wife of Mr. .Mott was 
born at Hewlett, this county, and bore the maiden 
name of Theodora Pearsall, being a daughter of 
Colonel Pearsall, formerly a prominent citizen of 
Hewlett. She has one brother, Edwin F., living 
in Brooklyn, and a sister, Emma, wife of Robert 
Crocker, also of Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Mott 
are the parents of three children, namely: Lillian 
M., wife of S. S. Guy, a dentist of Far Rockaway, 
and the mother of one son, Harold; Eveline Cole, 
who married Samuel Althouse, Jr.; and Guy Carl- 
ton, who is at home. Politically Mr. Mott is a 
Jefifersonian Democrat, free trade and equal rights 
being his platform. He was reared in the Quaker 
faith, but is liberal in religious matters, and usually 
attends the Episcopal Church, to which his wife 
belongs. 



HUGH HAGAN, senior member of the 
firm of Hagan & Daly, proprietors of the 
Queens County Boiler Works, is one of 
the oldest practical boilermakers in this locality. 
He has been remarkably successful in his under- 
takings, and is justly regarded as one of the 
prominent and influential men of Long Island. 

Mr. Hagan is a native of Ireland, and was born 
in County Tyrone in 1846. His father, Patrick 
Hagan, was also born in the Emerald Isle, where 
he was engaged as a cooper until his decease, 
which occurred in early life. He married Miss 
Ann McQiiigan, who departed this life in Long 
Island City. She became the mother of two sons 
and one daughter, of whom our subject was the 
youngest, and the only one now living. 

Hugh Hagan was reared on a farm in his 
native land, and also obtaini^d a good educa- 
tion in the schools near his home. Pie emi- 



grated to the United States in 1863, and, 
finding it necessary to be employed, appren- 
ticed himself to a boilermaker in Brooklyn. 
He remained with the man to whom he was 
first engaged for three years, and then came 
to Long Island City and obtained work with 
Robert O'Harra, proprietor of the boiler works 
here. He remained in his employ until 1882, 
when that gentleman desired to sell out his busi- 
ness. Mr. Hagan purchased the plant, and im- 
mediately formed a partnership with ]\Ir. Daly, 
the firm being known as Hagan & Daly. The 
original building was 50x100 feet in dimensions, 
but as their business increased Mr. Hagan added 
a wing to the factory, which is now 100x125 f^^t 
in size. It is fitted out with a fifty-horse power 
engine and all the necessary machiner}- for car- 
rying on the extensive boiler works. 

The marriage of Mr. Hagan and ^Miss Eliza- 
beth Campbell took place in Long Island City 
in the year 1874. The lady was also born in Ire- 
land, and by her union with our subject became 
the mother of eleven children, four of whom are 
now living: James, a clerk in his father's office; 
Elizabeth, Annie, and Katie. ]\Ir. Hagan, sev- 
eral years ago, was a member of Live Oak Com- 
pany No. 2, and is now connected with the Ex- 
empt Firemen's Society. (Messrs. Hagan and 
Daly belong to the Btisiness Men's Association of 
Brooklyn, in which they are prominent factors.) 
Mr. Hagan is identified with all movements re- 
lating to the general good of the public, and his 
influence is a power for good wherever he is 
known. The family occupy a pleasant home at 
No. 18 Pearson Street, Hunter's Point, and are 
identified with the Catholic Church. JNIr. Hagan 
is a member of the Catholic Benevolent Asso- 
ciation, in which he takes an active interest. 



FE. WINSLOW, A'. S. The proper care of 
that noble animal, the horse, has ever 
• been one of great importance and the 
men are by no means numerous who have become 
proficient in this humane calling. F. E. Wins- 
low, of Flushing, is a skillful veterinary surgeon, 
and has made a decided success of his calling. 
He was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, April 3, 
1867, to James F. and Louisa (King) Winslow, 
natives respectively of New York City and Phila- 
delphia, Pa. His father was for some time em- 
ployed with Waydell & Co., but left them to enlist 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1119 



in the service of the Union during the Civil War. 
Upon his return he resumed his position with the 
company, and remained with them until about 
1890, when he became freight agent for the Cam- 
pania Trans- At] antic Espanolain New York City. 

The Winslovv family originated in England; the 
ancestor of our subject came over in the "May- 
flower," landing at Plymouth Rock. The grand- 
father of our subject, Jo'hn C. Winslow, was born 
in Massachusetts, whence he removed to New 
York City, and there engaged extensively in busi- 
ness as a cooper, remaining there until his death. 

The subject of this sketch was the only child 
born to his parents. His mother died in 1889. 
He was reared and educated in Whitestone, and 
completed his education in Trinity College at the 
head of Wall Street, New York, but left this insti- 
tution at the close of his senior year on account 
of ill 'health. Upon his recovery he decided to fol- 
low veterinary surgery and entered New York 
College of Veterinary Surgeons, and after a three 
years' course, graduated iri March, 1893, with the 
degree of V. S. He at once began practicing his 
profession at Whitestone, but since 1894 has been 
located in Flushing, where he has become widely 
and favorably known professionally. His serv- 
ices are often called into requisition at White- 
stone, Bayside, College Point, Great Neck, Lit- 
tle Neck, East Williston, Newtown, and numer- 
ous other places. His residence is No. 219 Madi- 
son Avenue, and his ofRce is at the livery stable at 
the corner of Madison Avenue and Union Street. 

Mr. Winslow was married in Whitestone to 
Miss Grace I. Smith, a native of that place and a 
daughter of John Morrell Smith, a retired farmer 
of that place, and a member of a fine old family of 
Long Island. His wife was Mar}' Meers, a na- 
tive of New York City. Mr. Winslow belongs to 
the Alumni Association of the New York College 
of Veterinary Surgeons. 



RICHARD A. W. NUGENT. The Chilton 
Manufacturing Company, which Mr. Nu- 
gent represents at College Point, and 
which has its main office at No. 147 Fulton Street, 
New York, was organized directly through his 
personal efforts, and from its inception he has 
been the principal factor in promoting its prog- 
ress. In June, 1885, he established the works at 
College Point, and of these he has since been su- 
perintendent. Under his direction they manu- 



facture strictly pure linseed oil and paints, which 
are branded "Chilton," and are used all over the 
east, west, north, and south. He has allowed 
the manufacture of nothing except that which 
is pure, and the company has built up an 
enviable reputation for the quality of the prod- 
ucts. The trade increased with the passing 
years, and the plant was enlarged to accom- 
modate the enlarged demand, until a capacity 
of one Jumdred and fifty thousand gallons of oil 
was reached. 

The first building occupied by the company 
was a comparatively small wooden structure, the 
old Ansonia Rubber Works. In May, 1887, the 
plant was destroyed by fire, and the demand for 
Chilton paints making it necessarjr that there be 
no delay in the business, Mr. Nugent, without 
loss of time, removed to Hartford, Conn., where 
the Chilton Manufacturing Company bought out 
the London White Lead Company, continuing 
the business there until the present commodious 
building was ready for occupancy. Into this they 
moved August i, 1889, and from here they ship 
daily to all parts of the country the pure goods 
for which they are justly renowned from Maine 
to California. 

The man to whose efforts the success of this 
concern is due was born in New York City Octo- 
ber 9, 1846, and spent his boyhood years largely 
in Taunton, Mass., where he was educated in the 
grammar school and the institute. Under his 
father, Pierse Nugent, who was experienced in 
the paint business, he early gained a thorough 
knowledge of the occupation. He married Miss 
Jennie E. Smith, of Wisconsin, and they have had 
three children, of whom Percy A. and Alice L. 
are living. Politically he is a Democrat. 

At this writing Mr. Nugent is serving his sec- 
ond year as a member of the board of trustees of 
College Point, in which position his sound busi- 
ness judgment is of the greatest value. In all 
public matters his advice and opinion are sought, 
and can-y great weight. Doubtless he would be- 
come a leading politician if he allowed himself 
to turn his attention in that direction, but he pre- 
fers to devote himself to his private affairs, and 
has so far refused to enter politics. However, he 
is interested in local affairs, and favors every- 
thing that will promote the best interests of the 
village, for the development of which he has done 
much. During his residence in South Brooklyn, 
he wielded a large influence in local politics, and 



1 120 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



represented the eighth ward on the city com- 
mittee. At the time he went to that place, a few 
unscrupulous men were shaping political af- 
fairs to suit their demands, and the better 
class of citizens were much discouraged, but 
through his labors a radical change was ef- 
fected in public affairs, much to the benefit 
and satisfaction of the people. He is a man 
of large executive ability, and his opinion re- 
garding the company's affairs, and his de- 
cision in important matters, are relied upon with 
confidence by the others connected with the com- 
pany, and by the president himself, Waldo P. 
Clement, of New York City. As superintendent 
of the works at College Point, he is discharging 
his duties with efficiency, and in a manner that 
proves satisfactory and remunerative to the stock- 
holders of the concern. 



J 



■ OHN R. HINKSON, M. D. Within the 
limits of this volume it will be impossible 
to give a detailed account of the services 
Dr. Hinkson has rendered mankind, for he has 
been a philanthropist in the broadest sense of the 
word, and is justly entitled to be classed among 
the most distinguished surgeons of Queens 
County, and is recognized as such by the medical 
profession. He has performed hundreds of the 
most difficult operations successfully, and has ac- 
quired a reputation in this department of work 
which extends throughout the east. He is an 
earnest and energetic citizen, thoroughly devoted 
to the duties of his profession. The Doctor has 
a beautiful home at Blissville, one of the suburbs 
of Long Island City, although his practice often 
takes him many miles from his place of residence. 
The subject of this sketch is a native of the 
Emerald Isle, and was born in Dublin July 3, 
1861. After acquiring a good common "school 
education he began the study of medicine at Led- 
wich School of Anatomy, Medicine and Surgen,-, 
which was located in his native city. In July, 
1882, he matriculated at the Royal College of 
Surgeons in Ireland, and studied in the Afercer 
and Coombe hospitals. In 1884 he passed the 
examination in anatomy, physiology-, and chem- 
istry in the College of Physicians and College of 
Surgeons in Edinburgh. In January, 1885, he 
went to England, where he acted as assistant to a 
physician in Birmingham, and afterward in 
Norfolk. 



In 1886 Dr. Hinkson came to America, and 
for three years devoted his time principally to 
teaching private classes in anatomy. He then en- 
tered Bellevue Hospital, and was graduated from 
its medical department in 1889, after which he 
opened an office in Hunter's Point Avenue, Long 
Island City, where he soon built up a lucrative 
practice. He is highly educated, and is a student 
and scholar of great depth. While engaged in 
general practice, he makes a specialty of surgery, 
and stands very high in the profession. Feb- 
ruary 12, 1 89 1, he successfully performed the 
operation of laparotomy on a child ten hours 
old, for the cure of congenital umbilical hernia. 
Ether was administered to the child, who was 
under its influence for one hour and forty min- 
utes, the only case on record where ether had 
been administered to a child so voung. 

Dr. Hinkson is a member of the Queens County 
Medical Society, and is also associated with the 
Long Island City ^Medical Society. He contrib- 
utes many articles to the various medical jour- 
nals, which are of interest and importance to the 
profession, and has read numerous papers of 
which he is the author, before the societies to 
which he belongs. He belonged to the visiting 
staff of St. John's Hospital, and is the late senior 
surgeon to the Astoria Hospital. Indeed, few 
physicians and surgeons of Queens County rank 
higher than Dr. Hinkson. His chief aim in life 
is to do what he can to benefit humanity, and 
he is conscientiously and intelligently carrx'ing 
out this conviction of his dutv. 



CAPT. SYLA-ANUS AIOTT. The histoiy 
of Queens County would be incomplete 
without mention of Captain Mott, one of 
its old and highly respected citizens, who now 
makes his home in Freeport. He was born near 
this place in 1822. his parents being Joseph and 
Susanna (Gautier) }\Iott, natives of Long Island 
and New York City, respectively. The father 
for many years followed the trade of a mason, 
and subsequently engaged in the hotel business 
at Greenwich Point until his decease, which oc- 
curred in 1834. His good wife departed this 
life in 1852. 

As soon as old enough our subject attended 
the schools in his home district, but when only a 
lad of thirteen years was compelled to make his 
own way in the world. His first employment 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



II2I 



was as clerk in a mercantile establishment in 
Babylon, L. I., afterwards at Hempstead and East 
Rockaway, in which capacity he remained al- 
together for four years. His love for the water 
then overcame every other desire and he went 
to sea, following this kind of life for twenty-seven 
years, during all of which time, with the excep- 
tion of the first two years, he was master of a ves- 
sel which plied between New York and foreign 
ports. While in command of his vessel he vis- 
ited the West Indies and Mexico. In 1868 he re- 
tired, continuing his residence in Brooklyn until 
the spring of 1878, when he located upon the old 
homestead in the suburbs of Freeport, where he 
■has resided ever since. 

Captain Mott was united in marriage in 1844 
to Miss Rebecca R., daughter of Israel and Char- 
lotte (Clarke) Howell, natives of Sag Harbor. 
Only one son survives of their union, William Har- 
vey, who makes his home in Brooklyn. He mar- 
ried Augusta Porterfield and they have a daugh- 
ter, Leola R. Captain and Mrs. Mott hold mem- 
bership in the Presbyterian Church, with which 
they have been connected for several years. In 
politics the former is at all times and under all 
circumstances an uncompromising Democrat. 
The kind of life which he led for over a quarter of 
a century prevented his holding any positions of 
public trust and 'honor, although he would doubt- 
less have proved a satisfactory official. 

May 13, 1894, the Captain and his wife cele- 
brated their golden wedding, and many of their 
old-time friends were present to congratulate 
them. Although seventy-three and seventy years 
old respectively, they are enjoying excellent 
health. 



CHARLES W. HAYES. This substantial 
citizen of Rockville Center is now pass- 
ing the sunset of his life in a comfortable 
and attractive home within its borders. Honor- 
able and upright in every walk of life, his long 
career has been without a blot or blemish to mar 
its whiteness. Although well advanced in years 
he is still active and vigorous and many more 
years of usefulness are promised him. He was 
born in Connecticut in 1830, to Solomon and 
Deborah Ann (Lyon) Hayes. The latter came of 
a prominent old Revolutionary family, who for 
many years made their home in Westchester 
County, N. Y. Connecticut was the native state 



of Solomon Hayes, and from the time he 
reached man's estate until his career closed by 
death, he followed the trade of a hatter. He was 
a quiet, unassuming citizen, and after a useful 
and well spent life died in 1880. His worthy 
wife closed her eyes in death about 1833. Ruth- 
erford B. Hayes, President of the United States, 
was descended from the same family as was 
our subject. 

In the public schools of New York City, Charles 
W. Hayes received his early educational training. 
He was reared in the thirteenth ward, and in 
1850 he went to Williamsburg, now a suburb of 
Brooklyn, and there engaged in paper hanging 
and decorating, occupations to which his atten- 
tion was successfully given in that place for 
thirty-five years. In this line he executed a vast 
amount of work, and such was the able manner 
in which it was performed that universal satis- 
faction was expressed. He thoroughly famil- 
iarized 'himself with the art of interior decorating, 
and became recognized as among the leading 
exponents of the art in that city. 

In 1867 Mr. Hayes purchased property^ at 
Rockville Center, where he resided a few years, 
then changed his residence to Bayport, where he 
resided until 1888, when he returned to Rock- 
ville Center, and here he intends to spend the 
remainder of his days. He is one of the most 
progressive and thorough-going citizens of the 
place, and was- one of the most active workers 
for the incorporation of the village, but at that 
time declined the office of president of the board, 
which had been proffered him. In 1894, how- 
ever, he was unanimously chosen to this office, 
was again elected in 1895, and is now discharg- 
ing the duties of this position. In 1895 a fine 
water-works plant was built, which is now ready 
for use, and the success of this venture has been 
in a great measure owing to the push and en- 
ergy of Mr. Hayes and his associates. 

By an early marriage Mr. Hayes has a son 
and daughter: Charles H., who resides in Kan- 
sas City; and Ella L., a resident of Brooklyn. 
In 1890 he married Catherine A. (Cotte) Allen, 
daughter of John B. Cotte, one of the most pro- 
gressive citizens of Brooklyn, and one of the di- 
rectors of the Butchers and Drovers' Bank. Mrs. 
Hayes is a worthy member of the Episcopal 
Church, and fraternally Mr. Hayes is a member 
of the Free and Accepted Masons. In 1863 he 
assisted in the organization of the Forty-seventh 



II22 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Regiment of Brooklj^n (N. Y.) Militia, which 
was in active service for some time during the 
Civil War and of which Mr. Hayes was com- 
missioned first lieutenant and later commissary, 
holding the latter position until 1877, when he 
resigned. At one time he was an active mem- 
ber of the New York Fire Department, Phoenix 
Hose Co. No. 22; for fourteen years was also a 
member of the Brooklyn Fire Department, Good 
Intent No. 3, and was likewise foreman of Zephyr 
Hose Company No. 4 of that city. He is a 
member of Harry Lee Post No. 21, G. A. R., of 
Brooklyn, and politically has always been a 
stanch Republican, but in local affairs is rather 
conservative. He is a useful citizen and has 
manv friends. 



JOFIN HANSON. It is a rule, with indeed 
few exceptions, that the prosperous and rep- 
resentative men of all flourishing cities are 
rarely ever natives of the same. It is likewise a 
notable fact that vast numbers of the successful 
men who do business in the states are foreigners 
by birth. This thought is brought about by the 
personality of John Hanson, a native of Armagh, 
Ireland, and now a prominent member of Long 
Island City's business circles. He was born on 
the Emerald Isle April 14, 1834, and his parents, 
Edward and Margaret (Gray) Hanson, were na- 
tives of that country also. The paternal grand- 
father was a native of Ireland, but of Danish 
origin. 

The father was a man of more than ordinary 
activity and ability, and was interested in many 
enterprises. He was engaged in farming, was 
, also in the grocery business, and, being a turner 
by trade, was interested in the manufacture of 
spinning wheels. Later he turned his attention 
almost wholly to agricultural pursuits and the 
grocery business, following both with much suc- 
cess until his death. He was a member of the 
Scotch Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Hanson's 
father, John Gray, was a native of Ireland, and 
he married a Miss Simpson, daughter of Joan 
Simpson, who was quite well-to-do. Mrs. Han- 
son died in Ireland. Of the six children included 
in the parental family, one son and three daugh- 
ters are now living, and our subject is the eldest 
of the family. 

The youtliful days of young Hanson were 
passed on his father's farm and in the subscrip- 



tion schools. He remained with his parents until 
eighteen years old, and then came to America, 
crossing from Liverpool, England, to New York 
City on the vessel "Empire State" in 1852. Two 
years he remained in Harlem, N. Y., learning 
wood turning and scroll sawing, and then went 
to Chicago, where he followed his trade in Wells 
Street and State and Randolph Streets for some 
time. Later he was employed in the wagon mak- 
ing trade, and remained in that city for two and 
a half years. 

Returning to Harlem Mr. Hanson followed 
his trade there until 1863, after which he branched 
out in business for himself. This he continued 
for some time, and was then engaged by Spring- 
meyer Brothers, and continued with them for 
eighteen months, after which he returned to the 
old business. After his shop was burned he lo- 
cated in Eighty-fourth Street, and built a shop 
of his own. This he later sold, and built a plan- 
ing mill in Ninety-first Street near the avenue, 
and still later built a two-storj^ mill with seventy- 
five foot front in Ninety-third Street, where he 
was actively engaged in planing, sawing, and 
turning. This business was then incorporated as 
the East River Mill and Lumber Companv, he 
being a trustee in the same. He continued with 
this company, and carried on his old business at 
224 Ninety-second Street until 1892, when he re- 
moved his shop here, erecting a two-storv mill, 
34x58 feet, on Broadway, and has all the modern 
improvements and machinery. He manufactures 
mouldings and band and scroll sawing of every 
description, also dressers, wardrobes, washtubs, 
wainscoting and panel work, and employs about 
ten skilled workmen. This is the only planing 
mill in Astoria, and the largest in Long Island 
City. 

In 1870 Mr. Hanson located in Long Island 
City, at Astoria, and built a good residence at 
No. 56 Halsey Street, although at the present 
time he resides at No. 987 Boulevard. He has 
erected residences all over the city, and furnished 
trimmings for most of the finest residences here. 
Mr. Hanson was married in Twentieth Street, 
New York City, to Miss Letitia Painter, a native 
of Armagh, Ireland, who came, with her parents, 
to this country when but a girl. Nine of the 
eleven children born to this union are now liv- 
ing. J\Iary B. and George were drowned when 
eight and three years old respectively: James is 
in charge of the business in Long Island Citv: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 123 



and the others are Martha J., Robert, David, Al- 
fred, Edwin, Letitia, Violet M, and Arthur R. 
Since 1894 Mr. Hanson's son, James, has car- 
ried on the business. Mr. Hanson is a demitted 
Mason, and has been a member of Architect 
Lodge for many years. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and in religion is a member of the 
Ravenswood Presbyterian Church. For many 
years he was a deacon and trustee in the church 
at Astoria. 



CHARLES W. HALLETT, a well known 
and public-spirited citizen of Long Island 
City, has been engaged in business here 
for many years, during which time he has made 
many sincere friends in the various walks of life. 
He was reared in Astoria, and is a representa- 
tive of one of the oldest and most prominent 
famihes of this section, his forefathers owning the 
site once kno^vla as Hallett's Cove and Hal- 
lett's Point. This tract of land was purchased 
by them from the Indians, who then inhabited 
the island, and was held by each succeeding gen- 
eration of the family for a long period of years. 
The subject of this sketch is one of the most 
substantial and successful business men of the 
city. He is the proprietor of a very iine under- 
taking establishment, and by attending strictly to 
his own affairs and by the exercise of industry 
and correct principles, has acquired a fortune. 
He was born July 16, 1831, in New York City, 
while his father, William Hallett, was a native 
of Hallett's Cove, now known as Astoria. Grand- 
father Samuel Hallett was also born here, and 
was engaged in farming in what is now one of the 
beautiful suburbs of Long Island City. As far 
back as we have any record the family were agri- 
culturists of prominence, and people of weight in 
their community. The first of the name to come 
to America was one William Hallett, who chose 
Long Island as his future home, and was success- 
ful in effecting a trade with Chief Mattano. Our 
subject now has in his possession a copy of the 
deeds given by this noted Indian, and is also the 
owner of the only piece of land now held by any 
member of his family which was formerly in- 
cluded in the original tract. 

William Hallett, father of our subject, was a 
carriage manufacturer of New York City, where 
his death occurred soon after the birth of Charles 
W. His wife was, in her maidenhood, Wilhel- 



mina Fredericks, a native of Germany, and was 
brought to America when a babe by her par- 
ents. They made their home in the metropolis, 
where Wilhelmma made the acquaintance of her 
future husband. She died of cholera in 1832. 
Fler family included seven children, five of 
whom grew to mature years, and only two are 
now living, Charles, of this sketch, and Adam 
F., a resident of Westchester County, N. Y. 

Orphaned when only eighteen months old. our 
subject was brought to Astoria, and taken care 
of by his grandparents until their death. He 
then made his home with a paternal uncle, at- 
tending the private schools of this locality until 
a lad of sixteen years. Then, finding it necessary 
to look out for himself, he went to New York 
City, and clerked in a grocery store until 1854. 
About this time his brother-in-law, Richard 
Davies, of this city, died, and he was summoned 
hither to take charge of his business, with which 
he has been connected ever since. He continues 
at the old stand. No. 127 Fulton Avenue, Astoria, 
although he has found it necessary, owing to his 
increased trade, to erect more commodious quar- 
ters. He now occupies a building 25x100 feet in 
dimensions, containing three stories and a base- 
ment. Although when he first assumed charge 
of the business he handled only furniture and un- 
dertaking supplies, he now keeps a large and 
varied stock of hardware, and is recognized by 
one and all as among the most successful busi- 
ness men of the county. His is the leading un- 
dertaking establishment in the city, as well as 
the oldest and most reliable. 

•Mr. Hallett is trustee of the Long Island City 
Savings Bank, and, during his long and useful 
career, has been one of the foremost citizens of 
the community. He occupies a delightful home 
at No. 95 Remsen Street. His wife, prior to her 
marriage, was Miss Christina C. Ellison, a na- 
tive of New York City. To them were born six 
children, namely: Charles ^W., Jr., associated 
with his father in business, as is also Frederick 
T.; Walter Ellison, clerk in the Bank for Sav- 
ings in New York City; Alletta M., now Mrs. 
John A. Stead, of Princeton, N. J.; Christina, at 
home; and May E., who died when eight years 
of age. 

In his political affiliation Mr. Hallett is a stanch 
Republican, and in 1876 was elected alderman 
from the Fifth ward, which contains a large 
Democratic majority. So well and faithfully did 



I 124 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he discharge the duties of the position that he was 
retained in ofifice the following term, serving in 
all four years, and during two years of this time 
was president of the board. Under the first term 
of Mayor DeBevoise's administration he was ap- 
pointed a member of the board of water com- 
missioners, filling this position with great effi- 
ciency. 

Socially our subject is an Odd Fellow, belong- 
ing to Astoria Lodge No. 155, of which he is 
past officer. Twice he has been past master of 
Advance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M., at Astoria, 
and in this order takes great interest. He is one 
of the influential members of the First Presby- 
terian Church of the above place, and has been 
president of the board of trustees for many years. 
He has been president of various political clubs, 
and has been appointed a member of various im- 
portant committees, working for the good of his 
party. Mr. Hallett possesses a clear, keen intel- 
lect, and is a man of wide experience and extended 
information. 



FREDERICK J. FEHN, who has been en- 
gaged .in the bakery business at College 
Point since 1871, was born in Kehlbach, 
Bavaria, Germany, in 1834, to Joseph and Mary 
(Bauer) Fehn, natives of Kehlbach and Stem- 
bach respectively. His parents spent their entire 
lives upon a farm in Bavaria, where they died 
advanced in years. Of their six children, two are 
living, both in America. Frederick J., who was 
the youngest of the family, remained in his na- 
tive land until seventeen and one-half years of 
age. In 1852 he left Bremen on the sailing ves- 
sel "Alex. Edmunds," and after a voyage of forty- 
one days landed in New York, May 11, 1852. 

The first employment secured by Mr. Fehn was 
in the bakery business, to which he served an 
apprenticeship, and in which, in 1856, he em- 
bariced for himself, opening a shop in Hudson 
near Watt Street. Later he bought a bakery in 
Sixth Avenue, between Third and Fourth Streets, 
and this he carried on for ten and one-half years. 
In 1871 he came to College Point, and bought 
his present place at No. 62 Thirteenth Street, 
where he lias since conducted a large and profit- 
able business, furnishing employment to two 
bakers, and catering to the best trade of the 
connnunity. 

The lirst marriage of Mr. Fehn took place in 



New York in 1856, when Miss Theresa Brobeil, 
a native of Germany, became his wife. She died 
in New York, leaving five children: Frank 
J., Jr., of College Point; Sophia, who died here; 
Barbara, Mrs. Emil Witzel, who resides in this 
village; Henry, of New York City; and George, 
who is living here. In November, 1865, in New 
York City, Mr. Fehn married Miss Barbara Neus- 
baum, who was born there of German parentage. 
They had fourteen children, of whom the follow- 
ing survive: William, Louise, Alphonso, Jo- 
sephine, and Gussie, who reside in College Point. 
Mrs. Fehn is next to the eldest of three children, 
two now living, and at the age of eight years, 
in 1854, she accompanied her parents to College 
Point. There were then but twelve houses here, 
theirs being the thirteenth. Her parents, Joseph 
Frank William and ^dargaret (Beck) N'eusbaum, 
were born in Bavaria, the former being a shoe- 
maker; the latter died in College Point at the 
age of seventy. Her father was one of the early 
settlers of College Point, and manufactured the 
first beer made here. 

PoHtically, while not active in public affairs, 
Mr. Fehn always votes for Democratic candi- 
dates. He is a Catholic in religious belief, and 
holds membership in St. Fidelis' Church. Fond 
of sports, he excels as a marksman, and is one 
of the best shots in the Schuetzen Club of Col- 
lege Point. 



WYCKOFF VAN SICLEN, who. with 
his brother, John R.. is one of the 
largest farm gardeners of Queens 
County, was born in the town of Jamaica, on the 
tract of land which he is now cultivating, Feb- 
ruary 21, 1863. He has five brothers; Abraham 
D. is a veterinary surgeon of Jamaica; James C. 
is a prominent attorney of New York Citv; S. 
Renisen is in the employ of our subject; and 
Richard is bookkeeper in the office of Hendrick- 
son & Co., lumber merchants of Jamaica. Our 
subject also has two sisters, ]\Iaggie, who has 
never married, and is living with her mother in 
Jamaica; and Gertrude C, the wife of George 
Van DeWater, a banker of New York City, 
whose home is in Clinton Avenue, one of the 
finest streets in Jamaica. 

The father of the above family, Ditmars \"an 
Siclen, was born in New Lots, and about the time 
the Civil \\ar broke out, came to the town of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I 12 = 



Jamaica, purchasing the property which our sub- 
ject and his brothers are now cultivating. He 
was very prosperous in all his undertakings, and, 
at the time of his decease, May 6, 1878, left a 
large estate to be divided among his. children. 
Of his brothers and sisters we mention the fol- 
lowing: Abraham is living in East New York; 
Cornelia married Gilbert Eldert, and is now de- 
ceased; John W. is a retired farmer, making his 
home in Brooklyn; Albert H. W., who was for 
many years supervisor of New Lots and com- 
missioner of charities, is now vice-president of 
the Twenty-sixth Ward Bank of Brooklyn; 
James C. never married, and passed away about 
the year 1888; Jacob T., who was also a farmer 
of this county, is now living retired at New Lots ; 
Maggie died in girlhood. 

Grandfather Abraham Van Siclen was one of 
the old and influential residents of the island. In- 
deed, the family has lived here for many genera- 
tions, and many of those who bear this name are 
among its wealthy and honored residents. Abra- 
ham seems to have been a favorite name among 
the Van Siclens, for on Long Island they are 
about as numerous as the John Smiths in other 
parts of the country. 

Mrs. Cornelia (Remsen) Van Siclen, mother of 
subject, was the daughter of John and Catherine 
(Schenck) Remsen, of Flatlands. Theirs was 
one of the old Dutch families of that locality, 
and its various members were honored with the 
confidence of the people in their respective lo- 
calities. Mrs. Van Siclen had four brothers. 
John, who is a retired farmer, is living in Flat- 
lands; T. Schenck, who 'made a decided success 
in tilling the soil, is very wealthy, and is now 
living retired from the active duties of life, in a 
pleasant home in Flatlands; Richard is living on 
a nice tract of land in Flatlands; and Peter, who 
is also a farmer of that locality, is meeting with 
success in his vocation. 

Shortly after the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Van Siclen built a fine residence in Bergen Ave- 
nue, Jamaica, where she now resides with her 
daughter. Her sons, Wyckoff and John R., have 
the management of the large estate left by their 
father, and in its cultivation give constant em- 
ployment to some fift}' or sixty men. They are 
thoroiigh-going business men, in personal man- 
ner courteous and afifable, and readily win and 
retain friends. The products of this estate are 
marketed in New York and Brooklyn, and the 



Van Siclen brothers bear the reputation of doing 
the largest business in this line on the island. 
They are both single, and are wholly devoted to 
building up a name and a fortune for themselves. 
Wyckofif is a member of the Jamaica Club, and 
uses his influence in the promoting of all leading 
movements which have in view the upbuilding 
of his community. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 



JOHN P. KARKHECK. Place the native 
German where you will, and he will make 
a living for himself and those depending on 
him, for in him are ingrained those qualities which 
go to make the successful man, chief among which 
may be mentioned energy, perseverance and un- 
doubted honesty. Although he was born in Han- 
over, Germany, October 10, 1830, and there made 
his home until twenty-two years of age, he is in 
every essential a loyal American citizen, and has 
identified himself with the interests of his adopted 
country as far as it has been possible for him to 
do so. His parents were John P. and Mary (Kan- 
selmeier) Karkheck, the former of whom was a 
farmer of his native province of Hanover. He 
was born in 1794, and died in 1836. 

The subject of this sketch was one of .five chil- 
dren born to his parents, and like the great ma- 
jority of German youths, he was given the ad- 
vantages of the common schools of his native 
land, where he made the most of his oppor- 
tunities. At the age of sixteen years he began 
working as a farm hand, continuing thus em- 
ployed up to the time he was twenty-two years 
old, when, being possessed of considerable pluck 
and ambition, he concluded that America af- 
forded him opportunities for rising in the world, 
which his native land could not do, and thither 
he came in 1852. He took passage on a sailing 
vessel on the 19th of May, and arrived in New 
York after a voyage of forty-nine days, and here 
soon found employment in a sugar refinery. At 
the end of fourteen months he began working for 
a brother-in-law, who was in the grocery busi- 
ness, with whom he remained for about fifteen 
months. 

Mr. Karkheck then purchased a charcoal 
route, and for seven years drove his charcoal 
wagon, by which means he made about $6,000. 
With this money he went to Astoria and leased 
some land, which he farmed for seven years, but 



II26 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at the end of that time he purchased the farm on 
which he now lives. About 1891 ]Mr. Karkheck 
retired from the active duties of life, and a por- 
tion of his farm is in charge of his son Henry. 
His marriage with Miss M. C. Teachen took 
place in New York City in 1853, and resulted in 
the birth of nine children, four of whom are liv- 
ing. John H. married Annie Hofifmeir, and be- 
came the father of two children; he died Feb- 
ruary 5, 1896. Annie is the wife of Charley 
Steneck, by whom she has six children; Her- 
man C. is married, -and has three children; Min- 
nie is the wife of Louis Heis, and has four chil- 
dren; and Henry, who is the youngest son, is 
farming in the town of Jamaica. Fie was born 
November 19, 1864, and in 1883 was married to 
Miss Mary E. Wahl, of Valley Stream. To 
them have been born four children: Annie J., 
Catherine, Peter J., and Mamie. Mrs. Kark- 
heck died December 25, 1894. 

Mr. Karkheck has always been a Republican 
in his political views, and he and his family are 
members of the German Presbyterian Church. 
He has been a very useful citizen, and his up- 
right life has won him universal respect and es- 
teem. 



JAMES M. CARRINGTON has been a po- 
tential element in the upbuilding of Astoria, 
having identified himself, heart and soul, 
with the interests of this section, particularly in 
religious matters, and has always been one of 
its most substantial, law-abiding, and pro- 
gressive citizens. He was born in New Haven, 
Conn., in 1837, and there his father, James W. 
Carrington. and his grandfather, James Carring- 
ton, were also born. The Carrington family 
came originally from England, and settled first 
in Massachusetts and later in Connecticut. The 
grandfather of our subject was a merchant and 
manufacturer in the latter state for many years. 
The father, James W. Carrington, moved to 
New York City at an eariy date, and followed 
merchandising there until 1840, when he moved 
to Astoria, Long Island City, and embarked in 
the lumber business, although he also carried on 
business in New York City. He was a most in- 
fluential and worthy member of the Episcopal 
Church of the Redeemer, a pioneer business man 
of the place, and a highly esteemed and influen- 
tial citizen. Aside from his deep interest in re- 



ligious matters, he was at the head of all good 
work, and his humanity, natural kindness of 
heart, and earnest desire to benefit his fellows, 
endeared him to all. His death occurred in As- 
toria, when eighty-two years old. His wife, Grace 
(Townsend) Carrington, was born at New 
Haven, Conn., and was of English origm. Her 
father, Eli Townsend, was a ship owner, and a 
man of considerable prominence. Mrs. Carring- 
ton now finds a comfortable and pleasant home 
with her son, our subject, and, although eighty- 
six years old, enjoys fairly good health. 

Our subject, the only child bom to his parents, 
received a good practical education in his youth 
in the schools of New York City. Later he en- 
gaged in the lumber business with his father 
there, and subsequently embarked in business on 
his own responsibility in that city. He now oc- 
cupies the old homestead in Astoria, where, like 
his father, he is highly respected. An enthusias- 
tic church worker, he is senior warden of the 
Church of the Redeemer, and contributes lib- 
erally to the church, and supports all worthy 
movements. 

Mr. Carrington was married in New York 
City to Miss Adelie Case, a native of New York 
City, and daughter of Rufus D. Case, who was a 
prominent merchant of that place. Three chil- 
dren have blessed the union of ]Mr. and Mrs. 
Carrington, as follows: Grace, Adelie, and 
Edith, all at home. Mr. Carrington follows in 
the footsteps of his father, and is a stanch advo- 
cate of Republican principles. 



JOHN HENRY KELSEY. It is with grati- 
fication that we present to our readers a 
sketch of John Henry Kelsey, whose life in 
Queens County was such as to make his niemor\' 
justly respected. He was an excellent business 
man, public-spirited and enterprising, and was 
well and favorably known throughout the sec- 
tion. Mr. Kelsey was born in Huntington, this 
county, August 16. 1843, ^'id died April 2. 1884. 
He was one of eight children, five of whom are 
living, born to Jesse Brush and Rebecca (Cod- 
dington") Kelsey. The father was also a native of 
Huntington, L. I., and made his home in that 
village up to 1890, when he moved to New Haven. 
Conn., and resides there, retired from the active 
duties of life. The greater part of this worthv 
citizen's life was passed on the ocean, he being a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1127 



ship owner, and for years was captain of a ves- 
sel, but later in life he turned his attention to mer- 
chandising, which he continued up to a short time 
before leaving Huntington. 

John Henry Kelsey grew to manhood under 
the care of his parents, and received his school- 
ing in Huntington. When about nineteen years 
old he left home, and went to the city of New 
York, where, after a short time, he worked for 
the distillery firm of Louber, Parr & Co. Later 
he secured a position in the government employ 
as an inspector in the custom house, and after 
about three or four years in this important po- 
sition he was appointed an employe in the LTnited 
States bonded warehouse. This position he re- 
signed at the end of two years to engage in the 
mercantile business in Queens, L. I. From the 
first he was tmusually successful, and, being a 
man of sterling qualities, and upright and hon- 
est to a fault, he was well liked by all. Decem- 
ber 23, 1869, he married Miss Mary Creed, of 
Queens, the daughter of William and Phoebe 
Ann (Hendrickson) Creed, and one of four chil- 
dren, two of whom are living at the present time. 

William Creed was born in Jamaica, L. 1. 
March 27, 1810, and died August 26, 1892. He 
was a butcher by trade, and followed that call- 
ing during his entire life. His wife was boni 
July 19, 1819, and died May 9, 1893. Their chil- 
dren were as follows: James, born October 11, 
1837, and died January 26, 1880; Gilbert; Mary, 
born December 6, 1846; and John S., born May 
12, 1852, and died April 8, 1885. James left 
three children, William R., Laura A., and Alfred 
J.; and John S. also left three children, Elrena, 
William, and Florence, the latter being now de- 
ceased. William Creed's father, Gilbert Creed, 
was a veteran of the War of 1812. The latter's 
father, William, and his brother, were Revolu- 
tionary soldiers, and served throughout the en- 
tire war. William was a prisoner on one of the 
British vessels for a time. The Creed family 
is one of the oldest and best respected on the 
island. Its members have ever been upright and 
honorable citizens, and have ever reflected credit 
upon the com-munity in which they lived. 

Mrs. Kelsey's brother, Gilbert, was born in 
Queens December 25, 1840, was educated in the 
schools of Queens County, and, when twenty- 
one years old, embarked in the butcher's busi- 
ness with his fatlier. One year later he suc- 
ceeded the latter in the business, which he has 



conducted most successfully since. In 1863 he 
married Miss Marietta Lane, the daughter of 
Benjamin Lane of Queens. This union has re- 
sulted in the birth of one child, Louisa, who is 
the wife of Frank J. Lott. (See sketch.) In 
politics Mr. Creed is a Democrat, and in religion 
a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. For 
six yeai-s he was a member of the school board 
of trustees. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey were born four chil- 
dren, all living: Irving J., now conducting the 
business established by his father; Evelyn C, 
Nellie C, and John Henry. Mr. Kelsey was a 
Democrat in politics, and a Presbyterian in re- 
ligion. Although often solicited to run for office, 
he as often declined, preferring to give his undi- 
vided attention to his business. However, he did 
not lose sight of his duties as a citizen, but gave 
freely of his means, and aided all enterprises of 
importance. For many years he was a member 
of the school board of Queens, and held other 
local offices. 



WILBUR LOTT. The life of Mr. Lott, 
in the business world, has been char- 
acterized by intelligence, sound judg- 
ment and persevering industry. Although one 
of the younger "sons of the soil," he is none the 
less one of its representatives, and is deservedly 
classed with the foremost farmers of the county. 
He is a native of the town of Jamaica, and was 
born just across the road from where he is at 
present living, on the 22d of October, 1867. He 
is a son of James H. and Sarah (Emmons) Lott, 
a notice of whom is embodied in the sketch of 
Frank J. Lott, who is a brother of the subject of 
this sketch. Under the shelter of the parental 
roof, and under the watchful care of his mother 
until her death, Wilbur Lott was reared, and in 
the district school in the vicinity of his home he 
acquired a sufficient education to fit him for the 
practical duties of life. Subsequently he at- 
tended Maple Hall Institute at Jamaica. Owing 
to the fact that he was left fatherless at the age 
of five years, he was obliged to commence the 
battle of life when quite young, and after his 
mother's death, which occurred when he was fif- 
teen years of age, he secured a position with the 
firm of W. H. Schieffelin & Co., which at that 
time was one of the largest wholesale drug houses 
in the country. After spending one year at this 



1 128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



work his health failed him, and he was forced to 
resign his position for an out-door life. 

With a desire to improve his education, Mr. 
Lott spent one year in school in Jamaica, after 
which he began driving a market wagon for his 
brother, and up to the time he attained his ma- 
jority he was thus employed. At that time he 
removed to his present home, the greater portion 
of which had been bought by him while he was 
still a minor, and here he has since resided. His 
farm, which consists of fifty-two acres, is a valu- 
able one, and in its management he has shown 
the best of judgment, and has prospered. 

Mr. Lott's marriage with Miss Elmira De- 
Bevoise occurred November ii, 1885, and has 
resulted in the birth of two children: James 
Harmon and Arthur Leroy. Mr. Lott has al- 
ways supported Republican ' principles, and 
for seven years was a member of the board of 
trustees of his school district. Five years of this 
time he was President of the board, and was the 
prime mover in the erection of the fine new school 
building in 1893. He and his wife are members 
of the First Presbyterian Churcli of Woodhaven. 



ABRAHAM D. COVERT. Self made in 
the broadest sense of the term, the career 
of Mr. Covert illustrates in an admirable 
manner what may be accomplished by unflagging- 
industry, perseverance and good management. 
We find him the possessor of a comfortable home 
in Seaford, which in all its appointments fulfills 
the modern idea of culture and taste. For manv 
years he was actively engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, but, being afflicted with rheumatism, he has 
been obliged to abandon labors of this kind. 

Our subject was born in Bushwick in 1823, and 
is the son of William and Helena (Duryea) Co- 
vert, natives of Long Island, where they were 
content to pass their entire lives. During his 
lifetime the father was prominently identified with 
agricultural pursuits in this neighborhood, and 
m this industry met with good results. He was 
quiet and unassuming in manner, and, although 
not .seeking or even desiring political honors, 
was elected justice of the peace of his town, 
transacting the duties of this office in a thor- 
(uiglily competent and satisfactory manner. Ho 
was a shrewd business man, and for many years 
prior to his decease, which occurred in 1858, was 
interested in tlie First National Bank of Williams- 



burg. His estimable wife survived him many 
years, departing this life in 1877. 

As soon as old enough, our subject was sent 
to the district school, attending regularly until 
a lad of fifteen or sixteen years, when he entered 
a private school in Durham, Greene County, 
where he conducted his studies for a time. Sub- 
sequently he became a student in Erasmus Hall 
Academy at Flatbush. After completing his edu- 
cation he assisted his father in the management 
of the home place until 1854, in which year he 
left home, and, coming to Queens County, en- 
gaged in farming on his own account. He was 
thus employed on the northern side of the island 
until he was stricken with muscular rheumatism, 
which so thoroughly disabled him for this kind 
of work that he was obliged to dispose of his 
farm, and returned to the south side, where he 
has been greatly benefited. Notwithstanding 
the fact that Mr. Covert is past seventy-two years 
of age, he looks many years younger, and is of 
that cheerful disposition which makes him a 
pleasurable companion. 

The marriage of ]\Ir. Covert united him with 
Miss Adeline Collier, who, on her decease, 
left one son, A. D. Covert, Jr., now of ;\It. 
Vernon, N. Y. The lady whom he chose as his 
second companion was Mary R. ^^lollineu.x, 
who is, also deceased. This union resulted in the 
birth of four children, namely: William V. and 
Henry M., residents of Seaford ; Jesse, who makes 
his home in Freeport; and Margaret Helena, the 
wife of John W. Baylis, of Seaford. 

In 1871 Mr. Covert was married to his pres- 
ent wife, Hannah il., daughter of Smith Hicks, 
of the town of Hempstead. In politics he is a 
believer in and supporter of Democratic princi- 
ples. He has very creditably served the citizens 
of the town of Oyster Bay in the capacity of 
assessor and justice of the peace. He is a man 
universally respected in his community, and in 
his pleasant home is enjoying" the many comforts 
of life. 



M 



i<S. MARTHA W. (SMITH) COR- 
NELIUS is a native of Freeport, where 
she has resided all her life, and where she 
is surrounded by many warm friends. She is the 
daughter of Raynor R. and Elizabeth (Di.xon) 
Smith, the former of whom was bom at Ravnor- 
town, now Freeport, and was a bayman in his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 29 



early life. Later he took up the occupation of 
farming, and was a successful and progressive 
tiller of the soil. His death occurred in Freeport 
in the year 1869, and in his demise that village 
lost one of its most exemplary citizens. The 
mother of Mrs. Cornelius was born in the city 
of New York, but later became a resident of 
Freeport, where she resides at the present time. 

Mrs. Cornelius secured a fair schooling in Free- 
port, and was first married to Charles A. Powell, 
a most worthy citizen of Hempstead, where for 
many years he was successfully engaged in mer- 
chandising. Later he served as superintendent 
of the county poor. He was a man of unusual 
ability, and one who was at the head of all good 
work. A very promising career was opening be- 
fore him, when he was stricken down by disease, 
and died at the early age of thirty-eight years. 
The two children born to this marriage were as 
follows: Fannie B., wife of Harvey B. Smith, 
who is the popular toller in the Freeport Bank 
in Freeport; and Charles S. Powell, who is post- 
master at Freeport. 

In 1880 Mrs. Powell was married to Carman 
Cornelius, who for many years was engaged in 
blacksmithing. In connection with that trade 
he also followed agricultural pursuits and survey- 
ing, in which lines he was very proficient. He 
was a man of superior education, and took a deep 
interest in the politics of Queens County. At 
the time of his death, in the year 1893, he was 
deputy treasurer of the county. Mrs. Cornelius 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
a lady whose estimable qualities have endeared 
her to all. In social matters she and her chil- 
dren stand very high at Freeport. 



EDWARD E. SCHEURER. A well kept 
hostelry is an institution of the utmost 
benefit and convenience to any commun- 
ity, and is especially appreciated by those whose 
business calls them abroad, and who are tem- 
porarily without homes. The establishment of 
which Edward E. Scheurer is the proprietor, 
known as the Ehte Hotel, and located at No. 
522 Flushing Avenue, Astoria, is conducted very 
efficiently, and many home comforts and con- 
veniences ca'n be had there. Mr. Scheurer was 
born in School Street, Brooklyn, May 6, 1856, 
a son of Christian Scheurer, a native of Baden, 
Germany. There he learned the baker's trade, 
and in 1848 became a soldier and officer of the 



German Army. Previous to this, however, he 
had been in the army, having joined at the time 
he was fourteen years old, and served eighteen 
months. He enlisted, in all, three times, and be- 
came a drum major. 

In 1848 the father came to America, and set- 
tling in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, entered the 
employ of a contractor, with whom he re- 
mained for some time. He then worked in the 
Glasgow Brick Works, at Haverstraw, and finally 
became a clerk in a New York City hotel. From 
this place he accompanied Rev. Dr. Peters to 
Astoria, and was here made superintendent of St. 
Michael's Cemetery, April i, 1857. At that time 
it consisted of but six acres, but it afterwards be- 
came incorporated, and he continued its efficient 
superintendent until his death in 1869, when a 
little over fifty years of age. In religious be- 
lief he was an Episcopalian, and belonged to the 
Church of the Redeemer. He was married to 
Miss Eva Emeline Nicholas, who was born in 
Bavaria May 25, 1825, and who still survives him, 
being a resident of Long Island City. 

To this worthy couple six children were given, 
four of whom are living: Edward E. ; William 
H.; Theresa, Mrs. Riker, of Astoria; and Lillie, 
Mrs. Becker, also of that city. The subject of this 
sketch was the eldest of the family, and was 
reared in Astoria, Newtown, and Long Island 
City. He first received private instruction un- 
der Rev. C. D. F. Steinfiihrer, of Astoria, but 
after the death of his father, and owing to the 
fact that he was the eldest of the family, he was 
obliged to assist his mother in the management 
of the cemetery. On the 26th of October, 1879, 
he was made its superintendent, and this posi- 
tion he filled until January i, 1895, when he re- 
signed and retired. He then decided to erect a 
hotel on some lots which he owned at the corner 
of Baldwin and Flushing Avenues. The Elite 
Hotel, of which he was the architect and build- 
ing superintendent, is a substantial two-story 
structure, 50x70 feet, heated by steam and 
lighted by gas, and has other modern improve- 
ments. It is just one block from St. Michael's 
Cemetery. While he was superintendent of the 
latter he btiilt the greenhouses in the rear of his 
hotel, four in all, and a pretty dwelling house. 
During this time he also embarked in the marble 
and granite business, in which he was success- 
ful, but he finally sold his stock, and now rents 
the property. 



II30 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Scheurer was married in St. Michael's 
Church, New York City, by Dr. Peters, to :Miss 
Anna A. Flick, a daughter of Peter and Eliza- 
beth (Girt) Flick, natives of Germany, the for- 
mer a baker by trade. He is now deceased, but 
his widow still lives in New York. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Scheurer four children have been born; 
Benjamin Butler, Emeline, Elizabeth, and Doro- 
thea. Socially Mr. Scheurer is a member of Ad- 
vance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M.; Astoria, 
Lodge No. 155, I. O. O. F.; Hermann Lodge No. 
341, A. O. U. W.; and Astoria Lodge No. 186, 
K. P. While superintendent of the cemetery he 
was special deputy sheriff, under Messrs. Wright, 
Firman, and Goldner. He belongs to the ]\Iu- 
tual Benefit Association of Astoria, and has long 
been connected with the Church of the Re- 
deemer. In national politics he is Democratic. 



JAMES S. CARPENTER, who has followed 
contracting and building perhaps longer 
than any other resident of the county, was 
born on the farm formerly owned and occupied 
by Latting Carpenter, at Seacliff, September 23, 
1819. He is the son of John Searing and Sarah 
S. (Hawkshurst) Carpenter, the former born at 
Seaclifif December 4, 1797. He in turn was the 
son of Latting Carpenter, a native of Glencove, 
who conducted a fine farm at Seaclifif. The an- 
cestors of our subject were among the original 
settlers of Glencove, the first of whom we have 
any record being Joseph Carpenter, who with 
Nathaniel Coles had the original grant of land. 
Our subject's grandfather was named after his 
mother, who was a Miss Latting, and it is sup- 
posed that the great-grandfather bore the name 
of Coles Carpenter. 

John S. Carpenter learned the carpenter's trade 
when a young man, and was also interested in 
later years in the coasting trade. Fle made his 
home at Roslyn. Being industrious and eco- 
nomical he accumulated a snug sum of monev, 
which he invested in a stock of merchandise. 
This business not meeting with his expectations, 
he sold his store, and returned to work at his 
trade, as this was more profitable. During the 
later years of his life he purchased a pleasant 
home at Searington, where he lived in peace and 
comfort, enjoying the good things of life, wliich 
his years of hard toil had made possible. In 
politics he was a stanch Democrat, although in 



no sense of the word an office seeker, fie was 
converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church when a boy, and from that time until his 
death in February, 1876, was a true Christian. 
The parental family included seven children, 
of whom our subject was the eldest, and four 
are now living. James S. attended school in 
Roslyn, and later was sent to New York, receiv- 
ing instruction under James P. Dixon, who had 
been his father's teacher in Glencove. After 
completing his education he obtained employ- 
ment as clerk in a grocer)^ in New York, hold- 
ing this position from the age of fourteen until 
si.xteen years old. The man for whom he worked 
handled liquor, and, as James was very much op- 
posed to the use of this beverage in any of its 
various forms, he petitioned his father to let him 
leave, and learn a trade. He accordingly came 
home, and began working at the carpenter's 
trade, in which his father \vas engaged, assisting 
him in his labors until a joung man of mature 
years. He well remembers the first building on 
which he was engaged, the same being located 
on the road from Roslyn to Mineola, and is now 
owned by a Mr. Albertson. 

Mr. Carpenter, of this history, was married 
October 6, 1840, to Miss Ann E. Pearsall, of 
Searington. She was the daughter of Abijah and 
Elizabeth C. (Searing) Pearsall, worthy residents 
of that place. Mr. Carpenter made his home in 
Searington for a time after his marriage, but 
later took up his abode at Manhasset, whence he 
afterward removed to Ravenswood, living there 
from 1877 to 1895, when he came to Port ^^'ash- 
ington. While living in ^Manhasset he was very 
unfortunate in a business way, and lost nearly 
all his property. In order to gain a start he be- 
gan work in John B. Woodruff's office, where 
he remained for five years, and was then enabled 
to again start in business for himself, which he 
did in 1886. He is an experienced workman, 
and has been given the contract for erecting many 
buildings in Long Island City. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there 
were born nine children, seven of whom grew 
up, and five are living at the present time. They 
are Josephine Elmore: Henry ^^^, who married 
Mary W. Lawrence, and is the father of one son; 
Enmia Louise, who is the wife of Oldfield Ber- 
gen Burtis, and makes lier home at Great Neck; 
Eugene E., the tourtli in order of birth, who is 
spoken of at length on another page in this vol- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1133 



ume; Mary is the wife of William H. Burtis, who 
has one son. 

Our subject is a Democrat, and cast his first 
Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840. 
He has never sought or desired to hold office, 
and when nominated for the position of justice 
of the peace, refused to let his name appear on 
the ticket. Fraternalh' he is a Mason of promi- 
nence, and is also influential in the order of Sons 
of Temperance. 



WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS. The pres- 
ent age is undoubtedly one of the great- 
est progress, and every year witnesses 
new triumphs in the world of invention. Among 
those whose names are well known in this respect 
is William H. Williams, who was the first man 
to invent a machine for the manufacture of veneers 
that would pass the standard necessary for first- 
class work. He has invented and improved on 
his original machine until he now has, without 
exception, the finest veneer mill in the world. The 
capacity of the improved machine is from four to 
six times as large as that of any other, producing 
from a log in one minute thirty-two veneers of the 
same size, of regular thickness, and an unfractured 
grain. Success has followed his efforts, for he is 
a genius in his line, and the products of the As- 
toria Veneer Mills of Long Island City go to 
nearly all parts of the world. He has ever had 
the interests of this city at heart and it is princi- 
pally due to his efforts that the citizens are in- 
debted for the paved roads, good water supply 
and the improvements in the police force. 

Mr. Williams was born in Nova Scotia, July 1 1 , 
1842, the third son of Henry Williams, who was 
born in the District of Columbia. The grand- 
father, Henry Williams, Sr., was born in the Old 
Dominion, and was a Revolutionary soldier un- 
der George Washington. Pie was wounded and 
captured at Sandy Hook and was kept a prisoner 
in a ship in the old navy yards at Brooklyn. When 
the war was over he, with others, was transferred 
to Halifax by the English, and given land. Al- 
though he availed himself of the opportunity, he 
did not remain long, but soon after returned to the 
United States and settled in his native state. The 
land in Halifax is still held by the family. 

Henry Williams, Jr., was reared principally in 

Virginia and became a prominent shipbuilder. 

He subsequently went to Nova Scotia, where, 

with his brother-in-law, he engaged in his former 

47 



occupation. From there he went to Boston, 
where he lived retired, but spent the closing 
scenes of his life in New York City. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Elizabeth Campbell, was 
born in the highlands of Scotland and was direct- 
ly descended from the Campbell clan. She died 
in Greenpoint, L. I., and was buried by the side of 
her husband in Cypress Hill Cemetery. A large 
family of children was born to them, all of whom 
lived to be over sixteen years old, and two sons 
and four daughters survive at the present time. 
One son, Alexander S., is ex-inspector of police 
in New York Cit}^, where he resides at the present 
time. 

Our subject, who was the third in order of birth 
of these children, secured a good education in the 
schools of New York City, graduating there when 
fifteen years old, and later became an appren- 
tice in the ship yards of that city. After com- 
pleting the trade he entered a sawmill under his 
brother George, in New York, where he remained 
until the opening of the war, and there he began 
his inventions in various lines with successful re- 
sults. On the first tap of the drum he enlisted 
in Company A, Ninth Regiment, for thirty days, 
as a private, and at the expiration of that time 
was mustered in at Washington, D. C, serving 
until the end of the war. At the battle of Antie- 
tam he was wounded in the leg. Being mustered 
out in 1864, he returned to his home. During 
his service he was riding orderly to General Aber- 
crombie and was tendered the commission of cap- 
tain of the Lincoln Cavalry by the Governor, but 
did not accept it. For some time afterward he 
was in the navy yard and was selected to take 
charge of twenty men and go to Cairo, III, where 
he was to keep the Mosquito fleet in repair. After 
remaining there about a year he returned to New 
York City, where he engaged in sawmiUing 
with John R. Graham. 

While with Mr. Graham he invented and pat- 
ented his first veneer machine, a large improve- 
ment on others, and put it up for Mr. Graham in 
his mills in New York, City. Later he completed 
a superior machine, patented it, and started out 
in 1873 for himself in Long Island City, where 
he put it up and has had it in operation ever 
since. Pie has also invented other improvements 
and has eight different patents on veneer cutting 
machines, all far ahead of any other invention of 
the kind. The mill, three stories high, is looxiio 
feet in dimensions and in it are four veneer ma- 
chines. One hundred and fifty thousand feet of 



1 134 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



veneers are turned out in a day, requiring four 
engines of one hundred and seventy-five horse- 
power, and all of the plant is heated by steam 
and lighted by gas. 

About six months of the year Mr. Williams 
spends in the mountains of West Virginia and the 
Carolinas hunting for fancy figured wood, and in 
his mill has his own selections. His handsome resi- 
dence on Shore Road is his own design, and is 
presided over b}' his excellent wife, formerly Miss 
Grace L. Brodie, a native of Connecticut, and 
daughter of John Brodie, who is an old retired 
ship carpenter from Scotland. Six children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Alexander 
S., who graduated from Packard Institute, was 
honored with the appointment of judge of awards 
in forestry at the World's Columbian Exposition, 
the only one in his department ; he is now in part- 
nership with his father; Grace L. is a graduate of 
Rockland College; William H., Jr., is attending 
Pratt's Institute, Brooklyn; Harry, Remsen and 
Eleanore complete the family. 

In 1889 ^'"- Williams incorporated the Astoria 
Veneer Mills, of which he is president and man- 
ager, while his son is secretary and treasurer. Mr. 
Thatcher is vice-president. For a number of 
years Mr. Williams was police, fire and water com- 
missioner, and for some time was one of the gen- 
eral improvement commissioners of Long Island 
City, but resigned quite recently. He belongs to 
Advance Lodge, F. and A. M., Banner Chapter, 
R. A. M., Long Island City, to St. Elmo Com- 
mandery, K. T., Mecca Temple, New York City, 
and is a charter member of the Knights of 
Pythias. Fie is also a charter member of the An- 
cient Order of United \'Vorkmen and a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
attends the Dutch Reformed Church, in which 
his wife and children hold membership, and to 
which he is a liberal contributor. In politics he 
is a Republican. In all the improvements made 
in the city he has taken an active part, and while 
. president of the street commissioners forced bills 
through the legislature to get the streets in good 
condition, the improved condition of the city 
bearing evidence of his success. 



EDWARD RICHARDSON came to Flush- 
ing in 1871, and two years later began 
work as a contractor and builder. In 
1874, however, he removed to Providence, R. I., 
where he was engaged in stair building for three 



years, then, returning to this place, resumed 
work here. Among the buildings for which he 
had the contract may be mentioned the Armory, 
public school at Newtown, IMacDonald's house, 
and the Reformed Church on the corner of 
Amity Street and Bowne Avenue, which is the 
finest edifice in the city. To his efforts was due 
the opening of Lincoln and the upper part of 
Amity Streets. In the latter street he built a 
block of fourteen residences, all of which he sold. 
He also built five residences in Lincoln Street, 
two in Percy Street, one in Sanford Avenue, 
and four in Barclay and Central. About 1888 
he erected the first residence in }ilurray Hill, and 
laid out a block, which he built up, being among 
the first to open that place. 

The birth of Edward Richardson occurred in 
Carnarvon, North Wales, December 25, 1848, and 
he is a member of an old family in that locaHty. 
His paternal grandfather. Rev. Evan Richard- 
son, withdrew from the Episcopal Church, and 
became one of the first advocates of the doctrines 
of Calvinism, founding a church of that denomi- 
nation at his home. While devoting much of 
his time to teaching school, he never neglected 
religious work. Through his efforts three of 
the largest churches of North Wales were estab- 
lished at Carnarvon. While comparatively 
young he was called from earth, but his name is 
still remembered with affection by the people of 
his parish. 

The father of our subject, Nehemiah, was born 
in Carnar\^on, and was stationed there, in the 
government emplo}-, until his death. He mar- 
ried Jane Morris, a native of that place, and they 
became the parents of thirteen children, of 
whom ten attained years of maturity. All remain 
in their native land except Edward and Prof. 
William, Ph. D., who is an instructor in the 
laboratory of Cooper Institute. Our subject 
was reared in Carnarvon, where he attended 
school, though his education was principally ac- 
quired by his unaided efforts. At the age of 
thirteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's 
trade, at which he sensed for three years. He 
then went to Liverpool, where he continued at 
the trade until the time of his emigration to 
America in 1870. At the age of twenty-two he 
came to New York City, and after three months 
there, went to Newark, thence proceeded west- 
ward to Chicago, where he spent one summer. 
Again crossing the .'\tlantic. he spent a winter 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"35 



working at his trade in Scotland. In March, 
1871, he returned to the United States, where he 
worked in New York for six months, and then 
came to Fkishing, his present place of residence. 
The first marriage of Mr. Richardson took 
place in this place, his wife being Sarah Owen, 
who at her death left two children, Rodman and 
Albert E. The present wife of our subject was 
Miss Mary J. Hughes, a native of Canada, who 
presides hospitably over the family residence at 
No. 45 Percy Street. In everything tending to 
build up the interests of the community Mr. Rich- 
ardson takes an active part, and among other en- 
terprises he is associated with the Flushing 
Building and Loan Association. With Fred- 
erick Sheffield, of Flushing, and John Story, of 
Bayside, he is interested in the Century Electro 
Engraving Company, which was established in 
1894, and now has office at No. 6 Park Place, 
New York. 



CHARLES H. CLEMENT, M. D. Among 
the citizens in the town of Hempstead 
whose names are connected wiih pro- 
gressive movements, and who have promoted the 
material progress of the place, mention should 
be made of this gentleman. Although preparing 
himself for a professional life, he abandoned it 
in order that he might pass the remainder of his 
life on his beautiful farm. He was born in 
Hempstead in 183 1, the son of Samuel and Mary 
(Cornwell) Clement, natives of Long Island, 
where their entire Hves were spent. In early life 
the father learned the trade of a cabinetmaker, 
but followed this business only a short time, when 
he engaged in farming. He gave his attention 
entirely to his own affairs, was industrious and 
frugal, and at the time of his death, December 
14, 1873, left his family well provided for. His 
estimable wife preceded him to the better land 
by several years, passing away May 21, i860. 

Charles H., of this history, received his edu- 
cation in Louis Chichester's grammar school in 
New York City, and subsequently took a course 
in medicine and surgery in the Bellevue Hospital 
Medical. College, from which he was graduated 
in 1864. Soon thereafter he purchased his pres- 
ent beautiful home, and has since given his at- 
tention largely to superintending its cultivation 
and improvement. The buildings on the estate 
are of modem design, and are well suited to the 



uses for which they were erected. Prior to set- 
tling on this place, however, he was en- 
gaged in the shoe trade in New York City, but 
abandoned this business in order that he might 
spend his entire time on his farm. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah 
E., daughter of James Matlock, of Philadelphia, 
occurred in 1852. To them has been born a son, 
Stephen P., who is still at home. Both Dr. and 
Mrs. Clement are members in excellent standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli, and in his 
congregation the former is steward and trustee. 
For a period of thirty-five years he has been 
identified with the Masonic fraternity. He is a 
stanch Republican in politics, and has an abiding 
faith in the purity of his party. While not an 
aspirant for official honors, he has efficiently 
served his fellow citizens in the capacity of super- 
visor of his town for four terms. For a period 
of ten years he was superintendent of the insane 
asylum of Queens County, during which time he 
practiced medicine and surgery. By all who 
know him Dr. Clement is looked upon as a sound 
business man, a Christian gentleman, and a citi- 
zen of the highest standing. 



WILLIAM H. JO'NES. In this sketch 
we present to our readers a short rec- 
ord of the life history of a man who 
is well known in the town of Oyster Bay, where 
he has lived nearly all his Hfe. He is one of the 
most experienced farmers of this section. He 
has made a study of his calling and is meeting 
with the success which he deserves. In 1855 he 
was born in New York City, the son of Walter 
R. Jones, who departed this life when sixty-two 
years of age. The latter was also born in the 
above town, which was likewise the birthplace 
of the grandfather, William H. Jones. The latter 
followed farming all his life and was the owner 
of a goodly property. 

The Jones family have been for many genera- 
tions numbered among the best agriculturists of 
the county, and have been identified with this 
immediate locality for over two centuries. The 
first of this branch to come to America was one 
Maj. Thomas Jones, a native of Ireland, who 
emigrated hither some time in 1692 and located 
in what afterward became the town of Oyster 
Bay. He was. delighted with the country, and 
deciding to make his home in this locality, pur- 



II36 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



chased a tract of land which has been handed 
down from father to son until it is now in the 
possession of our subject. 

Walter R. Jones chose for his wife Miss Vir- 
ginia Warwick, a native of Virginia, who de- 
parted this life at the age of fort}^ years. There 
were born to them two children, Virginia, now 
the wife of O. J. Woodhull, of San Antonio, 
Tex., and William H., the subject of this sketch. 
The latter was brought by his parents to this 
town when an infant of nine months, and has 
ever since continued to make it his home, with 
the exception of five years, when he was engaged 
in the lumber business in Albany. Mr. Jones has 
been remarkably successful in everything which 
he has undertaken, and this fact is in a measure 
accounted for by the unusual amount of perse- 
verance and business energy which he possesses, 
and which he knows how to use to the best ad- 
vantage. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Lucy 
Dumont occurred in 1879. This lady departed 
this life about 1885, and 'Mr. Jones chose for his 
second companion Agnes Smith, of Islip, Suffolk 
County. By his union with Miss Dumont there 
was born a daughter, Henrietta, who is now liv- 
ing in Albany, N. Y. His marriage with Miss 
Smith also resulted in the birth of a daughter, 
bearing the name of Virginia. 

The tract of land which Mr. Jones owns and 
which he devotes to farming is two hundred 
acres in extent and is very justly spoken of as 
one of the best located and best cultivated in the 
county. In his political convictions he affiliates 
with the Democratic party and has been active 
in the interests of his party here for many years, 
at present filling the office of highway commis- 
sioner. He is an attendant of the Episcopal 
Church and contributes liberally toward its sup- 
port. 



JOHN WILLIAM GOSMAN, of Flushing, 
was born in Sunnyside, Long Island City, 
February 22, 1853, being a member of a 
family that has been identified with American his- 
tory from a period antedating the Revolution. 
He is a grandson of William Gosman, of whom 
mention is made in the biographical sketch of 
his son, George McA., of Long Island, presented 
on another page of this volume. Richard 
Bragaw, father of our subject, was a son of Wil- 
liam and Margaret (Bragaw) Gosman, and was 



one of a family of two sons and six daughters, 
all of whom are living except himself. He was 
born in Dutch Kills, and grew to manhood on 
a farm there that was afterward sold to Foster 
and Thompson. On that place he continued to 
reside until his death in 1892, at the age of sixty- 
five. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Mary Humpston, and was bom in New 
York City; she died some time during the '50s 
while yet a young woman. Her father, William 
Humpston, a native of England, emigrated to 
the United States, and settled in New York City, 
carrying on a milk business on -what is now Union 
Square. The second marriage of our subject's 
father was to Miss Catherine H. Burnet, who 
was born in Newark, N. J., her father, Aaron L., 
having been the president of the ^Mechanics' 
National Bank from the time of its organization 
until his death. The latter's second marriage 
united him with Eliza, daughter of Richard 
Bragaw, Esq., a well known Whig, residing in 
Dutch Kills at the time of the Revolution. :\Irs. 
Catherine H. Gosman died in 1887 at the age of 
sixty-one years, leaving an only child, Eliza 
Bragaw, who resides with her brother, our sub- 
ject. 

The old family homestead, at the time of the 
Revolutionary War, was owned and occupied by 
Andrew Bragaw, who was a Tory, and sympa- 
thized with the British cause. His house became 
headquarters for Hessians, under Lord Corn- 
wallis, and the British soldiers often gathered 
there for consultation, or to while the hours awav 
in pleasure. One night, while in the midst of 
their revelry, one of them with his scabbard 
struck the table, in which a dent was made. Our 
subject now has the table in his possession; it is 
round, substantial, polished and in fine condition. 
The old house is still standing in Long Island 
City. Among the other old heirlooms is a solid 
mahogany desk that has been in the family since 
some time before the Revolution: also a num- 
ber of cannon balls and other relics found on the 
old place. One of the oldest souvenirs in the 
possession of our subject is a knife made from 
an old Highland sword, and brought from Glas- 
gow before the French and Indian Wars by his 
great-great-grandfather, James Duncan, wlio, 
when marching at the head of a regiment of 
Highlanders in Glasgow, had carried this sword, 
which his ancestors had carried durino- the reitrn 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"37 



of King James. This sword was made into a 
knife for carving and butchering about 1824 by 
William Gosman, and was on exhibition at the 
Sanitary Fair in New York City in 1864. 

In his political belief Mr. Gosman is a Demo- 
crat, cherishing the utmost loyalty to the prin- 
ciples of that party. Since coming to Flushing 
in September, 1895, he has made a large num- 
ber of acquaintances, and has won the regard 
of all with whom he has been brought into con- 
tact. His father was a Presbyterian, and his sis- 
ter belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church of 
Newtown, being active in the ladies' societies and 
various departments of church work. Socially 
he is connected with Island City Lodge No. 586, 
F. & A. M., at Hunter's Point, in which he has 
served as past master and representative to the 
grand lodge. 



EDWARD KELLY. One of the most 
forcible and lasting recommendations 
that the beautiful town of Flushing has 
received is that which grants it the credit of 
being one of the most perfect in relation to its 
plumbing. Few persons realize the magnitude 
and importance of this business or its relation 
to the general good health of the community. In 
reality the importance of this trade cannot be 
overestimated, and is the calling of all others 
which will permit none other than the most 
skilled workmen to engage in it. A man partic- 
ularl}' worthy of note in this line is Edward Kelly, 
who is very reliable and trustworthy, and whose 
trade is constantly growing larger. Mr. Kelly 
was born in Oneida, Madison County, N. Y., in 
1853, to the marriage of Martin and Rosanna 
(Mahardy) Kelly, both natives of New York 
State. The father was employed on the New 
York Central for many years, but later settled 
in Utica, where he resided for a number of years, 
and then moved to Mohawk, where his last days 
were spent. His wife died in 1865. Of their 
nine children, four are living at the present time. 
Edward Kelly, the eldest of the above men- 
tioned children, attended the public schools of 
Utica until about twelve years old, when he had 
to start out to fight his own way in life. He first 
engaged as a tow boy on the Erie Canal, and 
during the last year on the same, 1871, was 
steersman. In 1872 he came to New York City 
and served a five years' apprenticeship under 
William McKenzie at No. 38 West Thirtieth 



Street. From there he went to St. Louis, and 
after working there awhile went to Terre Haute, 
Ind. In the latter city he remained about a year, 
after which he returned to New York, where he 
followed his trade until about 1885. In May of 
that year he came to Flushing, and for six years 
was in the employ of Lewis Brothers. In 1891 
he began business for himself at No. 29 Main 
Street, and in 1895 he located with Don- 
court Brothers at No. 11 Main Street, and has 
been engaged in the plumbing and general gas 
fixture business since. He has completed some 
of the finest residences in the village, putting on 
tin and galvanized roofing, etc. 

Mr. Kelly was married in New York City to 
Miss Margaret Agnes Higgins, a native of Gen- 
eva, N. Y. Three children have been born to 
this marriage, Reginia Catherine, Margaret Mary 
and Edward, Jr. Mr. Kelly and family hold memi- 
bership in St. Michael's Catholic Church. While 
in Utica he was torch boy for four years and nine 
months in the Excelsior Engine and American 
Hose Company No. 2 and was the first one who 
drove the engine with a team. Mr. Kelly is a 
member of the Business Men's Association, is a 
charter member of the Foresters, and also holds 
membership with the Red Men and the Catholic 
Benevolent Legion. 



REV. AMBROSE SCHUMACK, rector of 
St. Fidelis' Catholic Church at College 
Point, was born in Vienna, Austria, July 
31, i860. His primary education was begun in 
the land of his birth and later his studies were 
prosecuted in the United States, whither he came 
at the age of fourteen years. It being his ambi- 
tion to enter the priesthood, he gave close atten- 
tion to his literary work in order that he might 
establish a solid foundation for theological study. 
On completing his literary education, he at once 
took up theology and continued in its study in 
St. Charles Seminary at Cincinnati until the com- 
pletion of his course. He was ordained by Arch- 
bishop Elder, of Cincinnati, May 31, 1885. His 
first active experience in church work was as as- 
sistant pastor of St. Augustine Church at Min- 
ster, where he rendered acceptable service during 
the period of his connection with it. 

The first regular charge accepted by Father 
Schumack was at College Point, to which place 
he came in 1888. On his arrival he found that 
the church was not in a prosperous condition. 



II38 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



but through his indefatigable and unwearied la- 
bors he has made of it a strong congregation, 
three hundred families being represented in the 
membership. Under his supervision a commo- 
dious and substantial building has been erected 
as a house of worship, and a good parsonage ha.s 
been built, the entire work being superintended 
by himself. The result of his efforts is that he 
has a large working congregation, harmonious 
in action and generous in contributions, and in 
addition he has the oversight of the parochial 
school and convent, which are taught by the 
Dominican Sisters. He is always ready to 
minister to the spiritual wants of the people, and 
his parish find in him a faithful leader and kind 
friend. Among people of other religious belief 
he is respected for the uprightness of his life 
and the energy of his disposition. He is a true 
citizen, loyal to the country of his adoption, and 
seeking in all things the promotion of its best in- 
terests. 



PAUL H. GRIMM, superintendent of the 
Glencove branch of the National Starch 
^lanufacturing Company, of which he is 
also the consulting engineer, is one of the promi- 
nent and iniluential citizens of this place. He is 
the son of Col. Andrew Grimm, who obtained his 
title while serving in the German army. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Ger- 
many, and as his parents moved frequently from 
one place to another it was impossible for him 
to make much progress in school, hence his ed- 
ucation was superintended for the most part by 
his father and private instructors until he was 
a lad of some fourteen or fifteen years. Coming 
to America about that time he made his home 
with an uncle at Dover, N. J., and during his 
three years' residence with him worked in the 
machine shops of the Morris & Essex Railroad 
Company, spending his evenings in the nighi 
school of that place in order that he might be- 
come thoroughly conversant with the English 
language. 

At the expiration of the time above mentioned 
our subject found himself in the great city of 
New York, where he readily secured a position 
as engineer, having previously obtained a license 
to liold this responsible position. For two years 
he was thus engaged, first in the metropolis and 
then in Brooklyn, in the meantime availing him- 
self of every leisure moment to study, as it was 



his ambition to become an expert engineer. 
While living in Brooklyn, and before attaining 
his majority, -Mr. Grimm was married to Miss 
Maria F. Gilchrist. This lady was born at New- 
castle-upon-Tyne, England, and was the daugh- 
ter of Dr. G. C. Gilchrist, a prominent physician 
and skilled surgeon of that place for many years. 
Shortly after establishing a home of his own 
Mr. Grimm came to Glencove, where he was 
made engineer in the starch factory, working in 
this capacity from 1880 to 1892. During the lai- 
ter year he received the appointment of chief 
engineer of the National Starch Company, and 
in their interest was sent to Des Moines, Iowa, 
in order that he might superintend the building 
of the company's plant in that city. He has mas- 
tered every department of the work with which 
he has been connected, and in 1895 was made 
superintendent of the branch at Glencove, and 
now gives the greater portion of his time and 
attention to promoting and enlarging the busi- 
ness of the company here. In 1885 ^^r. Grimm 
was made consulting engineer, and since 1891 
has held that position with W. Wheeler & Smith, 
architects of New York, and during the erection 
of the Metropolitan Realty Building designed 
the machinery and heating apparatus now useti 
in that structure. This work has all been done 
in connection with the business in which he first 
engaged when coming to Glencove. Several 
years ago Mr. Grimm was the designer for the 
power plant of the Vosburg Manufacturing Com- 
pany of Brooklyn and the machinery used bv the 
Franklin Electric Company at Seacliff was also 
made after his design. 

Our subject took out his naturalization papers 
after attaining his majority, and since that time 
has voted for Republican candidates. Fraternally 
he is a member of Glencove Lodge No. 580, F. 
& A. M., with which he has been associated ever 
since twenty-one years of age, and has been mas- 
ter of this lodge for many terms. He is likewise 
connected with the chapter. In Scottish 
Rites he has taken the thirty-second degree and 
is regarded as one of the most influential mem- 
bers of his lodge. He is also a member of the 
Royal Arcanum at Glencove, in which body he 
has filled all the chairs. About i8qi he became 
identified with the American Society of Mechan- 
ical Engineers, which is both national and inter- 
national in its scope. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
soldier under Napoleon and was under his com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"39 



mand during the campaign into Russia. Many 
who left their native land to fight reached Mos- 
cow, but the ancestor of Mr. Grimm was one of 
the very few who ever hved to return. It had 
been the intention of our subject's father that he 
should enter the army as soon as old enough, 
hence his trip to America was considered in thi' 
light of a visit to his uncle. Paul H., however, 
was of a peace loving disposition and he had not 
remained long in America before he had con- 
cluded to make the "land of the free" his per- 
manent abiding place. 



BENJAMIN MOORE, JR., is a native of 
Astoria, born in Grand Avenue January 
27, 1853, but his father, Benjamin, and his 
grandfather, Joseph Moore, were born in Chesh- 
ire, England. The latter came, with his family, 
to the United States when his son Benjamin was 
a mere youth. After following the calling of a 
florist in New York City and Flushing he came 
to Astoria, and here made his home until death 
called him hence. Benjamin Moore learned the 
trade of a baker in Silliman's bakery, at Flush- 
ing, then came to Astoria, and until 1853 had 
charge of R. H. Smith's bakery in Main Street. 
He then started a bakery of his own in Grand 
Avenue, built a residence and shop, and con- 
ducted a very successful business until his retire- 
ment from active life, when he was succeeded by 
his son Benjamin. In his early manhood he was 
united in marriage with Miss Ann M. Parks, who 
was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Her father left 
a flourishing business in that country to come to 
America, and became a merchant in New York 
City. In 1849 he died of cholera in FlusJiing. 
Mrs. Moore was called from this Hfe in August, 
1892, having become the mother of five children, 
four of whom are living in Astoria, and are use- 
ful and respected citizens. 

Benjamin Moore, Jr., the subject of this sketch, 
was educated in the public schools of the fourth 
ward, and when about nineteen years of age fin- 
ished his education. Previous to that time he 
had decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and 
become a baker, and as a means to this end, he 
began at the bottom and thoroughly learned the 
details of every department, so that at the time 
of his father's retirement, in 1880, he was in every 
way fitted to take the management of the estab- 
lishment into his own hands. In 1887 he became 



the sole proprietor of the business, and continued 
at the old stand until 1890, when he bought the 
vacant lot at the corner of Main and Remsen 
Streets, and designed and put up the fine brick 
business block in which he is now doing business. 
It has a frontage of forty-two feet in Main Street, 
extends back 120 feet, and comprises three stories 
and a basement, in the latter of which the baking 
is done. The retail business occupies the first 
floor, the rear of which is used for the delivery 
wagons. On the second and third floors Mr. 
Moore has his residence. The building is one 
of the most sightly in the village, and the front 
and sides are of pressed brick from Philadelphia. 
Only first-class goods are turned out, and neat- 
ness and order are the first laws. There are four 
large ovens, with the latest improvements, 12x14 
feet. The output per day is enormous, and twen- 
ty-five hands are given constant employment. 
His business is mainly wholesale, and he deals 
largely with New York and Brooklyn retail 
houses, as well as with those of College Point, 
Flushing, Corona, Woodside, and Long Island 
City. Ten teams are kept constantly busy, and 
a very extensive and paying business is done by 
this wide-awake man of affairs. He is one of the 
trustees of the Long Island City Savings Bank. 
Mr. Moore was married in Astoria to Miss Ella 
J. Bartlett, a daughter of Rev. Philip Bartlett, 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Astoria for some time, but now retired. He is 
eighty-five years of age, but is still hale and 
hearty. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore five children 
have been born: Nellie, Philip, Benjamin, Mar- 
garet, and Alex. Mr. Moore is a member of Ad- 
vance Lodge, F. & A. M., and is one of the trus- 
tees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has 
always been a true-blue RepubHcan, but never 
an official aspirant. 



CAPT. CHARLES HANCE is one of the 
old settlers of Flushing, and has been 
chief of police for the past thirteen years. 
The duties of this responsible position he has 
discharged in a most able and satisfactory man- 
ner, and he seems admirably fitted for the office, 
being fearless, determined, and a correct judge of 
human character. During the thirteen years he 
has been chief of police he has made numerous 
arrests, the most noted being Fink and Tieinan, 
Muller and Steiner, Augustine, John Smith, 



II40 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Harris, Watson, Hamilton, and numerous oth- 
ers, all of whom were arrested at different times 
and sent up for many years. Captain Hance has 
made a most excellent officer, and since holding 
that position he has introduced many measures 
of discipline and training calculated to improve 
the force and the police. He is a native of As- 
toria, Long Island City, and the son of Benjamin 
and Annie (Hoover) Hance, the former a native 
of Germany, and the latter of New Jersey. 

Grandfather Benjamin Hance was the first of 
the family to come to America, and he settled in 
Westchester County, where for some time he was 
engaged in farming. Later he settled in Brook- 
lyn, afterwards in Newtown, and finally in Hal- 
lett's Point and Astoria, where he cultivated the 
soil until his death. Benjamin Hance, Jr., was 
hut a small boy when he caime with his parents 
to America, and his early life was passed in as- 
sisting on the home places. After marriage he 
located in Astoria, later removed to Winfield, and 
there died of palsy, when seventy-six years old. 
His wife died when about the same age. Their 
four children were as follows : Alexander, a flor- 
ist of Winfield; Charles, our subject; Eliza, now 
Mrs. Kenna, of New York City; and Benjamin, 
who is a resident of Far Rockaway, this county. 
Until the age of fourteen our subject remained 
in Astoria, and received his education in the pub- 
lic schools. Later he began learning the brick- 
layer's and plasterer's trade in Brooklyn, and fol- 
lowed this until 1857. He then went to Aurora, 
111.; thence to St. Paul, Minn.; Galena, Dubuque, 
. Davenport, Rock Island, Galesburg, and for 
eighteen months was engaged in erecting Lom- 
bard College. Returning home, he married and 
subsequently settled in Brooklyn, where he fol- 
lowed his trade until 1861. About that date he 
moved to Flushing, and in connection with his 
trade he engaged in contracting and building. 
Scores and scores of buildings in Flushing are 
the monuments of his handiwork. In 1874 he 
began his career in public life, and was appointed 
deputy sheriff, serving three years under Rush- 
more, three years under A. B. Wright, and was 
chief of Far Rockaway Beach. After this he was 
deputy sheriff under Garry Truman for three 
years. 

In the year 1881 our subject was made chief 
of police of Flushing, being the first to hold that 
position, and started witli two men besides him- 
self. He has about eight men at the present 



time. For twenty-two years, or up to 1895, Cap- 
tain Hance had charge of the town hall of Flush- 
ing, but at that date he resigned. The trustees 
passed resolutions of the highest commendation 
to Mr. Hance, and presented him with a large 
framed copy, in which he takes great pride. The 
captain devotes all his time to the duties of his 
position, and performs them in a most eiificient 
manner. He was chief engineer of the fire de- 
partment for six years, was a member of Brook- 
lyn and Long Island shooting clubs, and also 
of Flushing Shooting Club. x-Vt present he is a 
member of Whitestone Gun Club, has made a 
fine score, and on the 7th of March, 1894, won a 
silver water pitcher for best score, killing thirty- 
nine out of forty birds. He is considered the best 
shot m this section, and has won fourteen out of 
fifteen matches. 

Captain Hance owns property in Flushing, and 
a fine residence in Linden Avenue, which is kept 
in excellent condition through the efforts of his 
wife, formerly Miss Maria Elizabeth Smith, a na- 
tive of Troy, N. Y. The following children have 
been born to them: Minnie, now ilrs. Miserole, 
of Flushing; William E. ; Florence E., now :\Irs. 
J. Eckard; Alfred E. and Albert E. (twins); and 
Jessie E., who died in 1895, when nineteen years 
old. For thirty-three years the captain has been 
an Odd Fellow. In politics he is a Republican. 
The family attends the Dutch Reformed Church. 



JOHN JAMIESON, of Rockaway Beach, is 
a member of the firm of Jamieson & Bond, 
dealers in ice, coal and wood. These gen- 
tlemen came to this locality from ^^'illiamsburg 
about 1874, and about 1875 established their pres- 
ent business, which they have since continued suc- 
cessfully. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Dun- 
dee, Scotland, November 22, 185 1, a son of James 
and Jane (Taylor) Jamieson. and when but three 
years old was brought by them to this country, 
and for many years thereafter his home was in the 
city of Brooklyn. He is one of the eight children 
born to his parents, but four of whom survive: 
Thomas, of Brooklyn; Walter, of Bath, X. Y.; 
Mary, Mrs. Wood, of Brooklyn; and John. The 
early education of the last mentioned was se- 
cured in the public schools of his adopted city, and, 
upon reaching a suitable age, he began learning 
the carpenter's trade. In March, 1S74, he came 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1141 



to Rockaway Beach, having taken the contract to 
build Hammel's Hotel, and here he followed the 
occupation of contracting and building for three 
years. In the meantime he became interested 
in the ice business, and in 1875 formed a partner- 
ship with John Bond, an able and honorable busi- 
ness man, with whom he has been harmoniously 
connected in a business way up to the present 
time. They first began in a very modest way, 
but as their interests developed they increased 
their facilities, and now have a large and flourish- 
ing establishment. Both Mr. Jamieson and Mr. 
Bond possess excellent business qualifications, 
and are withal strictly upright and honorable 
gentlemen to deal with, and have become well and 
favorably known in their locality. Politically 
Mr. Jamieson is a stanch Republican, has taken 
a decided interest in local politics, but has never 
been an official aspirant. Socially he belongs to 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and 
his worthy wife, formerly Miss Fannie Sturges, 
are meinbers of the First Congregational Church 
of Oceanus, and he is superintendent and one of 
the teachers of the Sabbath-school. His family 
consists of three interesting children, Addie, Lil- 
lie, and Ella. 



CAPT. EDWIN WALLACE. Among 
the men of Rockville Center who have 
made their home on the ocean most of 
their lives may be mentioned Capt. Edwin Wal- 
lace, who, by following a fixed purpose to make 
tiie most and best of himself, has overcome many 
difficulties, and risen step by step to a place of 
influence and honor among public-spirited and 
high-minded men. He was born in Millbridge, 
Me., in 1835, to the marriage of James and Nancy 
A. (Upton) Wallace, both natives of the Pine 
Tree State, where they spent their entire lives. 
The first members of the Wallace family to settle 
in Maine were Maj. Benjamin and Joseph Wal- 
lace, who located there about 1760. James Wal- 
lace, son of Benjamin, and grandfather of our 
subject, resided in that state all his life, and was 
a man of influence and importance, 

James Wallace spent his early life on the sea, 
but during the latter part of his life was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. Respected and honored 
by all, he passed away in 1883. His wife is still 
living (1895) at the advanced age of eighty-four 
years, and enjoys fairly good health. During his 



boyhood days Capt. Edwin Wallace had limited 
educational advantages, but being possessed of 
superior abilities and a desire to make some- 
thing of himself, he has improved every oppor- 
tunity, and, while not a "college luan," is well 
informed on all topics of interest, for by his own 
efforts he obtained a liberal education. When 
fourteen years old he went to sea, and when nine- 
teen years old was promoted to be master of a 
vessel. With the exception of one year spent on 
shore, he passed all his time on his vessels up to 
1886. 

During that time Captain Wallace made thirty- 
eight voyages to Europe, and forty-two voyages 
to the tropics, one being to the East Indies, one 
to the Cape of Good Hope, and one to South 
America. Since 1886 he has resided on his farm 
in the suburbs of Rockville Center. He was mar- 
ried in 1855 to Miss Hannah Foster, a native of 
Maine, and a daughter of Warren Foster, who 
was also a native of that state. One son survives 
this union, James W. Wallace, who is a promi- 
nent attorney of the state of Washington. Mr. 
Wallace attends the Methodist Church, and takes 
an interest in all good work. Fraternally he is 
a Mason, and also a member of the Knights of 
Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat, but votes 
for the best man at local elections. He is one 
of the wide-awake, public-spirited citizens of his 
locality, and manifests a deep interest in its 
growth and progress. At present he is a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of Rockville Center, 
and treasurer of the board of water commission- 



HENRY M. W. EASTMAN, attorney, coun- 
selor at law and banker of the village of 
Roslyn, is one of the county's representa- 
tive men, and the firm of Eastman & Eastman 
is well known in New York City and Roslyn. Mr. 
Eastman is a son of Henry W. and Lydia (Macy) 
Eastman, and is a descendant of Roger Eastman, 
who was the first of the family to settle in Ameri- 
ca. Jacob C. Eastman, the grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of New Hampshire, but at 
an early date located in the village of Roslyn, 
where he followed the carpenter's trade. Mrs. 
Eastman's family is an old and prominent one 
in the East, and the first one to settle in this coun- 
try was Thomas Macy, who came here about 
1635 from near Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 142 

The father of Henry W. was a native of Roslyn, 
born in 1826, and in the common schools he se- 
cured a fair education. Later he took up the 
study of law and followed this through life, his 
death occurring at his home in Roslyn in 1882. 
He was one of the most prominent men of the 
county. His widow, who is seventy years old, 
and remarkably well preserved for her years, now 
resides in Flushing. Of their children we men- 
tion the following: Frederick is a resident of 
Roslyn; Eliza L., deceased, was the wife of G. T- 
Garretson, who has been judge of Queens County 
for the past ten years; Henry M. W. is our sub- 
ject; George W. is in partnership with our sub- 
ject; Grace E. Is the wife of Edward T. Payne, 
of Glencove; Mary P. is the wife of John B. Hy- 
att, living in Stamford, Conn.; and Margaret C. 
is the wife of Augustus E. Haward, of Newtown. 
The boyhood of our subject was spent under 
the parental roof, and he had good educational 
advantages, which he improved. In the year 
1873 he entered the Columbia Law School of 
New York City, was graduated from that insti- 
tution in 187s, and at once began practicing with 
his father. He is now one of the most successful 
attorneys in his section, and his business is di- 
vided between Roslyn, Jamaica Brooklyn and 
New York City. In 1876 the father established 
the Roslyn Savings Bank, which has floui'lshed 
ever since, and Mr. Eastman is the first vice-presi- 
dent of the institution. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican, and in religious belief an Episcopalian, 
having held many offices in that church. Fie is 
an active member of the Roslyn Benevolent So- 
ciety, is a member of the Shield of Honor, Roslyn 
Lodge No. 2, and is also trustee and treasurer of 
the Bryant Circulating Library Association. 

Mr. Eastman was married in September, 1878, 
to Miss Gussie Rushmore, daughter of William 
T. and Helen A. Rushmore, of Brooklyn. Two 
sons have been born to this union: Henry W. 
and William. 



WILLIAM H. HO AG, M. D. It is much 
to achieve success, but it is infinitely 
more to win the gratitude of the suf- 
fering and afflicted. In Manhasset there is per- 
haps no one wlio in this regard has greater rea- 
son for content than William H. Hoag, who has 
been engaged in practice in this place for the past 
twenty-eight years. His father, Casper F. Hoag, 



was a wealthy business man of Schenectady, this 
state, owning and operating a large iron foundry. 
He was born in Dutchess County and when he 
had reached mature years was married to Miss 
Annie Clute, whose birth occurred in Schenec- 
tady. ]\Irs. Hoag was of Holland-Dutch extrac- 
tion and her ancestors for several generations 
back were residents of the latter city. The father 
departed this life when seventy-eight years of age, 
while his good wife was in her sixty-fifth year at 
the time of her demise. 

The parental family included seven children, of 
whom William H. was the eldest. Carrie is now 
the wife of Ansel Mackey and makes her home in 
Geneva, N. Y.; Casper, Jr., makes his home in 
Judsonia, White County, Ark.; Annie, J^Irs. War- 
ren, departed this life while residing at Elmira, 
N. Y.; Eleanor married Riggs Olmstead and is 
living at Schenectady; Alice M. also makes her 
home in that city; and Pierre C. is a practicing 
physician of Manhasset. His biographv will also 
appear in this work. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Schenec- 
tady, January 16, 1840. There he received a 
good academic education and pursued his studies 
in the lyceum when Chester A. Arthur and other 
noted men were students there. The studv of 
medicine seemed to come naturally to him, and 
when only twenty years of age he began reading 
with Dr. Alex Vedder, a well known physician of 
his native town, with whom he remained for three 
years. During this time he spent one year in 
college at Albany, and two years in the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City. It 
was his intention to graduate from this institu- 
tion, but the Civil War breaking out about this 
time, he was desirous of doing his part toward 
sustaining the LTnion, and, being examined bv 
the State Board of Regents, entered the service 
of his country as assistant surgeon of the One 
Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, New York 
Infantry. During the three years of his enlist- 
ment he had abundance of practical experience, 
being- called upon to' perform operations of all 
kinds, many cases under his charge being of the 
most difficult kind. After this experience, which 
was worth more than years of stud}-, he returned 
to college and was graduated with the class of "65. 

Our subject began practice as the partner of 
Dr. A\=dder, his former instructor. The latter 
had such confidence in his ability to care for 
his patients that he took an extended vacation, 
and on his return found his business to bo in ex- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"43 



cellent condition. Dr. Hoag later took charge of 
Dr. M. R. Vedder's practice in Flushing, during 
the latter's absence in Europe, where he remained 
for six months. On his return Dr. Hoag came to 
Manhasset, where he opened an office and began 
practice. Many years of the most devoted labor 
have placed him among the few of whom it may 
be said they stand at the head of the profession 
in their community. 

Dr. Hoag was married in 1871 to Miss Sarah 
E. Post, a native of Passaic, N. J. To them have 
been granted a son, Percy U, and daughter, 
Grace M. He is a Republican in politics and in 
rehgious matters is a devoted member of Christ's 
Church at Great Neck. 



CHARLES E. HADDEN, who passed 
from this life February 2, 1896, was one 
of the most skillful architects and builders 
in Seacliff, whose office was located at No. 102 
South Fifth Avenue. He was born in the city of 
New York, November 22, 1826, to John S. and 
Martha (Gedney) Hadden, the former of whom 
was also a contractor and builder of New York 
City. There our subject grew to manhood, and 
was given the advantages of the public schools, 
and later that of boarding schools at White Plains 
and Tarrytown, N. Y., spending about five years 
at these two places. After finishing his literary 
education, he, at the age of sixteen years, began 
serving an apprenticeship at the carpenter and 
builders' trade, continuing thus for about five 
years, during which time he acquired a most 
practical and thorough knowledge of the busi- 
ness. After working independently as a journey- 
man for a few years, he started in business for 
himself in New York City and to this occupation 
his attention was devoted until the time of his 
death. He erected some magnificent structures, 
the finest of which are the Manhattan Hospital, 
the Home for the Aged at One Hundred and 
Fourth Street and Tenth Avenue, New York, 
Sheltering Arms in Harlem, the Washington 
Square Church, besides the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Seacliff and many of the finest business 
buildings and residences of the place. 

In 1879 Mr. Hadden built a beautiful home 
in Seacliff, having, in 1872, become identified 
with the Seacliff Grove and Metropolitan Camp 
Ground Association of New York and Brooklyn, 
which had for its object the holding of camp 
meetings. This was really the commencement 



of the development of Seacliff, which has become 
a famous summer resort. Soon after this asso- 
ciation was started Mr. Hadden became one of 
the trustees, and this position he held until his 
death. Four times he was president of the village 
board of Seacliff. In early life he was a Whig in 
his political views and voted for Taylor in 1848, 
but in 1856 John C. Fremont received his support 
and from that time on he was a strong sup- 
porter of Republican principles. While residing 
in New York City he was tendered the nomi- 
nation of alderman from his ward, but refused 
it, also refusing to become a candidate for the 
general assembly of the state. In fact, the strife 
and turmoil of the political arena had no charms 
for him and he was more than content to devote 
his attention to his business interests. 

In 1853 the marriage of Mr. Hadden with Miss 
Caroline Harker, of New York City, was cele- 
brated, she being a daughter of Abel Harker, 
and a native of that city. To this union threo 
children were given. John G., a produce dealer 
in New York, is married and has two children; 
Emma A. is the wife of Marion T. Reed, who is 
at the head of the Weed Glass Works of New 
York City, and has one child; and Louie Bell is 
the wife of Egbert Leaycraft, who is a successful 
house decorator of New York City. They have 
one child. Mr. Hadden was a member of Wash- 
ington Square Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which he had been identified since 1843. F^" 
about seven years he was president of the bpard 
of trustees, was one of the trustees for nearly 
fifteen years, and served as class leader for thirty 
vears. Fie held these positions in the Seacliff 
Methodist Episcopal Church also. For many 
years he was an active worker for the cause of 
Christianity and lived an upright life, well worthy 
of emulation. 



HON. HENRY C. JOHNSON, ex-assem- 
blyman and ex-postmaster of Astoria, has 
with efficient ability occupied these offi- 
cial positions, and as one of the old residents of 
Queens County is well known and highly re- 
spected. He is a native of this state and was 
born in Granville, Washington County, Septem- 
ber 19, 1839. His father, Thomas Johnson, was 
also a native of that locality, where he carried 
on the business of a tanner for the greater part 
of his hfe, and where his decease occurred. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 



1 144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Harriet Emmons, the daughter of Capt. Elihu 
Emmons, who was captain of the Federal troops 
in the War of 1812, commanding his company 
at the battle of Plattsburg. He was a native of 
Vermont and one of the leading men of his state. 
Mrs. Harriet Johnson is now living, at the age of 
eighty years, making her home with our subject. 
The parental family included nine children, 
five of whom grew to mature years, and of this 
number two now survive, the sister of Henry C. 
being Mrs. C. C. Ellsworth, a resident of Astoria. 
Our subject passed the first two years of his life 
in his native count}', also living for a time in 
Saratoga County and western Massachusetts. In 
1852 he came to Long Island City, where he at- 
tended school, receiving instruction in both the 
public and private schools of Astoria. After fin- 
ishing the course here he entered the law office 
of William Brooks, now deceased, but then a resi- 
dent of New York, reading under his instruction 
for several years. He did not apply for admis- 
sion to the bar, although fully qualified to do so, 
and in 1869 was appointed postmaster of Astoria 
by President Grant. Such satisfaction did he 
give to the people of his community that he was 
retained in office until the second year of Cleve- 
land's first term, making in all seventeen years 
and four months. 

In 1869 Mr. Johnson became associated with 
the real estate and insurance firm of Roe H. 
Smith & Co., and when no longer having the 
postoifice to attend to gave his entire attention 
to the business. This enterprise, which is one 
of the oldest in this line in the city, was estab- 
lished by Mr. Smith in 1852, and on his death, 
in 1891, our subject assumed entire control and 
has since continued under the old name, although 
his eldest son, Henry C.,Jr., is now his partner in 
affairs. They conduct a very large business, and 
both father and son are well known auctioneers, 
and are often called upon to sell property in this 
manner in New York City as well as throughout 
Queens County. They do a general insurance 
and brokerage business, and have their office 
located at No. 154 Fulton Avenue. 

The marriage of Mr. Johnson occurred in As- 
toria in 1863, when Miss Mary E. Smith became 
his wife. This lady was born here and was the 
daughter of Roe H. Smith, a native of Flushing, 
this county. Mr. Smith was for many years a 
baker in his native village, but in 1852 branched 
out as an auctioneer and estaljlished what we 
have before stated as being the oldest insurance 



and real estate business on Long Island, out- 
side of Brooklyn. He was at one time deputy 
internal revenue collector, and for many years 
was town collector of Newtown. He filled the 
office of trustee of Astoria, on the Republican 
ticket, of which he was an ardent supporter. Dur- 
ing his lifetime he was a prominent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of 
which he died in 1891. 

Educational matters in Long Island City have 
ever found a liberal supporter in Mr. Johnson, 
and for seven years he rendered valuable ser- 
vice as a member of the board, of which he was 
part of the time president. He afterward became 
president of the board of police commissioners 
of this city, filling this responsible office for a 
year and a half. In 1889 he was nominated for 
the assembly from the second district of Queens 
County and was elected by eight hundred plu- 
rality. He served during the session of 1890, 
during which time he was a member of the rail- 
road committee and the committee on privileges 
and elections. There his influence was powerful 
in promoting works of great importance to his 
constituents, and by his eloquence succeeded in 
having passed twenty-three of the thirty-one bills 
which he introduced. One of the most note- 
worthy of these bills was that amending the gen- 
eral laws affecting Union free schools in Nevv 
York State, under the provisions of which the 
Flushing High School was the first one con- 
structed. Another which was passed provided 
for the building of a bridge across the river at 
Blackwell's Island. Through his perseverance 
what was known as the Newtown Burial Permit 
Bill was passed, which imposes a tax of $1 upon 
each interment of those who have resided out- 
side of Queens County, which gives Newtown 
a revenue of about $3,000. He also succeeded 
in giving to Long Island City a paid fire depart- 
ment. 

In the fall of 1890 Mr. Johnson was again can- 
didate for the assembly, but was defeated on this 
occasion by less than two hundred votes. The 
measures which he introduced at the first legis- 
lature have many of them become laws now. In 
fraternal affairs he is master of Advance Lodge 
No. 635, F. & A. M., and is past master of John 
Allen Lodge No. 330. A. O. L'. W. In the latter 
order lie has also been district deputy grand 
master workman for Queens and Suffolk Coun- 
ties anil is an exempt fireman, having served as 
a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. i. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 145 



As a leading Republican he has served as chair- 
man of the general committee of Long Island 
City and also belongs to Queens County Repub- 
lican committee. He was sent as a delegate to 
the state convention in 1895 and also previous 
to this time represented his party in like man- 
ner at its various conventions held in the state. 
In 1896 he was a delegate to the National Re- 
publican convention at St. Louis. Mr. Johnson 
always takes an active interest in whatever per- 
tains to the welfare and general advancement of 
his community and is greatly concerned by all 
things which may hinder its prosperity. His 
business methods are strictly honest and honor- 
able in every particular, aild for that reason, and 
because of his uniform courtesy and friendliness, 
he has the friendship and respect of the best 
people of the island. 



>^~> EORGE POPLE, president of the Queens 

I y County Savings Bank. Whoever labors 
'^^ — ^ to secure the development of his country, 
striving to bring out its latent resources; who is 
devoted to the general welfare of the people; 
who seeks to promote the cause of justice, and to 
advance our civilization through financial, edu- 
cational or professional channels, becomes a pub- 
lic benefactor, and is worthy of mention on the 
pages of history. 

Such is the character and such the record of 
Mr. Pople, who has been identified with the 
history of Flushing for more than a half century 
and who has himself been no unimportant fact(jr 
in securing the development of the best interests 
of the place. The family of which he is a member 
originated in Normancty, but was represented 
in England at a very early day. For several gen- 
erations their home was in Dorsetshire, famotis 
throughout the world for its fine sheep. There 
his father, William, and grandfather, John, fol- 
lowed the trade of a butcher, the former dying 
there when about seventy years old. In religious 
belief he was an Episcopalian. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Elizabeth Bullen and was one among the 
nine daughters of Dr. William Bullen, a surgeon 
in the British navy. Through information ob- 
tained by our subject upon a visit to England in 
1881 and to the old Pennsylvania castle still 
standing a few miles from the site of the old 
home, and about two miles from the city of Wey- 
mouth, he learned positively that the Bullen 



family was first represented in America by Major 
Bullen, who accompanied William Penn to this 
covmtry. 

At an early age our subject left his Dorset- 
shire home and, going to London, was employed 
as an office boy in a mercantile establishment for. 
three years. He then engaged to go with a gen- 
tleman to Bombay and would have carried out 
that plan, thus totally changing his entire future 
career, had not his uncle, Richard Purchase, ap- 
peared on the scene. This gentleman, a resi- 
dent of New York City, had recently lost his 
wife, who was buried in St. Mark's Cemetery in 
the Bowery. After her death Mr. Purchase went 
to England, and during his visit there prevailed 
upon his nephew to accompany him to America. 
They crossed the ocean in April, 1840, when 
George was a youth of less than eighteen (he 
having been born November 23, 1822), and 
landed in New York City after a voyage of thirty- 
one days. At once he came to Flushing, where 
his uncle owned a farm and where his cousin was 
engaged in the meat business. This trade he 
soon learned, and in 1846 bought the business 
from his cousin, since which time he has con- 
ducted it, having built up a fine trade at No. 61 
Broadway. 

About 1870 Mr. Pople became connected with 
the Queens County Savings Bank as trustee, later 
was made vice-president, and since 1891 has 
served in the capacity of president. The bank 
was established about i860 and is one of the 
largest and most substantial financial institutions 
of the county. Mr. Pople was an original stock- 
holder, later a director in the Flushing Bank, and 
when this concern changed hands and was re- 
organized he was retained as director, afterward 
becoming second vice-president, which position 
he now holds. For thirty years he has been a 
trustee of the Flushing Cemetery. Aiding in the 
organization of the Business Men's Association 
of Flushing, he became its first and has been its 
only president. 

In Flushing Mr. Pople married Miss Elizabeth, 
daughter of William B. Smith, a cooper at this 
place, and for twenty-one consecutive years col- 
lector of taxes. This lady was a devoted member 
of the Episcopal Church and was very popular 
in the best circles of society. At her death, Janu- 
ary 18, 1880, she left an only son, George W., 
who is interested in business with his father. 
Since 1863 Mr. Pople has been a vestryman in 
St. George's Episcopal church; for a time he was 



1 146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



junior warden and since 1888 has served as senior 
warden. 

For four years Mr. Pople was a member of the 
board of trustees of Fhishing, of which he was 
president one year. In April, 1894, he was nomi- 
nated and elected supersdsor of the town of Flush- 
ing on the Republican ticket. As a member of 
the board his services are in constant demand, 
and at this writing he is officiating as chairman 
of the committees on armory, sheriff and con- 
stables, laws and legislation; also member of the 
committees on public printing and advertising, 
court house and jail, county clerk's and surro- 
gate's offices, county treasurer's office, county 
roads, resolutions and bounties. At Flushing- 
November 18, 1844, he was initiated into Pacific 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he filled all the 
chairs, and has for thirty-two years been its repre- 
sentative to the grand lodge. He is now past 
master of Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. 
M., which he has represented in the grand 
lodge of New York. On the fiftieth anniversary 
of his connection with the Order of Odd Fellows 
he was presented with a fifty years' jewel by the 
grand lodge of New York, being the only re- 
cipient of this medal for fifty years' continuous 
membership in one lodge. He also received the 
past master jewel from the Masonic fraternity, of 
which he is one of the oldest representatives in 
this locality. Politically he was an old-line Whig 
and voted his maiden vote for Henry Clay. On 
the organization of the Republican party he be- 
came one of its stanch supporters. He has al- 
ways been an admirer of the "New York Tri- 
bune," and has read it from the day of its first 
issue to the present time. 



WILLIAM A. MAKER, county super- 
intendent of the poor and overseer of 
the poor for the town of Flushing, was 
born in 1863 in the village of Flushing, where he 
still resides. His father, John Maher, a native of 
County Tipperary, Ireland, emigrated to America 
in early manhood and settled in Flushing, where 
he became an employe in Parson's nursery, in 
time receiving a pi'omotion to the position of 
foreman. His death occurred in 1885 at the age 
of sixty years. He married Margaret Coughlin, 
a native of the same county as himself, and at 
present a resident of Flushing. They became 
the parents of four sons and two daughters who 
are now living, ami all but one reside in Flushinr. 



William A., who is the youngest of the family, 
was reared at the parental home in Washington 
Street and attended St. Michael's parochial 
school. His first work was in the employ of E. J. 
Robinson in the grocery business, after which he 
clerked for others here and in Brooklyn and 
Newark. In April, 1893, while engaged in the 
grocery business in Flushing, he was elected 
overseer of the poor, on the Democratic ticket, 
by a majority of three hundred. The following 
year he was again elected to the position. In the 
fall of 1895 he was nominated for county super- 
intendent of the poor and received the election, 
taking the oath of office in January of 1896. He 
is a member of the board of three, representing 
Long Island City and towns of Newtown and 
Flushing, and his duties require his constant 
attention. His office is situated at No. 3 Main 
Street, where he may usually be found. 

The Democratic party has always had a stanch 
adherent in Mr. Maher, and he has often repre- 
sented it in town, county and state conventions, 
being an active worker in the party interests. He 
belongs to the Flushing Democratic Club and is 
one of its leading members. Socially he is a 
charter member of the Ancient Order of Hiber- 
nians, and in religious belief is identified with 
St. Michael's Church. 



JAMES H. McCORMICK. An active, well- 
trained, vigilant and excellently equipped 
fire department is something of which any 
city may well be proud, and Flushing may well 
take first rank in this respect. The history of the 
measures for fire prevention in Flushing in times 
past is an interesting one and much of the im- 
provement made in this respect is due to the 
efforts of James H. McCormick, who is the most 
efficient chief of the fire department. He has 
been active in fire tournaments as judge, and is a 
life member of the New York State Firemen's 
Association. Air. McCormick is a native of this 
place, born in February, 1857, but is of Irish 
parentage, his father and mother, Daniel and 
Winifred (Tracy) McCormick, being natives of 
the Emerald Isle. 

The father was a marble cutter by trade and 
when a young man came to .\merica. He suc- 
cessfully conducted a marble yard at Flushing, 
and from the Queens County Agricultural So- 
ciety Fair received the first award for ornamental 
marble work. For some time he was treasurer 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 147 



of the hook and ladder company, and his son 
James has his original badge. This worthy citi- 
zen died in 1883, following his wife, who had 
passed away in 1864. They left twelve children, 
three of whom are living at the present time. Our 
subject received his primary education in St. 
Michael's school and after growing up worked at 
marble cutting. Beginning in 1869 he was em- 
ployed for two years by the Western Union Tele- 
graph Company here. After this he was in school 
for a time and then clerked in Mr. Vandewater's 
grocery for about a year. 

From 1873 to 1880 our subject was with Bow- 
man, also in the grocery business, and in the lat- 
ter year engaged in marble cutting with his 
father, remaining with him until the death of the 
latter. He then took charge of the business, and 
after continuing it a short time, opened the Mc- 
Cormick Hotel, which he has conducted most 
successfully ever since. In the year 1880 Mr. Mc- 
Cormick married Miss Belle Haig, a native of 
New York City, and five interesting children have 
been born to this union: Agnes, James, Katie, 
Gertrude and Josephine. 

Mr. McCormick was elected trustee for the 
town of Flushing for three terms on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and has held other responsible posi- 
tions. In May, 1875, he began his career as a 
fireman, joining Rescue Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany No. I, and has been a member of this ever 
since. For two years he held the office of secre- 
tary, was second assistant foreman for one year 
and for the same length of time was first assist- 
ant foreman. After this he was foreman six 
months and then was elected second assistant 
chief, which position he held for two years. In 
the year 1884 he became chief of the fire depart- 
ment and has been re-elected ever since with the 
exception of two years. In all he has served ten 
years as chief of the department and during this 
time many important improvements have been 
made. 

In twenty-one years Mr. McCormick has 
missed but seven fires, being ill or absent at the 
time, and he has always been extremely fortunate, 
though earnest and faithful in the discharge of 
his duties. He is a member of the International 
Association of Fire Engineers, attending the 
meetings nearly every year; is also a member of 
the Order of American Firemen, and is a charter 
member of Flushing Council No. 6. He has been 
president of the latter organization two terms, 
being its first president, and he is now its treas- 



urer. In politics our subject is a Democrat and 
takes an interest in his party's welfare. Since be- 
coming chief of the fire department he has added 
two hose houses and two new companies have 
been organized. He has the Gamewell fire alarm 
system of seventeen street boxes and has the 
tapper in his room. The Holly system of watet 
power is used, and two pumps, with a capacity of 
two million gallons daily, throw two streams one 
hundred and fifty feet from one hydrant. 



BENJAMIN E. HICKS, a banker of New 
York City and member of the firm of 
Hicks Brothers, in business at Nos. 59-61 
Wall Street, New York, was born in Dey Street, 
that city, January 12, 1843. His parents, George 
E. and Mary Morrell (Hicks) Cock, were both 
natives of the island, and Mrs. Cock was the 
daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Morrell 
Hicks. In the year 1875 our subject's name was 
changed to Hicks in order to perpetuate the 
name of Hicks, as the only son, Benjamin Hicks, 
had died in childhood. The father of our subject 
was engaged in the wholesale dry goods busi- 
ness in New York under the firm name of E. & 
W. Cock & Co., and carried on one of the most 
extensive enterprises of the kind in the city. In 
1863 Mr. Cock retired from the active duties of 
life and made his home in Great Neck, L. I. 

Our subject's boyhood days were passed in 
New York City during the winter and on the 
old home place of the Hicks family in the sum- 
mer season. He was educated at the Friends' 
Institute in New York, also Columbia grammar 
school, and the school taught by Mr. Quacken- 
boss. He took a classical course and later began 
clerking in an importing dry goods store to learn 
the business, getting no salary the first year. 
While still clerking he was sent to Manchester, 
England, and assumed full charge of the busi- 
ness of buying for the firm by which he was 
employed as clerk. He made over sixty trips 
across the ocean, the first in 1866. In less than 
five years he was a partner, but in 1875 the firm 
dissolved partnership, and after that he embarked 
as a wholesale dealer in domestic goods. 

In 1883 or '84 Mr. Hicks and his brother, 
George Embnee Hicks, formed the present part- 
nership. In politics our subject is a Republican 
of the stanch protective kind, but he has never 
cared to hold office. He is a birthright Friend, 
but attends the Episcopal Church at Great Neck, 



1 148 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



though holding to the views of the former. Fra- 
ternally he is a Mason, a member of Crescent 
Lodge Xo. 402, New York City. He has never 
married, but his brother, who is with him in busi- 
ness, wedded Miss Louise Firth, of Bradford. 
England. Our subject, his brother, George, and 
his sister, Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas Stewart), are 
the only living grandchildren of Benjamin Hick.^, 
for whom our subject was named. 

Benjamin Flicks was born at Hempstead, L. I., 
June 14, 1791. About 1823 he bought the old 
Hicks property from the Morrells, and made his 
home on the same the remainder of his days. He 
was married in 1817 to Miss Morrell and this 
union resulted in the birth of seven children, five 
of whom reached mature years, but only two are 
now living. Mary M., the mother of our subject, 
died in 1892, leaving three children; Sarah Titus 
died in 1879; Susan M. died in 1851; Caroline, 
widow of Dr. Amos W. Rogers, resides on the old 
homestead; and Phoebe, who is single, also lives 
on the old homestead. 

Benjamin Flicks, Sr., was an earnest, upright 
citizen who despised public display and who im- 
pressed all with whom he came in contact as a 
man of great energy and public spirit. No worthy 
movement was allowed to fail for want of sup- 
port on his part and he was a strong believer in 
the principles of the Society of Friends, as was 
also his estimable wife, and they were well and 
favorably known for their benevolence and hos- 
pitality. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks died in 1883 and 
1878, respectively, and they are interred in the 
Friends' Cemetery at Manhasset. Mr. Hicks was 
a near relative of Elias Hicks, who led in the 
division of the Society of Friends, and Sarah 
Cook, our subject's paternal grandmother, was 
clerk of the woman's branch of the meeting at the 
time of the separation. They were members of 
the Hicksite Societv of Friends. 



JAMES K. HICKS was born in Jericho an.l 
with the exception of a few years has spent 
his entire life in this village, where he is 
owner and proprietor of a blacksmith shop. His 
birth occurred March 30, 1845, his parents be- 
ing James and FTannah Flicks, natives respec- 
tively of the towns of Flushing and Oyster Bav. 
Tile fi)rmcr, after his marriage, moved to Jericho, 
where he bought a farm and carried on agricul- 
tural inirsuits, in connection with which occupa- 
litin he engaged in business until within a few 



years previous to his death; An honest, upright 
man, he was liked by all with whom he had busi- 
ness or social relations. While still comparative- 
ly young, he was called from earth April 6, 1856. 
His widow resides at the old homestead and re- 
tains her faculties to a remarkable degree, though 
now ninety-three years old. 

The parental family consisted of nine children, 
of whom seven are still living. Of these we note 
the following: Elizabeth married John Seaman 
of Jericho; John J. lives in this village, as does 
Catherine, widow of Jackson Duryea; Caroline 
is the wife of Benjamin Xevins of Jersev City; 
Charles C. is engaged in mining at Cripple 
Creek; James K. is next in order of birth, and 
Sarah A., a successful school teacher, has taught 
for twenty-two consecutive years in Lakeville. 
Queens County. 

Until twelve years of age our subject attended 
the common schools and remained with his pa- 
rents, after which he made his home with his 
brother-in-law, John Seaman, then in New York 
City, assisting him in his business and during 
leisure times attending private school. Later he 
served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's 
trade with William Wright of Jericho, remaining 
here for five years. Returning then to New 
York, he took a position as shipping clerk and 
spent five years with one company. 

March 27, 1869, Mr. Hicks married ]\Iiss ;\Iar- 
tha W. Russell, daughter of James Russell, 
who for forty years was a custom house 
official in Brooklyn, where she was born and 
educated. In 1871 our subject resigned his 
position in the city and returned to his native vil- 
lage, where he built a steam mill for the purpose 
of grinding feed and in connection with it had a 
blacksmith shop. After ten years he gave up the 
milling business and bought the smithv from his 
old employer and master, since which time he has 
conducted a large trade, and his skill as a me- 
chanic brings him many customers. In politics 
he is a Republican and takes an active interest in 
public afifairs, often representing the party at 
town, county, state and senatorial conventions. 
For ten years he has been a member of Pem- 
broke Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F., at Glencove. 
Since 1886 he has served as inspector of elections 
and at other times he has held local offices of 
trust. 

Of the first marriage of Mr. Hicks there were 
b(Trn five children, all of whom are living, name- 
ly: Roy, a machinist at Jericho; Edna, wife of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 49 



Charles Miller, a wheelwright living in Roslyn; 
Daisy, who is married and lives in Syosset; Irene, 
who is making her home with her aged grand- 
mother; and Charles C, now employed in Brook- 
lyn. The second wife of our subject was Mrs. 
Mary (Weeks) Robbins, the widow of Daniel 
Robbins. For his third wife he chose Miss Annie 
E., daughter of Daniel Lawrence, and a native of 
Greenvale, town of 03fster Bay. Eour children 
have been born of this union, namely: Daniel 
Lawrence; James K., his father's namesake; 
Edith and Harry. In addition to the other or- 
ganizations with which he is identified, Mr. Hicks 
is a member of Hicksville Council No. 1159, R. 
A., in which he has filled the office of orator. 



S 



ELAH B. UPHAM. For many years this 
gentleman was engaged as a druggist in 
New York City, and by attending strictly 
to his financial interests, built up a fine trade and 
accumulated a sum of money which, enables him. 
to live in a most comfortable manner, retired 
from business of any kind. He occupies with 
his family one of the pleasant homes of Wood- 
haven. 

Mr. Upham was born at Highgate, A^t., in May, 
1837, and was the son of Samuel V. Upham, like- 
wise a native of the Green Mountain State, Mont- 
gomery being the town of his birth. Early in life 
he became interested in the manufacture of wool- 
ens, having learned the trade in Johnson, that 
state, and up to the time of coming to New York, 
in 1852, was the proprietor of a large mill. Af- 
ter locating in the metropolis he was in the em- 
ploy of the New York Central Railroad Company 
until his decease, which occurred in 1861. The 
grandfather of our subject served as a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War and was present at the 
battle of Burlington. 

Mrs. Julia N. (Clow) Upham, mother of Selah 
B., was born at Highgate, Vt., and departed tlus 
life in New York in 1885. She was descended 
from one of the old Long Island Dutch families, 
who during the period of the Revolution were 
Tories. On this account they were obliged to 
leave the island and going to Canada passed 
many years in St. Johns and on returning to the 
States located at Highgate, Vt. 

The subject of this sketch was the only son 

born to his parents, and had three sisters, of 

whom Sarah E. married George L. Hitchcock, 

who is now assistant cashier of the Woodhaven 

48 



Bank; Celia became the wife of Joseph D. Nutt, 
a jeweler of New York, and they are the parents 
of Dr. Nutt, well known to the residents of 
Woodhaven and vicinity. Abby is a maiden 
lady. 

Selah B. Upham accompanied his parents on 
their removal to the metropolis in 1852 and after 
completing his education in the public schools,- 
became clerk in a drug store. He continued to 
be thus occupied until 1865, when he established 
a store of his own at the corner of Fifty-eighth 
Street and Eighth Avenue, which in that early 
day was considered to be almost the finest in 
the country. He had very little means with 
which to begin life, and although a comparatively 
young man, he soon built up an enviable reputa- 
tion in this locality, owing to his superior knowl- 
edge in compounding medicines and the indus- 
trious spirit which he manifested in his affairs. 
The store which he occupied at that time was 
rented from the noted "Boss" Tweed. 

In 1885 Mr. LTpham purchased property in 
Woodhaven and erected the first building in 
what is now Ozone Pank. Two years there- 
after he moved here and made permanent loca- 
tion, having in the meantime disposed of his busi- 
ness in New York to good advantage. Although 
not tied down to any particular business, he is 
largely interested in Queens County property, 
owning many of the finest dwellings and business 
blocks in the Park, besides some three hundred 
acres of land in another portion of the county. 
He has honorably borne his part in sustaining 
the interests of Woodhaven since coming here 
and his intelligence, good citizenship and fine 
character entitle him to the esteem of his ac- 
quaintances. 



HENRY P. TITUS comes of a well known 
and honorable ancestry, being descended 
from the Titus and Hicks families. He 
was born in Market Street, New York City, 
February 3, 1848, a son of Hon. Peter and Ma- 
tilda (Sulger) Titus, who were born in New York 
City in 1804 and Philadelphia, respectively. The 
father received a practical education and after 
reaching the age of sixteen years clerked for a 
time in New York, and upon reaching his major- 
ity embarked in the wholesale lumber business 
with a cousin, but later became a wholesale 
grocer in Water Street. At the age of forty 
years he withdrew from active business life and in 



1I50 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1859 purchased his home at Astoria for a country 
seat, but was so pleased with the place that he 
located here permanently. He passed from life 
in 1893, when nearly ninety years old, having en- 
joyed excellent health up to within a short time 
prior to his death. In 1848 he was the Whig rep- 
resentative from the old seventh ward of New 
York City, in the general assembly of the state. 
For some years he was connected with the New 
York fire department. Although he came of 
Quaker stock, he was not an active member of 
that society. His wife was a daughter of Jacob 
Sulo-er, a native of Germany and a Lutheran in 
religious belief. She was reared and educated 
in Philadelphia, and died in July, 1894, in her 
eio-hty-fourth year. Her union with Mr. Titus re- 
sulted in the birth of two children: Mrs. Alice 
Morris, of Astoria, and Henry P., the subject of 
this sketch. 

The Titus family tree, so far as known, first 
took root on American soil in 1635, at which 
time Robert and Hannah Titus, the former aged 
thirty-three and the latter thirty-one years, em- 
barked on the good ship "Hopewell" at London 
for America, accompanied by their two sons, 
John, aged eight, and Edmund, aged live years. 
Edmund came to Long Island, settled at Hemp- 
stead, where he engaged in farming, and was the 
founder of the family in this section. He married 
Martha Washburn, and their son Peter in due 
course of time married Martha, daughter of Col. 
John Jackson, of Jerusalem, L. I. Their son, 
Richard, wedded Mary, daughter of Dr. 
Charles Peters, and their son Peter married EHz- 
abeth, daughter of Michael Mudge. Michael, 
the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Mudge) Titus, 
and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
was born at Old Westbury Station, L. I. He 
learned the harness makers' trade and opened 
a shop at the old home place, which had 
been built about 1646 or 1648. After a time he 
located in the city of New York and became a 
member of the firm of Hicks &. Titus, where he 
remained in business until his death. He was 
married to Miss Alice Hicks, a member of the 
prominent old Hicks family of this region. Rob- 
ert Hicks was the first of the family to come to 
this country. He embarked at London on the 
ship "Fortune" for the New World and landed on 
the shores of Massachusetts November 11, 1621. 
In 1640, with his wife Margaret, he removed to 
Rhode Island, and from that state, in 1642, John 
and Stephen Hicks came to Long Island. They 



settled in the vicinity of Flushing, John being the 
lineal ancestor of Henry P. Titus. The Hicks 
and Titus families were of Quaker stock. 

At the time Henry P. Titus was born his father 
was a member of the state assembly and his birth 
was announced in that body by the famous Mike 
Welch, who made an amusing speech when ask- 
ing for the absence of Mr. Titus to return home. 
Henry P. was educated in a private school of 
New York and the Flushing Institute and then 
entered the law department of Columbia Col- 
lege, from which he graduated in May, 1872, with 
the degree of LL. B. The next day he was ad- 
rnitted to the bar, but did not at once take up the 
active practice of law, for his time was fully oc- 
cupied in looking after his various interests. His 
father was very fond of outdoor sports, particu- 
larly fishing, and much of his leisure time was 
spent on the water. Henry P. is partial to hunt- 
ing and angling and has caught trout in the 
mountains of Pennsylvania and New York and 
has shot deer in the Adirondacks. 

Mr. Titus has been an exceptionally public- 
spirited citizen and for six years was a member 
of the board of education and one year its presi- 
dent. During this time he was the chief promoter 
in the building of the Steinway public school. 
He was one of the original members of the 
Steinway Hose Company No. 7, as was also his 
father, and he held the position of secretary. He 
was a director of the Queens County Agricultural 
Society for twelve years and did much to make 
the society the prosperous organization that it 
now is. He was one of the trustees of the Stein- 
way Reformed Church, and was one of those to 
attend to the erection of the fine new church in 
which he has since been a trustee. Not only has 
he been active in church work, but political cir- 
cles have also felt his influence, although he is 
not an official aspirant. He has ever been a 
stanch Republican and has been a leader in num- 
erous county and state conventions, as well as 
in various enterprises that have come up, and 
his influence has ever been on the side of prog- 
ress, justice and right. He has a fine residence 
at the corner of Shore Road and Purdy Street. 

In 1891 Mr. Titus was married in Flushing to 
Miss Mary Moore Riker, a native of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph H. and jNIartha 
(Moore) Riker, granddaughter of Henry Riker, 
a native of New York City, and great-grand- 
daughter of Peter Riker, who was a cooper by 
trade and was a member of the British army dur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1151 



ing the Revolutionary War. He afterwards lo- 
cated on Riker's Island, which his father, Andrew, 
had purchased from the Indians. Henry Riker 
was a farmer on the island, but later sold this land 
and located at Painesville, Ohio, where he died. 
His wife, Deborah Cromwell, was born in West- 
chester County, and to them five children were 
born, and three are still living. George L. was 
captain of the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio In- 
fantry and now resides near Painesville. J. H. 
Riker was reared in New York and on the island 
and after learning the trade of a sash and blind 
m^aker, he went to Riker's Island and engaged in 
farming. Later he spent five years in Painesville, 
then farmed in the vicinity of Newtown, but since 
1877 h^s been a resident of Long Island City. 
Mrs. Riker was a daughter of David Moore, a 
farmer of Long Island. She had only one child, 
Mary Moore, the wife of Henry P. Titus, who, 
with her husband, is a leader in the social circles 
of Long Island City. 



JOHN MACKEY. Born near the beginning 
of the present century, Mr. Mackey has 
lived, until almost the period of its close, a 
long and useful life, all of which has been spent in 
Queens County. As might be expected, he has a 
large acquaintance throughout this part of the 
island. Many of those who were associated with 
him in his active years have passed away; some 
have removed to other localities, and few remain 
to enjoy with him the improvements of the pres- 
ent generation. However, while his confreres 
have mostly passed away, he is well known 
among the younger men of the community, 
whom he has watched from childhood and in 
whose prosperity he has always shown great 
interest. 

Now a resident of Port Washington, our sub- 
ject was born May 7, 1814, at Dosoris, nortn of 
Glencove, in the town of Oyster Bay. He is a son 
of James and Elizabeth (Wilson) Mackey, and a 
brother of George Mackey, whose sketch appears 
in this volume. Of the surviving members of the 
family, he is the oldest now living. In boyhood 
he accompanied his parents to Port Washington, 
where for a short time he attended a private 
school. Under the instruction of his father, who 
was a cooper, he learned that trade, at which he 
worked for a few years, but not caring to make 
it his life calling he turned his attention to 
■oyster farming. He was a pioneer in the industry 



and being careful and energetic, made a suc- 
cess of the business, accumulating a sufficient 
amount to enable him to build a residence and 
lay aside a snug sum for future needs. 

The marriage of Mr. Mackey, January 10, 
1838, united him with Miss Jane Wright, who 
was born at Glencove November 20, 1817, being 
a daughter of Elijah and Freelove (Merritt) 
Wright. Nine children were born of the union, 
named as follows: Elijah, a carpenter, living in 
this village; Anna, who died at the age of twenty- 
three; Mary, wife of William Post, of Port Wash- 
ington, and the mother of five children; John, of 
Brooklyn, who has been twice married, but has 
no children; Freelove, Mrs. Jesse Lewis, who 
lives in this village and has four children; Jacob, 
who makes his home with our subject, is married 
and has five children; Alice, who has five chil- 
dren by her marriage to Robert West, of this 
village; Edgar, who lives here and is the father 
of five children by his marriage; and Ellen, Mns. 
Samuel Johnson, of Brooklyn, who is the mother 
of a son, 'Noble. 

When Andrew Jackson was the presidential 
candidate, Mr. Mackey cast his ballot for that 
renowned general and was delighted at his suc- 
cess. Adhering to the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party, he kept himself posted upon ques- 
tions of local importance or those affecting the 
welfare of the nation. At one time he was elected 
assessor and served with fidelity in that position. 
In his younger years he held membership in the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was an 
active worker in the home lodge.. In his old age 
he is enjoying the fruit of years spent in useful- 
ness and in well-doing. Those who know him 
best respect him most, and in the community of 
which his family is so prominent a factor, the 
family are held in the highest esteem. 



PORT WASHINGTON WOMAN'S 
CLUB, for the entertamment and improve- 
ment of its members, and for philanthropic 
purposes, was organized in January, 1892, with 
twelve members. The officers elected were : Miss 
Carolyn Hicks, founder and president; Mrs. I. P. 
Tredwell, vice-president; Miss Charlotte Onder- 
donk, secretary, and Mrs. Amelia Cornwell, treas- 
urer. The club met at the houses of the members 
and began their work by founding a circulating 
library of twenty-five books, contributed by mem- 
bers. The library was first established at the resi- 



II52 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dence of the librarian, Miss W. M. Mitchell, who 
is assisted by Mrs. Lizzie S. Mitchell. In April, 
1892, rooms were rented in the Baxter home- 
stead for the club meetings, and the library 
moved to them. An increase of books to over 
five hundred led to an application to the state 
for a free library charter, and a provisional one 
was granted in' November, 1895. The library 
trustees are: Miss Carolyn Plicks. Miss W. M. 
Mitchell, Mrs. Ellen Stannard, Mrs. Adelia 
Weeks, Mrs. Ella Davis, Mrs. Catherine Nos- 
trand and Miss Charlotte Onderdonk. 

The establishment of a relief fund by the clu!) 
for the poor of the village and the furnishing of 
work for those desiring it led to an exchange 
for woman's work opened May 11, 1892, with 
Miss W. M. Mitchell as president and a board of 
managers. Sales for the benefit of consigners 
amounted the first year to $500.37. Annual mem- 
bers of the exchange pay a fee of $2. There 
are at present (May, 1896,) thirty exchange mem- 
bers, and over sixty consigners. The club has 
met its expenses and maintained the relief fund 
by the dues of its members ($2 annually), by 
donations and by entertainments in which or- 
iginal plays were performed. There are in the 
present year, 1896, twenty-eight members, and 
the officers are: president, Mrs. Anna Mott; first 
vice-president, Mrs. Kittle Messenger; second 
vice-president, Mrs. Ellen Stannard; recording 
secretary, Mrs. M. Eleanor Smull; correspond- 
ing secretary, Mrs. Amelia Cornwell, and treas- 
urer. Miss Margie Tredwell. 



EARL A. GILLESPIE. The business in- 
terests of Woodhaven have a capable and 
' successful representative in the subject of 
this biography, who is at the head of the lumber 
interests in the place. He was born at Watkins 
Landing, on the banks of the Hudson River, 
February 22, 1850. His father, Lewis Gillespie, 
was a native of Schenectady County, N. Y., born 
in 1 821, and was a prominent lumber dealer of 
West Troy up to the time of his decease, in 1885. 
Through years of industrious and honest toil he 
secured a good income and the respect of those 
who had business dealings with him from time to 
time. He was an active member of the Reformed 
Church and for many years was elder of his con- 
gregation. He had three brothers, of whom 
James went South prior to the outbreak of the 
late war and was never more heard from; George 



was for many years a builder in Schenectady, N. 
Y.; and W. C, who started in life as a boat- 
builder at Havana, N. Y., was at the time of his 
demise president of the bank at that place. 

The grandfather of our subject, James Gil- 
lespie, was one of the prominent agriculturists 
of Schenectady County and a leader in the Re- 
formed Church. The family is of Scotch origin, 
although the first of this branch to come to 
America, in 1760, emigrated from Belfast, Ire- 
land. They immediately made their way to the 
above county in this state, among whose resi- 
dents they became prominent. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Ellen Valentine. Her grandfather, prior to the 
Revolution, was a blacksmith in the village of 
Jamaica, L. I. When volunteers were called for 
he entered the service and won distinction for his 
brave and fearless conduct. When peace was de- 
clared he settled in Saratoga County, and there 
passed the remaining years of his life. ^Irs. 
Gillespie had two brothers and one sister. INIark 
was a carpenter and builder by trade; William 
ran away from home when a boy, and, going to 
sea, made a trip around the world; in 1849 he 
joined the train of gold-seekers and crossed the 
plains to California, where he made his perma- 
nent home. 

Earl A. Gillespie, who was the only child of 
his parents, was educated in the schools of Troy, 
N. Y., after which he entered the office of his fa- 
ther's wholesale lumber yard and became thor- 
oughlv acquainted with every branch of the 
business. In 1881 he removed to East New 
York, and, forming a partnership with his wife's 
brother, established a lumber yard and built up 
a large business, in which he is still interested. 

Our subject remained in East New York for 
four years, when he left the management of the 
business to his partner, and, coming to Wood- 
haven, opened up another yard and is now at the 
head of one of the largest concerns of this kind 
on Long Island. In addition to the two lumber 
yards, he has recently established one of the most 
extensive ice manufacturing plants in the conn- 
try. It is located not far from his lumber yards 
at- Ozone Park, and is said to be one of 
the most complete ice plants of its kind 
now in operation. There is probably no gentle- 
man in Queens County who has met with greater 
success than has rewarded his efforts. He is in- 
terested in many other enterprises of importance 
in the citv, beinsr director of the Woodhaven 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1153 



Bank and the owner of much valuable real es- 
tate in this place and East New York. He is a 
member of the Reformed Church in East New- 
York and has been elder in this congregation for 
many years. He was one of the leaders in the es- 
tablishment of the Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation of the twenty-sixth ward, Brooklyn. He 
contributes largely of his time and means toward 
making this a success and is one of its board of 
managers. 

In 1882 Mr. Gillespie married Miss Isabella 
Curtis, granddaughter of Captain Curtis of Revo- 
lutionary fame. This lady was born in Saratoga 
County, N. Y., and by her union with our sub- 
ject has become the mother of two children. The 
family occupy one of the finest residences in 
Woodhaven. 



T T 7 ILLIAM E. KIRK. The record of the 
\ /V / life of Mr. Kirk is that of an honest, in- 

' ^ dustrious, persevering man, who has 
followed his chosen occupation for a very long 
period and is still carrying it on m an energetic 
and methodical manner. His home is situated 
one mile west of the village of Locust Valley, in 
the town of Oyster Bay, where for twenty years 
or more he has followed the blacksmith's trade, 
and for the twenty years previous he was simi- 
larly engaged in the village. In addition to that 
trade, until recently he was engaged in wagon 
making and repairing. 

The father of our subject, John Kirk, was born 
in Glencove, Queens County, and in early life 
learned the trades of millwright and shipbuilder, 
which he followed for a number of years in the 
navy yard of New York. By his marriage to 
Mary Albertson, also a native of the island, he 
had three children who attained inature years, 
namely: William E., who was born in the city of 
New York on the 4th of July, 1822; Degrove and 
George, both deceased. When our subject was, a 
mere child his mother returned to Long Island 
and here, as soon as old enough, he hired out to 
work on a farm. His educational advantages 
were exceedingly limited, but he managed to gain 
a fund of general information that has been of 
great assistance to him in business affairs. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. Kirk entered a shop 
in Glencove, where he was employed for two 
years, and afterward he spent a similar period 
in the shop of Mr.. Cox. For several years after- 
ward he worked for Mr. Weeks. On entering 



business for himself, he opened a shop at Locust 
Valley, where he remained about twenty years, 
and then moved to his present location, one mile 
west of the village, where he built a shop and re- 
modeled the house. He has been three times 
married, his first wife being Jane Weeks, 
daughter of his former employer, and mother 
of one child that died in infancy. By his second 
wife, Sarah E. Underbill, he had two children, but 
both died young. His present wife is a member 
of an old family of Long Island. Her father 
was born and reared in the town of Oyster Bay, 
where he followed the occupations of farmer and 
weaver. She is one of eight children, of whom 
four are still living, and by her marriage she is- 
the mother of four children, namely: Isabelle; 
Jane; Annie, wife of Benjamin Downing of Glen- 
head; and William E., who for some years has 
been his father's right-hand man in the manage- 
ment of the shop. 

In former years Mr. Kirk was connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politi- 
cally he votes the Democratic ticket in national 
elections, but in local matters is inclined to be in- 
dependent. He is liberal in his views, conceding 
to others the right to their opinions, which he 
claims as his birthright. At no time in his life 
has he sought office, as his tastes and inclinations 
lead him to prefer a private life. He is indus- 
trious and persevering, and deserves the compe- 
tencv which he has accumulated bv hard work. 



JMAYNARD KISSAM. This pubHc- 
spirited citizen of the village of Queens 
•. holds the position of justice of the town 
of Jamaica, to which office he was elected in the 
fall of 1894. He is a native of this county, born 
at Flushing, August 15, 1865. His father, John 
R. Kissam, was also born in that beautiful old 
town and for many years prosecuted farming with 
success. He is now living in ease and comfort 
in the village of Queens. The Kissam family is 
one of the oldest and most highly respected on 
Long Island and its various members have al- 
most, without an exception, taken a leading part 
in the affairs of Queens County. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the 
maiden name of E. Amanda Remsen, was a mem- 
ber of a family that traced its ancestry to the early 
settlement of the island. Her union with John 
R. Kissam resulted in the birth of three sons and 
one daughter. Eleanor A. married W. P. Eos- 



1154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ter, who, at his death, left her with a daughter, 
Ethel ; Richard A. and William A. are both living 
in this village. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
schools of Queens and in Brown's Institute, 
Brooklyn. In 1882 he accepted a position with 
the Imperial and Northern Insurance Compan\' 
of New York, remaining in their employ until 
January i, 1886, when he resigned and became 
connected with the Lancaster Insurance Com- 
pany, working in the interests of this concern 
until January i, 1889. He then formed a partner- 
ship in the insurance business, having his main 
office in New York with a branch office at 
Queens, where he spends a portion of his time. 

Judge Kissam is a leading Republican of the 
county and has always taken a very active part 
in local politics. He has been collector of school 
taxes of the village of Queens since 1890, and is 
at present treasurer of the fire department and 
secretary of the building and loan association. 
In the fall of 1894 his friends urged him to be- 
come a candidate for the office of justice of the 
town of Jamaica. He did so and was elected by 
a majority of nine hundred, that, too, in a Demo- 
cratic district. This fact speaks well for his pop- 
ularity as a citizen, and since entering upon the 
duties of the office he has given no less satis- 
faction as an official. He is prominent in Ma- 
sonic circles and is a member of the Royal Ar- 
canum, American Legion of Honor, of which he 
is a past commander, and the Shield of Honor, in 
which organization he is past senior master. He 
was one of the charter members of the Chub Club 
of Jamaica and also takes an active part in other 
leading clubs on Long Island. He has never 
married, and makes his home with his parents iil 
Queens. 



PETER N. PHILLIPS. Of the many citi- 
zens of Long Island City who have chosen 
contracting and building for their life 
work, none is meeting with more success than 
Mr. Phillips, who, though still a young man, has 
had the contract for the erection of some of the 
most substantial buildings in this locality. Much 
of his time is spent in New York, where he has 
an office at No. 143 Liberty Street, and in addi- 
tion he also has an office in Brooklyn. He has 
made a particular study of the construction of 
public buildings, and his familiarity with every 
detail is largely the secret of his success. 



The business founded by his father and now 
conducted by Mr. Phillips has assumed large pro- 
portions, and its management requires his 
thoughtful oversight. Among the buildings he 
has erected may be mentioned the addition to 
the College of the City of New York and about 
sixteen large alterations in the public schools in 
New York City. In Brooklyn he had the con- 
tract for two houses for the fire department and 
the largest part of the buildings in block 3 of the 
Wallabout market. He also built the Newtown 
water works for the Citizens' Water Supply Com- 
pany. In Long Island City he had the contract 
for the fire engine house in Jackson Avenue, first 
ward; the two fire department houses in Flush- 
ing Avenue, near Steinway Avenue; the Fourth 
Ward school; and the rebuilding of the large 
brick chimney at the city water works, which is 
one hundred and fifteen feet in height. 

The Phillips family originated in England. 
Our subject's father, John M., was born in Lan- 
cashire, and was the son of a contractor there. 
In youth he learned the mason's trade, serving 
an apprenticeship under the largest contractor 
of the shire. After his marriage he came to the 
LTnited States and settled in New York, where he 
first followed his trade, but later became con- 
tractor for the W. H. Ellis estate. In 1877 he 
located at No. 112 Academy Street, Long Island 
City, but continued contracting, with his son as 
partner, under the firm name of J. M. Phillips & 
Son. In 1890 he accidentally fell from a building 
in Brooklyn and the injury resulted fatally. He 
was then fifty years of age. For many years 
before his death he was chairman of the general 
committee of the independent Democratic party. 
He was a Catholic and one of the leading mem- 
bers of St. Patrick's Church. 

The mother of our subject, Margaret Newell, 
was born in Ireland, but reared in England, 
where her father, Andrew Newell, was a large 
contractor. At this writing she resides in Long 
Island City. Of her ten children seven are living, 
all of whom are sons and all masons, working in 
the employ of their oldest brother. The subject 
of this notice was born in West Seventeenth 
Street, New York City, September 7, 1866. In 
early boyhood he attended Grammar School No. 
14, in East Twenty-seventh Street, and later was 
a student for two j-ears in the College of the City 
of New York. From the age of eleven years ho 
has resided in Long Island City, where he now 
has his home at No. 112 Academy Street. In 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"55 



1891 the accidental death of his father, with 
whom he had been associated in business, threw 
the entire responsibility of the firm's aiifairs upon 
himself. His present prosperity proves that he 
was equal to the emergency. 

A man of strong opinions, on no question 
are Mr. Phillips' ideas more pronounced than on 
politics, and we find him a stanch advocate of 
united Democracy and a leader in his party. He 
is a member,, among other organizations, of the 
Mechanics and Traders' Exchange of Brooklyn, 
the Manhattan Athletic Club of New York City 
and the Lotus Club of Brooklyn. 



JAMES M. HIGGINS, a successful young 
business man of Flushing, was born here 
January 15, 1868. He is of Irish descent, 
his grandfather, Michael Higgins, having been 
a native of County Kerry, whence in early man- 
hood he emigrated to America and settled in 
Flushing, being the second Irishman to seek a 
home in this village. He was employed as a land- 
scape gardener Until the arrival of his brother 
Daniel, when the two established the Higgins 
nursery. After a short time, however, Michael 
went to Whitestone, where he took a position as 
gardener. Later he was proprietor of a grocery 
store in Main Street, Flushing. In 1872 he re- 
moved to New York City, where he carried on 
a grocery trade on the East Side. His death 
occurred there in 1879. 

The father of our subject, William D. Higgins, 
was born in Whitestone and in early life engaged 
in farming, but after a time gave his attention to 
the express business in Flushing. About 1872 
he embarked in the grocery business, and during 
the )rears that have since elapsed he has gained a 
reputation as an upright and honorable business 
man. He is still proprietor of a store in Broad- 
way, and is numbered among the industrious and 
energetic men of his community. By his mar- 
riage to Ann O'Brien, a native of Queens 
County, Ireland, he has three children. 

James M., who is the only son and youngest 
child, was educated in St. Michael's parochial 
school and the high school. At the age of four- 
teen he became news agent on the Long Island 
Railroad, but followed that occupation only a 
short time. April i, 1884, he entered the real 
estate office of J. E. Carll, where he remained for 
five years, and then, with the assistance and en- 
couragement of that gentleman, he started a real 



estate and insurance business of his own in 1889. 
This he has since successfully conducted. April 
I, 1890, he was elected assessor of the town of 
Flushing for three years, and in 1893 he was 
elected town clerk on the Democratic ticket for 
one year. For two years, while serving as as- 
sessor, he acted as deputy receiver of taxes. In 
1896 he was again chosen assistant receiver and 
collector of taxes. At his office. No. i Jaggar 
Avenue, he carries on a general real estate and 
insurance business, representing the American, 
Pennsylvania and Hanover of Philadelphia. In 
addition to this, he does considerable business as 
an auctioneer. 

Mr. Higgins was a member of St. Michael's 
Church and at one time was vice-president of the 
Catholic Benevolent Legion. He served his time 
in Rescue Flook and Ladder Company, and later 
was a member of the Flushing Hose Company 
No. 3. Fraternally he is identified with Council 
No. 6, A. O. F., is treasurer of the Ancient Order 
of Hibernians and at one time belonged to the 
Flushing Boat Club. All local matters receive 
his support, and while he always votes the Demo- 
cratic ticket, he is not a partisan in his views, but 
gives to others the freedom of opinion he claims 
for himself. He is connected with the West End 
Building and Loan Association, the Flushing Im- 
provement Society and Flushing Protective Gun 
Association. 



RICHARD H. WILLIAMS. College Point 
numbers among its rising young business 
men the subject of this sketch, who is a 
successful contractor and is also filling the posi- 
tion of assessor. He is a son of Robert and Mar- 
garet Williams, the former of whom, a native of 
Ireland, emigrated to America in early man- 
hood and settled in Flushing, but removed thence 
to College Point in 1840. At that time the vil- 
lage was in its infancy, and gave few indications 
of its present thriving condition. He was one of 
its early settlers and remained closely associated 
with its growth until he died at the age of 
sixty-three. Throughout hfe he followed the oc- 
cupation of a mason and builder, in which, while 
not gaining wealth, he accumulated a compe- 
tency. His wife is still living and makes her 
home in Twelfth Street. 

The six children comprising the parental fam- 
ily were named as follows: Mary, wife of Richard 
E. Tracy, who is a builder by occupation; Lizzie, 



II56 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Fred Bux; Maggie, who lives with her 
mother; Robert, deputy sheriff of Queens Coun- 
t}'; Richard H., of this sketch; and Thomas, a 
builder by trade, and a resident of College Point. 
Our subject was born in this village August i, 
1863, and was educated in the common schools 
and St. Francis College, New York City. Hav- 
ing a natural ability as a mechanic, he began 
to learn the machinist's trade in Flushing, but 
abandoned it to enter the building business, 
which he believed would prove more profitable. 
He continued thus engaged for a time, after 
which he turned his attention to his present busi- 
ness of contracting, his contracts including num- 
erous orders for excavating, road grading, etc. 

By his marriage to May Hargreave, of Yonk- 
ers, N. Y., Mr. Williams has three children, Rob- 
ert Vincent, Richard Ambrose and Mary Irene. 
He is a Catholic in religious views and holds 
membership in the Catholic Benevolent Legion. 
In politics he is a leader in the Democracy, 
and for ten years has served as secretary of the 
Democratic Club. In 1891 he was elected as- 
sessor, which office he has since held. He is con- 
nected with the Foresters and is an honorary 
member of the Junior Hose Company. 



JUDGE GEORGE T. BOWMAN, during 
his incumbency of the office of justice of the 
peace, has seen opened and broadened be- 
fore him a grand field of work for the good of his 
fellow-men. By means of his thorough study of 
the cases that have fallen within his jurisdiction 
and of the statutes of New York and the rulings 
of the common law, he has adjusted satisfactoril}' 
many cases that might otherwise have resulted 
in tedious, expensive and harassing suits at law, 
and he has thus exerted a beneficent influence 
in his community. 

Now a resident of Winfield Junction, our sub- 
ject was born in Newtown December 31, 1854, 
and is one of five survivoi-s among the eight chil- 
dren originally comprising the family of Peter 
and Bridget (Hay) Bowman. Flis father emi- 
grated from Europe to America in youth and set- 
tled in Newtown, where he engaged in gardening 
until his death in 1872. George T. grew to man- 
hood in his native place, and prior to the age 
of twenty-two was engaged in farming, but at 
that age he secured employment with the firm of 
Howard & AIoss, wire weavers, in Brooklyn, with 
whom he remained for eighteen consecutive 



years, receiving a gradual increase of salary in 
recognition of his faitniul and valuable services. 
His resignation was caused by his election to the 
office of justice of the peace, to fill the unexpired 
term of one year and nine months caused b}' the 
death of the former justice. At the expiration 
of this term, in January, 1895, he was again 
elected to the position, which he has since filled 
with honor to himself and satisfaction to his con- 
stituents. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Barbara 
Weber, of Newtown, occurred in 1876, and re- 
sulted in the birth of seven children, of whom 
four are living: George L., Anna E., Arthur F. 
and Lucy. The wife and mother died in 1889. 
Mr. Bowman was again married November 14, 
1895, his wife being Miss Louisa Timmes, of 
Newtown. The family are connected with the 
Roman Catholic Church and regular attendants 
at its services. Mr. Bowman is chancellor of the 
Catholic Benevolent Legion as well as state de- 
partment chancellor, and for six years served as 
president of Winfield Council N. 126. 

The Democratic party nas in Mr. Bowman one 
of its loyal supporters and local leaders. For 
many years he was president of a Democratic or- 
ganization in this district, and at this writing is 
treasurer of the town central committee. At the 
election in 1895 he headed the ticket and every 
candidate, with the exception of one constable, 
was elected by a handsome majority. For about 
six years he was a member of the board of educa- 
tion, and served for four years as its president, 
rendering in that position efficient service in thu 
interests of the schools. 



WILLIAM H. DELAHANTY. Of the 
various divisions into which the opera- 
tions of the municipality are divided, 
there is none of which the citizens feel more 
justly proud than the active, well-trained, vigi- 
lant and excellently equipped fire department. 
William H. Delahanty, who is chief of the fire 
department of Long Island City, has served in 
his present capacity since 1S93, and the notable 
efficiency to which the department has attained 
is in a large measure due to his thorough knowl- 
edge of the business and his careful training of 
the men engaged with him. He was born in 
Astoria, Long Island City, in 1856, and inherits 
much of his determination and energv from his 
Irish ancestors. His father, Dennis, was bom 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"57 



in Ireland and came to this country in boyhood, 
subsequently becoming superintendent for the 
E. C. Smith Varnish Company. He continued 
with that concern until his death in 1869, when 
thirty-eight years of age. 

The mother of our subject, who still resides in 
Astoria, bore the maiden name of Mary A. Too- 
mey and was born in Albany, N. Y., being a 
daughter of Michael Toomey, who learned and 
followed the trade of a varnish maker in Albany, 
removing thence to Astoria, where he held the 
position of superintendent in the Smith Varnish 
Works until his death, at eighty-eight. In this 
position he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. 
Delahanty. Of the latter's family of eight chil- 
dren five are living, William H. being second in 
order of birth. He passed his childhood years 
in Astoria, receiving his primary education in the 
First Ward and completing his studies in the 
Fourth Ward school. 

The first position held by Mr. Delahanty was 
that of starter for the Steinway Railroad Com- 
pany, but later he became assistant superinteL- 
dent and afterward for four years served as su- 
perintendent. After one year as supervisor of 
the city, in 1893 he was appointed chief of the fire 
department by Mayor Sanford and the board of 
fire commissioners. When he accepted this po- 
sition there were but two fire companies and two 
bouses, but at this writing there are nine com- 
panies and seven houses and the department has 
been reorganized, ecjuipped and enlarged. Five 
new engines have been added, the number of 
men has been increased from fourteen to forty- 
two, and there are two of the latest improved 
trucks. Each house has an electric system and 
there are twenty street boxes, the system having 
been perfected through the efforts of Chief Dela- 
hanty, who devotes all of his time to the duties 
of the office and each day inspects all of the 
houses. 

In Long Island City Mr. Delahanty was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma Hartel, a native of this city, 
and they are the parents of seven children : Kate, 
William, Emma, Mary, Nellie, Grace and James. 
From 1882 to 1886 Mr. Delahanty filled the po- 
sition of alderman and in the last named year he 
was president of the board. He was chairman of 
the fire and water committee and was active in 
the department. In the improvement of city 
property he is deeply interested. Fraternally he 
is a member of Long Island City Council No. 17, 
Order of Firemen, the International Board of 



Fire Chiefs, and the Veteran Firemen's Associa- 
tion. Fie was assistant foreman and foreman and 
served as assistant engineer for two years under 
Chief Camisky. In politics he is a Democrat, 
is a charter member of the Jefferson Club and for 
a number of years before being made chief of the 
department served on the general committee. 



L LANDER MORTIMER DE LA MAT- 
ER, secretary of the John Stephenson Co., 
Limited. From a perusal of the life records 
of successful men may be gleaned much that is 
interesting and profitable to readers of mature 
years, as well as many lessons worthy of emula- 
tion by the young. Mr. De La Mater's succes.s 
proves what one may accomplish who is indus- 
trious, conscientious and determined. The re- 
sponsible position which he holds has been ob- 
tained through the exercise of sound judgment 
in business matters and through his efficient dis- 
charge of every duty in life. While his business 
requires his daily presence in New York City, he 
has, since 1875, made his home in Flushing, 
where he is an influential and leading citizen. 

The family of which Mr. De La Mater is a 
representative is of mingled French and Dutch 
stock. The name was originally,_ in France, Le 
Maitre, meaning "The Master," but has been 
changed to its present form since the settlement 
in America. The first of the name to come to 
this country was Claude Le Maitre, who, in 1652, 
settled in Flatbush (then Harlem) and there mar- 
ried, for his second wife, Hester Du Bois, of Am- 
sterdam, Holland. Since his time the descend- 
ants have been identified with the history of this 
part of the state and have been known as pa- 
triotic, honorable and law-abiding citizens. 

Tlie grandfather of our subject, Isaac De La 
Mater, was a resident of Sing Sing, N. Y., and 
had a family of twelve children by his wife, Abi- 
gail, who died at the age of ninety-two. During 
the war with England he entered the colonial 
service and fought valiantly for independence, 
being a member of the company to which be- 
longed John Paulding and Isaac Van Wart, the 
captors of Major Andre. During his service he 
fell into the hands of the British, by whom he 
was for some time imprisoned in the old sugar 
house in New York City. 

Edward D. De La Mater, father of our subject, 
was the youngest of twelve children and was born 
in Sing Sing, N. Y. Engaging in the sash and 
blind manufacturing business, he was located first 



II58 



TOETRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Ninth, later in Twenty-third Street, New York 
Cit}'. He was a man who kept well posted upon 
current events and possessed a large store of in- 
formation, not only along business lines, but in 
almost every department of knowledge. In his 
early years he was identified with the Methodist 
Protestant Church and later became a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal denomination. After 
having been an invalid for three years, the re- 
sult of a stroke of paralysis, he died June 29, 1895, 
aged eighty-five years. His wife, Jane (Cheshire) 
De La Mater, was born near Oyster Bay, Queens 
County, daughter of Samuel Cheshire, and died 
in 1888 at the home of her son, when seventy- 
three years of age. Of her three children two 
attained years of maturity: Leander Mortimer 
and Jane M., Mrs. J. W. Tompkins, who died in 
New York City. 

Born in New York October 5, 1835, the sub- 
ject of this record as a boy attended Ward School 
No. 2, located on the corner of Ninth Street and 
First Avenue. In 1849 he entered the New York 
Free Academy, of which he was one of the first 
pupils, and there he remained for three and one- 
half years. From the time he left school until he 
was twenty years old, he assisted his father in the 
sash and blind business. In 1855 he entered the 
office of John Stephenson, the street car builder. 
located then, as now, at No. 47 East Twenty- 
seventh Street. In 1867 he became a member of 
the firm of John Stephenson & Co., which con- 
cern was in 1875 incorporated as the John Steph- 
enson Co., Limited, and a few years later he was 
made secretary. 

At the time of the war, Mr. De La Mater, who 
was then a resident of New Rochelle, was orderlv 
sergeant of the Seventeenth New York National 
Guard and was called out for thirty days' service 
about the time of the battle of Gettysburg in 
1863. The time was principally spent in guard- 
ing Rebel prisoners at Ft. McHenry. From the 
rank of acting adjutant Mr. De La Mater was 
promoted to be adjutant, and later was commis- 
sioned lieutenant-colonel by Governor Morgan, 
serving from 1861 until the regiment was dis- 
banded at the close of the war. 

The first marriage of Mr. De La Mater took 
place in New York City and united him with 
Miss Mary T. Stephenson, who died in 1870. Of 
their eight children, only three attained mature 
years, namely: Annie S., who died at twenty-two 
years; Jennie L., Mrs. Austin Hicks, of Great 
Neck, L. I.; and Lillic Grant, who died at the age 



of twenty-seven. The father of Mrs. De La Ma- 
ter, John Stephenson, was a man of such remark- 
able character that he deserves especial mention 
in this connection. Born in Ireland of humble 
parentage, starting in life without the prestige of 
wealth or the aid of influential friends, he never- 
theless attained a financial success that brought 
him world-wide renown. At the age of four years 
he was brought to America by his parents and 
grew to manhood in New York City, with the 
histors' of which his own was ever afterward 
identified. In early manhood he began to manu- 
facture omnibuses, making the first in the city. 
In 1831 he built the first street car line in New 
York and became the pioneer street car builder 
of the place. His factory was first in Elizabeth 
Street, later was removed to Harlem, and about 
1842 was started in Twenty-seventh Street, where 
it has since remained. So rapidly did his busi- 
ness increase that in a few years he was filling- 
orders from other parts of the world, and his 
cars were sent to every country on the globe ex- 
cept China. . While engrossed with the responsi- 
bilities attached to his immense business, he did 
not forget religious duties, but ever maintained 
an interest in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
to which he belonged for many years. He at- 
tained an advanced age, dying in July, 1893, at 
the age of eighty-five. 

During the Rebellion Mr. Stephenson sus- 
pended street car building to do government 
work and his factory was under government in- 
spection. In it he manufactured gun carriages, 
caisson and pontoon wagons. At one time an 
order was received for seventy pontoon wagons. 
There was no lumber in the shop, but he at once 
sent to New Brunswick, N. J., for logs, and in 
seventeen days a train of seventy pontoon wagons 
was sent to the headquarters of the army. The 
company now has the distinction of being the 
oldest manufacturers of street cars in the world 
and the largest in the East. Their facilities are 
unsurpassed for turning out first-class work in a 
short time, the capacity of their plant being about 
six hundred per annum. Emplo}'ment is furn- 
ished to a large force of men, varying from three 
hundred to three hundred and fifty. 

The present wife of Mr. De La i\Iater, with 
whom he was united in marriage at Jericho, 
Queens County, was Miss Sarah E. Dur\-ea, a 
native of Brooklyn, and daughter of George Dur- 
yea, a farmer and builder of Jericho. Three sons 
blessed their union, namely: Merton Erving, Ros- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 59 



well Alger, and Mortimer Sterling, who died at 
the age of seven years. 

For eight years Mr. De La Mater was a mem- 
ber of the board of education and served as its 
president for one year; during the time of his 
connection with the board, the large addition to 
the high school was built. In 1852, at the age of 
seventeen, he united with the iVlethodist Episco- 
pal Church, in which he has since been an active 
worker, having been a teacher or officer in the 
Sunday-school for forty years, and a member of 
the official board and class leader for thirty-eight 
years. His membership was first in the Rose 
Hill Methodist Episcopal Church in Twenty- 
seventh Street, New York ; later he was connected 
with St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church at 
New Rochelle, and in 1875 joined the First 
Church of Flushing. Here he has been president 
of the board of trustees and superintendent of the 
Sunday-school. On four difTefent occasions he 
has served as lay delegate to the conference of the 
denomination. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. De La Mater cast 
his first vote for J. C. Fremont in 1856 and has 
since given his active allegiance to all the meas- 
ures of this party. He was one of the first pro- 
moters of Flushing Hospital and was president 
of the board of trustees at the time the corner 
stone was laid. In former years he served as 
president of the Queens County Sunday-school 
Association, of which he is still a member. 



HENRY O. AND GEORGE R. SUT- 
PHEN, operating under the firm name 
of Sutphen Brothers, are far-seeing and 
intelligent business men of Little Neck, which 
fact is shown by the success which has crowned 
their efforts. They are not only the proprietors 
of a large general merchandising establishment 
in this place, but are also prominent in both 
social and commercial circles. They are men of 
much practical and financial ability, and by ju- 
diciously investing their money have become 
well-to-do. 

The brothers were born in New York City to 
Charles S. and Elizabeth (Whittle) Sutphen. Of 
their household of six children four now survive. 
Charles J. is manager of the Brooklyn branch of 
the H. J. Heinz Pickle Company; and Annie L., 
the only daughter, is the wife of R. Ellard, a resi- 
dent of Great Neck. 

The father of our subjects was born in New 



Brunswick, N. J., in 1831, this being the native 
state of his ancestors for many generations back. 
After attending school for a short period he be- 
gan very early in life to work at the carpenter',', 
trade, which he mastered after attaining his nine- 
teenth year and began building and contracting 
on his own account in New York City. His shop 
at that time was located in Fortieth Street, where 
now stands the Metropolitan Opera House. The 
first contract of importance which was given him 
was the building of a row of dwellings in Twenty- 
third Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues. 
Succeeding in giving satisfaction, his efforts from 
that time on were accompanied by the most 
pleasing results, and for a period of thirty years 
he was one of the most prosperous contractors 
and builders of the metropolis, erecting many of 
its best business blocks and handsome residences, 
among the latter being that of a Mr. Bostwick, 
located on the corner of Sixty-second Street and 
Fifth Avenue, and the Knickerbocker residence, 
which stands on the corner of Sixty-fourth Street 
and Fifth Avenue. In the year 1875 Mr. Sutphen 
came with his family to Great Neck, with whose 
interests he has been identified ever since. His 
father, Grandfather Steadman Sutphen, and the 
great-grandfather, were also builders of prom- 
inence in their day and locality, so that Charles 
S. comes very naturally by his knowledge of car- 
penters' tools and the materials used in building. 
Steadman Sutphen constructed the first bridge 
which spanned the Raritan River and was known 
as the three-mile bridge. 

Henry O. Sutphen, the senior member of the 
firm of Sutphen Brothers, was born February 25, 
1 860, while George R. is four years his junior and 
was born February 24, 1864. They both acquired 
good educations in the public schools of New 
York City and later learned the carpenter's trade 
under their father's instruction. Henry, after 
completing his apprenticeship, secured a position 
in a law office as copyist and for over six years 
devoted every spare moment to the study of law, 
which it was his intention at that time to follow. 
Withdrawing from the office at the expiration of 
that time he turned his attention to acquiring a 
knowledge of architecture and one year later we 
find him engaged in business for himself in 
Brooklyn. In this business he was remarkably 
successful and continued to make his home in the 
City of Churches until about one year ago, when 
he came to Little Neck and entered into partner- 
ship with his brother. 



ii6o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



George R. Sutphen became a resident of this 
place in 1885, soon after completing his appren- 
ticeship at the carpenter's trade. He secured em- 
ployment as clerk in the store of Peter Walters 
and was his efficient assistant in business until 
189s, when, with his brother, he purchased the 
stock of goods. By their enterprise and progres- 
siveness they have built up a paying patronage 
and are among the most prominent and influen- 
tial men of the place. The}' carry a stock of 
goods valued at $12,000, which they retail at 
popular prices, and are so thoroughly conscien- 
tious in the conduct of their affairs that their cus- 
tomers are invariably numbered among their 
best friends. 

The senior member of the firm was married in 
1889 to Miss Alice Ida Smith, a member of one of 
the old and honored families of Great Neck. To 
them was granted a family of four children, all 
of whom are now deceased. George R. Sutphen 
was married in 1891 to Miss Nellie, the daughter 
of Peter Walters, his former employer. Thev 
have two children, Harold Steadman and Hazel 
Elizabeth. Religiously he is a devoted member 
of the Reformed Church, in which he has been 
deacon for the past three years. Henry O., while 
not a member of any religious body, attends wor- 
ship at the Episcopal Church. Fraternally the 
younger brother is a Mason of good standing-, 
belonging to Cornucopia Lodge No. 563 of 
Flushing'. 



JOHN LACKNER. The nineteenth century 
will for all time be considered as the most 
remarkable era in the history of the sub- 
jugation of natural laws to the needs and require- 
ments of man. In the Hst of brilliant scientists, 
inventors and practical demonstrators to whom 
remark-able results are due, America is well rep- 
resented, better represented, perhaps, than any 
other country on the face of the globe. This 
great work of development is still going on, and 
in Long Island City we have several practical 
and experienced men who have devoted much of 
their time to such pursuits. Among them is Jolm 
Lackner, the well known inventor and paper 
manufacturer whose genius brought forth the 
machine with which he manufactures his paper 
goods. 

Mr. Lackner is a native of the Empire State, 
born in New York City in 1866, and is the son ot 
John C. Lackner. who was born in Austria. 



The family name was originally de Lackner, a 
Belgium title. His grandfather was a native of 
Belgium, but moved to Austria at an early date 
and held the position of surveyor of Pressburg. 
In the Hungarian Revolution he, being an inti- 
mate friend of General Kossuth, took a very im- 
portant part. He was dissatisfied with the form 
of government in kingdoms in general, claiming 
that most of the imperial houses were descended 
from robber barons and it was no honor to claim 
the ancestry. He renounced his allegiance to the 
crown and cast away his title and went into the 
fight for liberty. When success was within sight, 
all their plans were betrayed and with the help 
of Russia the Austrians defeated them. IMost of 
the Plungarians were taken prisoners, among 
them Grandfather Lackner, who subsequently 
escaped. All of his property was confiscated and 
he had to travel under an assumed name. A 
number of years later he was recaptured and im- 
prisoned. After repeated appeals for his pardon, 
his wife met the king out driving and broke 
through the guards, demanding an audience 
with the king, who promised her that he would 
pardon her husband. She started home rejoic- 
ing and was congratulated on every side, but 
when she reached the place she found a message 
informing her of the death of her husband, who 
passed away before the supposed pardon reached 
him. He was called away by a higher tribunal, 
but it has nevef been the belief of his descend- 
ants that he died of natural causes. 

The father of our subject, who was in business 
under an assumed name, shortly after the war 
was also captured, but owing to his age and title 
was confined for one year only. On his release 
he engaged in the paper business, waiting for the 
pardon of his father, and when the latter's death 
was made known to him, he sold out and came to 
America about 1863, vowing never to have any- 
thing to do with the monarch}-, nor to seek any 
redress nor claim any right to a title from anv 
royal government. He was a freeman there and 
he is a freeman here. In Austria he had carried 
on the manufacture of artificial flowers, and 
on arriving in New York City he began to 
manufacture paper flowers and paper goods 
of all kinds, being the first to introduce this 
industry in the LTnited States, He built up 
an extensive business and became wealthy and 
influential.. At the present time he lives in Asto- 
ria, retired from the active duties of life. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Anna de Buday, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1161 



was a native of Silesia, Austria, and daugliter of 
Judge de Buday who was a iDrominent man in 
that country. Slie died in February, 1895. Of 
their nine children, five sons and four daughters, 
all survive at the present time. 

John Lackner, the fifth in order of birth of 
these children, attended the grammar school of 
New York City, later the College of the City of 
New York, and finished in the commercial 
course. Later he learned the paper goods busi- 
ness of his father, but had become familiar with 
his work when a boy, when all the goods were 
handmade. In 1887 he branched out in business 
for himself in New York City and established a 
plant in West Thirtieth Street. Here he invent- 
ed a machine for manufacturing these goods by 
electric power. This concern was subsequently 
burned out and he lost everything. After this he 
and his father were in business together until 
1894, when the father retired and our subject suc- 
ceeded to the business. He erected a building in 
Astoria and moved the factory from New York 
to that place. The concern is 25x50, two stories 
in height and run by steam power. The manufac- 
turing establishment is one of the largest of its 
kind in the LTnited States and the patents he has 
originated have been the foundation of his suc- 
cessful career. He sells wholesale to jobbers, 
makes his own designs, and attends strictly to 
business. 

Mr. Lackner is a member of the Long Island 
City Building and Loan Association, also the Re- 
publican General Committee of Long Island City 
and Union League Club, and has been a delegate 
to different conventions. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, Enterprise 
Lodge, and the Arion Singing Society. In re- 
ligion he is an Episcopalian and in politics a Re- 
publican. The Lackner family is a thoroughly 
musical one and the mother of our subject was 
noted in that respect. 



CHARLES .JULIUS FREYGANG (de- 
ceased). It is often difficult to advise 
even personal friends on tiie subject of 
hotel accommodations, for "different people have 
different tastes," and what may suit you may 
prove objectionable to another, and vice versa, 
but still we have no hesitation in recommending 
Freygang's College Point Hotel, Park and Pa- 
vilion in Second Avenue, between Sixth and 
Seventh Streets, for the simple reason that it is 



a city hotel, run on metropolitan principles, and 
the policy of its management is consequently ac- 
ceptable to all classes of patrons. This noted 
hotel was established in 1874 by Charles J. Frey- 
gang and its excellent reputation soon called only 
the best class of people to it. 

Mr. Freygang was born near Leipsic, Saxony, 
Germany, August 22, 1830, and was the son of 
Daniel G. and Wilhelmina (Deitz) Freygang, 
both natives of Saxony. ■ The father was a tanner 
by trade and passed his entire life in the old 
country. After the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Freygang joined her children in America. This 
was in 1864, and she died in New York City when 
eighty-nine years old. Of her four children, three 
sons and one daughter, all are now living with 
the exception of our subject, who was the eldest. 
He was reared and educated in the gymnasium 
in his native country, and learned the machinist's 
trade in Saxony. In 1853 h^ came to America, 
located in New York City, and became foreman 
for Mitchell & Wentz. Later he was with the 
Singer Manufacturing Company as foreman, but 
soon after ex-Mayor Wentz sent for him and he 
again became foreman. He was an expert me- 
chanic and could always find employment. 

In the month of September, 1862, our subject 
removed to Whitestone, oought Wolf's Hotel and 
renamed it Freygang's Hotel. This he conduc- 
ted successfully until May 23, 1874, when he lo- 
cated in College Point, bought the place now 
owned by his widow, and built it up, making the 
bowling alley in 1876, dancing pavilion and danc- 
ing hall, also the residence in 1879. He also 
owned and ran Point View Island until his death, 
February 13, 1888. For three years he was su- 
perintendent of the water works, but he then 
resig-ned on account of his business. He was a 
charter member of Company G, Fifteenth Regi- 
ment of Flushing, National Guard, State of New 
York, joining that organization in 1863, and was 
called out for thirty days' service to Ft. Rich- 
mond. Later he started the first hook and ladder 
company in Whitestone. Mr. Freygang was a 
member of Trinity Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., 
of New York. He was also identified with the 
Odd Fellows', lodge in College Point and was 
a charter member and past noble grand of the 
same. In politics he advocated the principles of 
the Democratic party. 

Mr. Freygang was married in New York, Oc- 
tober I, 1859, to Miss Maria Knab, a native of 
Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, born October i, 1834. Her 



Il62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father, Franz Knab, was a farmer in the old 
country and died there when seventy-five years 
old. Her grandfather, Franz Knab, died early in 
life and his widow married a Mr. Wittemeyer, 
who was a soldier in Napoleon's army in its 
march to Moscow. Mrs. Freygang's mother, 
whose maiden name was Catherine Schoefifer,was 
a native of Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, and daughter of 
Adam Schoeffer, an agriculturist there. The 
mother died when seventy-three years old. Mrs. 
Freygang, the eldest of eight children, five of 
whom grew to mature years, came to America in 
1855, on the sailer "Helvetia," settled in New 
York City and there resided until her marriage 
to Mr. Freygang. 

Six children were born to this union, five of 
whom grew to mature years: Hermina, now Mrs. 
Charles P. Wagner, of College Point; Julius, who 
died in childhood; Hugo W., a manufacturer of 
Brooklyn; Paulina, Mrs. Charles Michel, of Col- 
lege Point; Charles J., assistant chief engineer of 
the fire department and in the hotel business with 
his mother; and Henry. The last named is in 
Enterprise Company No. 2, is also a member 
of Freygang's Court No. 177, and the College 
Point Station Life Saving Corps since its or- 
ganization. He and his brothers are good swim- 
mers, and his father also excelled in that line. 
Henry is a member of Aztec Tribe of Red Men 
No. 255; Flora Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 428; O. 
A. Freemen Council, College Point, and is an 
active member of the Arion Singing Society, 
Long Island City. In politics he is a Republican. 
Mrs. Freygang is a member of Ladies' Circle of 
Pride of Woodland, a sister lodge of Court C. J. 
Freygang, and is also a member of the Lady 
Forester and Burial Fund Society. She is 
a member of St. Fidelis' Catholic Church. 
After the death of her husband in 1888, Mrs. 
Freygang assumed control of the business. 
The hotel is nearly new, being built in 1890, and 
is run on the European plan, rooms being had by 
the day, week, or month. A first-class restaurant 
is run in connection, where meals can be served 
at any hour, and with the very best the market 
affords, while guests are served with a prompt- 
ness and politeness that might very profitably 
be imitated at other places. The hotel is located 
on the water, fronting on Flushing Bay, and is 
surrounded by a beautiful park. Here may be 
found the best dancing hall in the place, 60x75 
feet, and the dining-room is the same size. There 
are also bowling alleys, billiard rooms and a 



shooting stand, and, taken all in all, it is one of 
the nicest places on the bay, and has the reputa- 
tion of being the coolest place in College Point. 
It has large accommodations for private parties 
and picnics, and there are plenty of pleasure 
boats for rent. Employment is given to from 
ten to forty assistants. 



DANIEL ALLEN CORNWELL, one of 
the substantial and well known citizens of 
the town of North Hempstead, inherited 
three hundred acres of land from his father's 
estate. The greater part of tnis, however, he has 
subdivided into building lots and disposed of at 
good prices. He was born on the north side of 
Cow Bay, June 5, 1827, his parents being Walter 
J. and Sarah (Allen) Cornwell. The father, who 
was also born near that body of water, was the 
son of Hewlett Cornwell, a descendant of John 
Cornwell, who located on the island early in the 
sixteenth century. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the young- 
est of four children born to his parents, was earlv 
taught to be useful on the farm. During the 
winter months he carried on his studies in the 
district school and in this manner gained a good 
education. His brother, Charles W., was born 
January 17, 1820, and died February 9, 1888; he 
never married and passed his entire life in farm- 
ing in this town. Walter J., who was born Au- 
gust 18, 1822, was also an agriculturist of good 
repute and died September 26, 1846. Hewlett, 
whose birth occurred July 29, 1824, died Decem- 
ber 21, 1865; he too chose farming as his occu- 
pation in life. The father of the above family was 
born April 17, 1795, and was therefore in his 
seventieth year at the- time of his demise, ]\Iarcii 
3, 1865. His good wife, whose birth occurred 
November 20, 1791, survived him until October 
3. 1874. 

Daniel Allen Cornwell and ^Miss Emeline Skid- 
more were married December 4, 1850. This ladv 
was born at Roslyn September 20, 1829, and was 
the daughter of William and Martha (Burtisj 
Skidmore. At her death, October 20, 1879, she 
left three children. JMartha was born in her 
mother's old home at Roslyn, May 27, 1856. June 
27, 1883, she became the wife of Robert L. Mor- 
rell, and they have one son, Allen Cornwell, who 
was born ]\Iarch 15, 1885. Walter J. was born in 
the old house where our subject still lives, June 
10, 1864. After pursuing a course in the com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 163 



mon schools he became a student in Swarthmore 
College, remaining a student in that institution 
for two years. He was married February 3, 1885, 
to Miss Amelia Godard Powell, of Brooklyn, 
where she was born January 26, 1864, her parents 
being William J. and Helen (Godard) Powell. 
Their union has resulted in the birth of a daugh- 
ter, Lillian Emeline Cornwell, born November 
30, 1886. William Skidmore was born July 27, 
1866. When fifteen years of age he entered 
Swarthmore College, carrying on his studies 
there for two years. June i, 1887, he mar- 
ried Julia Estelle Smith of Port Washington, 
who was born at Tarrytown, N. Y. They have 
one son, Daniel Skidmore. 

On the death of his father, the mother of our 
subject made her home with him until she, too, 
was called to the land beyond. As we have stated, 
the farm which he inherited originally included 
three hundred acres, but the greater part of it he 
has sold to those wishing choice building lots in 
this place. 

In poHtics our subject has always affiliated with 
the Democratic party, on which ticket he was 
elected commissioner of highways, serving ac- 
ceptably for two terms. His son, Walter J., is 
very prominent in his neighborhood and for five 
years was road master. Fraternally he belongs 
to Seawanhaka Lodge, I. O. O. F. Our subject 
and his family attend the Episcopal Church, of 
which Walter J. and his sister are members, while 
the wife of the son belongs to the Dutch Re- 
formed Church. 



RW. FUECHSEL is one of the most popu- 
lar young business men of Farmingdale 
• and ranks high among his associates and 
fellow-citizens. He is one of the proprietors and 
stockholders in the Central Park Pickle Works, 
which has a branch factory at this place. Asso- 
ciated with him in business are his brothers, Ed- 
ward A. and George H. The company was incor- 
porated in 1894, although the brothers have op- 
erated together since 1891. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Mt. 
Vernon, Westchester County, N. Y., November 
7, 1866, and is the son of George E. and Mary 
(Schaad) Fuechsel. The former, who was born 
in Germany, came to America when a lad of six- 
teen years and not many years thereafter located 
at Mt. Vernon, where he was engaged in manu- 
facturing a fine brand of pickles. 



George E. Fuechsel landed on the shores of 
the New World with only $6 in his pocket. With 
little difficulty he found work clerking in a store 
and after a few years thus employed began the 
manufacture of ladies' hair nets. This business he 
was obliged to abandon in order to take charge 
of the pickle works, he having been compelled to 
take this property in payment of a debt which 
the proprietor owed him. From 1864 until the 
day of his death, April 25, 1891, he was thus en- 
gaged, after which the works were carried on by 
his sons. 

R. W. Fuechsel spent his boyhood days in 
Westchester County, where he attended school. 
After completing the grammar course he took a 
course in Packard's Business College, and when 
about fifteen years of age began assisting his 
father in the pickle works. He grew up in this 
business, and on the death of his father and the 
division of the estate, he and his brumers took 
this as their portion of the property. 

The marriage of our subject and "Miss Mary 
Louise ICetcham, of Farmingdale, was celebrated 
June 18, 1889. They have a family of three chil- 
dren, namely: Clara Louise, born December 19, 
1890; Lillian Viola, April 11, 1892; and George 
Edward, November 29, 1894. Mr. Fuechsel is in- 
dependent in politics and in 1888 supported 
Cleveland. He is a young man of integrity in 
his business efforts and numbers many warm 
friends in this locality. 

The Central Park Pickle Works have a capa- 
city for making thirty-five million pickles per 
year and also manufacture into sauerkraut from 
six hundred to seven hundred tons of cabbages in 
the same length of time. The brothers have two 
factories, one being located at Central Park, from 
which it derives its name. They are both in a 
very flourishing condition, and during the busy 
season give employment to twenty-five men. 



JOSEPH W. HICKS. This gentleman, who 
is making a success of farming and market 
gardening, lives on the old homestead, near 
Little Neck, where his birth occurred December 
3, 1853. He is the son of Joseph W. and Eliza- 
beth A. (Remsen) Hicks, the former of whom 
was a native of the town of North Hempstead. 
He, too, was a farmer of considerable pi'ominence 
in his community, but his life of usefulness was 
cut short when in the full bloom of manhood, as 
he died about the time of our subject's birth, 



1 164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



leaving besides him a widow and daughter. The 
wife and mother died when Joseph W. was about 
eighteen months old, and the latter was then 
taken into the home of his grandfather, Jacob 
Remsen, who occupied the farm which our sub- 
ject now calls home. While a member of his 
household he was given an opportunity for ac- 
quiring a good education, his indulgent grand- 
father even being willing to send him away to 
school had he cared to do so. He was, however, 
content with a common-school education and 
after gaining this he occupied his entire time in 
assisting in the management of the farm. He 
continued to make his home with his grandfather 
until the latter's death, and afterward lived with 
an uncle to whom the property was willed. His 
uncle, at the time of his decease, left him a por- 
tion of the old place, the same on which he still 
makes his home. 

Our subject was an inmate of his uncle's. house- 
hold until the time of his marriage, February 27. 
1879. The lady to whom he was united was Miss 
Delia Williams, of Mineola, daughter of Joseph 
and Marion (Piatt) Williams. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Plicks there have been born four children, named 
respectively George P., Elizabeth, Alice and Ade- 
laide. 

Although never desirous of holding public 
office, Mr. Hicks is much interested in the suc- 
cess of the Republican party, whose candidates 
he has supported by his voice and vote since 
1876, when he cast a ballot for President Hayes. 
Religiously he is a member of the Zion Episco- 
pal Church of Little Neck, which he has served 
as vestryman for five years, senior warden one 
year and treasurer for one year. He is at present 
junior warden of the congregation. He has al- 
ways been especially interested in the Sunday- 
school and for several years has taught a class. 



HON. JOHN P. MADDEN, asseinblyman 
from the First District of Queens County, 
is justly regarded as one of its most lib- 
eral and public-spirited men. He has been of 
great benefit to his community since taking his 
seat in the asscniljly, and one of the most impor- 
tant measures wJiich he has secured for Long- 
Island City is the reduction of gas, the residents 
now hciug able to have that commodity at the 
.same price it is supplied to the citizens of the 
metropolis. 

Mr. Madden was liorn in .Scio, Alleganv Coun- 



ty, N. Y. His father, Walter :\Iadden, was for 
many years a general contractor of the above 
place. He is in business there at the present 
time and is regarded as one of the most public- 
spirited and influential residents of the place. 
His wife was a Miss Mary Brown, and of the 
eight children born of their union, John P., of 
this history, was the third eldest. Five of the 
family are now residents of Long Island City. 

Our subject passed the first fifteen years of his 
life in Scio, after which he came to New York 
Cit}' and carried on his studies in the public 
schools. He began to make his own way in the 
world when eighteen years of age, and having 
learned the art of telegraphy was given a posi- 
tion with the Standard Oil Company, having 
charge of the delivery of the crude oil to the 
refineries in this section. He continued in that 
capacity until i88g, when he became reporter on 
the ''Daily Star.'' Three years later, however, 
he accepted the position of secretary for Senator 
Edward Floyd Jones and clerk for the senate 
committee on cities at Albany. After filling these 
positions for two years he was nominated on the 
regular Democratic ticket for the assembly. Dur- 
ing the election which followed he was defeated 
by just one hundred votes. Later he was ap- 
pointed chief clerk of the water department and 
held this position until January I, 1895, when he 
resigned. 

In the fall of 1894 we again find IMr. ]Madden 
in this city and for the second time he was chosen 
by the Democrats of the county to represent them 
in the state assembly, and was elected by a plu- 
rality of three hundred and twenty-five. January 
T he took his seat in the assembly and during 
his term was a member of the committee on 
banks, gas, water supply and electricity and vil- 
lages. While there he originated and introduced 
the bill providing that no gas company, corpora- 
tion or individual should charge the residents of 
Long Island City more than $1.25 per thousand 
feet for the gas consumed, thus securing for them 
the same benefits accorded New York City. This 
was hotly contested by those whose interest it 
was to have the gas companies receive a large 
price, but after a long fight the bill was passed. 
The next bill which Hon. j\lr. Madden intro- 
duced provided for the raising of money in order 
that the water mains might be extended and the 
water supply increased. This also became a law. 
He next tried to have passed a bill causing the 
owners of Thirty-fourth Street Ferry to reduce 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Il6: 



the fare from three cents to one cent during the 
commission hours, from 5 130 to 8 a. m. and from 
5 to 7:30 p. m., and charge two cents during 
all other hours of the day. Although this was 
passed in the assembly it was defeated in the 
senate. 

. Mr. Madden is interested in the Electrical Sujv 
ply Company, doing business in New York City, 
and he is publisher of an electrical paper there. 
The John P. Madden Association, which is a 
large and popular outing club, was named in his 
honor. It takes no stretch of the imagination to 
say that Mr. Madden is one of the most influen- 
tial and prominent Democrats in the state. He 
was instrumental in organizing the regular or 
Jefferson Democratic Club, of which he was the 
first secretary, and has held the office ever since. 
Through the efforts of this club the three dif- 
ferent branches of the Democratic party have 
been amalgamated into the regular Democratic 
and they elect one general committee instead of 
three. It is now the strongest party in the cit> 
In religious affairs Mr. Madden is a devout 
Catholic. 

In the fall of 1895 Mr. Madden was nominaterl 
by his -party for mayor. There were three can- 
didates in the field and the result between Mr. 
Madden and Mr. Gleason was so close that the 
matter was thrown into the courts. After two 
months' litigation the courts decided in favor of 
Mr. Gleason, declaring Mr. Madden deleated by 
thirty votes. 



JOHN DOWDEN. While looking up the 
business men of Glencove, the writer called 
upon the manager of the John Dowden es- 
tate. After stating the nature of the forthcoming 
Record, a request was made for a short account 
of the life of his father. After frequent interrup- 
tions (for Mr. Dowden is always busy, following 
the advice of Benjamin Franklin, "When you 
want anything done well, do it yourself; other- 
wise send some one,") the following recital of 
events of his life was obtained from his son : 

"Father was one of nine children and was born 
at Coldspring Harbor in 1835. His father, Pat- 
rick Dowden, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, 
learned the trade of weaving, which I am told was 
a very profitable employment, receiving from £5 
to £6 weekly, and about 1800 or 1805 came to 
Queens County; he was employed in the Jones 
woolen mills until they were permanently closed. 
49 



At the age of about nine years father also went 
to work in these mills, remaining two years, 
after which he entered a general store conducted 
by Samuel Jones. It was then the idea among all 
country families that, if the boys were placed in a 
store, their fortunes were made and besides they 
became the heroes of their households. My father 
did not think so. He remained in the store about 
three years and then, deciding to try his fortune 
in New York City, he left Coldspring Harbor by 
boat (the railroad not having yet reached there). 
I think he said the fare was about six cents and 
it took six or seven hours to cover the distance, 
some thirty-two miles; you can see time was 
not considered as valuable as it is now. 

"Arriving in New York City, he did not find 
the kind of employment he was looking for, hi.s 
original intention being to learn the trade of a 
wheelwright; so he accepted a position with a 
Mr. Wallace, a large hardware merchant in the 
Bowery. With the position in the city, of course, 
he sought a place to board, never having been 
away from home before. He found accommoda- 
tions in the home of a motherly old lady, who had 
a boy of her own. Father being older than 
Johnny, her son, was instructed by the fond 
mother to keep the sad-irons near the boy at 
night, as he was troubled with cold feet. After 
one night of this father had enough, so the next 
night he tied the irons to the boy's feet and in 
the morning early he left the boy, irons, moth- 
erly old lady and all. How long he remained with 
Mr. Wallace I do not know, but still wishing to 
learn a trade and no place as a wheelwright being 
available, he began to learn the trade of a car- 
riage painter, in which he succeeded. At differ- 
ent times he was employed as foreman for a num- 
ber of the most extensive and prominent car- 
riage builders in the city. 

"Unfortunately, father started south with large 
expectations to Washington, D. C. It was then 
in the middle of the summer, when trade was dull. 
Unable to find work there and having very little 
money left, he walked down to Alexandria, Va., 
with no better results. Everything looked blue 
and discouraging, and his misfortunes seemed to 
reach a climax when his money gave out. On 
the advice of a builder, who thought work could 
be had in Richmond, he started to walk there, a 
distance of one hundred and fifty miles. He did 
not know what the distance was, and after walk- 
ing one day and almost all night, he expected to 
find Richmond in view, but was disappointed. 



ii66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Seeing a darkey, he inquired the distance to Rich- 
mond. 'Wall, boss, I reckon it is nigh on ten 
mile.' About an hour later, he inquired of an- 
other gentleman of color, and was told he 'Reck- 
oned it was two hundred and seventy-five mile.' 
Father concluded either there were wheels in that 
negro's head or Richmond was on wheels. Pres- 
ently another darkey came along and he asked 
him if he knew the distance between Alexandria 
and Richmond. 'Yes. yes, boss, five mile to the 
notch.' Just before he reached Richmond he 
came to a toll bridge and the fare was five cents. 
Father not having the money tried to explain 
matters, but without result. A gentleman loaned 
him the money with the advice, 'Never spend 
your last $5 until you know where the next is 
to come from.' Father always remembered that. 

"After a tramp of four days, father reached 
Richmond and found work at once. He remained 
there, with the e.xception of an occasional visit 
to the North, until the war broke out, when he 
came back to New York and married, and mother 
not liking the South he never went back. While 
there he worked both in Washington and Alex- 
andria, according to the season. While I was in 
the South, he wanted me to look up an old friend 
of his in Alexandria* I entered a barber shop 
and after getting comfortably seated, inquired of 
the colored knight of the razor how far it was to 
Richmond. He was honest and said he did not 
know, but asked another barber, who said it was 
thirteen miles. I knew better than that from 
what father had told me. He then asked a gentle- 
man whom he addressed as 'Doctor' (I thought 
everyone down there was a colonel, but it seems 
not), and he replied it was ninety-eight miles by 
rail and that was the shortest route. The 'thir- 
teen-mile' negro 'done thought,' as he expressed 
it, 'there was another way to go.' I think father 
must have had that class of intelligence while 
en route to Richmond. 

'"On returning North, he was employed for a 
short time in Brooklyn, but the close confine- 
ment in the varnish room soon told on his healtli. 
He opened a cigar store in the same city and 
was successful, but the desire to travel was still 
strong in him, so he took Greeley's advice and 
went West. After a short time with his brother, 
William, in Saginaw, Mich., he went to Lyons. 
Mich., where he afterward purchased some prop- 
erty that proved a disastrous investment, not 
bringing one per cent, on the purchase price. 
From Michigan he went to Orange, N. [., where 



I was born. In that place he started his brother, 
Joseph, in the manufacture of drum and banjo 
heads in i860, a business that is now one of the 
largest of the kind in the state, if not in the entire 
country-. In 1868 he came to Glencove and dealt 
largely in wool, being successful until 1872, when 
he met with heavy losses. He then started a car- 
riage shop here, but met with indifferent success. 
In 1873 he purchased his present properts^ and 
opened a general store, seven years later opening 
the one adjoining, whicn he carried on success- 
fully until his death. 

''He was a member of the board of education 
when the movement was on foot to erect the 
present $50,000 school building. Not only while 
a member of the board but at all times he took 
great interest in school work, and as he said in 
a talk to the children, 'They should be thankful 
they had such opportunities, for when he was a 
boy, he could attend school only three terms.' 
About that time he became affected with heart 
trouble, which eventually caused his death and 
which was due to the shock he received when 
on the burning ferry boat 'Garden City.' In 
politics he was always a Democrat, having cast 
his first vote, I believe, for Buchanan. He died 
as he had lived, a strict adherent to the Church 
of Rome. He was buried from St. Patrick's 
Church, of which he was a member. Alother, 
my brother Joseph and I are all that are left out 
of a family of nine children. Often I have heard 
father addressing mother say, 'Mother, if onlv 
we had all our children here, how grand it would 
be,' but bowing in submission to Him who ruleth 
all. God's will be done." 



JOHN STOTZKY is self-made in the truest 
sense of the term, as he arrived in this coun- 
try with only $1.25 in money, and is now 
the well known and popular proprietor of Belve- 
dere Park, which is located at North Beach. He 
has done much toward enhancing the prosperity 
of his community in embarking in this enter- 
prise, and by his unceasing application to busi- 
ness he has secured a competencv. 

Mr. Stotzky is a native of Bohemia, and was 
born February , 12, 1859. His parents were 
Charles and Josephine (Lank) Stotzky, to whom 
there were granted fourteen children, of whom 
only five survive. The parents were also born 
in Bohemia, where the father is still living at the 
advanced age of eighty-seven years. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 167 



In early life Charles Stotzky was engaged in 
the manufacture of woolen goods, but later dis- 
posed of his factory and, purchasing a stock of 
dry-goods, was for many years the proprietor of 
a flourishing business in this line in Pisek. His 
son John, of this history, was reared to manhood 
under the parental roof and acquired a good edu- 
cation in the public schools. When a lad of sev- 
enteen years he bade his relatives and friends 
good-bye and set sail for America, landmg in 
New York City after a tedious voj'age. He had 
no difficulty in obtaining employment, and for 
some two years worked at gardening. He then 
gave the gentleman for whom he was working- 
due notice of his intention to leave and began 
learning the cigar business, four years later open- 
ing a cigar store of his own. After conducting it 
for about a twelve-month he disposed of his stock 
and went to Tower City, Mich., where he became 
the proprietor of the same kind of an establish- 
ment. His stay in the Wolverine state was of six 
years' duration, and upon his return East he de- 
cided to locate in Astoria. Shortly thereafter he 
opened Belvedere Park, a popular resort for pic- 
nic parties. Three years later he purchased the 
place and has since made many improvements, so 
that it is now one of the most beautiful spots on 
the island. Mr. Stotzky has accomplished this 
result by unceasing industry and he is now reap- 
ing the profit of his years of sacrifice and hard 
labor. 

In 1882 our subject was united in marriage 
with Miss Kittle Bachinsky, of New York City, 
and to them were born eight children. Of these 
five survive, namely: Tillie; Bertie and Tony, 
twins; Josie and Jennie. In politics Mr. Stotzky 
is Democratic, and always supports with his voice 
and vote the candidates of this party. Fraternally 
he is a member of the Foresters' Lodge No. 212, 
of New York City, and also belongs to Bohemia 
Lodge of the C. S. P. S. 



PROF. F. W. ZEINBR. A well known in- 
stance of genius not to be quenched and 
ambition not to be defeated is furnished 
by the career of Prof. F. W. Zeiner, one of the 
celebrated composers of music in the East. This 
talented gentleman has a conservatory of music 
in Brooklyn, also one in Flushing, and is the 
author of an instrumental book. He has been un- 
usually successful in this his chosen calling, and 
his ideas on the subject are clearly and ably de- 



fined. He is a native of the land that has pro- 
duced many great composers, Germany, and was 
born in Breslau in 1840. His parents, John and 
Johanna (Gismaun) Zeiner, were born in the old 
country and both were well known in musical 
circles. The father was a merchant and far- 
mer, but was not so taken up with those pur- 
suits that he had no time for music. He was quite 
a genius in that line. The professor's maternal 
grandfather, John Gismaun, was a grand organ- 
ist (concert organist), and was also a teacher of 
music. The great-great-grandfather, Anton 
Gismaun, was a celebrated musician and concert 
leader. Mrs. Gismaun was also an excellent 
musician and vocalist. 

Professor Zeiner, the only musician of the chil- 
dren born to his parents, grew to mature years in 
Breslau. He was educated in the gymnasium 
and seminary, and after graduating took up music 
under some of the best teachers, receiving in- 
struction from imperial music, Der Schuabel, and 
also played a violin in the orchestra of the cele- 
brated composer, Carl Faust. He holds a certifi- 
cate to be able to play on all organs. When 
nineteen years old young Zeiner began teaching 
in Breslau, and was thus occupied until 1866, 
when he crossed the ocean to America. He be- 
gan teaching in Long Island City, but one year 
later became first organist in the Presbyterian 
Church. Later he was organist in the Church of 
the Redeemer for five years, then in the First 
Reformed Church, and still later in St. Anthony's 
Church in Brooklyn. He then gave this up and 
started on his career as a teacher of music. 

In 1890 Professor Zeiner started the conserva- 
tory of music in Brooklyn, at No. 706 Leonard 
Street, and in 1892 started the one in Flushing, 
in Main Street. He devotes his time to the two 
and has pupils from New York and New Jersey. 
In this he is assisted by his daughter, wh6 re- 
ceived her musical education under her father, 
and who has inherited a decided taste for music. 
Success has followed the Professor in his chosen 
calling, and his class of one hundred or more 
pupils give annual concerts, which have become 
noted. He has been unusually successful in com- 
posing service masses, hymns, instruction books, 
practical instructors for the piano forte, violin 
instruction book, and he gives lectures on di- 
dactics at the New York Music Teachers' Con- 
vention, of which he was the first president. He 
is now a charter member. 

Professor Zeiner was leader of a number of 



ii68 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



singing societies until his throat gave out. Once 
a week he has assembly playing by his pupils in 
Flushing and in Brooklyn. He is known far and 
wide for his great musical ability, and his papers 
on didactics are published in the reports of the 
Teachers' Convention, and are read with interest 
by all lovers of music. Professor Zeiner was mar- 
ried in Long Island City to Miss Georgia Fay, a 
native of New York and the sister of ex-Alder- 
man M. E. Fay of Long Island City. (See sketch. ) 
Five children have been born to this union: Ed- 
ward J., organist of Grace Church, New Bed- 
ford, Mass.; Maria L., who assists her father; 
Eugene, a successful pharmacist; Francis and 
Henry, the last two in school. All are musicallv 
inclined and play different instruments. In re- 
ligion the Professor is a Catholic, a member of 
St. Anthony's Church. 



PETER KELLY. Long Island is fortunate 
in the possession of one of the shrewdest 
and most successful detectives of which 
this country can boast, one who has been the 
means of tracking down and bringing to justice 
many noted criminals of this and other coun- 
tries. Mr. Kelly is wily and shrewd and the 
possessor of an iron constitution and the strength 
almost of a Hercules. Although heavily built, 
he is said to possess the lightness and activity 
of a panther when necessary. In fact, it may be 
said that he was made for his calling. 

Mr. Kelly was born in Cherry Street, New 
York City, November 4, 1854. His parents were 
natives of Dublin, Ireland, and were there reared, 
educated and married, and brought one child 
with them to this country. The father, Mat- 
thew, had learned the trade of a printer in 
his native land, and after his arrival in New York 
became superintendent of the printing establish- 
ment of Francis Hart & Co., which position he 
held until his death, at the age of sixty-one years. 
During the Rebellion he enlisted in the Twenty- 
fifth New York Infantry and was sent to the 
front. He was in the seven days' fight, in which 
his regiment was almost annihilated. As a con- 
sequence he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Fiftieth New York Infantry, with which he served 
until the close of the war, when he returned home, 
bearing the scar of a wound which he received 
in the knee at Richmond, and a sergeant's com- 
mission as the reward of his valor. He located 
in Dutch Kills after the war, and continued in 



the printing business until his death, which re- 
sulted from a cold contracted in the army. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Annie Roonev, 
died in Astoria in 1891, at the age of sixty-t\vo 
years. The marriage of this worthy couple re- 
sulted in the birth of nine children, only the fol- 
lowing of whom grew to maturity: :\Irs. Annie 
Maskell, a resident of New York City; Peter; and 
Henry, who was a member of the Volunteer Life 
Saving Crew at Rockaway Beach and then at 
Bowery Beach. The many brave and noble deeds 
performed by this man are worthy of a more 
extended notice than can here be given; suffice 
it to say that in the discharge of his duties he 
saved fifty-four lives, the last one being that of 
the son of a millionaire hotel keeper of North 
Beach. Mr. Kelly dived for him in thirty feet 
of water, found him at the bottom and brought 
him to the top apparently dead. After working 
over him for an hour and a half he restored him 
to animation, but had himself received severe 
bruises and scratches which resulted in blood poi- 
soning and he died in Astoria in November, in 
the thirty-first year of his age. Thus was cut short 
a useful and highly promising life, and had his 
death not occurred in some such manner he 
would in all probability have lived to old age, 
for he had a magnificent constitution. He was a 
noted swimmer, powerful and rapid, and pos- 
sessed wonderful staying power. In mourning 
his untimely death his mother undermined her 
own health and she soon followed him to his 
long home. 

Peter Kelly's home was in New York Citv until 
he was nineteen years old, .during whicli time 
he obtained a good grammar school education. 
He was afterwards apprenticed as a machinist in 
a shop in East Twenty-third Street, after leaving 
which he entered the employ of the Singer Sew- 
ing Machine Compan}-. Ill health caused him 
to seek other employment, which he found in a 
wholesale commission house, remaining there 
seven )'ears. In 1880 he came to Long Island 
City and entered the employ of Sylvester Gray, 
with whom he remained as driver, for the benefit 
of the outdoor life, until November 8, 18S3, when 
he was made a policeman of Long Island City, 
and as such remained for nine years. He was 
then a commissioned officer for one year, and in 
1893 ■^^■as appointed detective sergeant of the po- 
lice department of Long Island City, and during 
tliis time was put on many important cases, in 
nearly all of which he was remarkably successful. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iibt) 



By special request of William F. Hazeii, he set 
his wits to work to capture the noted gang of 
counterfeiters, among whom was the notorious 
Dr. Dale, and in this was successful. This was 
a very neat piece of detective work, for it took 
him btit three months to bring his men to justice, 
while the civil service men had worked for the 
same end more than ten years. He has captured 
more burglars, horsethieves and criminals of all 
classes than perhaps any otner officer on Long 
Island, one of the secrets of his success being, no 
doubt, that he is strictly temperate in his habits, 
his mind being unclouded with liquor or the 
effects of other bad habits. Although he has been 
frequently shot at, he has thus far escaped mi- 
raculously, and it is to be devoutly hoped for 
the good of the people, as well as for his own 
sake, that his good work will long continue. 

Mr. Kelly was married in New York City in 
1874 to Miss Mary Morgan, a native of England, 
and a daughter of John Morgan, who is a con- 
tractor and builder of Harlem, N. Y. The union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly resulted in the birth 
of ten children, six of whom are living: Annie, 
a graduate of the Long Island City high school ; 
John, who is in the eniploy of the Long Island 
Railroad; Albert, who has saved two boys from 
drowning; Lillie, who is in the high school; 
Peter, Jr., and Edward. Mr. Kelly is a member 
of John Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., at 
Astoria; the Exempt Firemen's Association, and 
he and his family are Catholics. He has a com- 
fortable home at No. 678 Second Avenue. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat. 



THE TOWNSEND FAMILY on Long Is- 
land was first represented by three broth- 
ers, John, Henry and Richard, who emi- 
grated hither from Norfolk County, England, 
about the year 1645. That year Governor Kieft 
granted a patent of the town of Flushing to the 
brothers. The- eldest brother had previously 
taken up land near New York, but alarms from 
the Indians and other difficulties caused him to 
leave his improvements and commence the set- 
tlement of Flushing, where he was soon joined 
by Henry. 

The Townsends were Friends and were soon at 
variance with the Dutch authorities, both as to 
religion and politics. On this account they left 
Flushing and went to Warwick, R. I., where the)' 
were all three members of the Provincial As- 



sembly, besides holding municipal offices. In 
1656 they determined to once more attempt a 
settlement on Long Island, and with other parties 
obtained a patent of Jamaica, then called Ras- 
dorp. Their religion and political zeal soon 
brought them into trouble again. 

In 1657 Henry was sentenced to pay eight 
pounds Flanders or leave the province in six 
weeks, for having "called together conventicles." 
The people of Flushing addressed a remon- 
strance to the governor, written by the town 
clerk and signed among others by Tobias Feake, 
sheriff, and Noble Farington, both magistrates, 
and presented it to the sheriff. The clerk and 
magistrates were then arrested, together with 
John Townsend, upon the charge of having in- 
duced the magistrates to sign, and he was ordered 
to find bail in twelve pounds to appear when 
summoned. He was brought before the council 
January 15, 1658, and condemned to pay one 
hundred pounds Flanders, and to remain arrested 
until it was paid. Just how these matters were 
settled is not stated, but Henry's signature, as 
witness, on an Indian deed, proves that he was in 
Oyster Bay the same year. He seemed to be 
much more involved in troubles coming from 
"countenancing Quakers" than his brother John; 
yet in January, 1661, two of the magistrates furn- 
ished the names of . twelve persons, including 
John and Henry Townsend and their wives, 
"who countenanced Quakers." 

John Townsend settled in Oyster Bay between 
the middle of January and the i6th of September, 
1661, and Henry must have settled there previous 
to that date, although he was not admitted as a 
townsman until the 4th of November. Nothing 
is known of Richard Townsend, the youngest of 
the three brothers, until he appears in Jamaica in 
1656; his first wife was a sister of Henry's wife 
and daughter of Robert Coles. The descendants 
of these brothers have since been very numerous 
in the town and have held many positions of trust 
and honor. 

We next have to do with one Solomon Town- 
send, who was born at Oyster Bay October 8, 
1805. He was a grandson of Samuel, who in turn 
was the great-grandson of the first John Town- 
send, the direct line being John, John, James, 
Jacob, Samuel, Solomon, Solomon. Samuel, who 
was born at Oyster Bay in 1717, was the head 
of the great shipping house of Samuel and Jacob 
Townsend, who carried on an extensive trade 
with England and the West Indies prior to the 



1 170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Revolutionary War. He took an active interest 
in all the affairs of state, being a member of the 
first Provincial Congress, and a delegate from 
Long Island to Xew York State's first constitu- 
tional convention in 1777, and was one of the 
committee of thirteen appointed to draft the con- 
stitution. He was also state senator, and for 
thirty years before the Revolution had been jus- 
tice of the peace of Queens County. He died 
November 24, 1790. He was a zealous patriot 
and did not hesitate in the part he was to act in 
the great struggle between the mother countrv 
and his own. 

Solomon Townsend, the eldest son of Samuel, 
was born in Oyster Bay in 1746. He early en- 
gaged in navigation and in his twentieth year was 
put in charge of a brig belonging to his father. 
When the war of the Revolution broke out he 
was in command of the ship "Glasgow," belong- 
ing to Thomas Buchanan, but owing to the in- 
terruption of trade between the colonies and 
England, she was left in London. Obtaining per- 
mission to leave England, Captain Townsend 
went over to France, and while at Paris made 
the acquaintance of his celebrated countryman. 
Dr. Franklin, by whom he was introduced at 
court, and when he was ready to leave France 
for his native land obtained a certificate of pro- 
tection signed "B. Franklin," which is now in 
possession of the family at Oyster Bay. Captain 
Townsend was also commissioned by Benjamin 
Franklin as a volunteer midshipman in the Con- 
tinental Navy, and for this purpose he obtained 
the neccessary equipments in Paris and sailed 
soon afterward for Bostoft. 

Capt. Solomon Townsend followed the sea un- 
til thirty-four years of age, crossing the Atlantic 
thirty-six times without accident. After leaving 
the sea he engaged exclusively in the manufac- 
ture of iron, his works being at Augusta, River- 
head and a large anchor forge in New York City. 
He was married February i, 1782, to Annie, 
daughter of his cousin, Peter Townsend, son of 
the fourth Flenry Townsend, who resided in Ches- 
ter, Orange County. Peter Townsend was also 
largely interested in iron, his works being at 
Stirling, a few miles from his home. In his'fac- 
tory the celebrated chain was made which was 
drawn across the Fludson River to prevent the 
Britisli ships of war from going above the High- 
lands. 

Captain Townsend was a member of the con- 
stitutional convention of 1801, and represented 



New York City in the assembly of the state for 
six years. He died of apoplexy March 27, 181 1, 
while still a member of that body. 

The children of Solomon Townsend were: 
Hannah, Anne, Man.^, Phebe, Samuel, Jacob, 
Peter and Solomon. It was with his brother-in- 
law, Edward H. Nicoll, the husband of Mary, that 
Solomon Townsend, the youngest son of the 
family, began his business in life. About 1820 the 
firm of Smith & Nicoll conducted the most im- 
portant and extensive grocery business in the citv 
of New York, their yearly transactions amount- 
ing to about $3,000,000. Here for four vears 
Solomon was taught all that pertained to com- 
mercial life, and when nineteen years of age was 
sent as supercargo on the largest American ship 
of the day, the "Washington," to Canton, China, 
where he aided in the purchase and shipment of 
the largest cargo up to that time imported from 
China, which was valued at $700,000. In 1828 he 
embarked in business for himself in a commission 
and distributing grocery trade. 

When the financial disasters of 1836-37 came 
a large part of Mr. Townsend's accumulations 
were swept away, although his credit remained 
unimpaired and his aptitude for unraveling the 
twisted and tangled affairs of finance not only 
made him successful in later days in his headship 
of the old house, to which his earliest sendees 
were given, but also pointed him out to the com- 
munity as a man well qualified to represent the 
rapidly increasing interests of the metropolis in 
the state legislature. The office therefore sought 
the man and without solicitation or expectation 
he was placed in nomination for the assembly 
in 1838 by the almost unanimous vote of the 
Democratic convention. The intrusion of four 
hundred Philadelphia "pipe-layers," and their un- 
checked "repeating" at the polls, defeated the en- 
tire ticket. In 1840, his popularity having grown 
meanwhile, he was elected by a very flattering 
vote. He served during the sessions of '41, 42, 
'43^ and held a leading position -on the banking 
and insurance committees. 

In 1846 Solomon Townsend, Jr., was chosen a 
member of the convention for the revision of the 
constitution of the state of New York. He was 
an earnest advocate of free public education, free 
homesteads, free bankmg. He was regarded 
among his colleagues in public life of thirty-five 
\ears ago as a radical, so that he encountered 
nnich opposition even among his closest personal 
friends. He was twice elected a commissioner ot 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1171 



education in New York' City, and was chairman 
of the finance committee of the board. It was he 
who negotiated the purchase of the site for the 
erection of the New Yorlv Free Academy, which 
has since become the Cohege of the City of New 
York. Many other school sites were purchased 
and buildings erected under his advice. 

On the outbreak of the Rebellion Solomon 
Townsend changed his residence to his native 
village, while continuing his business connection 
in the city. He had freely used his forcible pen 
in the endeavor to arrest the calamity of the civil 
strife, but when it came he bent every energy to 
meet it, and in season and out of season worked 
strenuously to restore the supremacy of law and 
order. Among the mementoes of this stirring 
period most prized by the family is the rough 
draft of a resolution prepared by him and adopted 
by his townsmen at a meeting held in East Nor- 
wich, in which those present pledged their in- 
dividual properties and fortunes to sustain the 
county supervisors in any measures taken in ad- 
vance of necessary legislation to raise means to 
furnish the county's quota for the patriot army. 

To the very close of the terrible struggle Mr. 
Townsend devoted his large experience, his in- 
telligent judgment and his great force of char- 
acter, to the public service, as a member of com- 
mittees of safety, of vigilance and of reUef. In 
1867 he was again chosen a member of the con- 
vention called, in pursuance of the requirements 
of the organic law of 1846, which he had helped 
to frame, to revise the constitution of the state. 
In this convention he was as active as in the years 
of his earlier vigor, when he had forced his radical 
ideas upon the attention of the leaders of public 
affairs in the state. 

Solomon Townsend was the first to organize 
and put in practical operation the workings of the 
free school system in his native village and was 
the first president of the board of education. In 
1872 he retired from active business, and in the 
old home, which from time to time he had beau- 
tified and enlarged, he lived until his death, which 
resulted suddenly from apoplexy, April 2, 1880. 
His was a name that had been honored for gen- 
erations and there seemed to be ever abiding 
with him a sort of "noblesse oblige" which made 
him reverence the home traditions and with chiv- 
alrous devotion maintain and perpetuate what he 
held to be his family's honor and fame, so that 
he treasured with warm filial devotion the relics 
of his father's and grandfather's day. So far did 



he carry this respect for ancestry that it was play- 
fully said of him that "he built a house to pre- 
serve a door," and the saying was not without a 
fragment of truth. The old homestead presents 
nothing very peculiar at first glance, but one 
finds it on examination to be a well harmonized 
structure of five different frames, each represent- 
ing some period in the family history. 



FLOYD WEEKES, who is busily and 
profitably carrying on a large business as 
general blacksmith in the village of Hemp- 
stead, is one of its most worthy citizens and is 
held in the highest estimation by those about 
him. He was born here September 10, i860, and 
is the son of Walter N. Weekes, whose birth 
likewise occurred in Hempstead, in the year 1826. 
The father of our subject learned the trade of a 
blacksmith when a boy and embarking in busi- 
ness for himself was for fifty years the most thor- 
ough workman in this line in this locality. He 
was a prominent member and vestryman of St. 
George's Episcopal Church and at the time of his 
decease, September 24, 1894, there was universal 
mourning in Hempstead. A loyal citizen and a 
public-spirited man, he was ever ready to do his 
share in all matters of general welfare. For a 
number of years he was trustee of the village and 
was also connected with the fire department. His 
father, John Weekes, a harness maker by trade, 
was a son of Hendrickson Weekes, who served 
as a colonel in the Continental Army during the 
Revolutionary War. 

Caroline (Southard) Weekes, mother of our 
subject, was born in Brooklyn and departed this 
life when Floyd was a lad of eight years. The 
latter had one sister, Emma Weekes, who became 
the wife of George D. Suydam, of Hempstead. 
The first wife of AValter N. Weekes was Augusta, 
a sister of Caroline Southard. He chose for his 
third wife Amy A., daughter of Capt. John Ed- 
wards, of the life saving station, and they became 
the parents of a daughter. 

The subject of this sketch, after completing his 
education in the schools of Hempstead, took a 
course in Flagler's Business College of Brooklyn. 
He then entered his father's shop, desiring to 
learn the business, and on the death of the latter 
became proprietor of the establishment. He is an 
expert in every department of this work and is 
patronized by the wealthy New Yorkers who 
make their homes in and about Hempstead. He 



1 172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



also has a fine new shop at Westbury, where the 
Hunters' Club get much of their work done. 

Our subject, who is one of the enterprising and 
progressive residents of the place, was for three 
years trustee of the village and for four years was 
assistant chief of the fire department. He is en- 
ergetic, honorable and cordial, and all who know 
him esteem him for his sterling worth. Frater- 
nally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and 
is one of the members of the Hempstead Bav 
Yacht Club, in which he is rear commodore. The 
yacht "Carrie W.," of which he is the owner, is 
one of the most beautiful which sails the bay. 
He is a talented musician and for over sixteen 
years was a leading singer in the Methodist 
Church in this village. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Ella J., 
youngest daughter of Lockwood Abrahams, oc- 
curred in 1878. To them have been granted four 
children, namely: Carrie E., Floyd A., Edith M. 
and Florence A. 



ALBERT MEISEL. Land has been bought 
and sold among all nations from time 
immemorial; but the business has reached 
its climax in the United States, where the gen- 
eral distribution of realty and the spirit of specu- 
lation, incited by advancing values, combine to 
give great activity. A great deal of real estate 
business is done on Long Island, and among the 
large number of men who turn their attention to 
this line of work is Albert Meisel, of Rockaway 
Beach, who came here from Brooklyn in 1878. 
He was born in the city of New York November 
24, 1850, to Daniel and Flora (Scherer) Meisel, 
the former of whom was a native of Germany.' 
and came to America in 1849 in companv with 
Carl Schurz and others. Fie was a tailor by 
trade, and upon locating in Brooklvn followed 
that occupation. To himself and wife six chil- 
dren were born: Charles, deceased; Albert; 
Maggie; Caroline; Elizabeth, living in Brooklyn; 
and Lettie, deceased. 

Albert Meisel was reared in his native city 
and in its public schools received a good educa- 
tion. Flis first work was as bookkeeper in a 
Mam Street box manufactory, when he was but 
sixteen years of age, and there he remained three 
years. In compliance with his father's desire that 
he should learn a trade, he entered the emplov of 
a firm engaged in the manufacture of jewelry, but 
the business proved very uncongenial to him. 



and after two months' trial he gave it up. He 
then entered the employ of A. J. Cov, of Park 
Place, where he made himself useful in washing 
glasses at the bar for some time. In 1869 he 
left Brookhm for San Francisco, Cal., and re- 
mained for one year in that state. Upon his re- 
turn to Brooklyn he became a letter carrier in 
that city, and later was confidential clerk of the 
sheriff of Kings County. Later he became dep- 
uty in the money order department of the Brook- 
lyn postof^ce, and after filling that position for 
one year he came to Rockaway Beach, and until 
1880 was general manager of Capt. John 
Kruescher's business at this place. 

At the above mentioned date Mr. jMeisel be- 
came ticket agent at Holland Station, Rockaway 
Beach, being the first man to hold the office, 
and September 15, 1880, leased the propertv 
where Charles Frey is now doing business, and 
continued in business there until 1886. In 1887 
he opened the Belvidere Hotel in Grove Avenue, 
but one year later formed a partnership ^\^th 
Fred Bessler in the real estate business and 
opened the Real Estate Exchange. An office was 
later opened at Arverne, of which Mr. Meisel 
took charge, and as he is a clever office man and 
an adept at clerical work, he has been successful 
in his present occupation. He is an expert in 
writing deeds, conveyances, and in making ab- 
stracts, and has never needed the services of an 
attorney in carrying on his business. His time 
has not been wholly occupied with this work, 
however, for being an ardent Republican, he has 
found time to take part in the political affairs of 
his section. In 1888 he was elected excise com- 
missioner by the largest majority ever received 
by a Republican at this place, and in March of 
that year was made district school clerk, having 
been the prime mover in the organization of the 
first school district here. He assisted in the 
organization of the Oceanus Hook and Ladder 
Company, A/'olunteer Hose Company No. i, and 
the Arverne Engine Company, for all of which 
he obtained charters and attended to the clerical 
work in connection therewith. 

For a time after his return from California Air. 
Meisel was assistant superintendent of the 2*Iet- 
ropolitan Life Insurance Company. His wife 
is the daughter of Capt. John Kruescher and a 
niece of Hon. J. Worth. Five children comprise 
then- family: Ennua, who was for five years post- 
mistress at Arverne: Elizabeth; James A. Gar- 
field; Chester Arthur and Mamie. The eldest 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1173 



child, Albert, died at the age of seven years. 
Fraternally Mr. M«isel is a member of Star of 
Hope Lodge No. 43°, F. & A. M.; Lodge No. 
394 of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
and Lodge No.' 7970 of the Ancient Order of 
Foresters of America. 



FRED A. H. DEUTSCHMANN. The gen- 
tleman whose name heads this sketch is 
the proprietor of the Silver Springs and 
Sanford's Point Bathing Pavilions on North 
Beach. He was born at Hessen Nassau, Steinau, 
Germany, June 12, 1867. His great-grandfather, 
Fred Deutschmann, was born in Saxony, became 
a soldier in the German army and was under 
Napoleon in his war with Spain, and with him 
marched to Moscow and back. He died at the 
age of ninety-six. His wife accompanied the 
army, to Moscow as a sutler, and eventually 
passed from life at the extreme old age of ninety- 
nine years. The family have been Lutherans 
from the time of the Reformation. 

Fred, the son of this worthy couple, and grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, was a prison 
inspector until retired and pensioned. He was 
in the Revolution of 1848 as a member of the 
German army and held the rank of sergeant. His 
son Charles became a landscape gardener in Ger- 
many and in 1881 came with his family to the 
United States and settled in New York City, 
where he first secured employment in a dry goods 
store. He subsequently became a gardener on 
Jersey City Heights, later followed the same busi- 
ness in Yonkers, and as gardener for William 
Steinway he laid out North Beach. He had charge 
of St. Michael's Cemetery, the magnificent park 
of George Steinway, and was with the Robin- 
son family as gardener at Long Branch. He is 
now with Mr. Beard at South Norwalk, and it 
can be said of him that there are few finer land- 
scape gardeners. His wife was formerly Caro- 
line Miiller, a native of Steinau, by whom he has 
three sons and two daughters : Fred A. H. ; Carl, 
in business in New York City; Bernhard, a resi- 
dent of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Elsie and Anna. 

The subject of this sketch received his early 
education in the public schools and gymnasium, 
and after he came to America attended night 
school in New York. He was at once appren- 
ticed to a wig maker and completed the trade in 
' five years. The season of 1886 was then opening 
and he was appointed manager of the Silver 



Springs Bathing Pavilion on North Beach, but 
in the fall he returned to his former occupation. 
After following this business for four years he 
gave it up altogether and began dealing in mas- 
querade costumes, and for five seasons his atten- 
tion was thus occupied. In 1888 he became the 
proprietor of the Silver Springs Bathing Pavilion, 
and in 1895 he also leased Sanford's Point Pavil- 
ion, and now conducts both of these places very 
satisfactorily. In 1895 he built a photograph gal- 
lery, which has proved attractive and remunera- 
tive. During the summer months North Beach 
is very attractive and the large pavilions owned 
by Mr. Deutschmann are the finest in the vicinity 
of New York City. The bathing houses at Sil- 
ver Springs number four hundred, and those at 
Sanford's Point three hundred, the two places 
accommodating five thousand people. During 
the busy season he has about thirty employes, 
and he has a volunteer life-saving crew, of which 
he is first lieutenant. 

In addition to this business Mr. Deutschmann 
is interested in life and fire insurance and repre- 
sents the Hancock Life and several fire insur- 
ance companies. He was married in New York 
City to Miss Sophia Weiersheuser, a native 01 
Frankfort-on-the-Main, and their union has re- 
sulted in the birth of three children: Charles, 
Elsie and Sophia. Mr. Deutschmann is a mem- 
ber of the Chosen Friends, the Astoria Manner- 
chor, the Arion Singing Society and the Flar- 
mony Society, besides several other German 
societies. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON CORNING is a 
fair representative of the excellent class of 
men who began life's battle at the lower 
rounds of the ladder, and through his own efforts 
he has gained a substantial place near the top. 
Practically speaking, he is today in comfortable 
financial circumstances, and the position he now 
occupies is direct evidence that he possesses the 
confidence and esteem of his fehow-townsmen. 
It is a pleasure to review the career of a man 
whose efforts have been crowned with success 
and whose life has been honorable in every par- 
ticular, as has that of Thomas J. Corning. He is 
now engaged in the wholesale and retail milk 
business at Rockaway Beach, where he has re- 
sided for the past twenty-two years, and where 
he is classed among the representative citizens. 
John Corning, the father of our subject, was a 



1 174 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farmer of New Hampshire and lived to be seven- 
ty-six years old. He was of Scotch origin, his 
ancestors, many generations back, having been 
natives of that countr}\ The grandfather, John 
Corning, was born in Newburyport, Mass. John 
Corning, Jr., the father of our subject, married 
Miss Lydia Richardson, who lived to be eightv 
years old. Tliey became the parents of seven 
children, six sons and one daughter, of whom 
only two are now living. The eldest child, Gil- 
man, represented his section in the Massachusetts 
Legislature in 1862 and 1863, was a man of edu- 
cation, and lived to be eighty years old; James, 
Phineas and Nathaniel are deceased; Mary Eliza- 
beth resides in Salem, N. H. ; and John S. is also 
deceased. 

Our subject, who is next to the youngest of 
these children, was born in Londonderry, N. H., 
March 8, 1830, and when six months old was 
taken to Salem, that state, where he remained 
until fifteen years old. At that early age he started 
out to fight his own battles in life, and, being a 
boy of ambition and determination, he made his 
way to Boston, where he soon found employment, 
running a steam engine on a pile driver, which 
was the commencement of his subsequent ex- 
tensive work in railroad building. His educa- 
tional advantages during youth were limited, but 
he made up for this to a great extent in later 
years. For four years he was engaged as a pile 
driver and then began contracting on the Hud- 
son River Railroad, building from Poughkeepsie 
to Albany. When but nineteen years old he con- 
tracted to drive four thousand piles in that place. 
He had no money, and after accomplishing this 
work could get no settlement. Not the least dis- 
couraged, however, he next went with thirtv-five 
men to the Isthmus, of Panama, where he was 
engaged in pile driving and bridge building on 
the Panama Railroad. He remained there but 
six months and a half, and only four of the thirty- 
five men were alive at the end of that time. He 
escaped the fever and returned to Bridgeport, 
Conn., where he was engaged in a grocery for 
some time. 

Plearing of an opportunity to make another 
contract of driving piles he followed this for some 
time and was engaged one winter on an engine. 
The next summer he was engaged in bridge build- 
ing from New Haven to Barnesville and after 
that drove piles for the Flushing Railroad, from 
Hunter's Point across Flushing Meadows. Dur- 
ing the fall he sujierintended the laying of track 



and when this was completed became road mas- 
ter and conductor, and was thus engaged for 
nearly four years. In June, 1859, he went to 
Virginia, where, during the summer, he superin- 
tended laying the track on the Alexandria, Lou- 
don & Hampshire Railroad. In fall he put up a 
grocery store and butcher shop at Arlington Sta- 
tion and soon built up a trade, having a route to 
Fairfax Court House and vicinitv. 

In the spring the war commenced and he wa.s 
ordered by the Southern so-called minute men to 
either join the Confederate Army or leave Vir- 
ginia inside of t^venty-four hours. He left with 
his family and what they could carry with them., 
and made his way to Washington, D. C. On 
the way he met United States Congressman 
Louis McKinzey, an officer of some authority, 
who inquired where he was going. When told 
why he was leaving, the congressman said : "Go 
back to your property and home and I will see 
that you are protected." Our subject, who was 
fully aware that he had a better knowledge of 
the situation than ^McKinzey, used his own judg- 
ment and continued his journey. 

Our subject was full of enthusiasm when war 
was declared and upon the call for seventy-five 
thousand men he immediately raised a company. 
Going to the Secretary of \^'"ar (Cameron) he of- 
fered the services of himself and command, but 
was met by the information that they had more 
men than they wanted, etc. After this he engaged 
as a sutler in the army and in Jime, 1864, he en- 
listed in Company A, Eleventh ]\Iaryland Regi- 
ment. He was discharged June 15, 1865, as 
a member of Company D. Although not com- 
missioned, ]\Ir. Corning assumed and performed 
the duties of quartermaster-sergeant. Having 
lost about $2,000 in raising a regiment in Balti- 
more during the [Maximilian trouble in ^Mexico, 
he again started out to make his way in life with 
very little of this world's goods. He came to 
Long Island and succeeded in getting a position 
on the railroad, where he received $1.75 per day. 
This pay was increased in six months to $60 per 
month. 

After this he was conductor a year and a half 
on the Long Island South Side Railroad, and 
later had charge of the construction of the South 
Side track as it was extended. For two rears he 
was road master and two years assistant super- 
intendent. He had a contract for constructing 
sixteen miles of railroad from Patchogue to 
Speonk, removing about forty thousand yards 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1175 



of earth, and had one-quarter of a mile of bridge 
building. From there he went to Rockaway 
Beach and has been engaged in the milk busi- 
ness for the most part since. During his career 
as a soldier he had quite a number of exciting 
adventures. Soon after the battle of Gettysburg 
he sold out the sutler business and he and his 
brother-in-law, who had about $1,700 on his per- 
son, started for Fairfax Court House on their way 
to Washington. They were captured by Mosby, 
the guerrilla, but the brother-in-law succeeded in 
dropping his roll of greenbacks in a bunch of 
ferns without being detected. Soon after they 
were rescued by Union forces, and although our 
subject lost a fine horse and his brother-in-law 
a good team, they found the roll of greenbacks 
all right. 

Mr. Corning selected his wife in the person of 
Miss Susan Roads, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and 
they have two children. John is at Rocka- 
way Beach; Lydia has been twice married, first 
to Mr. Jamieson, and after his death to Charles 
Dashway. 

Mr. Corning is known familiarly among his 
neighbors as "Uncle Tom." His appearance at 
any time or place is hailed with delight by every 
man, woman and child. He is a mountain of in- 
tegrity and fair dealing, honesty and reUability — 
a man whose word is as good as his bond, one 
who is universally respected, always a friend in 
need and deed to the poor and suffering, glad of 
an opportunity to help with a liberal hand those 
who are unfortunate, the first to encourage in a 
substantial manner the disheartened, one who 
sends succor to the helpless and sick quietly and 
in generous portion, one who has only friends 
and no enemies, one whom all have learned to 
admire and love, a good and glorious old gen- 
tleman of the old school, one of God's noblemen. 
He has often been asked to seek public offices 
within the gift of the people, but always de- 
clined, willing only to appear as their representa- 
tive to assist them in obtaining what they wished 
politically. A stanch Republican, he is the ex- 
chairman of the Republican Association of this 
district. He is frequently a delegate to town and 
nominating conventions and was a delegate to 
Buffalo when Harrison was nominated. During 
the life of James G. Blaine, he was one of his 
warmest friends and supporters. He is the key- 
stone to the Grand Army societies of this locality, 
being commander of the John Corning Post No. 
636, which bears the name of his father, as well 



as a member of the staff of the state department 
commander, E. J. Atkinson. His comrades de- 
pend upon him absolutely for guidance in their 
affairs and look up to him as their dearest and 
most substantial friend. During the Maximilian 
War he, in conjunction with one Captain Win- 
ters, raised a regiment in Baltimore at their own 
expense, but the regiment never went into com- 
mission, owing to the failure of receiving the 
necessary financial support from the Mexican 
minister, Romero ; he did, however, advance $28, 
which sum was divided between Corning and 
Winters. The regiment was to be officered with 
Winters as colonel and Corning as lieutenant- 
colonel. 



JACOB LAUER. Though not a native of 
America, the subject of this record has spent 
almost his entire life here and is thoroughly 
American in his ideas and opinions. He ranks 
among the highly respected citizens of the town 
of Hempstead, where he is engaged in general 
farming and also follows the trades of roofer and 
tinner, his place of residence being near Franklin 
Square. In all matters affecting the public wel- 
fare he is well informed, having gained an ex- 
tensive knowledge through reading and obser- 
vation. 

The parents of our subject, Henry and^ Mary 
Lauer, were natives of Bavaria, where their son, 
Jacob,' was born November 21, 1842. In 1850 
'they came to the United States, where the father 
fohowed his trade, that of shoemaker, until his 
death in the town of Hempstead in 1894- Of 
his five children, Jacob and Fred are the only 
survivors. Henry, who enlisted in a company 
of volunteers from New York at the age of 
eighteen, marched with his regiment to fight m 
defense of the Union; he was never heard of 
afterward and his fate is unknown. 

Coming to the United States at the age of 
eight, our subject was educated in the schools of 
New 'York. At the age of fifteen he began a 
five years' apprenticeship to the tinner's trade, 
which he followed in the city until twenty-six. 
Meantime his father had purchased a small place 
in the town of Hempstead, and hither he moved 
from New York. Since then he has added to 
the property and has engaged in its cultivation, 
in connection with work at his trade. Politically 
a Democrat, he has taken an active part in local 
politics. He contributes to the support of the 



1176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Catholic Church, with which his wife is connec- 
ted. In 1877 he married Celia, daughter of Joseph 
Landgraf, of FrankHn Square, an estimable 
lady, who is affectionately devoted to the welfare 
of their children, Henry, Charlotte and Louisa, 
and shares with him in the esteem of neighbors 
and associates. 



FELIX FRITSCHE. Among the residents 
of Schuetzen Park, Long Island City, we 
mention Mr. Fritsche, who has assisted 
very materially in the prosperity and develop- 
ment of this particular locality. He has been a 
very active politician since his earliest days and 
has frequently rendered his party valuable aid bv 
using his voice and vote in behalf of its candi- 
dates, as well as serving in positions of respon- 
sibility. 

Mr. Fritsche is a native of Germany, and was 
born in Saxony January 14, 1848. His father, 
William Fritsche, was a merchant of that partic- 
ular locality and died there in early life. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Caroline Kuenster, was 
born in the same place, and some time after the 
death of Mr. Fritsche married Franz Froelich, a 
merchant tailor. The family continued to reside 
in the Fatherland until 1858, when they came to 
America, locating in New York City. There Mr. 
Froelich worked at his trade, with the exception 
of the time spent in the Union army during the 
late war, until his decease. He entered the ser- 
vice in August, 1861, as a member of Company 
B, Forty-fifth New York Infantry, and remained 
with his company during the entire period of the 
war. During that time he participated in manv 
hard-fought engagements, always acquitting him- 
self with honor. On his return to the metropolis 
he resumed work at his trade and carried on a 
good business as merchant tailor until his de- 
cease, in 1882. Mrs. Froelich now makes her 
home in Brooklyn, residing with her eldest 
daughter. 

By her union with William Fritsche Caroline 
Kuenster became the mother of three daughters 
and three sons, who grew to mature years, and of 
whom two are now deceased. The subject of this 
sketch attended school for a time in his native 
land, but after coming to America it was neces- 
sary for each member of the family who was old 
enough to lend a hand in its support. Accord- 
ingly Felix went to work, but the evenings being 
his own, he devoted them to studv, attendmo- a 



night school in the neighborhood, thus in a sho.'-t 
time acquiring a fair knowledge of the English 
language. In i860 ne was apprenticed to a cigar- 
maker, whose factory was located at No. 21 Cedar 
Street, New York. He was in this gentleman's 
employ until 1866, always being at his post of 
duty excepting when detained at home by illness. 
He had been in the factory three years when he 
accidentally fell down the hatchway from the 
third story, sustaining quite serious injuries, 
which necessitated his remaining at home for 
some time. 

In 1866 Mr. Fritsche left the New York house 
and went to Philadelphia, but not being able to 
obtain a position at his trade, rented a small farm 
and for one season was engaged in truck farming 
in Germantown. This occupation was not at all 
congenial, and at the end of that time he returned 
to New York and went to work for his old em- 
ployer, remaining with him until 1S76. In the 
meantime, in 1873, he built a home in Schuetzen 
Park, and three years later embarked in business 
here, manufacturing a very fine grade of cigars. 
His office and factory are located at No. 500 
Broadway, where he does a large retail and 
wholesale business. Among his best brands are 
"Queen of Leaves," "Royal Seal," "White Ele- 
phant," "High Life," and "Purity." 

Being a shrewd and thoroughly wide-awake 
business man, Mr. Fritsche knew that real estate 
would increase in value in this locality very rap- 
idl}', and in order that he might be prepared for 
the "boom" he purchased vacant property on 
the corner of Steinway and Broadway, one of the 
most desirable locations in the city, and with the 
assistance of Hon. William Steinwav, erected a 
frame block, 40x50 feet in dimensions and three 
stories in height. This structure was completed 
in 1887 and since that time has been rented to 
good advantage and has indeed proved a very 
profitable investment. Mr. Fritsche was made 
clerk of the Schuetzen Park Postal Station m 
1889 and has transacted the duties of this office 
ever since. He was married in New York Cit\- 
to Miss Eliza Schrader, a native of Hanover. 
Germany. To them have been born three chil- 
dren, Felix G., George H. and Garfield H. 

An influential politician, Mr. Fritsche was in 
1885 elected aklerman from the fourth ward on 
tlie Republican ticket, being the only candidate 
of the grand old party who received a plurality of 
votes in their respective wards. He held the 
office for one term only, refusing renomination. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



117; 



During the season he was a member of the coun- 
cil he did all he could for the benefit of the tax- 
paying element and also used his wise discretion 
in the disbursement of the public money. On the 
expiration of his term he was appointed school 
commissioner by Mayor Gleason, but, althougli 
greatly interested in the cause of education, did 
not deei-n it best to accept the office. He has 
been a member of the Order of Odd Fellows 
since 1870. The Knights of Pythias of Astoria 
Lodge regard him as one of their most influen- 
tial members. In religious affairs he is a mem- 
ber of the German Lutheran Church in New 
York. He belongs to the Frohsinn, of which he 
was president, and is likewise connected with the 
Arion Singing Society. For many years he has 
been a member of the general Republican com- 
mittee for Long Island City, and is at present 
serving as one of the county committee. He has 
represented his party in both county and state 
conventions, and is at all times ready to do what 
he can to further its interests. 



JOHN J. HEALY. This well known real 
estate agent of Far Rockaway has been so 
successful in his line of human endeavor 
that any work of the character and scope of this 
that did not include proper biographical mention 
of such a citizen would be incomplete. For the 
most part he is engaged in handling his own 
property, building and renting, and has a large 
number of cottages to rent. He has been thus 
engaged to some extent for twenty-five years. 

Mr. Healy was born in New York City March 
9, 1846, to John J. and Jane (O'Meara) Healy. 
The father, who was a man of excellent judg- 
ment, bought land in the vicinity of Far Rocka- 
■ way about 1856, when by most persons it was 
considered of but little value. Time demon- 
strated the fact that his judgment was sound, 
and this property became very valuable. Mrs. 
Healy was born in Ireland and was brought to 
this country by her parents when three years old. 
Here she was reared, educated, and here her 
death occurred in August, 1895, at the age of 
eighty-two years. She bore her husband seven 
sons and one daughter, and five of the family are 
living. Rev. Gabriel A. is pastor of St. Ber- 
nard's Church, New York City. It was through 
his instrumentality that this church was built 
about twenty-five years ago, and under his su- 
pervision he has built up the membership from 



almost nothing until it now numbers ten thou- 
sand souls; James is deceased; Margaret is the 
wife of Thomas O'Kane; John J. is our subject; 
Edmund ]., attorney-at-law and justice of the 
peace, is a man of fine mind; he has a magnificent 
property and is now traveling in Europe; Dr. 
Thomas F. was a medical practitioner of New 
York City for ten years and there his death oc- 
curred; Joseph is deceased; Augustine is in the 
men's furnishing business in New York. 

The subject of this sketch was the fourth child 
bom to his parents, and in his native city he 
was reared and educated, principally in St. 
Francis Xavier's school. For several years after 
finishing his education he was in the dry goods 
business with his father, and later was enabled 
to engage in real estate, by virtue of his inter- 
ests in that direction. His interests are consid- 
erable in Far Rockaway, and among his proper- 
ties is the fine brick building in Central Avenue, 
which has a frontage of one hundred and twenty- 
five feet, contains six stores, the village postoffice 
being located in one room. He has upwards of 
twenty houses to rent and is universally acknowl- 
edged as one of the most accommodating of 
landlords. His own home in Mott Avenue is 
pretty and comfortable and is well known for 
the hospitality which is there extended to ail. 
Mr. Healy was married to Miss Elizabeth Flem- 
ing, of New York City, an excellent and accom- 
plished lady, who died about sixteen years ago, 
having become the mother of two children, John 
J. and Elizabeth M., twins. . Mr. Healy is a Dem- 
ocrat of long standing, and in his religious views 
is a Catholic. 



CAPT. JOHN A. CORRIGAN. Among 
the men who have gained a reputation 
for shrewdness and courage, and as a 
good judge of the character and motives of men, 
may be mentioned Capt. John A. Corrigan, chief 
of the North Beach police. He is a native of 
Astoria, Long Island City, born in 1855, and the 
son of Michael and Elizabeth (McDermott) Cor- 
rigan. The father came to Astoria with his par- 
ents when about thirteen years old, and subse- 
quently became a contractor here and in New- 
York City. He was one of the old settlers of the 
place and died here in 1880, when sixty-two years 
old. Mrs. Corrigan, the daughter of Alexander 
McDermott, was born in New York City, and is 
now a resident of Astoria. 



1 178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Of the nine children born to them, four are 
living, and all are residing in Long Island Cit}': 
John A., our subject; James J., on the 
police force at Korth Beach; Mrs. Lange, 
of Long Island City; and Mrs. Sheridan. John 
A. Corrigan spent his childhood da_vs in the old 
fourth ward school, and afterwards worked with 
his father until September 9, 1876, when he was 
appointed on the Long Island City police force 
as patrolman. Later he became roundsman, and 
in about 1883 was acting sergeant. He never 
had any trouble, but soon after being made ser- 
geant he was suspended with Captain Woods 
and nine others, but was finally ordered back to 
duty by the pohce courts. Although on the 
North Beach police force he returned as rounds- 
man for forty days, and then obtained an unlim- 
ited leave of absence. He returned to North 
Beach as chief of police, and in March, 1884, was 
solicited by Mr. Steinway to organize the North 
Beach police force. This he did, and was the 
chief from the organization. He has thirty men 
under him and has taken care of the beach all 
along. Captain Corrigan superintends the laying 
out of the different grounds and setting out trees, 
etc. He has had some thrilling experiences dur- 
ing his career as an officer. He caught the burg- 
lar, Charles Walter, who had robbed a hous'e, 
and while taking him to the station house the 
latter managed to get loose and started to run. 
Our subject ordered him to stop, but the burglar 
turned and attempted to shoot, but the Captain 
was too quick and brought him to the ground 
with a wound in the leg. This man was sen- 
tenced to ten years in the penitentiary, and there 
subsequently died. This is the only shooting 
affair in which he has participated. The Captain 
was married in Astoria to Miss Lizzie Manning, 
a native of this place and daughter of John Man- 
ning, who is a gardener here. In politics Cap- 
tain Corrigan is a Democrat, and fraternallv is a 
member of John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W. 



M' 



ICPIAEL P. HOLLAND. This well 
•:nown real estate insurance agent of 
Rockaway Beach has made such a suc- 
cess in his enterprise that this book would be in- 
complete were not mention made of him. The 
importance of the real estate business is well 
known, and fire insurance, as a business, has, in 
the hands of shrewd and original men, developed 
into a profession and has attracted to it during 



recent years talent that would have made itself 
known in any of the higher walks of life. One 
of the most accomplished real estate and fire in- 
surance agents of Long Island is Michael P. 
Holland, who has been a resident of this place 
smce 1857. He was born in Jamaica, July 12, 
1849, to Michael P. and Fannie R. (Brush) Hol- 
land, the former of whom was a hotel keeper at 
Jamaica and later at Rockaway Beach. He died 
at the last mentioned place at the age of fifty-four 
)'ears. His wife was born in Cherry Street, New 
York City. Her father, Thomas Brush, estab- 
lished the first tobacco factory on Long Island 
and for a long time supplied almost the entire 
island with chewing tobacco. His old mill is 
still standing at Queens. Mrs. Holland died in 
1893 at the age of seventy-three years. Six of the 
twelve children she bore her husband are still 
living: Jane B.; Susan L., Mrs. Lefferts; William 
C, Michael P.; Theresa P., Mrs. Lambert: and 
Eugenie N., Mrs. Cole, of No. 149 Rockawav 
Avenue, Brooklyn. Fannie E., }ilrs. Parcells, 
died in 1892, leaving two children, who live with 
their father in New York Citv. 

The subject of this sketch was the fourth child 
born to his parents, and since 1857 has been a 
resident of Rockaway Beach, with the exception 
of i860, when the family resided in Jamaica. His 
opportunities for acquiring an education were 
limited and he was also rather disinclined to 
study, so the principal part of his education was 
acquired during the year that his father person- 
ally employed a man to teach his and his neigh- 
bors" children. The greater part of Mr. Hol- 
land's education has been acquired through ob- 
servation and contact with the business affairs of 
life. He, however, could learn readily and when 
six years old his 'sister offered him twentv-five 
cents as an incentive to learn the multiplication 
table, and this he soon accomplished. When 
quite young he began assisting his father in tht^ 
hotel, one of his duties being to care for the boots 
of the guests. Also when a lad he learned to sail 
boats and spent much time in fishing, crabbing 
and clamming, in fact he was an active, wide" 
awake boy, and even at the age of nine vears 
(when his father died) he was capable of assum- 
ing much of the care and responsibility of the 
family. They kept many boarders and he as- 
sisted every wav in his power at home, raisino- 
chickens, fishing, etc. After a time this life 
proved very unattractive to him and accordinglv 
he went to New York City, where he secured 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 79 



employment in a tin shop, and cUiring the two 
years that he remained there he obtained some 
knowledge of life. 

Upon his return to Long Island at the end of 
the two years, our subject resumed the hotel 
business, and as he had inherited considerabl': 
property he gradually drifted into the real estate 
business, to which he later added insurance, and 
has since been prosperously engaged in this 
work. In 1855 his father had purchased at Rock- 
away Beach sixty-five acres of land at sheriff's 
sale, for which he paid $350, and on this land 
there was a moderate sized house, which they 
later remodeled and improved. There was no 
railroad there then, but steamboats stopped 
there, and later when the railroad was built Mrs. 
Holland donated the land for the depot and the 
name of "Holland's Station" was given it in her 
honor. Mr. Holland has always taken an active 
interest in local enterprises and is much inter- 
ested in the improvement of his section. He was 
made the first postmaster of Oceanus and was 
one of the first to favor the changing of the name 
of the oiifice to Rockaway Beach, but the name 
Oceanus was finally settled on. Soon after this 
Mr. Holland took the contract for carrying the 
mail from Jennings Corners, for which he re- 
ceived the sum of $12 per year, which sum in- 
cluded his salary as postmaster. In 1883 a money 
order department was established and the office 
was in a flourishing condition when Cleveland 
was inaugurated President, but he was soon after 
deposed. When the affairs of the office became 
entangled later, his interest in the welfare of the 
place manifested itself, and he did ail he could to 
■ unravel and straighten out matters. He was 
again appointed postmaster under President Har- 
rison in 1891 and served acceptably until 1895. 
He has held the office of roadmaster also and has 
been instrumental in the construction of some of 
the finest roads on the island, not the least of 
which is the fine macadam boulevard which is 
one of the features of the Beach for many miles, 
the appropriation for which was secured mainly 
through his efforts. 

Mr. Holland has been a patron of education 
also, and assisted in the formation of his school 
district in 1878. His wife was the first school 
teacher here, before a regular school building had 
been erected. The school soon grew too large 
for her to manage alone and other teachers were 
hired and a large school house erected in 1880. 
This is now also inadequate to the requirements 



and Mr. Holland is a member of the advisory 
committee to make arrangements for more 
school room. This school, which was modestly 
established by Mrs. Plolland, now numbers three 
hundred pupils, the services of nine teachers are 
required and the school is under the manage- 
ment of the state board of regents. The above 
facts are given merely to show the kind of a man 
Mr. Holland is — energetic, pushing, enterpris- 
ing and of sound and practical judgment. He 
has succeeded and he has deserved to succeed, for 
his life has been worthily spent and mainly for 
the good of others than himself. He is a stanch 
Republican, and a member of Jamaica Lodge No. 
546, F. & A. M. Though not members, both 
he and his wife attend the Congregational 
Church. He was married to Miss Julia Hugh- 
son, of Milton's Ferry, N. Y., about four miles 
from Poughkeepsie, and to them one child has 
been born: Fannie R., who is a bright miss of 
fourteen years. 



WILLIAAl E. HEWLETT is one of the 
enterprising residents of the town of 
Hempstead, and from boyhood has 
been interested in agricultural pursuits. He has 
spent many years of his life tilling and cultivating 
the soil, and is now in comfortable circumstances. 
He was born upon the tract of land which is 
still his home, in 1827. His parents were John J. 
and Jane (Hewlett) Hewlett, natives of Long 
Island, who passed their entire married life on 
this farm. 

The father of our subject was very successful 
in his labors and became one of the substantial 
men of his community. He was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, and as such occu- 
pied a high social position, and was closely idert- 
tified with all matters pertaining to the upward 
growth and advancement of his home locality. 
He departed this life in 1872, respected by all 
who knew him. He was at that time advanced 
in life, being fourscore years and seven. His 
estimable wife had closed her eyes in death sev- 
eral years before. 

William E. Hewlett, the subject of this sketch, 
had the advantages of a district-school educa- 
tion in his youth, and as soon as old enough 
began working on the home farm. On the death 
of his father he came into possession of the 
estate, and of late years has divided the acreage 
up into building lots, and so valuable is the 



ii8o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



property that he has disposed of a number of 
them. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary 
E. Middlebrooks was celebrated March 25, 1873. 
The lady was the daughter of Samuel Middle- 
brooks, a resident of Bridgeport, Conn. Of the 
children born to them, four survive, namely: 
Florence M.,' Edith W., Bertha and Arthur E.. 
all students in the Freeport schools. Mrs. Hew- 
lett is a most estimable lady and a working mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. In politics our 
subject is a stalwart Republican, but has never 
aspired to official honors, as all his time was 
needed in attending to his farm work. He is a 
life member of the Queens County Agricultural 
Society and is regarded as one of the enterpris- 
ing and prosperous citizens of his community. 



S FOSTER SPRAGUE. It is doubtless 
entirely owing to the industrious and 
• persevering manner with which Mr. 
Sprague has adhered to his chosen calling that 
he has met with such substantial returns, for he 
is one of the most prominent oystermen of the 
village of Freeport. His entire life has been 
passed within the confines of Queens County, 
and as a natural result he is much interested in 
the progress and development of his section, and 
has done his full share in making it the mag- 
nificent industrial region that it now is. He was 
born near Freeport March 5, 1843, and is a son. 
of Samuel and Mary (Terry) Sprague, who were 
also natives of Long Island, where they spent 
their entire lives. 

During his youthful days Samuel Sprague 
learned the carpenter's trade and followed this 
for many years. Fle subsequently began farm- 
ing, and was actively engaged in this calling at 
the time of his death, in 1879. Flonorable and 
upright to a fault, he attended strictly to busi- 
ness, and was well respected in the communit_\-. 
His wife received her final summons in 1883. 
Owing to the poor schools of his day, S. Foster 
Sprague received only a limited education, but 
his natural ability and observation have made up 
for that in a great measure. His early life was 
spent on his father's farm, and he was engaged 
with the tluties of the same until twenty-three 
years old, when he came to Freeport and en- 
gaged in the oyster industry. Under his per- 
sistent efforts this has grown to vast proportions 
and he is to-day one of the most successful oys- 



termen on the bay. He plants his own oysters, 
carries on his own business, and ships twice a 
week to New York City. He owns several boats 
and employs many men throughout the year. In 
1885 the first steamboat ever built in Freeport 
was constructed by him for freighting purposes, 
and this he used for several years. It was called 
the "S. F. Sprague." In 1896 the first steamer 
used in that bay for dredging oysters by machin- 
ery was built by him, gasoline and electricity 
furnishing the power. This was named "Alpha." 
In the year 1865 Mr. Sprague was wedded to 
Miss Abbie Jane Cox, a native of Freeport, and 
the daughter of Elbert Cox, who is a most wor- 
thy citizen of the place. Three children were the 
fruits of this marriage, but all, with the mother, 
are now deceased. Fraternally Mr. Sprague is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and is a member of the funeral benefit 
association of the order. Twice he has been 
through all chairs of this organization, was the 
first noble grand of Freeport Lodge, and has 
represented his lodge at the grand lodge. For 
more than twenty years he has been identified 
with the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company. 
Politically he is an active Republican and an 
earnest worker for his party, having been presi- 
dent of various campaign clubs. He is a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of Freeport and 
is public-spirited and progressive to an unusual 
degree. 



REV. ELFORD F. LOUNSBURY, pastor 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Farmingdale, was born at Bethany, New 
Haven County, Conn., October 17, 1845. His 
parents were William H. and Charity (Bucking- 
ham) Lounsbury, the former of whom was also 
a native of the Nutmeg State. There he was a 
farmer and reared his son, our subject, on the 
home place. The latter attended the country 
schools until nineteen years of age, when he en- 
tered the academy at Wilbraham, it being his 
intention to prepare himself for college. His 
father being unable to help him pay his board 
and tuition at this time, he could not take the 
entire course. 

The subject of this sketch began to teach 
school when twenty-one years of age. His first 
charge was in the country district of New Haven. 
He was converted about this time and began to 
preach, and was soon thereafter licensed as an 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iiSi 



exhorter. While engaged in teaching, he began 
to prepare for the ministry, and as soon as able 
took a five years' course at Drew Theological 
Seminary at Madison, N. J., preaching as occa- 
sion demanded. He was graduated from that 
institution in 1875 and then entered the New 
York Eastern Conference and was at once ap- 
pointed as missionary to Bulgaria. He went to 
Rustchuk, thence to Sistova, later to Tirnova, 
during which time he was studying the Bulga- 
rian language. 

While in the foreign field the war between Rus- 
sia and Turkey was declared and Rev. Mr. 
Lounsbury, being then stationed at Tirnova, 
which was captured by the Russians, was 
compelled to leave, and returned to Sistova. 
Later he was called to Buda Pesth, Austria-, in 
order that he might confer with the superin- 
tendent of missions, who was residing there. It 
was then thought best that he should return to 
America, and in September, 1877, he arrived 

home. 

In January of the above year our subject was 
appointed to take charge of the congregation at 
Farmingdale, over which he presided for more 
than a year, when he was again sent to Bulgaria, 
and during the two years in which he remained 
there preached at Rustchuk. In 1881 he returned 
home, and October 12, 1881, was married to 
Miss Adelia Seaman, of Brooklyn. This lady 
was born in the town of Oyster Bay, this county, 
and was the daughter of Enoch and Eliza (Box) 
Seaman. Mrs. Lounsbury was educated at Bor- 
dentown, N. J. Immediately after their mar- 
riage the young people went to their far-off home 
in Bulgaria, and during their passage across the 
Atlantic encountered a storm which came very 
near wrecking the vessel. 

Our subject and his wife remained in Bulgaria 
for five years, and while there three of their chil- 
dren were born, and died. Mrs. Lounsbury was 
also in very poor health during their stay there, 
and in December, 1886, they again returned to 
their home in the New World. Their visit here 
was a very short one, however, for in a few 
months they again took up their work as foreign 
missionaries, and the fall of 1887 found them 
again in Bulgaria. Two of their daughters were 
born there, Elfreda on September 20, 1890, at 
Rustchuk, and Irma Clare March i, 1892, at 
Loftscha. 

Rev. Mr. Lounsbury returned to America with 
his family in April, 1893, and preached until Sep- 
50 



teinber of that year at West Farms, in New York 
City. Lie was then sent to East Meadow, in the 
town of Hempstead, this county, and filled a 
vacancy until conference should meet. Pie was 
then assigned to Farmingdale, and has been in 
charge of the congregation here since 1894. 

Our subject was reared by a Republican father 
and cast his first presidential vote for Grant. He 
is now, however, a strong Prohibitionist, and 
does all in his power to extend the influence of 
this party in whatever community he may be 
placed. 



ROF. EPHRAIM HINDS. This finely 
educated gentleman stands at the head 
of Hempstead Institute, which is one of, 
the best private schools on Long Island. He 
was born in the small village of Littleton, in the 
White Mountain region of New Hampshire, May 
3, 1819. His father, Elisha Hinds, was born 
February 7, 1784, at West Boylston, Mass., which 
place was first settled by members of this family, 
led by B. J. Hinds. 

The father of our subject was graduated from 
Williams College in 1805. He chose a profes- 
sional life, and in the section of country in which 
he lived was known as the "honest lawyer." For 
many years he served the people of Littleton as 
justice of the peace and also discharged the du- 
ties of postmaster in an entirely satisfactory man- 
ner. His voice was always to be heard on the 
side of progressive movements and the first pub- 
lic library in this place was founded by him. 
Indeed, few men of that day were more inter- 
ested and prominent in public affairs and in all 
measures which would in any way benefit the 
community, than Elisha Hinds. He was one in 
a large family of children, and about 1810, ac- 
companied by his brother Abraham, who was 
also an attorney, he started on horseback to 
make a tour of the then civilized portion of the 
United States, and it is said visited every impor- 
tant town in the country, penetrating far into 
the western wilderness. While on this trip, 
whether for profit or to become more familiar 
with the lay of the land, we are not informed, 
he became principal of an academy located in 
the state of Kentucky. He remained in charge 
of this institution for about a year, and then 
returned to his native village of Littleton and 
resumed his law practice with his brother Abra- 
ham, who was an attorney of much ability. The 



Il82 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



latter married the daughter of Judge Hapgood 
and made his home in after years in Marlboro, 
Mass. 

Benjamin Hinds, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, whom we have spoken of as the head of the 
West Boylston colony, took an active part in the 
stirring events preceding and during the Revo- 
lutionary War, and was a large contributor to- 
ward the support of the Continental army. The 
name of Hinds has been a prominent one in the 
history of our country, and while not all the 
members of the family have been wealthy, they 
have without an exception been people of refine- 
ment and culture. 

The mother of Professor Hinds was Susan 
Learned, also born at Littleton, N. H. She was 
a lady possessing a fine education, and at the 
early age of sixteen years was engaged in te.ach- 
ing one of the schools in her native village. She 
was the daughter of Samuel Learned, whose 
birth occurred at Oxford, Conn. He was a mer- 
chant of high standing and also a wealthy lumber 
dealer in his community. About the time of the 
building of the Erie Canal he came to New York 
State and became prominently connected with its 
construction as a contractor, building the locks 
at Lockport. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Susan Hinds, on her 
mother's side, was Capt. Nathan Caswell. He 
acquired his title in the War of 1812, in which 
conflict he was one of the most noted scouts. He 
chose for his wife Miss Hannah Bingham, and 
they were among the first to make their home in 
Littleton, N. H., the date thereof being May 14, 
1770. 

The mother of our subject was one of the 
greatest readers of her day and locality. She 
was a thorough Christian lady and her favorite 
book was the Bible, in which she was well versed. 
Her brother, William Learned, was interested 
with his father in the building of the Erie Canal. 
Her sister Sarah married William Hibbard, a 
well-to-do farmer of Vermont. Among their 
children was a son, George Hibbard, who be- 
came prominent during the Civil War for the 
brave and gallant service which he rendered his 
country. Some time after peace was established 
this son was interested in the building of the 
Northern Pacific Railroad, and later in the con- 
struction of the government buildings on Ellis 
Island. Miss Laura Learned, another sister of 
our subject's mother, married Charles Fuller, a 
pT-omincnt hardware merchant of Vermont. 



Susan, the youngest member of the family, be- 
came the wife of Mr. Baldwin, one of the most 
distinguished lawyers in Barton, Vt. 

Elisha Hinds, the brother of our subject, was 
wounded while on a gunboat during the Civil 
War, and died from the effects of this injury. 
William Learned Hinds was for many years in 
the employ of William Claflin, one of the largest 
merchants of New York City, but at the present 
writing makes his home at Highgate, Vt. Au- 
gusta Hinds became the wife of Mr. Lyon, and 
for many years they made their home in Balti- 
more, Md., where Mrs. Lyon died. Although 
she was known to her friends as Augusta, her 
full name was Thankful Howe Tabitha Holland 
Augusta Hinds Lyon. Another sister, Grace 
Morse Marlboro Susan Hinds, became the wife 
of Chauncey Whittlesey, whose father was at one 
time mayor of the city of Washington, and 
whose cousin, Charles A. Dana, is proprietor of 
the New York "Sun." They make their home 
at Topeka, Kas., where he is at the head of a 
fine business. Ellen Percy Hinds became the 
wife of Henry Roth, and her home is also in 
Topeka. Hannah has never married, and for 
the greater part of her life has been engaged in 
teaching. She was for many years employed in 
the schools of Brooklyn, but is at present one of 
the corps of teachers employed by our subject. 
Elisha Hinds and his wife came to Brooklyn 
about the year 1845. There they made their 
home until their decease, the father passing 
away in 1854 and the mother some years after. 
Ephraim, of this sketch, received his education 
principally under the guidance of private tutors 
and in Haverhill Academy of New Hampshire. 
When he was a lad of fourteen his parents re- 
moved to Hinsdale, N. H., where was located 
the estate of a deceased uncle, of which Elisha 
Hinds had been appointed to take charge. After 
a residence there of about three years they made 
their home in New Salem, ]\Iass., where Mr. and 
Mrs. Elisha Hinds had charge of the home de- 
partment of the Salem Academy. Young Eph- 
raim was a student in this school, and upon com- 
pleting the course there entered the preparatorv 
department of Amherst College. 

Soon after attaining his majority the subject 
of this sketch began teaching school, his first 
position being at Warwick. Mass. From there 
he went to Troy, N. Y., where he was engaged 
to teach, and later we find him the assistant of 
Professor Baquet, teacher in a French academv 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Il83 



at Paterson, N. J. He remained in this boarding 
school for four years, after which he accepted 
the position of professor of French in the Tarry- 
town Institute. Later we find him connected 
with the Normal Academy at Sand Lake, N. Y.. 
near Albany. While residing in that place he 
was married, in 1849, to Miss Catherine Maria 
Shepard. Mr. Hinds is the author of a French 
grammar and system of teaching that language, 
which he prepared while at Sand Lake. 

In the year 1851 Professor Hinds accepted the 
position of principal of a newly estabHshed acad- 
emy at Blackwood, Camden County, N. J. From 
that time until 1859 he was connected with vari- 
ous institutions of learning in the East, but since 
the latter year he has made his home in Hemp- 
stead. For the first two or three years he was 
principal of this school, which was then known 
as the Hempstead Seminary, but soon after his 
purchasing the building the name was changed 
to that of Hempstead Institute. It ranks among 
the verv best private schools on the island, and 
is well patronized by the wealthy residents of the 
surrounding cities. Professor Hinds is consid- 
ered one of the most thorough educators in the 
state, which is accounted for in a measure from 
the fact that his whole soul is in the work. 

To Professor and Mrs. Hinds there have been 
born six children, named, respectively, Grace, 
Ada, Arthur, Jessie, Lily and Lincoln. 

Politically the Professor was first a Whig, and 
on the organization of the Republican party be- 
came a member of that party, to which he yet 
firmlv adheres. 



JUDGE CHARLES W. BILLINGS,a prom- 
inent resident of Glencove, was born at 
Hatfield, Hampshire County, Mass., De- 
cember 18, 1 82 1. He is the son of Israel and 
Hepsey (Partridge) Billings, and passed his boy- 
hood days in the village of his birth. He com- 
pleted his education in the public schools the 
year before attaining his majority, and spent the 
following two years at work on his father's farm. 
At the age of twenty-two our subject went to 
Troy, Walworth County, Wis., where he pur- 
chased a farm and was engaged in its cultivation 
for three years. Previous to his removal to the 
Badger State, however, Mr. Billings was mar- 
ried at Hatfield to Miss Mary H. Hubbard, also 
a native of that village. At the expiration of the 
three years Charles W. sold his share in the farm 



to his brother and returned to New York, where 
he soon secured a position as clerk for the firm 
of Woodruff & Robinson, and shortly thereafter, 
so valuable were his services to his employers, 
he was made manager of their storage de- 
partment. He remained with the firm of Wood- 
ruff & Robinson for a period of three years, when 
he resigned and embarked in the same kind of 
business for himself in Brooklyn. This proverl 
to be a very successful venture and he continued 
to operate a storage warehouse for ten years. 
His health began to fail about this time and he 
deemed it advisable to get away from the city. 
He therefore disposed of his interests in Brook- 
lyn and came to Glencove, shortly afterward pur- 
chasing a farm nearthis place. He paid $20,000 
for this property in 1868, and when he sold it in 
1891 could only obtain $5,500 for his estate. In 
the last named year the Judge moved into Glen- 
cove, with whose interests he has been associated 
ever since. 

Mrs. Billings died after eleven years of happy 
married life. She became the mother of six chil- 
dren, all of whom died when young in years. 
The second union of our subject was with Miss 
Catherine L. Lowe, a native of New Jersey, in 
which state the marriage took place. To them 
were born ten children, eight of whom are still 
living. 

Judge Billings cast his first presidential vote 
in 1844 for James K. Polk. Since the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party, however, he has 
supported its candidates both by voice and ballot. 
He has never been an office seeker in any sense 
of the term, but in 1894 was prevailed upon by 
his friends to run for the position of justice of 
the peace and was elected by a majority of sev- 
enteen hundred votes. 

Fraternally Mr. Billings is a Mason of high 
degree and was one of the charter members of 
Commonwealth Lodge No. 409, of Brooklyn. 
Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church of Glencove, and gives liberally of his 
means toward its support. Prior to coming here 
he was treasurer of his congregation in Brook- 
lyn for a period of four years. 

Edward C. Billings, the eldest son of our sub- 
ject, is engaged in the mining business out West, 
his home being in Denver, Colo. George D., 
another son, is one of the prominent merchants 
of Brooklyn. Charles I. is also engaged in busi • 
ness in that city. Mary H. makes her home with 
the brother of our subject, Edward C. Billings, 



ii84 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a resident of New Orleans, La. Adelaide is still 
at home. The next in order of birth were John 
and Catherine, twins. The former is deceased, 
and Catherine is now the wife of a Mr. Howell, 
and makes her home in Anthony, Fla. Augus- 
tus H. has traveled extensively in foreign lands, 
spending some years in the gold region of South 
Africa; he is now living in Glencove. Samuel 
P. is a resident of Glencove, where he is carrying 
on a thriving business as grain merchant. 



WHITEHEAD H. HEWLETT, the 
owner of a beautiful farm in the town 
of Hempstead, is living retired in Mer- 
rick. This tract of land has been handed down 
in the Hewlett family since its first occupancy 
in 1640. Our subject, who was born in Rocka- 
way in 1816, is one of the oldest residents of 
Queens County. His parents were George M. 
and Elizabeth (Hewlett) Hewlett, also natives of 
Long Island, where they were content to pass 
their entire lives. 

George M. Hewlett followed farming all his 
life, and in the prosecution of this vocation met 
with success. He was a quiet, unassuming citi- 
zen, devoting his time and attention almost en- 
tirely to his private affairs. He departed this life 
May 17, 1870, mourned by all who knew him. 
His wife preceded him to the land beyond by 
many years, closing her eyes . in death March 
7, 1857. 

Whitehead H., of this -sketch, had only the 
advantages of a district-school education in his 
youth. Upon leaving school he settled down at 
Rockaway, where he remained until the age of 
thirty, when he removed to the old Hewlett 
homestead at Merrick, and has ever since de- 
voted his time to its cultivation. It is one of the 
best tracts in the county and is under advanced 
improvement. It is very conveniently located, 
and as we stated in our opening paragraph, was 
first settled upon in 1640. The paternal grand- 
parents of our subject were Daniel and Mary 
(Mott) Hewlett, people of prominence in their 
day and locality. 

Our subject was married October 15, 1845, t'^ 
Mary E., daughter of John and Sarah (Hewlett) 
Clowes, natives of Long Island. John Clowes 
was in turn the son of Joseph and Hannah (A'an 
Wycke) Clowes, respected residents of Queens 
County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead 
Hewlett resulted in the birth of four children: 



Frances Moore and Julia Hart are deceased; 
Joseph Titus married Eleanora Hewlett and died 
December 27, 1891, leaving one son, Frederick 
Clowes; George Mott Hewlett was married 
March r, 1893, to Emma Hewlett, a sister of his 
brother's wife. The wife and mother departed 
this life March 19, 1892, aged sixty-six. In relig- 
ious affairs our subject is a devoted member of 
the Episcopal Church, with which denomination 
he has been connected for many years. 

Mr. Hewlett has never aspired to political hon- 
ors, preferring to give his undivided attention to 
his farming interests. However, he supports Re- 
publican candidates. He is now living in ease 
and quiet retirement in a commodious dwelling 
well suited to the needs of the family. George 
M., the only son now living, is engaged in man- 
aging the farm. 



CLARENCE B. WHITTEMORE, well 
known to the residents of Queens County, 
is the son of Edward A. Whittemore, who 
during his lifetime was accounted one of the 
successful and aggressive business men of New 
York City. The grandfather, Homer Whitte- 
more, was a descendant of one of the old and 
influential families of York State. He was also 
a prominent business man, and when looking 
about him for a quiet place in which to pass the 
last years of his life, located in Astoria. 

Edward A. Whittemore was a shrewd business 
man, and at the time of his death, which occurred 
in 1880, at the age of sixt3r-five, he stood at the 
head of a large wholesale dry goods business at 
No. 346 Broadway. He, however, made his home 
in Astoria in a beautiful residence at the head of 
Boulevard, on East River, which he erected in 
1 85 1. In a great many ways he showed his sub- 
stantial interest in the welfare and development 
of this locality, having forwarded manv enter- 
prises, both by his means and influence. He 
amassed a large fortune, which enables his fam- 
ily to pass life pleasantly and happily, surrounded 
with comforts and many luxuries. Religiously 
he was a consistent member of St. George's Epis- 
copal Church and contributed very liberallv of 
his means toward its support. In politics he at 
all times supported Republican candidates. 

Our subject's mother was formerly Marv W. 
Barton, a native of New Rochelle. N. Y. Her 
father, Jacob Barton, departed this life soon after 
moving to Astoria. Mrs. Whittemore's death 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Il8: 



occurred in October, 1894, when she was over 
seventy-three years of age. Her family mcludeci 
six children, and four are yet living: Edward 
A Jr who is carrying on a profitable busniess 
as a wholesale dry goods merchant in New York; 
Gertrude Mrs. Charles Benner, of Long Island 
City Charles A., who also makes his home m 
that city; and Clarence B., of this history. 

The subject of this sketch was engaged in busi- 
ness with his father until the death of the latter, 
since which time he has retired from business 
cares, though still looking after his various in- 
vestments. He has been in many ways connected 
with the active progress of Astoria, by whose 
citizens he is held in the highest regard. 



JOHN B MERRILL, formerly school com- 
missioner for tlie second district of Queens 
County is well known throughout Long 
Island as the "school builder." During his in- 
cumbency of the office he did more to advance 
the cause of edugation than was accomp ished 
during any previous decade. ProfessionaUy he 
is an attorney, who has made a name for himself 
by reason of pluck, energy and sterling qualities 
of heart and mind. In the discharge of public 
duties he has been thoroughly conscientious, 
and while serving as school commissioner de- 
voted much of his time to- the welfare of his 
constituents. The building of the new school- 
houses in this district, with their modern im- 
provements and increased facilities for a higher 
education, is to a great extent due to his efforts. 
When he found a schoolhouse insufficient for the 
proper and healthful accommodation of the chil- 
dren, his efforts were untiring until the evil was 
remedied. He holds that the schoolhouses can- 
not be too good, and that only the best teachers 
should be employed; that nothing, indeed, so 
tends to attract people to a community as the 
reputation of having excellent schools. 

Now a resident of Woodhaven, Mr. Merrill 
was born in Plainville, Conn., January 7, 1857. 
His father. Squire Gregg Merrill, was an only 
son, but had two sisters, one of whom, Frances, 
was a missionary for many years in the Sand- 
wich Islands, and died at Honolulu. He was one 
of the first to answer President Lincoln's appeal 
for soldiers, in 1861 enlisting in Company E, 
Fifth Connecticut Infantry. His wife died on 
the i6th of April of that year, and on the 19th, 
three days later, he was on his way to the front. 



He was wounded at Point of Rocks, Md., and 
after his recovery was assigned to duty at the 
old Capital Prison in Washington. Since the 
war he has been connected with the adjutant- 
general's office at Washington. His wife, Lucy 
M., was a daughter of Bryant Porter, a well-to- 
do farmer of Plainville, Conn., and they were 
the parents of two children, John B. and Lucy 
F., the latter being the wife of Daniel Drennan, 
private secretary to General Schofield at Wash- 
ington. 

John H. Merrill, grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, was a native of Maine, born in 1799. 
On the outbreak of the Mexican War he volun- 
teered in the service and became captain of a 
company that fought bravely and well. He at- 
tained the age of ninety-five, and departed this 
life in Washington in 1894. He had eight broth- 
ers, six of whom served as soldiers in the War 
of the Rebellion, and of this number three yet 
survive. 

In the schools of Washington, D. C, John B. 
Merrill received his education. When a youth 
of seventeen- years he enlisted in the signal corps, 
United States army, in which he devoted nine 
years to the study of meteorology. In 1879 he 
was detailed as instructor in meteorology, mili- 
tary signaling and tactics in the University of 
West Virginia. Two years later, under the di- 
rection of the chief signal officer of the army, 
he investigated the tracks and causes of the dis- 
astrous cyclones in the western states, and in 
1882 he was placed in charge of the weather bu- 
reau of New York City. Four years later he 
began the study of law with ex-District Attorney 
Benjamin W. Downing, and in due time was 
admitted to the bar. 

Upon the organization of the South Side 
Ball League, in 1889, Mr. Merrill was elected 
president, and re-elected the following year. 
Politically a stanch Democrat, he was selected 
in 1890 by the Democratic county central com- 
mittee to explain the new ballot reform act to 
voters, and in doing so delivered thirty-two ad- 
dresses. In the same year he was elected school 
commissioner of the second distiict, and during 
his incumbency of the office wrought many re- 
forms in the public schools. A uniform course 
of study has been adopted, certificates and di- 
plomas are now furnished to deserving pupils 
and the standard of instruction has been raised. 
Thirty-five new school buildings were erected 
during his administration, seven were remod- 



ii86 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eled, new furniture and free books have been 
generally introduced, and school libraries replen- 
ished. In one year he delivered fifty-two public 
addresses on school work, lecturing a portion of 
this time in the central part of the state under 
the auspices of the department of public instruc- 
tion. During his incumbency of the office the 
value of school property has increased from 
$193,715 to $315,146, and in addition there was 
in 1893 more than $150,000 cash in the hands 
of the trustees awaiting disbursement for land 
and new buildings. The official school directory 
shows the condition of the schools in this local- 
ity to be most satisfactory in every respect. 
The number of high-grade teachers increased 
thirty-one per cent within one year, so that at 
this writing (1896) over seventy per cent of the 
entire number hold state normal or first-grade 
certificates. 

In December, 1880, Mr. Merrill married Miss 
Ida K. Gibson, of Washington, daughter of John 
H. Gibson, chief engraver in the bureau of en- 
gravmg and printing. They are the parents of 
four children, Edna Porter, Clinton Whitlock 
Mabel Gibson and Evelyn. Fraternally Mr' 
Merrill is a prominent Mason and holds member- 
ship with Brooklyn Lodge No. 288. He also 
belongs to Woodhaven Lodge No. 204, I. Q Q 
F. Fond of outdoor sports, he is actively con- 
nected with the Jamaica Bay Yacht Club In 
his profession he has been remarkably success- 
ful and stands liigh among the attorneys of the 
count)', being at the present time a director in 
the Queens County Bar Association 



ALBERT E. GOSLING. Among the pop- 
ular musicians of Flushing no name 
stands higher than that of Prof. A E 
Gosling, who is organist at St. Michael's Church' 
and a teacher whose name is well and favorably 
known. He was born in Flushing September 
I, I860, and here grew to manhood and received 
his education. His father, Thomas Gosling, has 
been a resident of Flushing since 1851, and i. 
one of the representative men of the plac^ His 
birth occurred in Lincolnshire, England Auo-ust 
14, 1827. 

Mr. Gosling ^vas married in Flushing to Mrs 

Sarah Nichols, a native of London. Eno-- 

land, and the only living child of this union k 

Albert E., the subject of this notice. 

Albert E. Gosling began the study of music 



when twelve years old, and from the start 
displayed unusual ability in that direction. He 
received instruction from some of the best teach- 
ers, and at an early age began teaching. For 
four years he was organist of the Methodist 
Church in Flushing; he filled the same position 
for four years in the Congregational Church, 
four years in St. George's Episcopal Church, but 
left the latter on account of the introduction of 
the boy choir. In 1894 he became organist and 
choir master for St. Michael's Church, and has 
made a specialty of the concert vespers Sunday 
evenings. Mr. Gosling teaches in Flushing and 
vicinity, also in Brooklyn, where he has regular 
days. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of 
Cornucopia Lodge No. 563; Pentalpha Chapter, 
R. A. M.; Oak Lodge, K. of P.; St. George's 
Brotherhood, and is an honorary member of the 
Alutual Engine Company. He served five vears 
and seven months in the Seventeenth Separate 
Company of New York, and was corporal when 
he resigned. He has been giving organ recitals 
in Brooklyn, New York State^ on Long Island, 
and in Pennsylvania and New Tersev. He is a 
member of St. George's Episcopal Church. 



CHARLES HENRY YERRINGTON, 
M. D., physician and surgeon of the 
regular school of medicine at Farming- 
dale, was born at Jamaica Mav 8, 1849. His par- 
ents were Charles and Sarah (Weeks) Yerring- 
ton, natives of Connecticut and Long Island, re- 
spectively. The former was at one t^ime a noted 
educator on Long Island and subsequently was 
called to Jersey City, where he was installed as 
principal -of public school No. 2. He presided 
over this school for a period of thirty years, which 
speaks in a very flattering manner of his effi- 
ciency as a teacher. 

The education of Charles Henry was acquired 
in the schools of Jersey City. On attaining his 
eighteenth year he began the study of medicine 
under the instruction of Dr. Isaac N. Ouinby of 
Jersey City. When prepared to enter college he 
became a student in the University of New York, 
from which he was graduated with the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine in 1870. He then returned 
home and opening an office began the practice 
of his profession, remaining in Jersev City for ? 
period of twenty years, during which time he 
built up an enviable reputation as a learned and 
successful physician and surgeon. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 187 



The marriage of Dr. Yerrington occurred in 
the above city May 5, 1870. The lady on this oc- 
casion was Miss Ceceha Cranmer, a native of 
Jersey City, and their union was blessed by the 
birth of a son, Charles F. In the year 1893, Dr. 
Yerrington came to Farmingdale, where his skill 
soon became known and he is now in command 
of a large and lucrative patronage. His wife 
departed this life just a short time prior to his 
removal hither. In politics he is a stanch sup- 
porter of Republican principles and in social 
affairs meets with the Knights of Honor, of which 
order he is a member. 

Prof. Charles Yerrington, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Preston City, Conn., February 
14, 1822. He was the son of Joseph A. and Mary 
Park (Meech) Yerrington, who moved to Nor- 
wich, Conn., when he was three years of age. 
There Charles grew to manhood on the farm 
which his father purchased, and after pursuing 
and completing the course in the public schooli 
of his locality, went to Norwich and was gradu- 
ated from the high school of that place. In 1840 
he taught his first school at Lebanon, New Lon- 
don County, Conn. After conducting four dif- 
ferent country schools for a term, he came to 
Jamaica, this' county, and for four years was 
teacher in one of the schools of that city. At the 
end of that time he moved to Jersey City, as we 
have stated above, where for thirty years he pre- 
sided as principal of one of the public schools. 
Since resigning his position there and coming to 
Long Island, he has been petitioned by the board 
of education to return, as the five principals 
which they have tried since that time have failed 
to give satisfaction. 

Professor Yerrington was married at Mannetto 
Hill, now known as Plainview, November 27, 
1844, to Miss Sarah Weeks, who was born on 
Long Island. To them were born five children, 
of whom the eldest, Alonzo, lived to be about 
twenty-one years of age; he was to have been 
married ten days later. Dr. Charles H., of this 
sketch, was the next born. Mary Powell mar- 
ried Amos C. Sherwood and makes her home at 
the present time in Jersey City. Sadie died in 
infancy; and William departed this life when in 
his third year. 

The father of our subject experienced religion 
in 1840 and became a member of the Congrega- 
tional Church. Later he united with the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church and became a local preacher 
and was ordained deacon in Jersey City by 



Bishop Baker. While still a resident of that city 
he presided as president over a preachers' asso- 
ciation held there. Professor Yerrington con- 
tinued to teach school and preach at such places 
as he was called upon to fill until 1866, when he 
retired from the former occupation and came to 
his present home at Farmingdale. He was a 
Whig in politics until the organization of the 
Republican party, since which time he has sup- 
ported its candidates. 



WILLIAM FOREMAN. Many of the 
most prominent and successful busi- 
ness men of America received their 
early education in the superior institutions of 
other countries. Freeport contains many such 
men, and among them is William Foreman, who 
was born in Tunbridge Wells, England, in 1847, 
and who has been a resident of this country since 
1857. He has made his way to the front in busi- 
ness circles and his adopted country has reason 
to feel proud of his ability and enterprise. His 
parents, William and Mary (Kitchenham) Fore- 
man, were natives of England, and there spent 
their entire lives. The father was what was 
known in England as a whitesmith, and followed 
that avocation very successfuUy until the time 
of his death, in 1856. His wife preceded him to 
the grave in 1855. 

William Foreman, Jr., left his native country 
when but ten years old and received the rudi- - 
ments of an education in the schools of Canada. 
Subsequently he entered the normal school in 
Toronto and graduated from this school with 
honors, being the only one out of a class of one 
hundred and twenty who received a first-class 
grade A certificate. Later he took up the pro- 
f'ession of teaching, and was engaged in the 
same in Canada for five years. Early in the 
year 1 87 1 he came to the States and began 
teaching in Januarj^ of that year, following this 
for three years at Merrick, Freeport, and the vil- 
lage of Hempstead, L. I. Following this he 
embarked in the lumber business at Freeport, 
and has steadily carried on this industry up to 
the present time. He is perhaps the most ex- 
tensive lumber dealer in the town of Hempstead, 
and is a thoroughgoing and progressive busi- 
ness man. 

In 1873 Mr. Foreman was united wdth Miss 
Jennie Hewlett, daughter of George Hewlett, 
who comes of one of the oldest families of Long 



in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Island, its members settling here over two cen- 
turies ago. To :Mr. and ]Mrs. Foreman have 
been born three children, as follows: Charles 
Milton, Stella and Nellie H. Mr. and Mrs. Fore- 
man hold membership in the Presbyterian 
Church and the former is an elder and a trustee 
in the same. Republican in his political views, 
Mr. Foreman never aspired to office, j'et takes 
a deep interest in the welfare of his party. He 
is vice-president of the Freeport Bank and a di- 
rector of the Freeport Land Company. He is 
thoroughly interested in the affairs of the com- 
munity which he has helped to build, is a gen- 
tleman of honorable principles, and possesses 
the full trust of his patrons. 



WILLIAM SIMPSON HALL. The 
Freeport Bank, of which the subject 
of this sketch is the efficient and trust- 
worthy cashier, is a solid financial institution, is 
filling a long-felt want, and is reflecting the high- 
est credit upon its officers, directors and stock- 
holders. Mr. Hall is a young man well qualified 
to fill his present position, for he possesses a fine 
education and keen commercial instincts. He 
was born in New York City, August 15, 1862 to 
Robert and Agnes E. (Simpson) Hall, also na- 
tives of that city, where thev have always made 
their home. Robert Hall has for many years 
been a prominent liveryman, and in this business 
has accumulated a comfortable competency. He 
has been quite prominent also in ward politics 
and has discharged the duties of alderman. 

William Simpson Hall was placed in the public 
schools of New York City as soon as he had 
reached the required age and there he pursued 
the paths of learning until he was fourteen years 
of age, at which time he was in the grammar 
school. Fie was then placed in the Pennington, 
(N. J.) Seminary, where he remained two years! 
At the end of that time he left school to become 
his father's bookkeeper, a position he retained 
until he had acquired considerable experience, 
then accepted a like position with a Wall Street 
firm, and later was in Chambers Street. Follow- 
ing this he became assistant cashier -of the Hemp- 
stead Bank, and discharged the duties incumbent 
upon this position with credit to himself and to 
the entire satisfaction of the bank officials for 
about four years. In 1892, after the organiza- 
tion of the Freeport Bank, he was ofifered and 
accepted the position of cashier, and his work 



has been universally satisfactory, as it could 
hardly fail to be, for his former experience has 
been of material benefit to him and his natural 
aptitude is undoubted. 

^ The 6th of April, 1883, witnessed the celebra- 
tion of Mr. Hall's marriage with Miss Jeannette 
E. Wood, daughter of Martin V. Wood, a promi- 
nent citizen of Hempstead. One son was born 
of this union, Martin V. W. Mr. Hall is a local 
preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the 
teacher of a Bible class of twenty scholars, and is 
treasurer of the Sabbath-school. He has always 
been socially inclined and has shown his ap- 
proval of secret organizations by becoming'.! 
member of Merton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., 
and of Freeport Lodge No. 600, I. O. O. F. He 
is treasurer of the Freeport Land Company, sec- 
retary of the board of education and is treasurer 
of the town of Hempstead, in which capacity he 
has charge of the Steward fund, amounting to 
$400,000. In filing his bonds for this position he 
had over $100,000 more than v^^as required, prof- 
fered by his friends. This is significant of the 
estimation in which he is regarded and speaks 
eloquently of his numerous admirable qualities. 
His citizenship has ever been above reproach, and 
in business and social, as well as in the home 
circle, he is loved and respected. 



CHARLES P. FREY. As a usual thing 
age and experience are essential to suc- 
cess in whatever branch of human en- 
deavor a man may see fit to devote his life, but 
special adaptability to any particular calling will 
often carry one successfully along the stream 
of life even though youth is at the helm. This 
adaptability is the one necessary adjunct to suc- 
cess and is exemplified in the career of Charles 
P. Frey, proprietor of the Bayside House of 
Rockaway Beach, Oceanus. He was born in 
New York City February 2, 1856, and for fifteen 
years has been a resident of Rockaway Beach. 
He served in one capacity or another, in the dif- 
ferent hotels here, and became familiar with all 
the phases of hotel life. His father, Jacob Frey, 
was a resident of Brooklyn for many years and 
died when sixty-four years old. He married 
Miss Henrietta Fleckscher, and their five chil- 
dren were, in the order of their births, as follows: 
Louis M., of Brooklyn; Charles P., our subject; 
Josephine, Emma and Louise, all residents of 
Brooklyn except our subject. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iiSq 



The last named received his education in the 
schools of New York, but at an early age dis- 
played unusual business acumen and soon ac- 
cepted a position as errand boy in a store. After- 
wards he served in different capacities until 
twenty years old, when he engaged in busmess 
for himself in Oceanus, conducting a hotel, which 
has continued to be his chosen caUing since. 
Success has rewarded his efforts, and he has one 
of the most popular houses in this section. Pohti- 
cally Mr. Frev is a Republican, and has been 
chairman of the Republican Association here. 
He is active in local politics and all enterprises 
of moment receive his utmost attention. He is 
a good worker for the interests of the place, and 
contributes liberally of his means to every meas- 
ure calculated to advance the best interests of 

the vicinity. 

Our subject was one of the organizers of the 
Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company and was 
foreman three years. He has grown up with 
Oceanus, for he' spent his summers here until 
fifteen years old, and then settled here perma- 
nently, and is a factor in its growth and develop- 
ment! Fraternally he is a Mason and a Forester. 
Mr. Frey's marriage with Miss Mary Noon, of 
Brooklyn, resulted in the birth of four children, 
as follows: Emma, Charles, Mary and John. 



JOHN B. WELWOOD, M. D., a skillful 
physician living in Great Neck, has acquired 
in his chosen profession a reputation that 
is very flattering. He has been engaged in prac- 
tice here since 1890, although he received the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine ten years prior to 

that time. 

Arthur W. Welwood, the father of our subject, 
was of Scotch extraction, while on his mother's 
side he is of English origin, both of his parents, 
Iiowever, having been born in Ireland. Mr. Wel- 
wood, Sr., was for many years engaged in manu- 
facturing in Brooklyn and New York, but later 
purchased and operated a productive tract of land 
near Hempstead, this county. He departed this 
life in 1 89 1, when seventy-eight years of age. By 
his first marriage, which united him with Miss 
Mary Owens, he had three children, of whom 
Julia, Mrs. Samuel J. Jones, and Margaret, are 
living. By his marriage with Frances Baldwin, 
a native of South Hempstead, six children were 
born, one of whom is deceased. Arthur was the 
eldest of the household; George is deceased; 



Ambrose W. was the third in order of birth: Johri 
B. is the subject of this narrative; and Charles A. 
and Frances T. complete the number. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Brook- 
lyn, March 7, 1858. He was reared on the farm 
•on 'which his parents lived, and after acquiring 
an academical education, began to read medicine. 
When a lad of only ten years he had determined 
to follow his profession and when the time ar- 
rived when he could begin his studies he en- 
tered Behevue Ho,spital Medical College, from 
which he was graduated about the time he 
reached his majority, his diploma bearing date 
of September i, 1880. 

The Doctor then went West to Earned, Paw- 
nee County, Kan., and after residing there about 
two years he returned to the state of his birth. 
After a time, however, he again went West, this 
time locating in Douglas County, Kan., where 
for three years he was in command of a lucrative 
practice. At the expiration of that time he closed 
out his business there and for the second time re- 
turned to New York, establishing himself at 
Manhasset, which he considered a good field for 
his business. He entered tipon a most successful 
career, having since built up a large practice in 
the countv, and has given special attention to the 
study of surgery; while in the West he gained 
■ an enviable reputation in this line. 

The lady to whom Dr. Welwood was married 
in 1885 was Miss Louise E., daughter of Nehe- 
miah Hayden, one of the oldest residents and 
most successful merchants of Great Neck. The 
business which he carried on so successfully for 
many vears was estabhshed by his father, who 
was a shrewd business man and most exemplary 
member of the community. To Dr. and Mrs. 
Welwood there were born three children: Kate, 
who died when seventeen months old; Arthur, 
and George. In politics he is a stanch Democrat 
and in religious matters attends services at the 
Episcopal Church, of which he is a member. 



HARVEY STEWART McKNIGHT, ed- 
itor and proprietor of the "North Shore 
Review," at Bayside, and one of the well- 
known and influential men of this section, was 
born in Jackson Hall, Franklin County, Pa., 
October 20, 1864. His parents were John and 
Sarah (I\laxwell) McKnight, to whom were 
granted' six children, Harvey Stewart being 
tlie eldest. The others are: Ira T., registrar o: 



iigo 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



accounts for the New York Central & Pludson 
River Railroad; Calvin J., private secretar)^ to 
Charles W. Hackett, who is chairman of the' Re- 
publican State Committee; Maxwell A., official 
stenographer of the New York Produce Ex- 
change; Scott E., private secretary for R. A.. 
White, auditor of the New York Central & 
Hudson River Railroad; and Margaret Grace, 
who is living at home. 

John McKnight is also a Pennsylvanian and 
was born at McKnightstown, Adams County, in 
the year 1834. There he grew to mature years, 
completing his education in the Pennsylvania 
College at Gettysburg, of which his brother, Dr. 
Harvey W. McKnight, is now president. Aftc" 
leaving school John went to Jackson Hall, where 
he conducted a very successful general mer- 
chandise business until 1868. While at that 
place he was appointed postmaster under Presi- 
dent Lincoln, fulfilling the duties of this office 
in a trustworthy manner. 

From Jackson Hall Mr. McKnight removed 
to Charlestown, W. Va., and entering into part- 
nership with his brother, C. H. McKnight, built 
the Jefferson County Saw and Planing Mill. This 
they conducted with marvelous success until the 
father of our subject retired from business in 
1892. That year he moved his family to Bay- 
side, L. I., and took possession of a very beauti- 
ful home. Mrs. McKnight was the daughter of 
Dr. Thomas B. Maxwell, a prominent physician 
of Jackson Hall, Pa., who was in turn the son of 
Hugh Maxwell, the founder of the "Lancaster 
Intelligencer." His father, the great-great-grand- 
father of our subject, was Hugh Maxwell, the 
youngest son of the Earl of Nithsdale, of Scot- 
land, who was banished from his country on ac- 
count of his having been one of the insurgents 
against King George III. The earl fled to 
France, while Hugh and two older brothers were 
brought to America by the Binghams, which is 
one of the oldest families of Philadelphia. 

The subject of this sketch after studying in 
the common schools of Chambersburg, Pa.,"and 
at the academy of that place, entered Pennsyl- 
vania College, at Gettysburg, and completed hi.s 
education with a three years' course in the Co- 
lumbian Law School of Washington, D. C, tak- 
ing the Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He was 
admitted to the bar April i, 1892, and for one 
year thereafter was engaged in active practice at 
^Vashington. D. C, and Charlestown, W. ^'a. 
During thai year ho was the candidate of his 



party for the office of prosecuting attornev of 
Jefferson County, W. Va., of which Charlestown 
is the county seat, but he was defeated. In 
the spring of 1893, he came to Bavside and 
shortly afterward established the "Bavside Re- 
view." In Januar)^ 1895, this paper 'was con- 
solidated with the "Great Neck League" and the 
name of the publication changed to the "North 
Shore Review." 

In April, 1894, Mr. IMcKnight was elected to 
the office of justice of the peace, being the first 
Republican to ever hold this office in the town. 
Fie is an influential politician, and while in West 
A^irginia was chairman of the Republican Countv 
Committee of Jefferson County for two years, and 
during his residence at the capital was' secretary 
of the Republican State Association. Judge 
McKnight has never married. 



RE\^ THOMAS E. CARROLL. This able 
and distinguished divine, who has charge 
of St. Agnes' Parish at Rockville Center, 
was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1862. His par- 
ents, David and Margaret (Rice) Carroll, were 
born in Ireland, but came to the United States 
some time in the '50s, and for the most part the 
remainder of their lives was spent in Brooklyn. 
They were worthy people, useful citizens and 
faithful Catholics. 

Our subject obtained his early educational 
training in St. Mary's School, Brooklyn, and later 
he entered St. John's College there, finally finish- 
ing his education in Villanova (Pa.) College. To 
fit himself for the noble and useful calling of the 
minister he entered the seminary of the Lady of 
Angels, at Suspension Bridge. N. Y., where he 
pursued his theological studies very profitably 
for four years, at the end of which time, or on 
the 19th of June, 1886, he was ordained a priest 
of the Catholic Church, after which he went to 
St. Mary's Church, Brooklyn, as assistant priest, 
and remained for a period of eight years. 

July I, 1894, our subject came to Rockville 
Center and has since had control of his present 
charge. Father Carroll has shown great energy 
in discharging his pastoral duties, and since his 
residence here has made many improvements, 
and adjoining the church has caused to be erected 
a fine rectory, lighted by gas. fitted np with hot 
and cold water and heated by steam, in fact a 
modern and elegant building in all its appoint- 
ments, lie has also greatly improved the church 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1191 



building and has increased its membership very 
greatly, in fact his parish is a flourishing one 
and in a prosperous condition. The church, a 
commodious structure, has been established here 
about eight years. The congregation numbers 
between three and four hundred and is annually 
increasing. Father Carroll's genial disposition 
makes him a general favorite and he is one of the 
most charitable and kind hearted of men, sincere 
in his friendships and devotedly attached to the 
church with which he is connected. He is rich 
in the love of his people, and of him it may be 
said: "Well done, thou good and faithful ser- 
vant." 



JOHN J. SIMMONS. No city in the country 
has buildings which have been brought to 
a greater state of perfection than those in 
Flushing. The vast amount of capital invested 
here and seeking proper field of operations at 
this point has led to the erection of numerous 
magnificent edifices and stimulated all the other 
branches of business connected with it. One of 
the successful builders and contractors of this 
place is John J. Simmons, who has carried on 
business in Flushing since 1875, during which 
time the people have had every opportunity to 
judge of his character and qualifications. He is 
a young man, full of energy of purpose, and un- 
derstands the business details of his calling in 
every particular. Mr. Simmons was born in 
Flushing February 11, 1854, and is a son of 
Hugh and Alice (Mulcahy) Simmons, both na- 
tives of Ireland. 

Hugh Simmons was a young man when he 
crossed the Atlantic to seek home and fortune in 
the New World, and he first settled in Westches- 
ter County, N. Y. There he followed farming 
until 1849, when he came to Flushing and here 
obtained employment with Parsons & Co., with 
whom he remained for nearly forty years. He is 
now retired from the active duties of life and en- 
joys a hearty and contented old age. The com- 
panion of his joys and sorrows passed away two 
years ago. The three children born to them are 
living at the present time. 

John J. Simmons, the second child, grew to 
manhood here, attended St. Michael's School, and 
when sixteen years old he began serving an ap- 
prenticeship as carpenter, under John Donald, 
with whom he remained five years. In 1875 he 
began contracting for himself and this has con- 



tinued to be his chosen calling since. He has 
met with well deserved success in this, as may be 
seen in the high class of his custom and the ex- 
cellent character of his work. He built Rescue 
Hook and Ladder House, added to the Flushing 
water works, also the opera house, built Fitz- 
patrick's residence, Tewhys' residence, also the 
Woodruff and Prigge residences, and many 
others, and employs from eighteen to twenty 
men. Fie owns considerable property in Flush- 
ing and his residence at No. 271 Lincoln Street is 
superintended with the greatest neatness by his 
wife, formerly Miss Mary A. Dougherty, a native 
of Flushing. Bv his first union, which united hin' 
with Mary E. Delahunty, there were born three 
children: Mary, who is at home, and two boys 
who died in infancy. 

Fraternally Mr. Simmons is a member of th? 
Royal Arcanum and Catholic Benevolent Legion. 
He is a charter member of the Seventeenth Sep- 
arate Company of Flushing National Guard, 
which organization he entered as private, and 
after serving fifteen years, resigned, retiring as 
first lieutenant. He was a commander m the 
company for about nine months after Captain 
Miller resigned. For attendance in the Seven- 
teenth Separate Company he has the best record 
and has received more badges and medals than 
any other officer or citizen. For eighteen years 
he served in the Rescue Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany. Mr. Simmons is also a member of the 
Flushing Boat Club. In politics he is Demo- 
cratic, but is not radical. He and his family 
are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church. 



CHARLES H. GARRETSON. This suc- 
cessful druggist of Flushing is descended 
from one of the oldest and most respected 
families of Oueens County, and traces his an- 
cestry back to Gerritzen Wollfet Kouwenhoven, 
who came to this country from Holland and set- 
tled on the Flatlands, Brooklyn. For a further 
history of this family see the sketch of F. D. 
Kouwenhoven, of Long Island City. The father 
of the subject of this sketch. Garret R., was born 
in Somerville, N. J., and his brother, John, who 
was also born in New Jersey, was for many years 
judge of the Somerset County Court. 

Garret R. remained in New Jersey until he 
was sixteen years of age, when he came to New 
York and became overseer in the nursery owned 
by William R. Prince and later had charge ot 



1 192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Prince's nursery, the largest in the world. In 
1836 he started in the seed business for himself, 
at which time there were but three other men in 
the business in the country. He had a fine seed 
farm of one hundred acres half way between 
Flushing and Jamaica and also a small farm in 
the former place. His seeds were sent all over 
the world, and particularly to all points in the 
United States. He died in 1887, at the age of 
eighty years, after which his son, Alonzo, became 
his successor and had charge of the business until 
his death, which occurred in July, 1893. Charles; 
H. then assumed the management of the business 
and continues it at the present time. The mother, 
whose maiden name was Eliza Bloodgood, was 
born at Flushing, a daughter of Daniel Blood- 
good, who was born and reared here. His moth- 
er's farm comprised the oldest part of Flushing, 
but through fraudulent means she was cheated 
out of her property, which has since become very 
valuable. Mr. Bloodgood was a goldsmith, den- 
tist and jeweler, and he and his wife and eight 
sons are buried under St. George's Church, of 
which he was warden and his family active mem- 
bers for many years. He was descended from 
Franz Bloodgood, a French Huguenot, who first 
removed to Holland and from there to this coun- 
try in 1658. He died here and was buried at 
Whitestone. Mrs. Garretson, mother of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, died February 16, 1896, at the 
age of eight3^-six years. At that time she was the 
oldest resident of Flushing and probablv the old- 
est member of St. George's Church. Seven chil- 
dren were born to herself and husband, six of 
whom reached maturity. Alonzo was a lieutenant 
in a battery during the Civil War and was se- 
verely injured at the battle of Petersburg; Susan 
B. is married and living in Flushing. Imogene; 
Charles H.; Jane, Mrs. Fred Leavitt, of Flush- 
ing: and Frank, who died at the age of nineteen, 
complete the family. 

Charles H. Garretson received a good high 
school education and at the age of sixteen years 
he began the study of pharmacy in Flushing, 
first with James L. Coutant and then with J. B. 
Whitson, and after a rigid examination was 
granted a diploma from the College of Pharmacy 
of New York City. In January, 1882, he estab- 
lished himself in the drug business in Flushing 
and here has since successfully continued. Fle 
keeps a general line of drugs, makes a specialty 
of retail trade and his establishment is the hand- 
somest and most completely fitted up in the place! 



He has always been a stanch Repulilican in ])oli- 
tics and fraternally is a member of Cornucopia 
Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M. Since 1882 he has 
been a member of the Mercury Wheel Club, and 
also a member of the Queens County Druggists' 
Association, He keeps thoroughly abreast with 
the progress made in his profession and is a care- 
ful and accurate pharmacist. His place of busi- 
ness is located at No, 87 Main Street. Religiouslv 
he is a member and vestryman in St, George's 
Episcopal Church. 



JOHN B, GARNER is engaged in general 
farming and market gardening on his de- 
sirable farm, which is situated in the town 
of Hempstead. Here the family have resided 
for many years and are noted for their sterling 
qualities and high principles. John B., of this 
history, was born in this community October 
29, 1826, the son of John and Sarah fBirdsell) 
Garner, the former of whom was a native of 
Ireland. He was well educated in the Emerald 
Isle and remained there until attaining mature 
years, when he decided to try his fortunes in 
America. Coming hither he made his home on 
Long Island, and for many years was engaged 
in teaching school, being very successful in this 
vocation. He became well known and promi- 
nent throughout the town, and his death, which 
occurred when our subject was a lad of about 
eight years, was the occasion of universal mourn- 
ing. His estimable wife was a native of Long 
Island. She survived him a few years, when she 
too was called to the land beyond. 

John B. Garner was thus deprived of the 
care of both parents when young in years, and 
as he had his own way to make in the world he 
took advantage of the opportunity given him to 
acquire a good common-school education. He 
was reared on the farm which his father owned, 
and has always been identified with agricultural 
pursuits. He had one brother and three sisters, 
all of whom, after the death of father and mother, 
were cared for by an uncle, John Birdsell, until 
that good man departed this life, when thev be- 
.gan in the world for themselves. All the mem- 
bers of this family with the exception of our 
subject have passed awav. 

By the practice of thrift and industry Mr. 
Garner soon found himself able to become a 
landowner on his own account, and purchased 
the farm which has since been his property, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 193 



on which he is still living". This is one of the 
lai-crest tracts in Oueens County, being two hun- 
dreli acres in extent, and under his toil and 
attention has been made a model place m every 
respect. Mr. Garner takes great pride m keep- 
ing a high grade of stock and in making im- 
provements on his farm. He keeps constantly 
on hand about twenty-five cows, besides a num- 
ber of blooded horses. He is without doubt one 
of the most prominent and substantial farmers 
on the island, which result has been accom- 
plished by his own efforts. He is in no sense 
of the word a politician, although he supports 
the candidates of the Republican party in na- 
tional affairs. He is a very busy man, as he 
personally superintends the carrying on of his 
large estate, but is never so taken up with his 
own affairs that he is not ready and willing to 
assist those who have not been so fortunate in 
hfe. 



JOHN B. HARTWELL, M. D. The genial 
and health-invigorating climate of Queens 
County induced Dr. Hartwell, after having 
spent a week in Woodsburg, town of Hempstead, 
to select this place as his home, and here he has 
since remained, engaged in the practice of his 
profession. In addition to his work here, he still 
retains his practice in New York City, where 
he spends two or three days of each week. He 
is a talented physician, accurate and conscien- 
tious in professiona:l work, and has gained a rec- 
ognized place in the medical fraternity of the 

county. 

The father of our subject, David Hartwell, 
was born in Massachusetts in 1802, and engaged 
in the manufacturing business at Mansfield until 
his death, in i860. His wife, Johanna Drew, of 
Dover, N. H., died at the age of ninety, and her 
father 'and mother attained the age of ninety- 
eight and ninety-nine respectively. Their five 
children were named as follows: Catharine, wife 
of E. Perkins, of Mansfield, Mass.; Mrs. Mary 
L. Bennett, and Emma, who reside in Washing- 
ton, D. C; John B., of this sketch; and Helen, 
who lives in Washington with her sister. Our 
subject was born in Mansfield, Mass., February 
21, 1845, and passed his boyhood years there 
until fourteen. He was attending school in 
Dover, N. H., when his father died, and it was 
then necessary that he should become self-sup- 
porting, so he was sent to Lowell to learn the 



trade of a machinist. This not proving congen^ 
ial he returned home on the second day, intend- 
ing to give up the work. His mother, who was a 
woman of great firmness of character, told him 
he could remain at home until morning, but must 
then go back to the factory, which he did, re- 
maining three vears. He developed into an effi- 
cient man in the business, and at times had 
charge of four hundred men, showing large ex- 
ecutive ability in this work, in which he con- 
tinued nearly ten years. 

While a lad in his teens our subject lost his 
health and, being in a precarious condition, 
started out to travel, in the hope that a change 
would prove beneficial. He visited Greenland, 
Labrador, and .other countries in the far north, 
and spent a year there, being among the Es- 
quimaux most of the time. At the time of the 
great Chicago fire he was in Logansport, Ind., 
and ran the engine from that place conveying 
the firemen to the burning city— a trip that is 
still considered remarkable owing to the un- 
precedented rapidity of the run. For some time 
he was clerk in the treasury department m 
Washington, D. C, and while thus engaged he 
devoted his leisure hours to the study of medi- 
cine, in which he made rapid progress. In 1876 
he graduated from Howard University, and it 
was his intention to begin practice at once, but 
on the very day of his graduation he received 
word that the bank in which his money was de- 
posited had failed, and he was utterly penniless. 
The spirit of his Puritan ancestors, who had 
breasted the waves of the unknown ocean in the 
"Mayflower," had descended to the young Doc- 
tor, and he refused to become discouraged, even 
in the face of such a sudden disaster. He ac- 
cepted the first opportunity for work that was 
presented to him, which was that of seUing spring 
beds. He went from door to door at first, but 
in six weeks engaged in the business on a larger 
scale. By degrees he built up a large business, 
and in one year he sold over five thousand in 
the city of Washington, including the furnishing 
of the White House. At the end of a year he 
had saved some money, and retired from the 
work and entered the profession which he now 
follows. He made a tour of the Southern States, 
and later practiced in New York about a year. 
FaiUng health induced him to come to Woods- 
burg, where he has made his home since 1884. 

B^'y his marriage to Carrie Gatchell, of Massa- 
chusetts, Dr. Hartwell has two children, Fred 



1 194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Emma. Socially he is a Mason and is con- 
nected with the Royal Arcanum, the Knights 
of Honor and Legion of Honor. His present 
position in life he has acquired by his own un- 
aided efforts, and in the face of great obstacles 
and many hardships, but his indomitable spirit 
has enabled him to attain a success of which he 
may well be proud. 



WILLIAM H. FITZPATRICK is the 
junior member of the firm of T. F. 
Tuohy & Co., general contractors of 
Flushing. He is a native of this place, his birth 
occurring in Lincoln Street November 24, 1853, 
a son of John and Margaret (Ryan) Fitzpatrick, 
who were born in County Tipperary, Ireland, 
and came to America at about the .same time, 
in 1836, when twenty years of age. Mr. Fitzpat- 
rick located in Flushing, and was later joined 
by his mother, brother and sister. He soon be- 
gan driving a stage between Flushing and New- 
York for Benjamin Byrd, but later turned his 
attention to the nursery business, and was in the 
employ of different men thus engaged until he 
retired from the active duties of life at about the 
age of seventy years. He died in 1890 at the 
age of seventy-five years. All his life he had 
been a Democrat, and during his residence here 
was a member of St. Michael's Church. He was 
left a widower in 1888. His wife bore him six 
sons and one daughter: Patrick, who died in 
childhood; John J., who died at the age of thirty- 
five, in New York City; Daniel, who was acci- 
dentally killed in Flushing at the age of seven- 
teen; Annie; James, who died young; William 
H.; and Michael, who also died young. 

William H. Fitzpatrick was reared in Flush- 
ing and was educated in public and private 
schools. At the age of seventeen he was ap- 
prenticed to a carpenter, and after thoroughly 
learning the business, worked at it successfully 
for about fifteen years, after which he engaged 
in the wholesale and retail liquor business in 
Flushing, and conducted two stores successfully 
for about eleven years. In 1889 he sold out and 
engaged in general contracting with T. V. 
Tuohy, as junior member of the above men- 
tioned firm, and they soon became the largest 
general contractors of the place. Not only have 
they done important work of various kinds in 
Flushing, but also in surrounding villages and 
in the city of Brooklyn. Much of their attention 



has been given to sewer work. In the fall of 
1895 they purchased the coal business of E. F. 
Harris, and have since been engaged in a whole- 
sale and retail business in Lawrence Street, often 
selling many hundreds of tons by cargo. ' They 
keep from twenty-five to forty-five teams con- 
stantly at work and employ three foremen, one 
for coal and two for general contract work, but 
the greater part of the office work is done by 
Mr. Fitzpatrick, who has proved himself thor- 
oughly competent and a reliable and accurate 
bookkeeper. 

^ Mr. Fitzpatrick has a beautiful and commo- 
dious residence at No. 288 Lincoln Street, with 
well kept grounds one hundred and forty feet 
square. He is largely interested in real estate 
and has more than twelve valuable pieces of 
residence property. He is also a stockholder in 
the Flushing Bank, and from 1883 to 1889 was 
a member of the board of trustees. He has 
served as chairman of the street committee, and 
also as chairman of the water committee, to all 
of which positions he was elected bv a large 
majority each time. He is a member of the dfs- 
trict, county and township central committees, 
and for years has been a delegate to county,' 
congressional and senatorial committees. Politi- 
cally he has always supported the principles of 
Democracy. He was one of the organizers of 
the Seventeenth Separate New York National 
Guard, was a private in the Grays for five years 
was commissioned first sergeant, and with his 
command was called out for service durino- the 
Hornellsville (Pa.) strikes. " 

Mr. Fitzpatrick was married here to Miss 
Eliza Brennan, a native of Flushing and a dauo-fi- 
ter of James Brennan, who was one of the eariy 
settlers here, and died many vears ago .Air 
Fitzpatrick and his wife are members of St' 
Michael's Church. 



JOSEPH H. DOUD, holdmg the responsi- 
ble position of postmaster of Farmingdale, 
was born at Colchester, Conn., Alarch 10,' 
1848. He is a son of Joseph D. and Abigail A.' 
(Holdridge) Doud, who removed from their na- 
tive state to Brooklyn when our subject was 
four or five years old. They made their home 
in that city for a short time, when the records 
tell us they settled at Farmingdale, where the 
father, who was a harnessmaker, engaged in 
business. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 195 



After completing his studies in the village 
school of this place, our subject went to Middle- 
town, Conn., and was graduated a few years 
later from the high school there. He then be- 
came a student in Chase's Academy at Middle- 
town, continuing in that institution for one term. 
His father being sick about this time he was 
called home in order that he might look after 
the business. On the convalescence of his father 
he returned to Middletown, where he obtained a 
position as clerk for E. F. Chafee & Bros. He 
remained with this firm for two years, durmg 
which time, in addition to waiting on customers, 
he kept their books. Sustaining an injury about 
this time, he returned home and began working 
in his father's harness shop, remaining with him 
for a period of six or seven years. There was a 
Dr. George E. Bell, who boarded with his par- 
ents, and Joseph H., becoming interested in 
medicine, spent his nights in studying text books 
which the Doctor lent him, and often went out 
as his assistant in cases where help was required. 
Although very desirous of doing so, our sub- 
ject did not adopt the medical profession, but 
after leaving his father's employ began driving 
over the island selling drugs by the wholesale 
to the various houses which dealt in medicines. 
He continued thus for five or six years, when he 
abandoned this business for something better. 
Mr. Doud was married in 1870 to Miss Emily 
A. Colyer, of Plain Edge, now Centralpark, L. I. 
Having been interested in selling drugs and 
medicines for so many years, upon leaving the 
road Mr. Doud opened a first-class drug store. 
This he continued to manage very successfully 
tmtil 1894, when he turned the business over to 
his son. He has other interests which occupy 
his time and attention, perhaps the most impor- 
tant of which is his real estate business. He has 
handled property since 1884, and through num- 
erous speculations has reaped handsome profits. 
Mr. Doud has always voted the Democratic 
ticket, and in 1872 supported Greeley. He has 
been inspector of elections and has also served 
as commissioner of highways, holding that office 
for the town of Oyster Bay for a period of twelve 
years, during which time marvelous changes were 
wrought in the roads of the district. Mr. Doud 
has served the people as notary public for many 
years and has transacted much legal business. 
He was appointed postmaster of Farmingdale 
in 1893 and is fulfilling all the requirements of 
this responsible position in a. most satisfactory 



manner. His political party recognizes in him 
one of its most active and influential workers, 
and as an earnest and public-spirited citizen he 
conmiands the confidence and respect of all his 



friends and neighbors. Mr. Doud has been 
greatly interested in schools, and has served as 
a member of the board of education ever since 
its organization. 

Religiously our subject is an Episcopalian, 
and has represented his congregation as treas- 
urer for a period of years. He also held the 
same position for St. Thomas' Mission under 
Dean Cox for a time. For four years he was 
the incumbent of the office of assessor of Oyster 
Bay, and it was the wish of the voters of the 
community that he should hold it longer, but he 
refused to do so. Fraternally he is a member 
of Farmingdale Lodge No. 613, I. O. O. F., of 
which he was one of the organizers. He has 
filled all of the chairs in this body and is now 
serving as noble and past grand. He is like- 
wise connected with the Mutual Benefit and Re- 
lief Association of Suffolk County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Doud are the parents of three 
children, of whom the eldest, Clarence C, is in 
charge of the drug store ; Ella A. married Percy 
Everetts and makes her home in Brooklyn ; May 
is still with her parents. 



DR. ROBERT SIMMEN is a native of 
Switzerland, born in Berne, in August, 
1848. His father, Jacques Gabriel Sim- 
men, M. D., was also a native of Switzerland and 
a graduate of the University of Berne. He prac- 
ticed his profession in Switzerland all his life and 
was one of the most eminent physicians of the 
country. He was also a prominent botanist and 
mineralogist and gained a wide-spread reputa- 
tion. He passed away when sixty-six years old. 
Grandfather Simmen was an attorney and coun- 
sellor at law and a man of unusual learning. The 
mother of our subject, Sophia Simmen, was a 
native of Berne, where she passed her last days. 
Her father was a prominent attorney. To Dr. 
and Mrs. Simmen were born four children, all 
of whom are living, but only one in this country. 
Our subject, the only son born to his parents, 
received his primary education in the public 
schools and when eleven years old attended the 
gymnasium and the agricultural school near 
Berne. After this he attended school at Zurich, 
then the veterinary school, and still later the Uni- 



1 196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



versity of Berne, graduating with the degree of 
veterinary surgeon in 1869. Following this he 
practiced medicine at Val d'Ruz for two 
years, or until 1871, and then crossed the ocean 
to New York City. He immediately began learn- 
ing the language and at the same time was in 
the hospital for a short time. Later he was on a 
farm in Queens County, near Glencove, and in 
1874 began practicing his profession at College 
Point. About the year 1877 he located at Flush- 
ing, and has been engaged as a veterinary sur- 
geon here ever since. He has practiced his pro- 
fession all over the northern part of Queens 
County, and has also practiced in New York 
City and Brooklyn. 

In the year 1880 Dr. Simmen was married in 
Flushing to Miss Louisa Stelz, a native of 
Queens County, and the daughter of George 
Stelz, who was a soldier in the Civil War. At the 
present time Mr. Stelz resides in College Point, 
and is a watchmaker and jeweler. To Dr. and 
Mrs. Simmen have been born three children: 
Robert, Jr., Louisa, and George. Fraternally 
the Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pyth- 
ias and the German-American Veterinary So- 
ciety. His parents were members of the Luth- 
eran Church and he also is a believer in that 
doctrine. 



STEPHEN W. POST, of the well known 
firm of S. & J. Post, at Westbury Station, 
is a native of Middlesex County, N. J., 
born in 1845, a son of Henry and Elizabeth C. 
(Wood) Post, both natives of New York. The 
paternal grandparents, Edmund and Mary (Rush- 
more) Post, were natives of the Empire State, as 
was also the great-grandfather, Edmund Post. 
On the mother's side the grandfather of our sub- 
ject was Rev. John Wood, a prominent clergy- 
man? The father of our subject was born in the 
town of North Flempstead, November 21, 1816, 
but at the time of his marriage he moved to New 
Dover, N. J., jnuxhased a farm, and was engaged 
in agricultural pursuits for fourteen years. Sell- 
ing out he returned to New York and bought 
another farm near Wheatley, where he made his 
home for thirteen years. Since then he has been 
retired from the active duties of life. In politics 
lie has been connected with the Republican party 
and in religion he is a member of the Society of 
Friends. To his marriage were born the fol- 
lowing clii](h-en: Stephen, John, Martha, Ed- 



mund; Charles, now deceased; WilHam and 
Mary. The latter, who is a minister in the So- 
ciety of Friends, is also active in missionary 
and temperance work and is president of the 
local Woman's Christian Temperance Lmion. 
Mrs. Post passed away in 1885. 

Stephen Post remained in Middlesex County, 
N. J., until thirteen years old, \\-hen he moved 
with his parents to Queens County, L. I. He 
secured a fair education in the common and 
select schools and finished at a boarding school 
in western Pennsylvania. After that he remained 
under the parental roof until twenty-one years 
old and then went to live with an uncle, Ed- 
mund Post, with whom he remained until the 
latter's death, in 1876. Subsequently our subject 
and his brother John purchased the farm and 
conducted it for some time, at the same time 
carrying on a dairy and following market gar- 
dening, disposing of the milk and garden prod- 
ucts in the city market. In politics Mr. Post is 
a stanch Republican and is in favor of prohibi- 
tion. He has ever taken an interest in public 
matters, and as a rule has refused office. He 
is interested in educational matters and has held 
the office of school trustee. By birthright he is 
a member of the Society of Friends. 

John Post, the junior member of the firm, was 
born in New Jersey in 1847, and in addition to 
a common-school education received thorouo-h 
instruction in the Friends' School at Providence, 
R. I. He began business in the place now owned 
by himself and brother Stephen when a young 
man, and has ever been industrious and enter- 
prising. He married Miss Phoebe Hicks, daugh- 
ter of Stephen R. and Hannah (Underbill) Hicks, 
and to them have been born three children, Her- 
bert, Arthur and Elizabeth. Like his brother, 
Mr. Post is interested in educational matters and 
has been school trustee. He is also a member 
of the Society of Friends. 



SMITH COX, of Freeport, has risen to his 
present position as a business man by strict 
devotion to the interests of patrons. In all 
cases he endeavors to give satisfaction, and his 
storage house is one of the most reliable and re- 
sponsible in the village. He is a native of Free- 
port, born in January, 1845, and is the son of El- 
bert and Ann (^^^Icntine) Cox, both natives of 
Long Island. 

Elbert Cox was a manufacturer of shoes dur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 1 97 



ing his lifetime, and was a man whose upright- 
ness and integrity were well known. He held 
a number of local positions, but the latter part 
of his days was spent in retirement. Respected 
and highly esteemed by all, this worthy citizen 
passed away in January, 1894. Mrs. Cox is still 
living (1895), and is now seventy-eight years old. 
Their son. Smith Cox. received limited educa- 
tional advantages during his youth, and when 
fourteen years old left home and made his way 
to Hempstead, where he engaged as a clerk in 
a general store. There a number of years of his 
. life were passed, and then he and an associate 
clerk went to Brooklyn, N. Y., where they en- 
gaged in the express business. Eight years 
later Mr. Cox's partner died and he continued 
the business alone, being in it altogether about 
twenty-five years. Disposing of that he em- 
barked in the storage business, and although he 
suffered a severe loss by fire in 1892, he is still 
conducting the business with all his old-time 
fervor, at the corner of Fulton Street and Flat- 
bush Avenue, and at No. 445 Carlton Avenue. 

Mr. Cox was married in the month of Novem- 
ber, 1879, to Miss Alice B. Raynor, a native of 
Brookhaven, Suffolk County, and the daughter 
of Edmond S. Raynor, also of that village. In 
1893 Mr. Cox moved his family to Freeport, and 
here he resides, going to and from his business 
every day. In political belief he is a supporter 
of Republican principles, and although he has 
never aspired to office, he is serving his second 
term as a member of the board of trustees of the 
village of Freeport. He is a man whose career 
is above reproach and who is an ardent sup- 
porter of all movements of importance. 



WILLIAM E. STEWART. There is 
probably no citizen of Queens County 
whose name is connected with more 
progressive enterprises or whose efforts have 
more largely promoted the material progress of 
the place than the gentleman who forms the sub- 
ject of this sketch, and who is corporation coun- 
sel for Long Island City. For many years he 
has conducted an extensive law practice, and 
the success which has come to him is not the 
result of fortuitous circumstances, but of energy, 
determination, force of character and decision 
of purpose. 

Mr. Stewart was born in New York City 
I^Fovember 9, 1852. Flis father, Charles Stewart, 



a native of Glasgow, Scotland, was a successful 
cattle dealer in his native land. In 1851 he de- 
cided to come to America, and that year crossed 
the Atlantic with his family and located in the 
metropolis, where he continued to operate as a 
cattle dealer until about 1875, when he retired 
from active life and has since made his home 
with our subject. He has now reached the age 
of eighty-six years. The family name was form- 
erly spelled Stuart. 

The wife of Charles Stewart was in maid- 
enhood Miss Margaret McCully, a native of 
Lanarkshire, Scotland, and the daughter of John 
McCully, a well-to-do boot and shoe dealer of 
Glasgow. The wife and mother reared a family 
of seven children and departed this life in New 
York when fifty-seven years of age. Of this 
family, four sons and two daughters are now 
living. 

William E., of this history, completed the 
grammar course in school No. 3, in Grove and 
Hudson Streets, New York, after which he be- 
gan to earn his own money by working at the 
trade of a hatter. He was thus engaged until 
about twent3'-five years old, when he became dis- 
satisfied with the business and, abandoning it, 
began the study of law in the office of N. A. 
McBride, in Wall Street. He was admitted to 
the bar in New York City in 1883 and became 
a partner of his former employer, Mr. McBride, 
at No. Ill Broadway. The connection was dis- 
solved in 1888, and our subject later engaged in 
the general practice of law at No. 19 Liberty 
Street. 

After his admission to the bar Mr. Stewart 
was special counsel for the United States Gov- 
ernment in both the prosecution and defense of 
claims under the French and American treaty. 
He held this position in New York, New Jersey 
and Connecticut, and was special counsel under 
ex-Governor Boutwell until the commission 
ended its work. 

In December, 1892, our subject located in 
Astoria, Long Island City, and in January of 
the following year was appointed corporation 
counsel, with office in this place. While giving 
his attention to this work his New York office, 
at No. 19 Liberty Street, is in charge of his 
brother, John Mc. 

Mr. Stewart was married in the metropolis to 
Miss Harriet M. Godefroy, a native of Havre, 
France. This lady was, however, educated in 
New Yoi-k City, and by her union with our sub- 



1 198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ject has become the mother of three children, 
Harriet, WilHam E., Jr., and Dorothy. In poHtics 
Mr. Stewart is a stanch supporter of Democratic 
principles and has been a member of Tammanv 
Hall general committee and represented his 
chosen party at its various county and state con- 
ventions. In religious affairs he is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church located in Fifty-fifth 
Street and Fifth Avenue, New York City. 

Fraternally Mr. Stewart is a Mason, belong- 
ing to Advance Lodge No. 635, of Astoria, and 
also belongs to Manhattan Chapter, R. A. Isl. 
The Columbian Conimandery of the Knights 
Templar of New York City regard him as one 
of their most influential members, as do also 
Consistory, Mecca Temple, Legion of Honor, 
Royal Arcanum of New York, and John Allen 
Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Astoria. Durmg his 
professional career in Long Island City Mr. 
Stewart has made many warm friends and is 
highly esteemed as a lawyer of more than ordi- 
nary ability. 



ISAAC COLES was born January 7, 1817, 
in the village of Glencove, where he still 
resides. Through the long period in which 
he has been identified with the history of this 
place he has maintained an honorable position 
among the business men of the locality and has 
always been held in high esteem by those with 
whom business or social relations brought him 
in contact. In public life he was, in his younger 
years, quite prominent and influential, and was 
chosen by his fellow citizens to i-epresent them 
in various positions of trust, the duties of which 
he discharged with ef^ciency. 

Mr. Coles is a member of the seventh genera- 
tion in descent from Daniel Coles, who in 1668 
came to this place, then called Mosquito Cove. 
He was the son of Robert Coles, who came from 
England about 1630 and established his home 
in Providence Plantation, now Rhode Island. 
The father of our subject was Thomas, born in 
Glencove in 1782, a farmer throughout life, 
dying here at the age of seventy-six years, nine 
months and seventeen days. November 15, 1808, 
he married Amelia Hewlett, who was born in 
Coklspring Harbor, Suffolk County, N. Y., Sep- 
tember 28, 1789, and they became the parents 
of the following-named children: Ann C, 
Kezia W., Sarah H., Isaac, Divine H., Thomas, 
Sarah A., Elizabeth 11. and \\illiani li. Of this 



familv, three sons and two daughters are living. 
Our subject's paternal grandparents were Isaac 
and Kezia (Whitson) Coles, the former of whom 
died when seventy-two and the latter when abour 
forty years. The maternal grandparents were 
Divine and Anne (Coles) Hewlett, who died re- 
spectively in 1846 at the age of seventy-nine 
years and eight months, and in 1855, aged 
eighty-six years and eight months. 

The education obtained by the subject of this 
sketch was such as the common schools afforded. 
At the age of seventeen he secured a clerkship 
and continued thus engaged until his marriage. 
From 1847 until 1861 he was engaged in the 
mercantile business in Glencove, and in 1862 
was elected to represent his fellow citizens in the 
New York legislature. Since that time he has 
followed the occupation of a civil engineer and 
surveyor. In religious belief he adheres to the 
faith of the Society of Friends. Politically in 
earlier years, during the existence of the Whig 
party, he advocated its principles, and since its 
disintegration has been a Republican. 

In Glencove, November 20, 1845, Mr. Coles 
was united in marriage with i\Iiss Mary Willits. 
whose ancestors settled at Jericho, L. I., about 
1685. Of their seven children, four are living, 
namely: Thomas H., who was educated in the 
district school and a boarding school at Pough- 
keepsie, N.Y., and who married Sarah Pancoast, 
they being the parents of one child, Isaac R, 
who is a graduate of Swarthmore (Pa.) College; 
Franklin A., a graduate of Cornell University; 
and Oscar L., who attended the schools here 
and the Friends' Academy at Locust A'alley; 
the last named married Grace Anita Schenck. 



IRA M. CLAPP, a private detective, is one 
of the most successful in his line of business, 
and has gained an enviable reputation. He 
is a native of New York City, born July 21, 1836, 
and the son of Peter and Sarah (Archer) Clapp, 
both natives of New York. The name was for- 
merly Klapp, but was changed to its present 
spelling for convenience. The paternal grand- 
father, Henry Clapp, was born in Holland. He 
was one of the officers of the Hessian army dur- 
ing the Revolution, coming to this country to 
fight for England. While here he learned 
enough of the American cause to believe in it, 
and he persuaded a comrade to hide him under 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 199 



a hogshead, or puncheon, in the streets of New 
York City, where he remained while the Eng- 
lish troops marched out of the city. Later he 
sought a place of residence on Staten Island, 
took up land from King George and met with 
extraordinary success, owning large tracts on the 
island and becoming very wealthy. He married 
Miss Rebecca Wyckoff, and these children were 
born to them: Clarissa, Henry, John, Jacob, 
Peter, William and Barbara. 

Peter, the father of our subject, was reared on 
Staten Island, and his death occurred in 1840. 
He was an old Hue Whig in politics. Mrs. 
Clapp's father, Ananias Archer, was born in 
England and came to America when a young 
man. He was possessed of considerable means, 
and was on the point of going into business with 
Astor when he died, the result of an injury re- 
ceived accidentally. He had married Miss Cath- 
erine Van Allen and was the father of four chil- 
dren, Sarah, Gertrude, James and Leonard. Mrs. 
Clapp reared the children and remained in New 
York City until her death, when eighty-eight 

years old. 

Our subject was one of thirteen children, six 
of whom grew to mature years, and all became 
representative citizens of this part of the Union. 
They were named as foUows: George, Euphe- 
mia,' John (deceased), Gertrude, Catherine and 
Ira M. The last named was reared in New York 
City, in the old seventh ward, received his educa- 
tion in the grammar school, and when but a boy 
entered a printing office. Later he was in Bar- 
clay shipyards and worked on every part of the 
ship from keel to rigging, being thus engaged 
from 1850 to 1867. On the 2d of August, 1867, 
he was appointed on the poHce force, fifth pre- 
cinct, and in 1870 was made detective, with head- 
quarters at the central office. Mr. Clapp served 
in that capacity until 1888, when he was honor- 
ably retired on a pension. He was in the riot 
of Elm Park, also Orange riot of 187 1, and in 
the last had several narrow escapes from death. 
Mr. Clapp was the first man in the house of 
Nathan, the murderer, and was the important 
detective in that , case. In 1888 he moved to 
Flushing, where he had purchased a home at 
No. 205 Amity Street. Pie still devotes some 
time to private detective work, and in 1891 was 
elected overseer of poor for the town of Flush- 
ing, serving two years. During that time he was 
made agent for the Society for Prevention of 
Cruelty to Animals, and has been reappointed 



since. On the 17th of September, 1861, Mr. 
Clapp was married to Miss Anna C. MacDonald, 
a native of Nova Scotia, and daughter of Ken- 
neth MacDonald, who was also a native of 
Nova Scotia, born in Cumberland County. The 
father died there in 1870, when sixty-two years 
old. The grandfather, Malcolm MacDonald, 
was born in Scotland, and when a young man 
went to Nova Scotia, where he followed farming. 
He married Margaret Murray, of Stornaway, 
Scotland. The great-grandfather, Malcolm 
owned a large cooper establishment in the old 
country. Mrs. Clapp's mother, whose maiden 
name was Mary McKenzie, was a native of 
Nova Scotia, but her father, Collin McKenzie, 
was born in Scotland. He married Annie Stew- 
art, of Inverness, Scotland. Mrs. Clapp's great- 
grandfather was Sir Roderick McKenzie, a 
wealthy and noted Scotchman, and on the ma- 
ternal side she is descended from Mary Queen 
of Scots. She is one of these children: Malcolm, 
Peter, Anna, Collin, Isabella, Cecelia, Kenneth, 
Daniel, William and Mary M. 

Mrs. Clapp was reared in Nova Scotia and 
while on a visit to New York City met, and was 
subsequently married to Mr. Clapp. One child, 
Anna Belle, has been born to this union. She 
graduated from the Twelfth Street High School 
of New York, and is now Mrs. O. J. Griffin, of 
Flushing. She became the mother of four chil- 
dren: Anna Belle Clapp, Lucretia Cameron 
(deceased). Norma Louise and Orange Glen- 
dale. Mr. Clapp is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and in politics is a stanch Republican 
and an active member of the Republican Club. 
Mrs. Clapp was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



SENATOR THEODORE KOEHLER, who 
represents the Second Senatorial District of 
the state of New York, is descended from a 
brave and noble ancestry, his grandfather having 
been knighted by Frederick VII., King of Den- 
mark, for valuable services rendered to the state; 
while his father was decorated with the Iron 
Cross for brave conduct in the field of battle. 
They were both noble and true men, and it is 
not to be wondered at that their direct descend- 
ant should possess the same sterling qualities, 
which he is manifesting upon another soil and 
under far different conditions. 



I200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Koehler's birthplace wa.s in the province 
of Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, before it came 
under the domination of Germany. He first saw 
the light of day on the 30th of July, 1856. He 
was the eldest of six children, and obtained his 
education in the schools of Ahrensboeck and 
Luebeck. In April, 1S71, he entered upon an 
apprenticeship with one of the largest and most 
extensive business houses at Luebeck, which con- 
tinued until November, 1875, and afterward he 
served as clerk for six months. At this time the 
military spirit ran high throughout the province, 
and he became infected, in common with many of 
his companions, with the army fever, and although 
not quite twenty years of age, volunteered and en- 
listed as a sharpshooter in the Emperor's service. 

Ju.st about this time Mr. Koehler received a 
letter from a young friend of his who had emi- 
grated to this country about two years before, urg- 
ing upon him to make his way to America and 
meet him in his new home in Philadelphia. In 
order that the way might be made clear for him 
to do so consistently with honor, he at once applied 
for and received a release from his enlistment, 
which threw him upon the world, literallj', as "a 
man without a country," all right of protection 
being immediatel}' withdrawn, he being permitted 
only six months to find a home and citizenship 
under another flag, in default of which he would 
then be considered a subject of Germany. He 
at once crossed the sea and made his way to 
Philadelphia, where he looked in vain for his 
friend, concerning whom he subsequently learned 
that he had been cruelly murdered in South Amer- 
ica. Here he was, a stranger in a strange land, 
friendless and alone, knowing little or nothing of 
the prevailing language; but a boy in years, yet 
full of ambition and indomitable pluck. With no 
capital but his hands and brains, he began the up- 
hill fight against fearful odds, resolved to do or 
die, to fight, to struggle, willing to do anything 
that was honorable in the way of toil in order 
that he might gain the position that naturally be- 
longed to him by virtue of his heritage, birth, 
education and past experience. No task was so 
menial but what he was willing to perform it; no 
toil so arduous but what he took hold of it with 
undaunted energy; no position so lowly but what 
he stooped in order to conquer adversity; until at 
length, after a few years of endurance, he had 
thoroughly mastered the language, learned the 
ways of the people, and was initiated into their 
methods of doing bu.siness. 



In 1884 the attention of an extensive Eno-lish 
firm was drawn to Mr. Koehler from hearing of 
his struggle with adverse fortune and of his pluck 
in winning a good position, and it was decided 
that he was just the man to represent them in 
South America. In answer to their overtures, he 
joined an exploring expedition to the southern 
continent, during which he had many thrilling 
experiences, twice facing what seemed to be cer- 
tain death, but both times being miraculously 
rescued from imminent peril. At the end of his 
engagement he returned to the United States, being 
satisfied that this country would prove more to 
his taste and desire than life south of the equator. 
On his return he immediately took a position in 
New York City as manager of a large wholesale 
house, with which he remained until the fall of 
1885, when he was offered the head bookkeeper- 
ship of one of the most important industries of 
both Long Island City and New York City. This 
most lucrative position he held for about t^n 
years, and such a reputation did he gain as more 
than an ordinary' expert in the science of accounts, 
that he was called upon, in his leisure hours, to 
adjust the accounts of many firms within the 
boundaries of the Greater New York, and also to 
teach private classes the art of bookkeeping. 
When the books of the various departments of 
the city of his home needed a thoroughly com- 
petent expert for their examination, the common 
council called upon him to undertake the work, 
which he did, and to the entire satisfaction of the 
cit}' officials. 

In looking over Mr. Koehler's business life, it 
will readilj' be seen that he has been enabled to 
make a success of his life from a financial stand- 
point, which led his fellow-citizens to ask the 
question four years ago, "Wh}' would not such 
a man be a good representative for us on the 
board of supervisors for the count}' of Queens?" 
Up to that time he had not been regarded as be- 
ing "in politics," but his unmistakable merits as 
a keen, shrewd business man were recognized, 
and he was placed in nomination as the most fit- 
ting man to represent Long Island City in the 
county legislature; and although brought into 
sharp competition with two able men, one of 
whom occupied the ofiice, he was triumphantly 
elected. As soon as he took his seat he was ac- 
corded, by common consent, a foremost place in 
the councils of the board, although the youngest 
member thereof. Throughout his entire term he 
proved himself to he a faithful, painstaking, 



\ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I20I 



hardworking supervisor, accomplishing among 
other things that which earned for him the last- 
ing gratitude of the entire city, as well as the 
whole county, viz., the transforming of a painful 
eyesore, which had long been the disgrace of the 
county, the unsightly spot of ground immediately 
in front of the court house, which now blossoms 
as the rose, and in the center of which plays an 
elegant fountain. When he first commenced his 
agitation of the matter, the subject was jocularly 
termed "Koehler's folly," while now it is only 
referred to as "Koehler's pride." Another mat- 
ter in which he took a deep interest and worked 
hard to accomplish was the construction of a tun- 
nel under Newtown Creek as a means of permanent 
communication between Brooklyn and Ivong Isl- 
and City. Near the end of his first term of office 
the question of the success of this project became 
the burning issue in the minds of the people, and 
it was taken to the polls, when he had been re- 
nominated for a second term, this time for two 
years, being pitted against a man who was op- 
posed to the tunnel. The result was a most 
triumphant election, being not only a vindication 
of his course in the past, but also an inspiration 
to continue on in the same line in the future. 
This he did, so that he was instrumental in the 
passage of a bill by the legislature of the state of 
New York, which would have become a law, and 
the tunnel would have been built, but for the veto 
power of the Governor. These two examples are 
but fair samples of work done b}' him in other di- 
rections for the well-being of the city and county, 
for which he gave three of the best 3rears of his 
life. On the subject of good roads he was "up- 
to-date," reducing the whole matter to one sys- 
tem, which, if carried out, would make the coun- 
ty the envy of the entire state. In the board, 
made up of the leading men of the county, he 
was regarded as a safe leader and one who could 
be implicitly trusted with the laboring oar upon 
any and all questions. As a debater and speaker 
upon matters that concerned the county, he always 
displayed masterly ability, so much so as to win 
the approbation and consent of his colleagues, 
who again and again showed their confidence in 
the wisdom of his course. 

So well did Mr. Koehler serve his constituents 
in the office to which he had been twice elected, 
that when, in the autumn of 1895, their thoughts 
were bent upon electing a successor to the Re- 
publican representative in the senate, they at once 
turned to him as the man of all men best fitted to 



serve them in the highest bodj' of the Empire 
State. He was elected by a united Democracy, 
and by a splendid majority, over his Republican 
competitor, who was a candidate to succeed him- 
self. He succeeded to an honor which, on ac- 
count of its three 3'ears' duration, makes him the 
only senator from the Second Senatorial District 
who will ever have a term of the same duration. 
The constitutional convention of that year de- 
cided that all senators then elected should serve 
that length of time, but in the future for only 
two years, as heretofore. In that important body 
of law-makers he was recognized as a rising man, 
and was assigned by President Saxton, the 
lieutenant-governor, to membership in three of 
the most responsible committees, of which he be- 
came an active working member. Representing 
one of the most populous and intelligent districts 
in the entire state, made up of man}' and diversi- 
fied interests, it was natural that he should be 
called upon to present and champion many bills 
in which they were interested, so that no more 
bus}' man could be found at Albany than Sena- 
tor Koehler. Considering that he belonged to 
the minority party in the senate, he was eminently 
successful in being able to have the major portion 
of his bills considered and favorably acted upon. 
He has made a favorable beginning in his new 
life as a state legislator, and it is believed by those 
who know him best that his future in public life 
is an assured one. 

It will be seen from this outline of Mr. Koehler's 
life that he is eminently a man of the people, 
being thoroughly self-made, with a large share of 
determination, push and pluck, all of which goes 
to make a man of mark, and one not easily 
daunted bj' obstacles, which to men of less 
resolute mould would prove insurmountable bar- 
riers to success. If he had been to the ' 'manor 
born," so that as a native American citizen he 
could have risen from poverty to his present com- 
manding position as a state senator of the great- 
est state in the land, it would be saying much; 
but when it is remembered that about one-half 
of his life was spent upon a foreign soil, and that 
here he began with less than nothing, and that 
for years he had to wage a hard battle with pov- 
erty, obscurity and prejudice, he is a marvel 
among men. To-day he is a thorough-going 
American, in sympathy with ever}'-thing that 
bears the stamp of progress and independence. 
By the people of his district he is regarded as 
one to be thoroughly trusted, holding sacred his 



I202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



word once given, never having been known to 
break it in a single instance. He would scorn to 
lie, or be untrue to friendships, political or other- 
wise. Thoroughly fearless and independent, he 
cares nothuig for consequences, on^' to do right. 
In Steinway, Mr. Koehler has a beautiful home, 
surrounded by lovely lawns, bedecked with shrub- 
bery and flowers, where, with his most estimable 



and gifted wife, he spends that portion of his 
time not engro.ssed with his many cares in the culti- 
vation of flowers and fruits, which beautify his 
grounds, showing to the eye of the observer that 
he is a man of taste and refinement. Here he 
entertains with liberal hand his large circle of 
friends and admirers. His fellow-citizens are 
justly proud of him and delight to do him honor. 











INDEX. 











Abranis, Christopher E. . ■ .662 

Abraius, Henry N 605 

Adams, Johu 23 

Adams, Johu Q 39 

Aery, Charles H 365 

Ahles, Johu W 1109 

Ahreus. George C 5S1 

Ahrens, William 128' 

Albertsou, Thomas W 416 

Aliesky, Charles F 596 

Allen, Henr^f W 425 

Allen, Joseph 919 

AUeu, William H 718 

Althof, Herman 546 

Amberman, Charles B 13S 

Ambermao, William P 127 

Andersen, Christian 236 

Anderson, John 610 

Anderson, Otto 127 

Andrews, Francis E 751 

Andrews, Georg"e C 240 

Andrews, Joseph H 784 

Andrews, Johu 119 

Aukener, Ernest 232 

Applegate. Andrew G 594 

Archer, Theodore F 629 

Armstrong, Joseph D 431 

Armstrong. Richard iiS 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Ashmead, Benjamin A 623 

Askey, Johu L. 402 

Augustiu, Julius 497 

Aveuins, David T 763 



B 



Backus, Johu E S53 

Badeuhop, D 539 

Baker, William C 340 

Baldwin, David 616 

Baldwin, Robert H 470 

Ballard. Prof. W. J 129 

Bamber, Richard 643 

Baunon, John 595 

Barker, Charles H., M. D. .560 
Barker, Herbert L., M. D. .835 

Barnum, Joshua W 9S7 

Barrody, John B 1088 

Battermau, Dr. F. H 445 

Banmanu, Heurv 5S2 

Eavles, Alfred C' 575 

Baylis, Fraukliu P 584 

Beard, Daniel C 1012 

Beckel. Charles 255 

Becker, Jacob 831 

Becker, Johu 813 

Bedell Chauucey 970 

Bedell, David 1073 

Bedell, John R. ..9S2 

Beers, Alfred H 795 

Eeiderlinden, Edmund H. .42S 
:Belden, Rev. Charles M S76 



Belden, Johu A 6ri 

Beldiu. Clinton A., M. D . .259 

Bell, Capt. Frank N 996 

Bell, Richard M 359 

Bennett, George 1061 

Bennett, Joseph H 403 

Bergen, Benjamin T 504 

Bergen, Elmer E 643 

Bergeu, George W 6S1 

Bergen, Jacob S 3S8 

Bergmaun, Franz... 396 

Bermel, Joseph 8S3 

BesoUI, Christopher 426 

Bigoth, Eugene 382 

Billiugs, Charles W 1183 

Bisbee. Capt. Johu F 661 

Blackwell Family. The. ...352 
Blanchard, Capt."A]vah P. .321 

Bleckwenn, Julius 141 

Bleecker, Edward. M. D. .1100 

Bleier, Ben 2^3 

Eloodgood, J. F., M. D 487 

Boardman, J, L 1024 

bodine, Frank V 197 

Boettcher, Prof. Herman... 382 

Bogart. Albert J 844 

Eogart, Elbert H 993 

Bogart, Joseph H., M. D. ..735 

Bogeu. Frederick 235 

Bogert, Henry A 977 

Bokee, Alfred W S02 

Boll, John 760 

Boiler, William C 540 

Boothe, Franklin, M. D...1042 

Borges, August 424 

Borges, Henry J 424 

Bowers, Peter N 344 

Bowie}', Frederick 234 

Bowley. George H 377 

Bowman, George T 1156 

Bowne, Richard M. 690 

Bowue. R. Frauk 472 

Bowron, AV. H 1099 

Boyd, Albert L S3S 

Boyd, Benjamiu Z 242 

Brace, Charles W 411 

Brennan, Francis E-, M. D 769 

Brenuau, Paul C 136 

Bresloff. Loiiis 130 

Brick. Edward 808 

Brick, John 788 

Bridge, William 475 

BrJell, David 1074 

Briell. Theodore 1062 

Briukerhoff, Isaac E 422 

Brown, Charles.. 1026 

Brown. George L 500 

Brown, Capt. Joseph 241 

Brown, Capt. Richard 3S1 

Brown. Wyinan S 494 

Browne, Jesse, Jr 504 

Buchanan, Alexander D. .1006 

Buchanan. James 75 

Buhler. John 428 

Bumster, P. H., M. D 700 

Burden, Theron H 389 

Burdett, John A 360 

Burger, Ernst T 394 

Burgess. Robert 201 

BurghofF, William 972 

Burk, Fred W 539 

Burns, Alexander S 465 

Burtis, Joseph H 240 



Cain, James L 334 

Cain. James W 360 

Caldwell. M. Stuart, M. D. .167 

Callister, Thomas 1091 

Camden, Heury W 254 

Camden, John T 254 

Carll. Seymour 357 

Carman, Bergeu R 148 

Carman, Coles 431 

Carman, Isaac N 1078 

Carman, Samuel S 169 

Carman, Theodore A 453 

Carpenter, Eugeue E 729 

Carpeuter. James M 612 

Carpenter, James S 1130 

Carpeuter, Johu R 889 

Carrington, James M 1126 

Carroll, B. L 95S 

Carroll, Rev. Thomas E.. .1190 

Carter, Michael J 965 

Casey, George 492 

Cassidy, John 57S 

Cassidy, Joseph 583 

Chamberlain, Charles M. . .789 

Clauc}', Frank J 460 

Clapp, Ira M 119S 

Clark, James P 9S4 

Clark, John M 587 

Clark. W. Everett 3S7 

Claven. Mrs. Henrietta. .. .56S 

Clay, George E 303 

Cleary, Johu 623 

Clement, Charles H. M. D.1135 

Cleveland. Grover 103 

Cobleigh, Herbert A 1066 

Cock, Hon. Townsend D.. .406 
Cocke, W^illiam T., M. D. . . .739 

Cocks. George W.... 68S 

Coles, Isaac 1198 

Collins, William 1096 

Col ton, Samuel 7S4 

Colyer, Richard C 399 

Combs, Myrou C 242 

Comstock. Charles E 1043 

Conklin, Ezra W =173^ 

Connors, William 866 

Counortou, Luke J 865 

Conzet, Nicholas. Jr 813 

Couway. Michael E 561 

Cooper, Edward 978 

Cooper, Rev. Edmund D ... 135 

Cordtmeyer, Frank H 1014 

Cornelius, Mrs. Martha AV. 1128 

Cornelius, Thomas T 1020 

Cornell, C. E S32 

Cornell, AV. L 35S 

Corning, Thomas J 1173 

Cornwall, John H 963 

Cornwell, Austin 689 

Corn well, Daniel A 1162 

Cornwell. AVallace H 957 

Corrigau, Capt. Johu A...1177 

Cor win, Fraukliu H 715 

Covert, Abraham D .1128 

Covert, John 606 

Cowper, John E 529 

Cox, Alfred 617 

Cox. Smith 1 196 



Craft, Benjamin W,. 831 

Crawford. John W. '. .' 740 

Cromwell, Hou. Morton... 6S9 

Crusby, Johu D .'^..., .162 

Cyriax, Frederick -■,.. 



D 



Daly, Patrick Soo 

Darcy, Thomas F 49S 

Davis, Edgar 829 

Davis, James K 161 

Davison, Robert A 704 

Davren, John W 467 

De Bevoise, Charles R. . . . 1067 
De Bevoise, Frederick J . .995 

De Bevoise, John 1 245 

De Bevoise, AVilliam G 994 

Decker, Dr. Elbert 954 

Decker, Lucas E 645 

Decker, Smith N 151 

Delahanty. AVilliam H 1156 

De La Mater, Leander M.1157 
Demarest, James, D. D....338 

De Mott, Daniel 846 

De Mott. Samuel 691 

De Mott, William 771 

Deugler, Johu 552 

Dennett, A. K. P 6S4 

Dennis, Johu 433 

Deunison, Rev. Michael J.10S7 
Deuuler, Mrs. Zachariah P. 244 

Denton, Augustus 92S 

De Roude, H. Melville 393 

De St. Legier, James 246 

Detheridge, Frederick E- ■ .438 
Deutschmann, Fred A. H.H73 

Dickey, Dr. George H 723 

Dietz, Louis 358 

Dietze. Franz 453 

Dillingham. Prof. J. D....1110 
Ditmars, Hon. Abram D...151 

Ditmis. Geors^e 1035 

Ditmis, J. Adrian 675 

Dixon. Capt. J. AV 1036 

Doht, Heuiy 388 

Doucourt, Adolphus S44 

Donnelly, Father E. J 1S5 

Donnelly, John E 510 

Donnelly, Johu J 443 

Donnelly, John T. D 645 

Donnelly, Joseph M S74 

Dooley, Frauk. 494 

Dorval, A'ictor S 1092 

Doscher. Nicolaus 7S1 

Doud. Joseph H 1194 

Doughty. Dr. David B 1025 

Dowden, John 1165 

Dowuiug. Charles 37S 

Downing, George S 269 

Dowuiug. Richard 9S1 

Du Bois.^Smith H 531 

Duffv, Charles T 243 

Dulcken, Prof. F. Q 733 

Dunu. Johu F ID19 

Dun ton, Fred AA'' 355 

Durland, AVillet C 3S4 

Dnrvea. AVilliam H 615 



I204 



INDEX 



Earle, Bernard 162 

Eastniau, Heury M. W...n4l 

Eberhardt. August H 356 

Eldert, John H g'S 

Eldert, Luke 559 

Eldert. Samuel E 649 

Emmerich, Prof. George W.848 

England, Edward Z 374 

Everitt, Benjamin F 843 

Everitt, William E 383 



Faber, Bernhard L 9^7 

Fairchild, Elias A S83 

Fay, Lawrence 167 

Fay, Michael E 297 

Fay, Thomas 168 

Fehu, Frederick J 1124 

Fell. Heurv 788 

Felio, David J 412 

Ferris, I'hilip 8S5 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Finn.C. G. J., M. D 328 

Fitch, Hon. Jo-seph 437 

Fitch, N'eil O., M. D 61S 

Eitzpstiick. William H. ..1194 

Flanapatl, Andrew 646 

Flanagan. Peter S 590 

Fleischbein. August 166 

Fleischer, Martin, Jr 681 

Fleming, Hon. John 1059 

Fletcher, Joseph S 362 

Flyun, T. J.,M. D 301 

Foley, John 126 

Foley, Thomas 302 

Forbes, George, M. D 940 

Foreman. William .. ..11S7 

Fosdick. Hon. Morris 125 

Foster. Dr. Amaziah 642 

Fowler, Joel 343 

Frahm Brothers 622 

Frame, William 587 

France, Heury A.. M. D. .. .152 
Frauck Sohne, Heinrich. .1113 

Frew. Walter E 655 

Frey, Charles P 1188 

Freygang. Charles J J161 

Fritsche. Felix 1176 

Fuchs, Charles 830 

Fiichs, Rev. Lavvreuce 1029 

Fnechsel, R. W 1 163 

Fnrloug, James M 644 



G 



Gaiser. Louis C, Jr 752 

Gallagher, James 697 

Gardner, Miss Mary J 933 

Garretson, Charles H 1191 

Garfield, James A 95 

Garner, John B 1192 

Garrison, Cornelius V loiS 

Garrison, Howard 350 

Gauch, Adam S49 

Geipel, I'aul A 572 

Geiser, Joseph 825 

Gemnnder, George 304 

Gcniuuder. George, Jr 867 

Georgi, Charles H 373 

Gerken. John D 546 

Gillen, William W 421 

Gillespie. Karl A 1152 

Gittens, John K 734 

Glickman, Max 432 

Goeller, Charles 251 

Golder, William 1*. 730 

Goldner, Anthony 947 

Golduer, Matthew J 921 

Golsner, George J 748 

Goodridge. l\. A.. M. D 945 

Goodwin. John W 10S3 

Gosling, Albert K 1186 

Gosman, George McA 149 

Gosman. John W 1136 

Gould, Prof. Charles W, ...914 

Gradv, Alexander 677 

Grant. I'lysses S S7 

Gray, Kugene W 1067 

Gray. John A 946 

Gray, Sylvester 1017 



Greaflin, John S80 

Green, Frederick L 678 

Gregorj'. Matthew H 741 

Griffin. Benjamin A 202 

Grimm. Paul H 1138 

Grinsted, David 528 

Gruman, Carmi B 528 

Gueusch, Peter 942 

Guernsey. Samuel B 250 

Gulick, Rev. U. D ...346 



H 



Hachtel, George 855 

Hackett, Christopher S30 

Hadden, Charles E 1143 

HalT, Frank E 675 

Hagan. Hugh iiiS 

Hageman, Abram C 763 

Haggertv. John F 668 

Hahn, Antou 856 

Haley, John 878 

Hall, Charles J., M. D 372 

Hall, Henry D., M. D 345 

Hall, William S 118S 

HalletL, Charles W 1:23 

Hallett, Charles W., Jr 107S 

Hallett, Elbert 1025 

Hallock, Rev. Frank M 59S 

Hallock, Nicholas 6gg 

Halpin,JohuA '..SSs 

Halvorson, John D S62 

Hamlet, Dr. Francis P 796 

Hance, Capt. Charles 1139 

Hansniauu , George 641 

Hanson. John 1122 

Hardenbrook, William 668 

Harmer. Alonzo T 252 

Harms, Gustave 3S0 

Harris, Charles H 313 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

Harrison, Daniel A.. M. D.1030 

Harrison, W^illiam H 51 

Hart, Hugh 253 

Hartmanu, Joseph 584 

Hartwell, John B.. M. D. .1193 

Haslam, Robert C 367 

Haubeil, Jacob F 1096 

Hanber, Rev. Joseph 727 

Hauck, Gustav A 886 

Hauser, Inguatz August... 168 

Havilaud Family, The 1053 

Havilaud, George W., Sr. . 1031 

Havilaud, Henry M 1056 

Hawxhurst, William E 170 

Hayden, George W 374 

Hayes, Charles W 1121 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hayues, A. Conroj' 236 

Healy, John J 1177 

Heany, George 996 

Heeg. John 330 

Hegemau, Daniel J 1106 

Hegeman, Maj. Elbert 910 

Heinbockel, Charlie 669 

Heiuze, William 36S 

Hellwarth, Christian 8gi 

Hemlein, Valentine 491 

Henderson, Edwin 201 

Henderson. Thomas 199 

Hendricksou, Elias C 312 

Hendrickson, Hendrick. . .306 

Hendricksou, Isaac C 305 

Hendrickson, Oldfield 901 

Hepburn, John Sii 

Herold. Christian 262 

Herriman, M. W., M. D 177 

Hess, George S79 

Hewlett, Israel 432 

Hewlett. Whitehead H 1184 

Hewlett. William E 1179 

Hewlett. William H 36S 

Hicks, Benjamin H. 1147 

Hicks, Engeue P 350 

Hicks Family. The 493 

Hicks, Maj. George A 30S 

Hicks, Isaac 510 

Hicks, James K 1148 

Hicks, Joseph W 1163 

Higbic. George H 314 

Higgins. James M 1155 

Higgins, William D 657 

Hitbers. Gustave W 334 

Hilderhof. Stephen goS 

Hill, Capt. Edward 72S 

Hinds. Prof. Ephraim 1181 

Hingle. Charles 1 880 

Hinksou. John R., M. D...1120 

Hiscox. David 249 

Hoag, Pierre C, M. D.._ 954 



Hoag, William H., M. D . . .1142 

Hobbs, Rev. J. Howard 179 

Hochstadter, Frederick 250 

Holland. Michael P 1178 

Holland, William C looi 

Holmes, Samuel R 260 

Homeyer, Christian D 640 

Homeyer, Richard A 503 

Hopkins, George K 467 

Hopkins, William q3i 

Horton, Albert J 710 

Horton, Samuel J 966 

Hults. William H 746 

Hummel. Charles 698 

Hunt, William L 736 

Hunter, Jacob 155 

Hunter, Jacob B 543 

Husson, Charles E 545 

Hntcheson, J. Ensor, M. D.301 
Hutcheson, Robert F., M.D.255 



Ilch, George 315 

Ilch. Herman 776 

Ingram, David 253 

Ingram, James 262 

Ives, Prof Alfred E 1084 



Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jamieson, John 1140 

Jar\'is, David 989 

Jar\'is, Robert 261 

Jarvis, William L 709 

Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Jeffrey, Richard P 373 

Jer\'is. George S 636 

Jeuch. Michael 842 

Jockers, John 769 

Johann, C. & Sons 470 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, F. L., M. D 908 

Johnson, Hon. Heury C. .1143 

Johnson, Martin G 1005 

Johnson, Peter 404 

Johnson, Wilbur F 856 

Johnson, William 400 

Johutra, J. Albert 886 

Johntra, Joseph A 256 

Jones, Adelbert 260 

Jones. Watkin W 969 

Jones, Col. William A 195 

Jones, William H 1135 

Jones, William H 421 



K 



Kadien, Thomas C 312 

Kane, Richard E 622 

Karkheck, John P 1125 

Kastner. Maximilian F. . .307 

Kearney, Rev. P 447 

Kellum, Ebenezer 264 

Kellnm, John 165 

Kelly, Edward 1137 

Kellv. Peter n6S 

Kelly. William C 445 

Kelsey. Edward L 170 

KeLsey, Jesse W 694 

Kelsey. John Heury 1126 

Keunahan. John C' 694 

Kepner. San ford H 440 

Kern, Fred 446 

Kespert, Charles W 171 

Kesselring, Henrj' S60 

Ketcham, David S95 

Kiesel, Heni^- 635 

Killilea, Thomas R., M. D.6og 

Kinsey, David 330 

Kirchher. Hugo (24 

Kirk. William E 1153 

Kissam, J. l^Iaynard 1153 

Kis.sam, Judge J. Mayuard.6S2 

Klapper. Henry 171 

Kuapp, Lucien 593 

Kuaner, Edward J 550 

Koch. P'erdinand (25 

Koehler. Theodore 1199 

Korfmann. Henry C 263 

Kouwenhoveu, F. D 721 



Kouwenhoven. Peter W S7S 

Kraebel. John P 907 

Kraemer. Herman 867 

Kreuscher, Capt. John 179 

Krombholz, Franz 444 

Kron, John 448 

Krudop. Martin 329 

Kunasek, William 264 

Kyle, Prof Paul 952 



Lackner, John 1160 

Lamberson. Leonard W...860 

Lambert. George L 202 

Laney, David H S96 

Lankow. Carl S14 

Larsen, Magnus 466 

Latimer, G. Byron 1030 

Lauer, Jacob . . 1175 

Lanfer. Edward H 745 

Laux. Alois S19 

Lawrence, Charles D 610 

Lawrence, Edwin S 939 

Lawrence, Joseph A., Jr. . .324 

Lawrence, Wilson S91 

Lay ton, Thompson 902 

Leavitt, Frederic W 727 

Leavitt, G. Howland 371 

Lebkuecher, Philip 736 

Leek, Elias A 206 

Lehr, William 915 

Leibrock. Louis 329 

Leininger, Peter A 770 

Lepage, Matthew S73 

Lever. J. Howard, M. D.. .459 

Leys. Peter D., M. D 265 

L'Hommedieu. George A. 1097 
L'Hommedien. Samuel... 44S 

Libby, Henry P 200 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Linkletter, Justus O 423 

Lockwood. John E 1108 

Lougenecker. Dr. D. R 59S 

Lott, A. V. S S05 

Lott, Charles V 868 

Lott. Dow S 188 

Lott, Franklin J 699 

Lott. Nicholas 824 

Lott. Peter sn 

Lott, Wilbur 1127 

Louusburv. Rev. Elford F.iiSo 
Ludlum. Charles H., M. D..207 

Ludluni. John 207 

Ludlum. Robert 20J 

Lusk, Obed L.. M. D 270 

Luyster, Peter 624 



M 



McArdle, Peter 434 

McCarthy, Daniel S23 

McCarthy, William 433 

McCook,"jolm B S25 

McCorinick. James H 1146 

McCormick, Hon. R. C BiS 

McDermott. John J 273 

McKee. Thomas J 20S 

McKennn, Francis 266 

McKenua. Judge Francis. .31S 
McKeuua. Hon. James A. 1090 

McKeown, William J S50 

McKiuney. Francis N §34 

McKnight. H. Stewart 11S9 

McLaughlin. James F 907 

McLaughlin, John J 940 

McLaughliu. Joseph 455 

McNena. Francis 621 

McNichoU. Thos. A., M.D..3U 

McNulty. George A 941 

Maass, Augiist 140 

Macdonald. James A. . . . . .1111 

Macfarland. R. L.. M. D. . .471 
Macfiirlnne. R. F.. M. D...379 

MacKenna. Thomas C 530 

Mackey, Elbert H.. Jr 272 

Mackev, Cnpl. George 172 

Mackey, John, Sr ^..1151 

Mackev. John Henrv 549 

MacPhcrson. John D..M.D.41S 

MacQuesten. Rev. R 752 

Madden. Hon. John P 1164 

Madison. James 31 

Macer, Martin, Jr 6zS 

Maher, William A 1146 

Mahn, John P 829 



INDEX 



1203 



Mauahau, Thomas 935 

Maulev, Hou. Lucius N — 450 

Mark, Robert 872 

Marvin. Richard W 323 

Marviu, Robert 754 

Master, Dr. Clareuce M. .. .621 

Master, David D. M 799 

Master, J. Edwards 1041 

Mathews, George 426 

Matthews, Peter im 

Maure, George 698 

Medero, Fred 855 

Meisel, Albert 1172 

Meucken, Heni-y 916 

Merrill, John B ■ 11S5 

Messenger, Johu 932 

Methven, Capt. 'Williain. . .892 

Meyer, Herman 754 

Meynen. Georg-e K., M. D.765 
Michou, Godfrey L., M. D.S215 

Miller, Dr. C. H., N. A 693 

Miller, Philip J 209 

Miller, William G 525 

Mills, George C 931 

Mitchell, Alfred 1047 

Mitchell, Samuel M 209 

Mitchill, Singleton L 566 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, Kenjaniiu, Jr 1139 

Moore, Harrison S 1065 

Moore, Jacob Johu 335 

Moore. Michael 617 

Moore, William K ; . . . .449 

Morrell, Henry C 427 

Morrison, David G 271 

Morrison, John 270 

Mott, Benjamin B 1117 

Mott, Richard, Sr ,...988 

Mott, Capt. Sylvanus 1120 

Mount, Andrew. 460 

Mount, Ccorpe W, , . • ■ 44» 

Mount, Robert H "12 

Mulot. I^ouis, M. D 677 

Mnrphy, Johu 439 

Murray, Daniel 140 

Murray, Isaac 826 

Murray, Loftus P 1108 

Murray, Sanford 274 

Muther, William 137 



N 



Nason. William 787 

Nehrbauer, Nicholas 953 

Nelius, Arnold 59° 

Nelsoii, Eli E 41° 

Nesbett, John F 139 

Nevin, Robert H 916 

New, Alfred L 10S9 

New, James L., M. D 757 

Nickolaus, Henry J 276 

Niederstein, John, Jr 317 

Noble, Judge Daniel 291 

Norton, Carroll F 1023 

Norton, Franklin C 1116 

Norton James 543 

Norton, John L. B noi 

Nostrand, Henry L 217 

Nugent, Richard A. W...1119 
Nutt, Samuel D., M. D.. . .933 



o 



Oakley, Foster L 958 

Oberglock, Herman 1053 

Odholm, Gustavus 412 

O'Donuell, Augustus T 318 

O'Dounell, John 279 

O'Dounell, William 1089 

O'Xvaue Brothers 1112 

O'Keefe, Edward 764 

Oldrin, Johu M 526 

Onderdonk, Judge W. H.. .145 

Ott, Louis C 1029 

Owen, Van Nest 323 



Packard, Monroe 758 

Parsons. Samuel B 627 

Patterson, Thomas 861 



Paul, Ralph 1036 

Payne, Hou. A. T 175 

Payne, Edward T 639 

Payutar, George H 599 

Payntar, Thomas S.' 576 

Pearce, Capt. Jacob F 211 

Pearsall, Alexander A.... 527 

Pearsall, Benjamin 210 

Pearsall, Josiah L 667 

Pearsall, Lewis 211 

Peasell. Carman 2S1 

Peck, George Lyman ..... .393 

Peck, Rev. Isaac 274 

Peck, Rev. W. J., M. D 468 

Peck, Prof William M 549 

Peer, William H., M. D. . .1041 

Penchard, Charles 705 

Perpall, E. A ggo 

Peters, John J 606 

Peterson, Henry 700 

Petit, Coles 842 

Petry, George 776 

Petry, John W 703 

Phillips, John M 1026 

Phillips, Peter N 1154 

Phillips, Capt. Samuel F. . .551 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pine, Benjamin J 789 

Pine, D. Wesley 275 

Piukhara. George W 990 

Pitt, William A 849 

Piatt, Clareuce N., M. D. . .94S 
Platte, Mrs. Emma ....... .416 

Plump, Bruu 100.8 

Plver, William 758 

Po'lack, Gustav H -pc 

Polhemus, Job." 59 

!^?.%,J5rci7ard w! ::;::.: : .'692 

Pople, George ii45 

Port Washington Woman's 

Club "51 

. Post, C. Augustus 983 

Post, Jotham 212 

Post, Stephen W 1196 

Post. William 275 

Pratt, Alfred W 823 



o 



Ouinn, H. F. & Sous 137 



R 



Raible, Joseph 1114 

Randall, George M 1S2 

Randall, Johu J 239 

Rapelve, Cornelius 951 

Rasqmn, William, Jr 859 

Rath, Edward H looi 

Rath, Henry C 1044 

Rathjen, Jurgen 515 

Ran, Christian 901 

Rave, Adolph G., M. D 2S1 

Rave, Edward G., M. D 21S 

Raymond, Francois 913 

Ray nor, William 176 

Reboul, Johu B 276 

Redlefsen, John 141 

Redman, Elmer S 344 

Reidy, M.J I47 

Reilly, John 747 

Remseu, Isaac B 1071 

Remsen, I.Cornell 7i7 

Remsen, Johu F 212 

Renart. Peter 854 

Richardson, Edward 1134 

Ring, Charles E 1083 

Ring, Frederick 1083 

Ripperger, George loo2 

Robbins, Richard H 531 

Roberts, Hamilton K 500 

Robinson, John T 533 

Rocker. Jacob 1019 

Roeckel, George 717 

Rogers, John F 603 

Rose, M. Arthur 219 

Rosenthal, Dr. Adolph D.. .664 

Roszel, El wood inS 

Roszel, Joseph H loSo 

Roulett, Patrick J 722 

Roulher, Col. G. A 1079 

Ruhl, William 903 

Russell, Charles E 1008 

Ryau, John F 196 

Ryan, Michael F 72S 

Ryder, Nicholas 95= 



St. Patrick's Church 477 

Salathe, Jacob S50 

Sammis, Adelbert H 1000 

Saniniis, Johu M 589 

Sapiaelt, Robert 716 

Sarvis, James. . . 884 

Scheiber, August sr"^ 

Schenck, Benjamin W 316 

Scheuck, Elbert J 180 

Scheuck, Moses R S96 

Scheurer, Edward E 1129 

Scheurer, William H 540 

Schilling, Charles A igo 

Schleicher. Frank J 106S 

.Schlepegrell, John H 190 

.Schmall, John A 715 

Schnnrr, George P 283 

Schoeufeld, Rev. William. .807 

Schuler, Prof Hans 729 

Schumacher, Gustav 533 

Schumack, Rev. Arabrose.1137 
Schwalenberg, William H.871 

Schwan, John 222 

Schwarz, Charles H 777- 

Schwicker, Christian 7Sf* 

Scott, Philip P.. v.ri/^- 

Scott, Richard ........ 1077'^ 

Scudder, T"; fr',isend, . . . , , .1694 ' 

Seabnry, .-niiv, The^ 651 

Scateaii , Corn elius V 805 

geamar., Frank P 7Si 

Searhau, Oscar J 987 

Seaman, Preston B 865 

Seaman, Rowland 560 

Seaman, Samuel J 499 

Seaman, William H 534 

Searing, Hou. Samuel V. . .959 

Sebaldr Charles H 982 

Seitz, Michael 377 

Selover, John W 879 

Selover, Williamson R 710 

Sharkey, Henry W 562 

Sharkey, Patrick F 759 

Sheehan, John J 778 

Sherwood, Isaac 1097 

Shinier, Edgar D.. Ph. D..156 

Shipley, W. Augustus 1002 

Siebrecht, William H 847 

Siebs, J. N. F : 581 

Silbersdorf Charles A 658 

Simraen, Dr. Robert 1195 

Simmons, Johu J I19I 

Simonson, Daniel H 747 

Simouson, F. De Hass 612 

Skeuse, Thomas 971 

Skidmore, Samuel T 575 

Skidmore, William A 182 

Skinner, Erasmus D., M.D.904 

Slavin, Edward A 1113 

Sluiter, A. C io73 

Smallwood, S. B., M D ... .627 

Smedley, J. Harvey 205 

Smith, Carman i8g 

Smith, Prof. Cyrus E 604 

Smith, Epenetus 316 

Smith, Frederick N 890 

Smith, George D 4" 

Smith, George W 220 

Smith, Henry C 775 

Smith, Prof. Herbert 409 

Smith, Hiram R 663 

Smith, H. DeWitt 630 

Smith , James Ezra 222 

Smith, James W 1114 

Smith, Jarvis E 692 

Smith, John H 283 

Smith, Johu M I77 

Smith, Joseph L 1032 

Smith, J. Carpenter. S.T.D.n7 

Smith, Leonard C. L 553 

Smith, Matthew J 640 

Smith, Morrell 221 

Smith, Ray nor R 199 

Smith, S. Alonzo 770 

Smith, Thomas D 4^7 

Smith, Valentine W 443 

Smith, Wesley B 189 

Smith, William 790 

Smith, William A., M. D...7g4 

SmuU, L. Burdette 97S 

Smyth, George H 96° 

Smyth, Idus J 1085 

Suedeker, J. Sevmour 652 

Sniffen, Irving C 188 

Southard. John W 191 

Spaeth, George F 742 

Spalding, Harvey G 7" 

Sprague, Charles W 17S 

Sprague, Chauncy T I115 

Sprague, S. Foster iiSo 



Springmaun, Edward 946 

Springsteen, David 975 

.Stahl, Hon . Jacob 920 

Starke, Fritz 514 

Starks, Dalmar L 801 

Steffen, Rev. Aloysius 3.33 

Steiner, Edward'. 142 

Stein er, Gus 220 

.Steinert, Jcseph 837 

Steiufuhrer, Rev. C. D. F. .793 

.Steinway, C. F. T 516 

Steinway, Henry E 521 

Steinway, William 517 

.Stelz, George gSg 

Stern, Nathan 1107 

Sternberg, Johu 282 

Stevens, Adam C S06 

Stevens, Kerby 1S7 

Stevenson Louis T 1086 

Stewart, John ..53S 

Stewart, Williain E 1197 

Stillwaggon, George A 724 

Stocking, Rev. S. S .925' 

Stoehr, Christian s^s 

Stoothoff.-Wvckofr ■' 

Story, Charkv. 1i.,jy—-'^---.v'^ 

Story, Eline';-0 ' - .li^'' 

iStotzky, John, 13; 

Stran.c; -^^ ijamin G. , M.D S61 

f Sullivan, I.auielJ 909 

\ Uillivau, Bonnis S98 

\iullivan, MicB .i;! 554 

Sundling, A. E.. 1085 

Suss, Prof Otto ... 545 

Sutphen, George R. 1159 

Sutphen, Henrj' O... iijg 

Sutter, Frederick .-. . 1087 

Sutter, Johu 314 

Sutter. Judge William -2 

Suydam.JohuT g-.- 



Tallon, John 555 

Tator, John E 192 

Tanlman, Capt. Daniel W. 633 

Taylor, Francis B 286 

Taylor, Henry J 409 

Taylor, Johu H 337 

Taylor, Col. W. R., M. D. .1103 

Taylor. Zachai-y 63 

Terry, George W 712 

Terry, J. Rufus 181 

Tewes, Herman 1093 

Thielbahr, Diederich 150 

Thiry, John H 4S1 

Thomas, Charles W 192 

Thomas, H. M 488 

Thomas, Thomas 191 

Thomas, William noo 

Thomas, William M 897 

Thomson, Edward H. ... 
Thornton, Thomas H. .. 

Thurston, Thomas 

Tier, Johu E 

Tierney, Rev. Matthe 

Tillej', Daniel 

Tilly, George E 

Tingley, Hilbert B. 

Tisdale, Robert B 

Tisdale, Samuel B 

Titus, Ellwood V — 

Titus, Heurv P 

Titus, R. Franklin.. 

Titus, Samuel M... 

Titus, S. Towusend 

Toleman, Fred W. 

Tompkins, Josepl 

Towusend Famil' 

Tracy, Richard. . 

Traphageu, Thoi 

Trapp, George, ' 

Trapp, John J. 

Trowbridge, Fr 

Trudden, Frank 

Tuohv, Thomas x -■ ^^ j^^^^''^^,'- 

Turner, George J 131 

Turner, Johu A 284 

Turuer, Richard T 2b6 

Twombly, Charles E I47 

Tyler, Johu 55 



U 



Udall, Capt. Arch 1074 

Underhill, Samuel J 349 

Upham, SelahB "49 



I204 



INDEX 



V 



Valentine, Ellwood 783 

Valentine. Isaac W 705 

Valentine, Jacob 999 

Valentine, Thomas S41 

Valentine, William E 60-, 

Valentine, William M 812 

Van Allen, Henry A 820 

Van Bergen, Peter A 76.5 

Van Buren. Martin 47 

Van de Water, Lett 221 

Van Iderstine, Charles A.. 491 

Van Nostrand, Albert 782 

Van Nostrand, Charles A. -611 

Van Nostrand, David I S17 

Van Nostrand, William II. 624 

Van Osten. James B 285 

Van Pelt, Peter 490 

Van Riper, Francis G 478 

Van Riper. George T 351 

■ ''•.n Riper, Tsaac, 366 

Van"-,- :„.r, John , 461 

Van Siclin, .v>t..-,ij|am. . . . .922 

Van Siclen, M'yckoTn V- 

Vau Si.se, Israel W 

Van Til, Jacob 4-,-. 

Van Vechten, Francis H. . . rtb 

Van Wagner, Alfred E ^^-j 

"'>Mi Wickel, ohn P gs^ 

v^'h Wicklf/i, Capt. R 801 

Verity, El'ert 230 

Vincent, John ,,, 

Volkni'.', Charles 706 

Von ^unerbein, Julius 292 

it' 



w 



Wadley, Charles A 204 

Wagner. Frederick 600 

Wagner. William J 106S 

Wakefield, Thomas 506 

Waldron, James 1 1006 

Walker, Samuel 650 

Wallace, Charles L.' 532 

Wallace, Capt. Edwin 1141 

Wallace, George 687 

Walter, Louis T., Sr 41S 

Walz, Fred 396 

Wambsganss. Prof. John.. 572 

Warnock, William A ■ .514 

Warshing, Sigmund ..... .42-^ 

Washington, George iq 

Watts, J. Tyler ,65 

Webb. Capt. Thomas E 293 

Weber, Edward H 772 

Weed, Charles W 657 

Weekes, Floyd 1171 

Weeks. Edward M 367 

Weeks, Harry T 484 

Weeks. Thomas C 630 

Weller, Hon. Augustus N. .327 
Welwood. John B., M. D. .1189 

Vli>?orah, Jam'/s M 462 

White. Cc^Wir M 511 

White, Heurv x^" , 740 

White, Hon. >. J....". ^si 

Whitney, Darling B., m.'i'.riz 
Whitney, .Scudderv. . 476 
Whittemore, Clarence B ilsd 
Widmayer, Fred.... " 635 



Wieners, Jacob F., Jr.... 1062 

Wigle, George 68^ 

Wiley, Frank 817 

Willets, Charles A s37 

Willets, Charles A., Jr 109S 

Willets, Thomas S 336 

Willey, Charles A 120 

Williams. Gabriel W 296 

Williams, Richard H 1155 

Williams. William H 1133 

Williamson. George H S77 

Williamson, William S 512 

Willis, Oscar B 513 

Willis, Samuel C 223 

Willis. Valentine 556 

Wilson, Francis F 570 

Wilson, Peter 1094 

Wilson, Robert 984 

Wilson, Rev. William T 976 

Wingrove. Benjamin 401 

Winkler, John nog 

Winslow. F. E 1118 

Witze! , Joseph 1079 

Wood, B. Frank 505 

Wood, John 77S 

Wood, John, Jr 509 

Wood, J. Lawrence 415 

Wood, Lewis M... 512 

Wood, Martin V 663 

Wood, Philip M., M. D 7S1 

Wood.. Thomas L 1104 

Wood, William L .229 

Woodruff, C. Curtis 456 

Ijl^oodruff. John B 395 

Wooto'CJohu T 1095 

W-oolley, Bi.aJ''-".°°y S- ■ ■ -405 

Woollev.Joh'n Ta - *7* 

549 



Wnght. Fred A.. M. D 783' 

Wright, Higbie W 40, " 

Wright, John J la%y 

Wright, Jordan jJy 

Wright, Samuel A., D.V.S 90^ 

Wright, Thomas S 843 

Wright. William W 597 

Wulff. George H. J S66 

Wj-ckofr, John L 972 

Wysong, D. Preston, M. D.29S 
Wyss, Jacob 616 



Yerrington, C. H., M.D.. . .11S6 
York, Mrs. M. M., M. D.. .1007 
Young, Willis H 633 



Zabriskie. W. H., M 

Zehden, Max 

Zeiner, Prof. F. W. 



..472 
.1018 
.1167 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Adams, John 22 

Adams, John Q 3S 

Allen, Joseph qi8 ■ 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Angnstin, Julius 496 

Avenius, Uavid T 762 

Backus, John E 852 

Beldin, Clinton A.. M.D....25S 

Bergeu, George W 6S0 

Bermel, Joseph S82 

Bisbee. Capt. John F 660 

Blauchard, Capt. A. P 320 

Bloodgood, J. F.. M. D 4S6 

Bogart, Elbert H Q92 

Brennan, F. E., M. D 76S 

Bridge, William 474 

Buchanan, James 74 

Burns, Alex. S 464 

Carman, Coles 430 

Carman, Theodore A '. , .452 

Carpenter. John R 888 

Clark, John M 586 

Clark, William Everett 3S6 

Cleveland, S. Grover 102 

Cocke, William I., M. D. , , .73S 

Colyer. Richard C 39S 

Cooper, Edmund D., D. D..134 

Cornwall, John H 962 

Coruwell, Wallace H 956 

Corwin, Franklin H 714 

Davis, Edgar S28 

Ditmis, George O ... 1034 

Ditmis, John 673 

Ditmis, J, Adrian 672 

Dounell}', Rev. Eugene J..1S4 

Donnelly, Joseph M 874 

Downing, George S 26S 

Downing, Richard gSo 

Dulcken, Ferdinand Q 733 

Duuton, Fred W 354 



Duryea. William H 614 

Eldert, G. V.W 558 

Fillmore, Millard 66 

Fitch, Hon. Joseph 436 

Fleming, Hon. John 105S 

Fosdick, Lewis L 123 

Fosdick. Hon. Morris 122 

Fowler, Joel 342 

Frew, Walter E 654 

Gallagher, James 6g6 

Garfield, James A 94 

Gilleu, William W 420 

Goodi-idge, E. A., M. D 944 

Grant, Ulysses S 86 

Gray, Sylvester ioi6 

Harrison, Benjamin ro6 

Harrison, William H 50 

Hauber, Rev. Joseph 726 

Hayes, Rutherford B 90 

Hendrickson, Oldfield 90a 

Hepburn, John 810 

Hiscox, David 24S 

Homeyer, Richard A 502 

Hopkins. John B . . .930 

Hunter, Jacob 154 

Hutchesou, J. Eusor, M. D 300 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson, Thomas 26 

Johnson, Andrew S2 

Jarvis, William L 70S 

Johnson, Martin G 1004 

Jones, Watkin W 96S 

Jones, Col. William A 194 

Kellum. John 164 

Ketcham. David S94 

Knapp. Lucieu 592 

Kouweuhoven, F. D 720 

I^anfer, Edward H 744 

I,a wren ce, Edwin S 937 

Lawrence, William A 936 



Leavitt, G. Howland 370 

Lever. J. Howard, M. D... .458 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Lott, A. V. S S04 

Lott, Peter 570 

McLaughlin, James F go6 

McNicholl, T._ A.. M. D 310 

Mackey, John Henry 54S 

Madison, James -30 

Manahan, Thomas 924 

Master, C. M., D. D. S 620 

Master, David D. M 79S 

Master. J. E 1040 

Miller. William G 524 

Mitchell, Alfred 1046 

Monroe, James 34 

Moore, Harrison S 1064 

Nasou, William 7S6 

New. James L.. M. D 756 

Noble, Judge Daniel 289 

Noble, Solomon B 288 

Norton, Carroll F 1022 

Norton, James 542 

Nostrand, George 214 

Nostrand, Henry L 215 

Oberglock, Herman 1052 

O'Dounell. John 278 

Onderdouk, Judge W. H. . . 144 

Parsons, Samuel B 626 

Payne, Hon. A. T 174 

Payne, Edward T 638 

Pearsall, Josiah L 666 

Peck, George L 392 

Petry, John W 702 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polhenius, John 834 

Polk, James K 58 

Pratt, Alfred W 822 

Randall, John J 23S 

Rapelye, Cornelius 950 



Raymond, Francois 912 

Reinsen, Isaac B 1070 

Ring, Frederick 1082 1 

St. Ignatius Cliurch 102SJ 

Schwalenberg. William H..870I 

Seaman, Oscar J 9S6 

Seitz, Michael 376 

Siebrecht, William H 846 

Siebs, J. N. F :,8o 

Sraedley, J. Harvey 204 

Smith, Henry C...' 774 

Smith, Prof. Herbert 40S 

Smith, J. C, S. T. D 116 

Smith, Valentine W 442 

Springsteen, David 974 

Steffen. Rev. Aloysius 532 

Steinfuhrer, Rev. C. D. F. ..792 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Tierney, Rev. Matthew J. .480 

Tingley, H. B., M. D 648 

Trapp, John J 1010 

Tyler, John 54 

Uuderhill, Samuel J 34S 

Valentine, Jacob 99S 

Valentine, Thomas 840 

Valentine. William E 602 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

Van No.strand, David L 816 

Van Siclen, Abraham 564 

Wallace, George 686 

Washington, George 18 

Watts, J. Tyler 364 

Weller, Hon. A. N 326 

Willets, Charles A 536 

Williamson, George H S76 

Wood, Alfred M 226 

Wood, John, Jr 50S 

Wood, J. Lawrence 414 

Wood, Philip M.. M. D 7S0 

Wood, William L 227 




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